HomeMy WebLinkAbout318 WEST MYRTLE TOWNHOMES - PDP - 5-09 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 8 - Planning ObjectivesPlannina Obiectives 318 W. Mvrtle Townhomes
The 318 West Myrtle Townhome project consists of the redevelopment of a large, underutilized
site containing an historic single family home and an existing non -historic small single family
home. The existing historic single family home will be refurbished, (not formally included in this
proposal), and a non historic home will be remodeled and four new townhomes will be
constructed on the site.
Foremost, this project meets City Plan Policies and Principles in the following ways.
The redevelopment and improvements made to this underdeveloped site will meet overall city
objectives to encourage well -designed in -fill development in keeping with the existing
neighborhood. The site is within the Transit Oriented Development Overlay Zone, (TOD).
The close proximity of this site to the TOD makes it an ideal project to help further the city's goal
to encourage different modes of transportation reducing vehicle miles of travel (VMT). This
renovation and expansion project has the added attractive feature of being an integral part of a
walk able community to activity centers such as Downtown Fort Collins and Colorado State
University.
This infill development also meets the planning objective of encouraging compact development
and has been designed to provide connectivity through walkways, courtyards, patios and porches
in keeping with the character of the existing neighborhood. The site design contributes to the
public realm, yet creates privacy for the residents. The alley is no longer featured as the major
pedestrian walk -way between a large scale office building to the east and the existing site.
Rather, the concept of connectivity guides residents and visitors through an appropriately
human —scaled walk -way featuring landscaped areas and well proportioned buildings in keeping
with the existing historic vernacular. The proposed remodeled facade on Myrtle Street
emphasizes a traditional wrap -around porch addressing the varied streetscape to create balance
with the existing more historic building.
The rationale behind the assumptions made in the preliminary design of this project includes our
continued focus as owners and developers towards re -development and infill opportunities in
unique and positive neighborhood environments.
City Structure Plan encourages designing and developing in dynamic and creative ways which
respect the character of the neighborhood. This objective is met by the emphasis upon
creative configuration and placement of the individual townhome units to highlight compatible
massing, (limited spans), balance of major elements, overall form of the buildings (offsets), line
(roof slopes), texture and pattern (siding and window proportions). The proposed eaves are
lower than contemporary residential plate heights; again, emphasizing relationships to the height
and scale of the existing architectural vernacular.
The selection of materials and construction techniques focus upon the issues of sustainability
including slab -on- grade stained concrete floors providing mass for passive solar benefits of
southern oriented living spaces. Open beams ceilings feature re -cycled wood to create a loft -like
interior feel. Energy conservation is important in the overall approach to specific construction
techniques and materials utilized in this project.
This property has been owned by the same family for the better part of the last sixty-five years
and has been deserving of added attention and investment. As the new owners, intend to
maintain the property and to help to restore and respect its potential contribution to the
neighborhood.