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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOTTER BOX CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS (209 S. MELDRUM ST.) - PDP - 35-09 - MINUTES/NOTES - CORRESPONDENCE-HEARINGPlanning & Zoning Board January 21, 2010 Page 5 Member Lingle said he appreciates the architectural design. He thinks it is very well done and it's a nice addition to downtown. Member Campana said he liked the project a lot. He thinks they've done a good job with it and he'd like to see Otter Box stay downtown. The motion was approved 5:0. Other Business: Member Lingle would like to thank Member Schmidt for her two years of service as Chair. She did a very good job. Meeting adjoumed $t 6:23 p.m. CDNS Director Planning & Zoning Board January 21, 2010 Page 4 Public Input Closed Board Questions: Vice Chair Smith asked staff to comment on what they'd heard, McArdle said with regard to the two hour parking on Meldrum, she had spoken with Parking Services Manager Randy Hensley. There is a process if someone wants to change from 2 hour parking. They would make the request to him and the process includes neighborhood outreach. As of this date, they have not made that request. if the applicants do intend to make that request, all the affected neighbors will be invited to comment. Member Schmidt said at the neighborhood meeting there was a question about whether the existing lighting buffers the neighborhood. The response was no, the existing trees are so dense the lighting is screened. Many of those are deciduous trees —does that mean in the winter time there will not be any screening? Is there down directional lighting? McArdle said the Code does require all down directional lighting and the buffering along the alley does meet standards. Member Lingle asked the applicant about the comment made at the neighborhood meeting that there would be 60 employees. Is that still current? McMillen said yes that's current and they are expected to grow. He said that a building approximately 40,000 square feet can handle more than 60 employees. Because their previous location has been downtown, a high number of their employees rode bikes, took public transportation, or carpooled. They have not needed as many spaces for that reason. Lingle said the.Staff Report noted there are 37 parking spaces on site and the applicant intends to lease parking from nearby private parking facilities. Is that a commitment that Otter Box is willing to make? McMillen said they have been working on leasing parking spaces from a willing private property owner. Lingle said he had a concern (also raised at the neighborhood meeting about the adequacy of parking for the demand.) Lingle wonders what would happen to the excess —would it spill over to Meldrum and surrounding streets? McMillen said the owners have the same concerns and they are continuing to work on that. Member Hatfield said it sounds as if it's a "slam/dunk" to him. Member Lingle made a motion to approve the Otter Box Corporate Headquarters PDP, # 35-09 based upon the revised Findings of Facts, Conclusions, and Recommendations in the memorandum to the Planning & Zoning Board dated January 1 e, 2010. A. The proposed land use is permitted in the NCB, Neighborhood Conservation Buffer zone district. B. The Project Development Plan complies with the applicable standards in Article 3 — General Development Standards of the Land Use Code. C. The Project Development Plan complies with the applicable standards Division 4.9 Neighborhood Conservation, Buffer District (NCB). Staff recommends approval of the Otter Box Corporate Headquarters PDP, #35-09. Member Schmidt seconded the motion. Member Schmidt said it sounds like a very good project and it looks like it's going to be worthwhile for the old town area. That's the whole goal with infill—to have transit to serve an area and for people to use it. Hopefully the goals will be achieved and they can work out the parking situation. Planning & Zoning Board January 21, 2010 Page 3 Project: Otter Box Corporate Headquarters Project Development Plan (PDP), # 35-09 Project Description: This is a request for an office building to be located at 209 S Meldrum Street. This site is in the Neighborhood Conservation Buffer (NCB) Zone District. The existing 1.5 story building is approximately 14,000 square feet and the proposed addition is 3 stories with 37,949 square feet above grade and 6,230 square feet at the basement level, for a total square footage of 44,179. The addition will preserve the majority of existing parking spaces and the applicant plans to lease parking from nearby private parking facilities. The proposed use is considered an office use with structural additions in the NCB zone district. Recommendation: - Approval Planner Emma McArdle said at the neighborhood meeting a neighbor mentioned they were concerned about setbacks for this building. She told them they would be required to do a modification of standards but, in fact, they did not need a modification of standards because they requested a contextual setback which was approved by staff. Applicant Presentation Stu McMillen from Everitt/McMillen Development said they are available if there are any Board questions. Public Input: David May, President and CEO of the Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce, said they own the property immediately to the south of this property. Two things he'd like to address tonight — first and foremost they do support this project. This is exactly the kind of project they'd like to see in downtown. They are very pleased to see Otter Box as a new neighbor. The second item is he thinks they need zoning standards for parking so every chance he gets he'd like to mention the parking needs of this area. At one point the applicant was considering asking Parking Services to eliminate the two hour parking on the west side of Meldrum. May said they would like to make sure that does not happen, He said they've been in that location for 30 years and they have enough on -site parking for their employees but when they have meetings or when the public is there, they need the on street parking spots. He understands from talking to staff that they meet the zoning requirement. He does, however, want to go on record as saying they do support the project and they would not like to see the removal of two hour marking on the west side of Meldrum near the Chamber of Commerce, Mark Hansen lives and works on the same block. He supports the project whole-heartedly. He was at the neighborhood meeting and he thinks it's an extraordinarily well done proposal. That property has been a little bit of an issue since Public Service left several years ago. He asked if the issue of an "overhang" had gone away. McArdle said that is correct, it was determined that standard was not applicable. Hansen said this is exactly the °kind of people" we want to have downtown. It is a home grown business and they have "Grade A" jobs. The people who work for them are extraordinarily loyal to Otter Box and they'll be doing business with downtown merchants. He hopes the Board can make this happen. Marcia Coulsen said her company is the Eldon James Corporation. They have a business at 224 Canyon Avenue so they will be a neighboring business. They whole-heartedly support the project. Planning & Zoning Board January 21, 2010 Page 2 Discussion Agenda: 3. Land Use Code Amendment to Section 3.8.16 — Occupancy Limits 5. Otterbox Corporate Headquarters Project Development Plan, # 35-09 Project: Land Use Code Amend to Section 3.8.16 — Occupancy Limits Project Description: This is a request for a Recommendation to City Council regarding Land Use Code amendments intended to clarify the occupancy limit regulations in Section 3.8.16 and the definition of Family in Section 5.1.2 Recommendation: Approval Hearing Testimony, Written Comments and Other Evidence The City Council adopted significant changes to the Municipal Code and the Land Use Code in 2005 for the purpose of establishing new occupancy regulations that are understandable, fair, and enforceable. This was accomplished in part by redefining the make-up of the types of groups or individuals that can live together in a dwelling unit and by establishing ways in which the number of persons allowed to live together can be increased. It has recently come to City staff's attention that the current regulations do not meet Council's original intent for limiting the occupancy of dwelling units. The proposed Land Use Code changes address this problem by closing a loophole, by adding a °host family" category as another acceptable way to increase the number of occupants allowed in a dwelling unit, and by changing the definition of Family. Director of Community Development and Neighborhood Services Steve Dush said he believed that . Member Lingle wanted to clarify the discussion we had at the work session related to the duration of the guest permit. Under Section 3.8.16 (c) the proposed language says the guest permit is valid for 9 months. It was recommended that it be modified to 10 months to accommodate foreign students whose stay may be more than 9 months. Board Questions: Member Schmidt asked if staff preferred we recommend that change as a part of the motion or is that just an understanding that the recommendation to City Council will read 10 months. Director Dush said if it's the Board's desire to have it changed, he would recommend a motion. Public Input: None Member Schmidt made a motion the Planning & Zoning Board recommend to City Council the approval of the Land Use Code Amendments intended to clarify the occupancy limit regulations in Section 3.8.16 and the definition of family in Section 5.1.2 with a change that a host family permit be available for a 10 month period of time not the 9 months listed in the Staff Report Member Lingle seconded the motion. The motion was approved 6:0. • Chair Schmidt called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Roll Call: Campana, Hatfield, Lingle, Schmidt, and Smith Absent: Carpenter, Stockover Staff Present: Dush, Eckman, McArdle, and Suess New Member Welcome Chair Schmidt welcomed new member John Hatfield. Agenda Review. Director Dush reviewed the agenda. Election of Officers: Member Lingle nominated William "Butch" Stockover as Chair. Member Campana seconded the motion. Chair Schmidt said that although Stockover was absent, he'd indicated he would be willing to serve as Chair. The motion was passed 6:0. Member Lingle nominated Andy Smith as Vice -Chair. Member Campana seconded the motion. The motion was passed 6:0. With the Chair absent, Vice Chair Smith took over running the meeting. Vice Chair Smith asked if anyone in the audience or on the Board wanted to pull any items from the consent agenda. Member Lingle said he would like to pull item # 3 Land Use Code Amendment to Section 3.8.16, Occupancy Limits, for clarification_ Citizen participation: None Consent Agenda: . 1. Minutes from the December 10, 2009 Planning & Zoning Hearing 2. Proposed Amendments to the City Structure Plan Map and Zoning for Phase Three of the Southwest Enclave Annexation 4. Centerpoint Plaza Use Addition —Major. Amendment, # 37-09. Member Schmidt moved to approve item # 1 December 10, 2009 minutes of the Planning and Zoning Board Hearing, # 2 Proposed Amendments to the City Structure Plan Map and Zoning for Phase Three of the Southwest Enclave Annexation, and Item # 4 Centerpoint Plaza Use Addition — Major Amendment, #37-09. Member Lingle seconded the motion. The motion was approved 5:0.