Community Design Commission

Town Hall TOWN OF CHAPEL HILL 405 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard Community Design Commission Chapel Hill, NC 27514 Meeting Minutes Susana Dancy, Chair Susan Lyons Christine Berndt, Vice-Chair Megan Patnaik Edward Hoskins John Weis Monday, January 4, 2021 6:30 PM Virtual Meeting Virtual Meeting Notification Board members will attend and participate in this meeting remotely, through internet access, and will not physically attend. The Town will not provide a physical location for viewing the meeting. The public is invited to attend the Zoom webinar directly online or by phone. Register for this webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_YJsLb4fDQmiEEij4TI-fYw After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar in listen-only mode. Phone: 301-715-8592, Meeting ID: 818 4576 4337 Opening Roll Call Present 5 - Chair Susana Dancy, Vice-Chair Christine Berndt, Edward Hoskins, Susan Lyons, and John Weis Absent 1 - Megan Patnaik Approval of Agenda A motion was made by Vice-Chair Berndt, seconded by Hoskins, that the agenda be approved with the addition of item #6, included as a landscape and site discussion for 700 N. Estes. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. Announcements Chair Dancy made an announcement that council will be considering reducing the number of seats on the CDC at a future January meeting. Vice Chair Berndt made an announcement reminding commissioners to submit comments about the 160D effort by January 15th. Petitions No petition discussion. Page 1 of 5 Community Design Commission Meeting Minutes January 4, 2021 Approval of Minutes A motion was made by Weis, seconded by Hoskins, that November minutes be deferred to the Community Design Commission, due back by 1/26/2021. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. 1. November Minutes [20-0870] Consent Agenda 2. 700 North Estes Drive [20-0871] Commission is asked to review and approve building elevation modifications. The changes noted are After the Fact modifications that were observed during final site inspections. Staff noted the changes presented in the drawing set Lyons moved to pull this item for discussion, seconded by Hoskins. Motion passed by a unanimous vote. In discussion Lyons moved to approve the modifications, except areas #13 related to the mechanical enclosure. Motion was seconded by Hoskins and passed with a 3-1 vote. Aye-Hoskins, Lyons and Weis Nay-Vice Chair Berndt noting continued nay votes on after the fact request. Commission discussion included worry about the mechanical equipment placed facing N. Estes Drive and its lack of screening. Discussion also centered around approaching council with issues noted on key projects and ideas of how to address those concerns. The commission also discussed continued concerns about the request of after the fact modifications being made and how to deal with those request. Applicant was asked to investigate if additional plant material could be added and report back to the commission. 3. 6850 Millhouse Road [20-0872] Town Operations Center Commission is asked to review and approve a minor building modification at the Town Operations Center. Enclosure of existing space which is located in the worker area beyond the parking lot security fence A motion was made by Hoskins, seconded by Lyons, that 6850 Millhouse Road elevations be approved. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. Page 2 of 5 Community Design Commission Meeting Minutes January 4, 2021 Concept Plan Reviews 4. 150 East Rosemary [20-0873] Commission is asked to review concept plans and submit comments to the applicant and council Commission made the following comments (note comments having been sent in draft form for commission feedback). BUILDING DESIGN: Commissioners generally voiced support of a modernist approach to building design and expressed confidence in the design team’s ability to develop an acceptable design that is modernist and that fits within the area’s historic context. · Multiple commissioners voiced support of creating vertical breaks in the Rosemary Street façade of the building; one option would be a strong and clearly-defined entrance mid-building at the location of the elevators. · Two commissioners were supportive of the developer’s statement regarding integrating the architectural features with the adjacent redevelopment projects. Other commissioners discussed the importance of varied architecture, therefore there was no consensus on this issue. · One commissioner expressed concern with the potential visibility of wet lab and other mechanical equipment on the roof of the building, and felt this needed special design care. · One commissioner suggested the building design should take into account the views of church spires downtown and the 100 block of Franklin Street, and relate to UNC campus building design. PRIORITIZE PEDESTRIANS: The commission recommends that pedestrians be prioritized in this site plan and design, especially as it is being done simultaneously and with the same developer of the NCNB building renovation and construction of the new parking deck. · Multiple commissioners voiced support of improving the pedestrian experience along the NCNB alley. Failure to address would result in this being the weak link for this project. · Multiple commissioners recommended the pedestrian planning take into account the importance of the Rathskeller Alley as a north/south connection. · Two commissioners voiced support of finding a way to create more friction for vehicular traffic on Rosemary St., to slow the speed at which cars travel. One option would be the addition of on-street parking. · One commissioner suggested a pedestrian access plan for the three sites being developed by the applicant on Rosemary Street · One commissioner noted there is a potential greenway connection at the end of Cobb Terrace which could be part of an area pedestrian plan. · One commissioner voiced strong concerns about the ground level Page 3 of 5 Community Design Commission Meeting Minutes January 4, 2021 parking entrance on Rosemary St., which would be one of three curb cuts in about 400’ of street frontage; in general, curb cuts compromise pedestrian safety and experience. BUILDING HEIGHT: Multiple commissioners voiced support of a 6-7 story structure. One commissioner voiced support of a potential 8 story structure, but noted it would have to be done brilliantly. TOWN GREEN: The majority of commissioners voiced support of bringing the town green down to the sidewalk and street level should take priority over saving the magnolia tree. One commissioner voiced support for saving the pencil mural and the magnolia, and minimizing grading down the lot. Multiple commissioners voiced concern regarding stormwater requirements. PUBLIC ART: One commissioner voiced support for public art integration General Discussion 5. Climate Action Plan [20-0874] Commission is asked to provide comments on the Town's Climate Response Plan Draft https://www.sustainchapelhill.org/featured/2020/2/18/climate-action-and-respo nse-plan Commission discussed plan, response and thoughts with John Richardson. Comments will be shared when finalized. Adjournment Next Meeting - Jan. 26, 2021 A motion was made by Weis, seconded by Lyons, that this meeting by adjourned at 9:21pm. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. Page 4 of 5 Community Design Commission Meeting Minutes January 4, 2021 Order of Consideration of Agenda Items: 1. Staff Presentation 2. Applicant’s Presentation 3. Public Comment 4. Board Discussion 5. Motion 6. Restatement of Motion by Chair 7. Vote 8. Announcement of Vote by Chair Public Charge: The Advisory Body pledges its respect to the public. The Body asks the public to conduct themselves in a respectful, courteous manner, both with the Body and with fellow members of the public. Should any member of the Body or any member of the public fail to observe this charge at any time, the Chair will ask the offending person to leave the meeting until that individual regains personal control. Should decorum fail to be restored, the Chair will recess the meeting until a genuine commitment to this public charge is observed. Unless otherwise noted, please contact the Planning Department at 919-968-2728; planning@townofchapelhill.org for more information on the above referenced applications. See the Advisory Boards page http://www.townofchapelhill.org/boards for background information on this Board. Note Page 5 of 5