Architectural Advisory Board

Architectural Advisory Board Council Chambers September 3, 2014 Revised September 8, 2014 Meeting called to order 7:47 p.m. 1. Roll Call: Mrs. Friedlander, Mr. Fritsch, Mr. Anderson, and Mr. Way were present. 2. Petitions: There were no petitions. 3. Consent Calendar: a. AAB #2013-0403 – installation of a canopy sign at 105 W. Broad Street for Ireland Four Provinces. Mr. Way made a motion that the canopy sign plan be accepted as submitted. The motion was seconded by Mr. Anderson and unanimously approved. 4. Other Business: There was no other business. 5. Old Business: There was no old business. 6. New Business: a. AAB #2013-0627 - by Kensington of Falls Church, review of a Site Plan for premises known as 700 W. Broad Street, RPC # 51-131-005 of the Falls Church Real Property records, zoned B-3 “General Business." Falls Church 316, LLC is currently operating the site as a Burger King Restaurant with a drive through service window. The Applicant, Kensington Senior Living, seeks to redevelop the land as an Assisted Living facility. After a presentation by the applicant, comments by city staff, and board discussion, Mrs. Friedlander made a motion that the board accept the Site Plan as submitted with recommendation that signage package be thoughtfully considered throughout site especially on both Broad and Lee Elevations and resubmitted for formal review. Mr. Way seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved. b. AAB #2013-1165 - City Council Official Referral to Boards, Commissions and Community Organizations – Resolution TR14-29 (Comprehensive Plan Map Amendment); Ordinance TO14-28 (Official Zoning Map Amendment); and Resolution TR14-28 (Special Exceptions) for a proposed Mixed Use Development, named Broad and West, by Spectrum Development, LLC. After a presentation by the applicant and comments by city staff, the board discussed the design of the project with the applicant. The Architectural Advisory Board acknowledges that the design presented is conceptual at this time and further development of massing and materials is expected. Therefore the architectural features (including but not limited to massing, materials, signage, etc.) will be reviewed in greater detail at the next submission for AAB review prior to the special exception determination (currently scheduled for City Council review in December 2014, and target AAB review in the month prior; November 2014). The Board further recommended that the following issues be addressed by the applicant: 1. Further thought is to be given as to how the design of this building relates to the unique history and community values of Falls Church. 2. The character & style of the architectural treatment of the large arched openings is not consistent with the character of the rest of the building. Needs further development to be cohesive. 3. The façade of the proposed hotel, specifically the fenestration size and placement needs to be addressed to evoke less of an institutional appearance. The punched openings in the masonry, especially at the top of the building, appear very random. 4. The design of the corner of the building at West and Broad needs more work. More attention/detail should be given to this important corner of the building. 5. The façade and plan of the building that faces West Street and the W. O&D trail should be designed in such as way as to engage with the outdoor activity at this location; wider sidewalks, sufficient (and safe) street crossings, outdoor spaces, etc. 6. The Board acknowledges that the Traffic Study submitted with this review package, dated 1/22/14, was based on a project of smaller magnitude/scale and the Board requested an updated traffic study based on the currently proposed project in order to evaluate the urban design impacts and accessibility to the project site. As the updated traffic study would be critical to understanding how to best mitigate the challenges posed by the multiple intersections around the site and provide proper vehicular and pedestrian safety from these intersections to the project. 7. Intersection at West and Park a. Board acknowledges the re-alignment of the W&OD bike trail with Park at West is under further development to incorporate it more with the vehicular and pedestrian access to the site at this location. 8. Intersection at Grove and West a. Pedestrian and vehicular traffic safety alternatives to be developed to provide safe and easy access to the project site at Grove Avenue. b. Massing of the project facing the W&OD trail pocket park between Grove Street, West and Park Avenues to be further developed with alternatives to better integrate the open space of the W&OD trail with that of the open spaces within the project. 9. The Board recommends that The City (Council, Boards and Commissions) evaluate and consider how this plan coordinates with the pending redevelopment plan and requirements for nearby parks and other public areas (West End Park and pocket park of the W&OD trail) 10. The Board recommends the applicant consider alternate solutions to the parking “pad” and retail area at the entrance at N. West Street.  c. Variance application V1563-14 - by FastSigns for Falls Properties LLC, for referral to Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA), to permit the placement of 3 additional tenant names on the proposed freestanding sign on premises known as 300 (306) N. Washington St, RPC #53-103-013 of the Falls Church Real Property Records, zoned T-1 transitional, said property owned by Falls Properties LLC c/o Jackson Prentice Management. After a presentation by the applicant, comments by city staff, and board discussion, Mr. Way made a motion that due to the limited visibility of the tenant spaces to be at this complex that the variance application be accepted as submitted. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Friedlander and unanimously approved. 7. Minutes: Minutes from the July 9, 2014 AAB meeting were reviewed. Mr. Way made a motion to approve as submitted. The motion was seconded by Mr. Anderson and unanimously approved. 8. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 9:52 PM.