Design Review Board

Staff Comments for the DESIGN REVIEW BOARD June 13, 2013 35 Folly Road Staff Comments: 1. Both the projects proximity to downtown Charleston, its location at a gateway to the peninsula and its close proximity to the historic Ashley River Bridge District warrants a project which is of good quality design and construction. 2. Although the building footprint may be somewhat large in mass the height of the project is appropriate for the setting with a highway overpass directly across Folly Road and one directly adjacent to the project’s Eastern edge. 3. With the building’s long facades with only minor modulations, more should be done to further break down the building’s mass. The utilization of deeper plane changes would be one solution and dividing the building into a series of smaller buildings would be another. 4. More height differential is needed at the building’s roof line to further break down the building’s mass. 5. The garage entry on Folly Road creates an undesirable void in the main façade. Steps should be taken to either eliminate it or creatively disguise and integrate it into the design. 6. More separation is needed between the Albemarle garage entry and the building’s main entry. Consider relocating the building’s main entry to the corner of Folly and Albemarle to give more prominence to the Folly Road elevation. The building’s main entry should read stronger. 7. The quality of building materials used is very important to the success of the project. Windows should be clad and not vinyl. The hardi siding should be eliminated and more brick should be introduced. 8. Eliminate the Juliet balconies or make them fully functional. 9. Introducing lite cuts to the windows will help improve the building’s scale. 10. A more suitable location for the transformer is needed. 11. The trash room and loading area should be internalized within the garage if possible. 12. The introduction of large canopy trees along both streets should help in further softening the building and breaking up its mass. Staff Recommendation: 1. Staff recommends “Deferral” with the comments noted above. MEMBERS PRESENT: BILL MARSHALL, ERICA CHASE, MELANIE BUNCHAM, MICHELLE SMYTH STAFF PRESENT: DENNIS DOWD, BILL TURNER CLERK: PEGGY JORDAN AGENDA DESIGN REVIEW BOARD JUNE 13, 2013 5:00 P.M. 75 CALHOUN STREET 1. 35 Folly Road – TMS# 421-11-00-057, 058, 063 App. No. 136-13-1 Request Conceptual approval for new construction of a multi-family development as per documentation submitted. Owner: Flournoy Development Company, LLC Applicant: The Preston Partnership, LLC Neighborhood: Albemarle MOTION: Deferral per Board and staff discussion. MADE BY: M.Buncham SECOND: E.Chase VOTE: FOR 2 AGAINST 1 *B.Marshall abstains 2. Review and Adoption of Board’s Policy Statement APP. No. 136-13-2 on Windows MOTION: Deferred to June 27, 2013. MADE BY: SECOND: VOTE: FOR AGAINST