HomeMy WebLinkAboutFORT COLLINS DISCOVERY MUSEUM - PDP - 6-10 - REPORTS - MEMO / P & Z BOARD (3)STAFF'S ANALYSIS:
The whole modernistic architectural approach to this building is fundamentally different
that the traditional approach behind the standards in Section 3.5.3(D). The standards set a
minimum level of design attention for buildings by requiring a base level of detail and, in
this case, staff finds that the level of design attention given to this building generally
transcends the level of attention for which the standards are written.
The proposed Fort Collins Discovery Museum building design is highly responsive to the
site and setting, with a unique design derived from the unique program goals of the
museum combined with the setting as it relates to the park, river, and natural area. The
tapering of the massing and the neutral colors of the walls on the park and natural area
sides of the building make the building non -intrusive into these outdoor spaces. While the
contemporary style and materials of the building were not derived from repeating the
traditional architectural style generally found downtown, staff finds that the design and
materials provide significant visual interest appropriate for the museum use. Section
3.5.1(B) of the LUC states, in part:
New developments in or adjacent to existing developed areas shall be compatible
with the established architectural character of such areas by using a design that is
complementary. In areas where the existing architectural character is not
definitively established, or is not consistent with the purposes of this Land Use
Code, the architecture of new development shall set an enhanced standard of quality
for future projects or redevelopment in the area.
Therefore, staff finds that granting of the modification would not be detrimental to the
public good; and, that the plan as submitted will promote the general purpose of the
standard for which the modification is requested equally well or better than would a plan
which complies with the standard for which a modification is requested, as set forth in
Section 2.8.2(H)(1) of the Land Use Code.
1. thicker walls, ledges or sills;
2. integrally textured materials such as stone or other masonry;
3. integrally colored and patterned materials such as smooth -finished stone
or tile;
4. lighter or darker colored materials, mullions or panels; or
5. planters.
(b) a recognizable "top" consisting of (but not limited to):
1. cornice treatments, other than just colored "stripes" or "bands", with
integrally textured materials such as stone or other masonry or
differently colored materials;
2. sloping roof with overhangs and brackets;
3. stepped parapets.
Staff response: The Fort Collins Discovery Museum building has been
designed to provide a contemporary look. Contextually, in this area
somewhat physically and visually detached from downtown, Old Town
Fort Collins, the proposed Discovery Museum building is located amongst
a variety of buildings that display many different architectural periods and
styles. Staffs position is that it is not necessary for the new building to
actually mimic the architecture of historic buildings that are, for the most
part, about 2 blocks away. The Fafade Treatment criteria in Section
3.5.3(D)(2), including the Base and Top Treatments criteria, were created
essentially to ensure that buildings of a more traditional architecture and
design would not incorporate facades that present large, unbroken sections
or panels of walls devoid of reasonable articulation. The ability to provide
or need for base and top treatments on a building of contemporary design
is difficult and not necessarily appropriate.
Staffs position as it relates to Section 3.5.3(D) of the Land Use Code is that the Fort
Collins Discovery Museum, Project Development Plan - #6-10 satisfies the expressed
intent of the code, based on the proposed architectural design in the context in which it is
located. If the Planning & Zoning Board were to not.agree with staff s position, a
Modification of Standard to Section 3.5.3(D) would be recommended and the Board would
act upon the recommendation as follows:
As specified in Section 2.8.2 Modification Review Procedures, (H) (Standards), the
decision maker may grant a modification of standards only if it finds that the
granting of the modification would not be detrimental to the public good, and that:
(1) the plan as submitted will promote the general purpose of the standard for
which the modification is requested equally well or better than would a plan
which complies with the standard for which a modification is requested.
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planes. However, the need for preservation of exhibits and a display
area on the north side of the building for traveling exhibits are some
of the reasons there are not many windows (the museum doesn't
want daylight to erode the artifacts that are being presented within
the building). The east (side) elevation has several windows and
doors. However, because of the nature of the operation and actual
uses within this portion of the building it is infeasible to have
numerous windows and doors. It's difficult to add windows because
of preservation space needs on that side. The collection and storage
occupies 55% of that elevation.
3. All sides of the building shall include materials and design
characteristics consistent with those on the front. Use of inferior or
lesser quality materials for side or rear facades shall be prohibited.
Staff response: All sides of the proposed Fort Collins Discovery
Museum building include materials consistent with those on the
front elevation, even though there will not be the same variety of
materials on the west and north elevations as on the south (front)
and east elevations. Design characteristics vary on the different sides
of the building dependent on the nature of what is happening inside
the building at a particular location. Inferior or lesser quality
materials definitely are not being used on the side and rear facades.
(3) Facades. Facades that face streets or connecting pedestrian frontage shall be
subdivided and proportioned using features such as windows, entrances,
arcades, arbors, awnings, treillage with vines, along no less than 50% of the
fagade.
Staff response: The south (front) elevation will have entrances, windows,
and treillage with vegetation along not less than 50% of the fagade. The
west and north elevations will have entrances and windows on not less than
50% of the facades. The east elevation will have several doors and windows
at the north and south ends of the elevation; and, treillage with vegetation
along almost the entire length of the elevation, being more than 50% of the
faVade.
(4) Entrances. Primary building entrances shall be clearly defined and recessed or
framed by a sheltering element such as an awning, arcade or portico in order to
provide shelter from the summer sun and winter weather.
Staff response: Canopies are proposed over the front entries at the
southeast corner of the building (main, primary public entrance) and the
southwest corner of the building (school class entry).
(5) Awnings. Awnings shall be no longer than a single storefront. Not
Applicable.
(6) Base and Top Treatments. All facades shall have:
(a) a recognizable "base" consisting of (but not limited to):
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using a design that is complementary. In areas where the existing
architectural character is not definitively established, or is not
consistent with the purposes of this Land Use Code, the architecture of
new development shall set an enhanced standard of quality for future
projects or redevelopment in the area.
(2) Fagade Treatment.
(a) Minimum Wall Articulation. Building bays shall be a maximum of 30 feet
in width. Bays shall be visually established by architectural features such as
columns, ribs or pilasters, piers and fenestration pattern. In order to add
architectural interest and variety and avoid the effect of a single, long or
massive wall with no relation to human size, the following additional
standards shall apply:
1. No wall that faces a street or connecting walkway shall have a blank,
uninterrupted length exceeding 30 feet without including at least 2 of the
following: change in plane, change in texture or masonry pattern,
windows, treillage with vines, or an equivalent element that subdivides
the wall into human scale proportions.
Staff response: The south (front) elevation has several changes in
plane, changes in material and texture, windows, and treillage with
plant material that provide significant articulation. The east
elevation contains a long section of wall consisting of precast
concrete panels, with reveals spaced at 10 feet, and a trellis system
to support live plant materials from the ground up to a height of 15
feet to 20 feet on the wall. The trellis and plant material will provide
some visual horizontal depth to this fagade. The west elevation is
constructed of precast concrete panels with reveals at 10 foot
spacings, and contains numerous vertical window panels. There is
also a curving change in plane, up to a distance of about 80 feet
horizontally, on the west elevation that breaks the wall up into
several panels ranging from 30 feet to 100 feet in length and
provides a visual depth of field. The north elevation also has a
curving change in plane similar to the west elevation, thereby
providing visual depth of field. The overall length of the north
elevation is significantly less that the west elevation and contains
numerous window panels and several doors. It too would be about
22 feet in height and constructed of precast concrete panels with
reveals at 10 foot spacings.
2. Side or rear walls that face walkways may include false windows and
door openings defined by frames, sills and lintels, or similarly
proportioned modulations of the wall, only when actual doors and
windows are not feasible because of the nature of the use of the building.
Staff response: The west (side) elevation and the north (rear)
elevation face the City of Fort Collins public pedestrian bicycle trail
connecting Cherry Street with the Cache La Poudre River. Both
elevations have windows and doors that provide breaks in the wall
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MEMORANDUM
Date: April 26, 2010
To: Planning & Zoning Board Members
From: Stephen Olt, Project Planner, Current Planning
Planning, Development and
Transportation Services
Current Planning
281 North College Ave.
P.O. Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580
970.221.6750
970.224.6134 - fax
tcgov. com/currentplanning
Re: Fort Collins Discovery Museum, Project Development Plan - #6-10,
Building fagade treatment as it relates to Section 3.5.3(D) of the Land use
Code (LUC).
The whole modernistic architectural approach to this building is fundamentally different
that the traditional approach behind the standards in Section 3.5.3(D). The standards set a
minimum level of design attention for buildings by requiring a base level of detail and, in
this case, staff finds that the level of design attention given to this building generally
transcends the level of attention for which the standards are written.
The general theme of Section 3.5.3(D) is Character and Image of a building. This section
states:
In new buildings the following standards shall apply:
(1) Site Specific Design. Building design shall contribute to the uniqueness of a
zone district, and/or the Fort Collins community with predominant materials,
elements, features, color range and activity areas tailored specifically to the site
and its context. A standardized prototype design shall be modified as necessary
to comply with the requirements of this subsection.
Staff response: The proposed Fort Collins Discovery Museum building
design is highly responsive to the site and setting, with a unique design
derived from the unique program goals of the museum combined with the
setting as it relates to the park, river, and natural area. The tapering of the
massing and the neutral colors of the walls on the park and natural area
sides of the building make the building non -intrusive into these outdoor
spaces. While the contemporary style and materials of the building were
not derived from repeating the traditional architectural style generally
found downtown, staff finds that the design and materials provide
significant visual interest appropriate for the museum use. Section 3.5.1(B)
of the LUC states, in part:
New developments in or adjacent to existing developed areas shall be
compatible with the established architectural character of such areas by