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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAVENIR MUSEUM EXPANSION - SITE PLAN ADVISORY REVIEW - SPA130003 - REPORTS - RECOMMENDATION/REPORTC.S.U. Avenir Museum Expansion #SPA130003 Planning & Zoning Hearing 10/10/2013 Page 6 In addition, the City of Fort Collins Parking Services is beginning a residential neighborhood parking permit program for the benefit of neighborhoods impacted by commuter parking. These various programs are on -going and are designed to address the issues of parking impacts within the neighborhoods near the campus on a long term basis. 9. Findings of Fact/Conclusions: A. The proposed addition triggers review by the City of Fort Collins as a Site Plan Advisory Review. The construction of a new building for a public university complies with State Statute Section 31-23-209, C.R.S., in that the location, character, and extent of the proposed building conform to the adopted Master Plan (City Plan) of the City of Fort Collins. B. The location is within an established neighborhood served by public streets including access to the west side of College Avenue via an underpass for bikes and pedestrians. The University Center for the Arts is a continuation of educational activities at this location since the construction of Fort Collins High School in 1924. C. The character of the building is compatible with both the U.C.A. campus and the neighborhood by virtue of its size, 10,750 square feet and one-story height. The design is contemporary but respectful of the historic structure by use of matching brick and columns that reflect the grander entry on Remington Street. The prominent entry along Lake Street creates a strong relationship of the building to the street and fits within the established character of the neighborhood. D. The extent of the proposal such that there is no planned increase in student enrollment, faculty or staff as a result of this expansion. The loss of 22 spaces in the faculty parking lot is considered minimal. The U.C.A. campus is well -served by public streets and sidewalks. E. The Site Plan Advisory Review complies with the applicable General Development Standards of Article Three. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the Expansion of the Avenir Museum of Design and Merchandising at the University Center for the Arts Complex, Colorado State University — 216 East Lake Street, - Site Plan Advisory Review #SPA130003. C.S.U. Avenir Museum Expansion #SPA130003 Planning & Zoning Hearing 10/10/2013 Page 5 D. Section 3.2.2 — Parking As mentioned, there is a loss of 22 parking spaces from a faculty parking lot. There is no loss of parking in the student lot. After 4:00 p.m..both lots are open to the public including users of the dog park. E. Section. 3.2.4 - Lighting New lighting will be fully shielded and down -directional. F. Section 3.4.7 — Historic and Cultural Resources As mentioned, the Landmark Preservation Commission found that the addition complies with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for treatment of historic buildings and the project will continue to uphold the historic significance and integrity of the Old Fort Collins High School building. G. Section 3.5.1 — Building and Project Compatibility The existing one-story building was designed such that the materials, colors and scale were selected to be compatible with the existing Annex. The size and scale of the building are appropriate for the context of being located between a large historic structure and the surrounding residential neighborhood. H. Section 3.6.4 — Transportation Level of Service Requirements A Transportation Impact Study was not performed for this building conversion due to the building being designed to serve existing students within an existing program. The entry plaza will include bike racks. Existing sidewalks and the underpass connect the U.C.A. to the main campus on the west side of College Avenue where there are additional sizable parking lots. Remington Street features on -street bike lanes. 8. Neighborhood Meetin A neighborhood information meeting was held on September 18, 2013. A summary of this meeting is attached. In general, the focus of the discussion centered on issues related to parking on the surrounding neighborhood streets. C.S.U. is aware of the parking issues during the day as a result of commuter parking. The Parking Services Department is continuously evaluating the balancing act of providing off-street parking capacity while at the same time creating an attractive campus that is not dominated by vehicles. Long term strategies include additional parking structures on the perimeter of campus and further reliance on public transportation such as the Max bus rapid transit service. C.S.U. Avenir Museum Expansion #SPA130003 Planning & Zoning Hearing 10/10/2013 Page 4 The Landmark Preservation Commission held a complimentary design review for the Avenir Museum Expansion project at its June 26, 2013 Work Session. The Commission agreed that proposed plans appear to meet the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for treatment of historic buildings and the project will uphold the historic significance and integrity of the Old FortCollins High School building. 6. Extent: With regard to extent, the addition does not result in increased enrollment of students, faculty or staff. The affected parking lot is under-utilized and the impact of displaced parking is minimal. The program calls for one evening class per month and roughly four gallery openings per year. These evening activities will occur when most students are not on campus so there is expected to be ample parking available in the north and south parking lots. The requirement for a Transportation Impact Study was waived. In fulfillment of City Plan policies, the on -campus addition represents infill development and promotes compact urban growth. Existing infrastructure is in place and having this museum as well as the U.C.A. museum contributes to the distinctiveness and vibrancy of the neighborhood. 7. Compliance with Applicable General Development Standards: A. Section 3.2.1 - Landscaping and Tree Protection All six existing street trees along Lake Street will be preserved. New landscaping will be added in the front plaza area and along the east and north sides of the building. B. Section 3.2.1 - Parking Lot Perimeter Landscaping The existing parking lot will be reduced in size and is located internally to the site with no exposure along a public street. C. Section 3.2.2 - Access, Circulation and Parking The addition, in conjunction with the larger University Center for the Arts campus, is already well-connected to the local street system by being surrounded by public streets with direct access provided by connecting walkways. The internal circulation system allows for services and fire protection. C.S.U. Avenir Museum Expansion #SPA130003 Planning & Zoning Hearing 10/10/2013 Page 3 B. Section 31-23-209, C.R.S. provides that no public building shall be constructed or authorized in a city until the "location, character and extent thereof' has been submitted for approval by the Planning and Zoning Board. In the case of disapproval, the Planning and Zoning Board shall communicate its findings to the School District. The disapproval of the Planning and Zoning Board may be overruled by the Colorado Charter School Institute by a vote of not less than two- thirds of its membership. Under Section 31-23-209, C.R.S., the Planning and Zoning Board should make a finding as to the location, character, and extent of the public building relative to the adopted Master Plan (City Plan) of the City. Such findings help ensure that the proposed project conforms to the adopted plan of the City of Fort Collins. 4. Location: With regard to location, the University Center for the Arts is located within an established residential neighborhood. It is connected to the main campus by a bicycle and pedestrian underpass under South College Avenue. The proposed addition is located at the very southeast corner of the one-story, free-standing addition referred to as the Annex. As mentioned, the addition will be on top of an existing faculty parking lot. The front of the addition will face Lake Street which is an improvement over the existing relationship of the Annex to the public street. This relationship strengthens the neighborhood aspect of the overall campus. 5. Character: With regard to character, the primary features are maintaining the one-story height and continuing the brick exterior. The use of columns at the entry reflects, at a smaller scale, the larger columns that adorn the historic entrance along Remington Street. The height, size and material allow the addition to achieve compatibility with both the U.C.A. campus and the neighborhood. Its location along Lake Street helps mitigate the height, mass, bulk and scale of the larger historic facility located north of the proposed addition. The flat roof matches the Annex and is accented with overhangs and a cornice. The brick is intentionally patterned to respect the artistry and flair of the textiles and materials that are on display in the galleries. Seat walls, bike racks and landscaping will be provided along Lake Street to create a plaza effect. The detached sidewalk, mature trees and the prominent entry columns create a distinctive character that is contemporary but respectful of the overall U.C.A. character. The entry and plaza features contribute to establishing a relationship to the neighborhood without being dominating and helps preserve the existing ambiance of the neighborhood. The proposed addition is compatible with the context of the larger area. C.S.U. Avenir Museum Expansion #SPA130003 Planning & Zoning Hearing 10/10/2013, Page 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The Site Plan Advisory Review complies with State Statutes as to the location, character and extent of the project. Further, the project complies with the applicable General Development Standards, Zone District Standards and is in conformance with City Plan. COMMENTS: Background: The surrounding zoning and land uses are as follows: N: N-C-M; Existing residential neighborhood S: N-C-L; Existing residential neighborhood E: N-C-L; Existing residential neighborhood W:N-C-L; C.S.U. Horticulture Experimental Gardens 2. Zoning History: Fort Collins High School was constructed in 1924 in the neo-classical style. With its red brick, prominent colonnaded front porch and cupola, the building carries a monumental and distinctive look. The gymnasium was added in 1953. The smaller shop facility east of the original structure was begun in 1927, with additions in 1928, 1941, and 1971. A classroom addition was added in 1983. The original structure was designated has a local historic landmark in 1994. In 2002, Poudre School District sold the facility to Colorado State University. In 2003 — 2004, the Edna Rizley Griffen Concert Hall was constructed to the north in front of the gymnasium. The original high school, and its various out buildings, are now referred to as the University Center for the Arts and serve the College of Liberal Arts and the College of Health and Human Sciences. 3. - Right of Advisory Review: Colorado Revised Statutes provide two specific references which allow the City to review the planning and location of public facilities: A. Section 22-32-124, C.R.S., as amended, addresses the right of a public school to construct facilities within a municipality and the location or manner of , construction of such schools. The statutes specifically limit the municipalities' participation in the process to a limited right of review and appeal to the charter school governing body, the Colorado Charter School Institute. F6rt Collins ITEM NO 3 MEETING DATE October 10, 2013 STAFF Ted Shepard PLANNING & ZONING BOARD PROJECT: Expansion of the Avenir Museum of Design.and Merchandising at the University Center for the Arts Complex, Colorado State University - 216 East Lake Street, - Site Plan Advisory Review #SPA130003 APPLICANT: Colorado State University, College of Health and Human Sciences c/o C.S.U. Facilities Department, Fort Collins, Colorado, 80523- 6030 OWNER: Same PROJECT DESCRIPTION: This is a request to expand the existing Avenir Museum of Design and Merchandising by 10,750 square feet to the east side of the Annex of the old Fort Collins High School building that faces Lake Street. The majority of the proposed new building is located on top of the existing faculty and staff parking lot resulting in a loss of 22 parking spaces. The expansion will be one-story and feature a prominent entry facing Lake Street. The brick will match the brick on the existing main building. The existing driveway off Lake Street would be shifted 120 feet to the east. There would be a reduction in size of the dog park by approximately 25%. The purpose for the expansion is primarily to accommodate the existing art collection with new archival space, galleries as well as new classroom space. The overall buildings at U.C.A total 196,000 square feet. The proposed expansion is 10,750 square feet - 5% of the total. The C.S.U. University Center for the Arts comprises the whole block bounded by Remington Street, East Pitkin Street, Peterson Street and East Lake Street. The parcel is zoned N-C-L, Neighborhood Conservation Low Density. RECOMMENDATION: Approval Planning Services 281 N College Ave — PO Box 580 — Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580 fcgov.com/developmentreview/ 970.221.§77