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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTHE HUMAN BEAN COFFEE DRIVE THRU - PDP - 28-04A - REPORTS - RECOMMENDATION/REPORTHuman Bean Drive -Through Coffee Shop PDP— #28-04A February 17, 2005 P & Z Meeting Page 9 The PDP transforms a previously vacant lot into an engine for economic development. The project reinforces the role of the area as a business incubator. The project will improve the "neglected commercial strip" image of the area. The project will provide better circulation for pedestrians and bicyclists. It will also provide linkages to parks and open spaces. The project improves the existing character through streetscape improvements such as sidewalks, curb and gutter, trees and landscaping. 4. Findings Of Fact / Conclusion: A. Drive-in restaurants are permitted in the Commercial -North College District (C-N) subject to Planning and Zoning Board approval. B. This PDP complies with the General Development Standards as well as the applicable District Standards, except where standards are waived per the Planning and Zoning Board's August 26, 2004 approval of two requests for modifications of standards. 5. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of The Human Bean Coffee Drive -through PDP Type II- #28- 04A. Attachments: Plat Site Plan Photo simulation of project TIS and TIS amendment Excerpts of the CDOT Short Range and Long Range Access Control Plans for this section of North College Avenue Human Bean Drive -Through Coffee Shop PDP— #28-04A February 17, 2005 P & Z Meeting Page 8 • Parking lots and/or other vehicular use areas adjoining North College Avenue (located between a building and North College Avenue or located within 65 feet of right-of-way for North College Avenue) shall not exceed 65 percent of the North College Avenue street frontage of the parcel upon which the parking lot or vehicle use area is proposed. Approximately 30%.of the College Ave. frontage is a 30-foot vehicular entrance, a vehicle use area. The area is under the 65% maximum. Additional square footage is dedicated to vehicular use to meet the requirements of LCUASS requirements for curb radii, etc. Optional Design Guidelines —There are several optional design guidelines which this project also follows, including: i. Street connections should be stubbed out or provided for in order to improve circulation and connections in the area. Right-of-way on Alpine street has been dedicated and cross access to 799 N. College have been provided with this project according to Land Use Code requirements. ii. Locating parking on the side of the buildings away from North College Avenue is encouraged in order to create an attractive streetscape of landscape and buildings. The parking provided for this project is located in the rear of the development site, away from the College Ave. frontage. iii. Blank side or rear walls facing North College Avenue are discouraged. Consider providing animating features such as windows, arcades, awnings, or other such features if side or rear walls facing North College Avenue are proposed. Windows, awnings, a curved parapet and a continuous faux stone base treatment animate the front and both sides of the building, all visible from College Ave. In addition to complying with the Standards and Guidelines for the North College Avenue Corridor, the project also meets some of the goals for this area as spelled out in the North College Avenue Area Plan: The proposal complies with the CDOT access plans. The PDP incorporates elements that upgrade the overall image of the corridor. Human Bean Drive -Through Coffee Shop PDP— #28-04A February 17, 2005 P & Z Meeting Page 7 following includes only standards not already addressed by the Land Use Code requirements listed above, to minimize redundancy in this report: • Roadway Edge Improvements —Curb, gutter, sidewalk and landscape improvements are required in and adjacent to the North College Avenue right- of-way. A minimum 22 foot wide cross section from the preferred plans shown is required where physical conditions permit. The Human Bean PDP provides curb, gutter, sidewalk and ADA sidewalk ramps along their frontage (in addition to providing escrowed funds for the sidewalk connection off -site south to Woodlawn Drive, where it will meet the northern terminus of a funded future capital sidewalk project). The plans call for a condition most similar to the most preferred cross-section (Condition F). There is a 10-foot turf parkway, behind which is a 6-foot sidewalk (to Code) behind which is a planting strip in excess of fifteen feet. Landscape improvements are provided which meet the tree -stocking requirements and species diversity but which are set back from the College Avenue right -of way due to constrained site conditions. The site's frontage on North College Avenue is approximately 100' in width. Due to the restrictions of the CDOT access control plan, the 30' entry must be centered on the site. On remaining parkway north of the entry, separation from a street light (40' canopy/15' ornamental) and an existing bus stop do not allow for the planting of a tree within the right-of-way. On the south parkway, meeting the requirement for separation from an existing water line does not allow adequate space for a tree within the right-of-way. Instead, trees have been provided at the edge of the required 15' utility easement behind the ROW. At least one shared alley or driveway connection with an adjacent parcel, in addition to any shared connections along the primary site access, shall be provided where physical conditions permit. And also, Plan and design projects so that alleys and/or shared driveways can be shared by figure neighboring projects as well as existing adjacent parcels. A shared access point is provided on the west edge of the development site, paralleling College Ave. Note that the entrance on College is on the short term CDOT Access and Control Plan, but that in the long term, as described on the long-range access control plan (both attached), access to the site will be via Alpine Street, which will be a "right -in, right -out only" access point or via Woodlawn Drive, if and when that access is developed. Human Bean Drive -Through Coffee Shop PDP— #28-04A February 17, 2005 P & Z Meeting Page 6 representatives. Mitigation measures include native landscaping, a subdued color scheme and large cobble gravel. D. Building Standards for Mixed -Use, Institutional and Commercial Buildings [Section 3.5.3] 1) Building and Project Compatibility. The architecture of this project is compatible with the existing buildings and incorporates elements that set an enhanced standard of quality for future development. The building is articulated by variations in color and massing that are proportional to the massing and scale of nearby structures. The base treatment is an attractive stone veneer. 2) Building Color. The colors chosen for the project are within the realm of the colors of existing buildings in the area. The colors unify the project and are acceptable for the Poudre River area. 3) Orientation to Build -to Lines for Streetfront Buildings: The project received an approval for a modification request on this standard as detailed in the Background Section above. A pedestrian plaza with enhanced landscaping and enhanced pedestrian amenities is proposed to create increased pedestrian interest, comfort and visual continuity of the site. 4) Base and Top Treatments: The building has an integrally colored faux stone base and beige colored EIFS above. The top of the building is differentiated with a curved parapet with copper anodized aluminum awnings. 3. Compliance with Applicable District Standards The proposed project complies with the Commercial -North College District (C-N) standards as follows: A. Permitted Uses: Drive-in restaurants are permitted in the Commercial -North College District (C-N) subject to Planning and Zoning Board approval. B. Applicable Standards of the Commercial -North College District (C-N): 1) Land Use standards: The project meets the height restriction. The proposed structure is one story, fewer than the three story maximum. 2) Development Standards: The project must comply with the Standards and Guidelines for the North College Avenue Corridor H-C Highway Commercial District. These standards and guidelines predate the Land Use Code, so the Human Bean Drive -Through Coffee Shop PDP— #28-04A February 17, 2005 P & Z Meeting Page 5 Zoning Board as described in the Background section above. Pedestrian and vehicle conflicts have been avoided to the greatest extent possible, given the site and CDOT constraints, by placing the pedestrian crossing back from the College right-of-way and across the exiting traffic flow (accelerating from a full stop) instead of the entering traffic (decelerating from 40mph). Adequate stacking space is provided and a walk-up window is provided as well. 13) Handicap Parking [Section 3.2.2(K)]: This PDP proposes 4 parking spaces, one of which is a van accessible handicap space, which meets the code requirements. 14) Parking Stall Dimensions [Section 3.2.2(L)]: All parking spaces meet the minimum parking stall dimensions. 15) Site Lighting [Section 3.2.4]: The PDP proposes adequate lighting levels for pedestrian and auto safety without spilling over into neighboring lots and thus meeting the code requirements. B. Engineering Standards [Section 3.3] 1) Plat Standards [Section 3.3.1 ]: The plat prepared for this project meets the applicable standards pertaining to lot size and dedication of easements. 2) Development Improvements {Section 3.3.2]: The Final Plans of the PDP will show all required public improvements and a Development Agreement will be prepared at the Final Plans stage of the project. Most of the improvements are already on the plans. The Applicant will be adding the off -site sidewalk improvement grading and design on the Final Plans. C. Natural Habitats and Features [Section 3.4.1] 1) Development Activities within the Buffer Zone [Section 3.4.1(E)(2)]: Because the proposed development falls within the 300 buffer of the Cache la Poudre River, it needs to adhere to the design standards in Section 3.4.1 (1). 2) Design and Aesthetics [Section 3.4.1 (1)]: The project has been designed to complement the Poudre Corridor based on the design suggestions made by Doug Moore of the Natural Resources Department and Anne Aspen of Current Planning at a meeting with the Applicant and his Human Bean Drive -Through Coffee Shop PDP— #28-04A February 17, 2005 P & Z Meeting Page 4 4) Parking Lot Landscaping [Sections 3.2.1(E)(4)&(5)]: The project meets or exceeds the parking lot perimeter and interior landscaping standards and the landscape standards for walkways. 5) Screening [Section 3.2.1(E)(6)1: The garbage collection area is surrounded by a concrete block wall, painted to match the primary building, and by shrubs and landscaping. 6) Sight Distance Triangles [Section 3.2.1 (L)]: All areas of potential conflict between vehicular traffic and pedestrians and between cars and other cars has been addressed with low plantings in the sight distance triangles and trees set back from the site distance triangle. 7) Access, Circulation and Parking [Section 3.2.2]: A modification for the connecting walkway was granted for this PDP on August 26, 2004 as described in the Background Section above. 8) Curbcuts and Ramps [Section 3.2.2(C)2]: Curbcuts are located at every point in this PDP where sidewalks intersect with drive aisles. 9) Site Amenities [Section 3.2.2(C)(3)&(4)]: This PDP includes parking facilities for bicyclists, enhanced amenities for pedestrians, and ramps and walkways for clear and direct access to the entrance and walk-up window. 10) Offsite Access to Pedestrian and Bicycle Destinations [Section 3.2.2(C)(7)]: Funds have been escrowed for the off -site sidewalk connection south from the property to Woodlawn Drive, where it will meet the northern terminus of a funded future capital sidewalk project, in order to meet Level of Service requirements for accessing Martinez Park and the Poudre River multi -use trail. 11) Parking Lot Layout [Section 3.2.2(E)]: The parking lot provides well- defined circulation routes for pedestrians, bicycles and vehicles. Traffic control signs will be added to the final plans per the modification on August 26, 2004 mentioned in the Background Section above. Raised curbs are used throughout the project to delineate landscape areas and walkways from drive areas. The walkways provided are logical and convenient and in the safest practical location, crossing the exiting traffic not the entering traffic. 12) Drive-in Facilities [Section 3.2.2(H)]: The design and layout of this proposed facility meets the requirements of this section to the maximum extent feasible. Where infeasible or impractical, the Applicant has applied for and been granted a modification of standards by the Planning and Human Bean Drive -Through Coffee Shop PDP— #28-04A February 17, 2005 P & Z Meeting Page 3 at the build -to line. The applicant proposed a landscaped seating area for walk-up customers which satisfies the intent of the standard according to Section 3.5.3(13)(2)(d)(1) of the Land Use Code. Both modification requests were approved by the Planning and Zoning Board. 2. Compliance with General Development Standards The proposed project complies with the applicable general development standards contained in Division 3 of the Land Use Code as follows: A. Site Planning and Design Standards [Section 3.2] 1) Landscaping and Tree Protection [Section 3.2.1 ]—The PDP provides full tree stocking on the street frontages and landscaping throughout the project. Landscape improvements are provided which meet the tree - stocking requirements and species diversity but which are set back from the College Avenue right -of way due to constrained site conditions. The site's frontage on North College Avenue is approximately 100' in width. Due to the restrictions of the CDOT access control plan, the 30' entry must be centered on the site. On remaining parkway north of the entry, separation from a street light (40' canopy/15' ornamental) and an existing bus stop do not allow for the planting of a tree within the right-of-way. On the south parkway, meeting the requirement for separation from an existing water line does not allow adequate space for a tree within the right-of-way. Instead, trees have been provided at the edge of the required 15' utility easement behind the ROW. Staff supports the alternative landscape plan in that it accomplishes the purpose of the landscaping and tree protectiori standards as well as a compliant plan. The proposed design will ensure significant canopy shading to reduce glare and heat build-up, contribute to visual quality along the street and help to mitigate air quality impacts. 2) Landscape Buffering between Incompatible Uses and Activities [Section 3.2.1 (E)(1)]: The PDP provides for the relocation of an existing wooden privacy fence at the property line between this site and the residential/commercial site to the north to subdue the differences in architecture and bulk between them. The site to the south is as yet undeveloped, but screening is provided between the parking spaces and the property line in the form of shrubbery. 3) Landscape Area Treatment [Section 3.2.1(E)(2)]: All non -paved areas on the site are designed with appropriate landscape areas as described in this section. Human Bean Drive -Through Coffee Shop PDP— #28-04A February 17, 2005 P & Z Meeting Page 2 COMMENTS 1. Background The surrounding zoning and land uses are as follows: N: CN: Existing Commercial —Brake Service Shop E: CCN: Existing Commercial —Law Office, Time Rentals, and Monte Carlo Lanes S: CCR: Vacant, undeveloped parcel W: POL: Railroad Right-of-way and Public Open Lands adjacent to Legacy Park and Lee Martinez Park On August 26, 2004, the Planning and Zoning Board granted, by a 7-0 vote, two modifications to the standards of the Land Use Code for 799 N. College. The modifications pertained to the standards set forth in Section 3.5.3(B) Relationship of Buildings to Streets, Walkways and Parking of the Land Use Code (LUC), more specifically Subsection 3.5.3(B)(1) Orientation to a Connecting Walkway and 3.5.3.(B)(2) Orientation to Build -to Lines for Streetfront Buildings. The first modification waived the requirement of providing a connecting walkway (defined as one that does not cross a drive aisle). The modification was approved to allow for physical conditions and circumstances unique to this property which, if the standard were strictly applied, would have resulted in exceptional practical difficulties. The site is very narrow and the placement of the access point on College in the middle of their frontage is governed by CDOT on their Access and Control Plan to align with the existing access across College. To accommodate the program for the site, a walkway that crosses the vehicular traffic aisle was approved with the following qualities to ensure safety: A. Where the walkway crosses the vehicle use area, the walkway will be delineated with colored concrete; B. Signs will be posted to warn vehicle users to yield to pedestrians; C. Pedestrian lighting will be provided; D. Landscaping will be provided to allow an unobstructed view between the driver and the pedestrian; E. Bicycle facilities will be provided; and F. The walkway will connect directly to the patio seating area and to the walkup window. The second modification waived the requirement to construct the building at the build -to line. The program of this coffee shop calls for drive through access on both sides of the building, sufficient stacking room for waiting customers and turning room for maneuvering. Because of this and the CDOT access plan requirements, the building could not be located ITEM NO. 2 r, MEETING DATE 2/17/05 STAFF Anna Aspen Citv of Fort Collins PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD STAFF REPORT PROJECT: The Human Bean Coffee Drive -through PDP Type II- #28-04A APPLICANT: Cityscape Urban Design, Inc. c/o Joe Carter 3555 Stanford Road Suite 105 Fort Collins, CO 80525 OWNER: Sam Wray President SS Blue Sky, LLC 4625 Regency Dr. Fort Collins, CO 80526 PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The owner of the vacant property at 799 College Avenue requests to develop this 1.091 acre site into a drive -through coffee shop with a 384 square foot (32'x12') structure, drive through lanes and a pedestrian plaza. The property is located on the west side of North College Avenue roughly between Alpine St. and Woodlawn Drive in the Commercial — North College District (C-N). RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the Project Development Plan. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Drive-in restaurants are permitted in the Commercial -North College District (C-N) subject to Planning and Zoning Board approval. This PDP complies with the applicable General Development standards and the standards of the Commercial -North College District (C-N). A neighborhood meeting was held on September 20th, 2004, and no neighbors attended. COMMUNITY PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES 281 N. College Ave. P.O. Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580 (970) 221-6750 PLANNING DEPARTMENT