HomeMy WebLinkAboutPALMER DESIGN CENTER - PDP - 47-98 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - PLANNING OBJECTIVESVF Ripley Associates, Inc.
Planning Objectives
September 16, 1998
Page #: 3
Principle CAD-1, 1.2, 1.3
The proposed project provides a place along Mitchell Drive that connects the public walkway to
the building and emphasizes pedestrian scale with street furniture and canopies. Street trees
along with preservation of large existing trees will create a visually appealing street-scape.
Principle ENV- 3.3 — concerning water conservation.
The landscape and irrigation system designed for the P.D.P. utilize xeriscape principles
including:
Low to moderate water plants
Effective use of soil amendments and mulch materials
Limited turf area
An efficient irrigation system
Appropriate maintenance
VF Ripley Associates, Inc.
Planning Objectives
September 16, 1998
Page #: 2
• bay windows that are display areas
• consistent use of materials on all four elevations
• base treatment of masonry with lighter materials above
• a portico for protection at pedestrian crosswalk
• cornice treatment with ornamental metal detailing
• stepped parapets
The landscape concept incorporates 3 large existing Siberian elms and several cottonwoods
along the ditch bank. In response to meeting on site with the City Forester to review the
conditions and desirability of the existing vegetation, the removal of only two trees will require
replacement mitigation. A honey locust and crabapple will be replaced with 5 English oak that
have been upsized to meet the mitigation requirement. The design is intended to match the first
phase building, Palmer Retail. The intent is for them to appear related yet responsive to critical
site conditions. Accent trees have been chosen for year round color and texture.
City Plan Principles and Policies achieved by the proposed plan include:
Principle LU-1— concerning a compact development pattern.
The site is part of the South College Corridor Subarea. Effective use of an infill site such as this
one promotes a compact development pattern for the City.
Principle LU-2 — concerning City character and sense of place.
The Palmer Design Center represents one of the four developments along Mitchell Drive that
contribute to creating a sense of place. The character will be strengthened with this phase and a
future parcel that exists along JFK Parkway that will be the final phase of development.
Principle T-1,2,3,4, and 5 — concerning transportation issues.
The land use patterns of the South College Corridor concentrate regional retail uses. By doing so,
alternate modes of transportation currently serve the area. This proposal supports alternate
modes of transportation due to its proximity to existing transit stops, by establishing safe
connections between public and private sidewalks and by providing appropriate ramps and
bicycle parking.
The site is located in an area well served by a pedestrian system. With the completion of the
sidewalk system associated with this development a continuous sidewalk will exist along
Horsetooth Road. Likewise, development will complete sidewalk connections on Mitchell Drive
from Horsetooth to Bockman Drive. Development will also create a link to the existing office
complex to the east as well as providing a stub for access to future development to the south.
Once completed, a network of walkways will exist interconnecting 4 separate developments
internally and to public sidewalks.
VF RIPLEY
ASSOCIATES INC.
Landscape Architecture
Urban Design
Planning
Planning Objectives
1113 Stoney Hill Drive
Palmer Design Center Fort Collins. Colorado 80525
PHONE (970) 224-5828
FAX (970) 224-1662
Palmer Design Center is a small-scale retail center designed to attract retailers in the design -
related business. It is the second phase of a similar concept built south on Mitchell Drive across
Larimer County Canal No. 2. The 1.41-acre site is located at the southeast corner of Horsetooth
Road and Mitchell Drive. The 3-story office complex, Continental Plaza, is just to the east and
the new First Choice Bank is across Mitchell Drive to the west.
The site slopes from south to north with the low point being in the northeast corner and the canal
along the south boundary being the highest elevation. Trees are bountiful on the site, however,
they are Siberian elm and many are in poor condition. The building has been designed to
preserve the healthiest specimens, provide detention where practical, to align with existing
vehicular circulation and to prioritize pedestrian access to and through the site.
The northern portion of the building has been located within the "build to setback" with
pedestrian frontage along actual bay windows used for display. The setback is also consistent
with the alignment of the existing office building to the east. Corners of the building have been
jogged to preserve trees and to provide garden spaces along the pedestrian walkway. On
Mitchell Drive the storefront is 15 feet from the R.O.W. and the sidewalk widens to provide
a small plaza along the storefront large enough for annual flower pots and other street furniture.
A canopy at the storefront provides cover and adds human scale to the building frontage.
Walkways connect directly to the new sidewalk along Mitchell Drive linking to building
entrances. Crosswalks are special paving (tinted concrete) to delineate safe movement through
parking and circulation areas. A portico connects the two segments of the building and provides
an architectural element (similar to the first Design Center building) while creating a protected
pedestrian connection.
The building is a custom design versus a prototype building as originally proposed for the site. It
will be constructed with the same materials and design features as the first building. The facade
treatment includes:
• bay spacing between 25 feet and 30 feet
• brick columns with decorative caps
• canopies that add human scale and provide cover at entries