Planning Commission

MINUTES TOWN OF FORT MILL PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING March 19, 2024 112 Confederate Street 6:00 PM Present: Matt Lucarelli, Sarah Curtis, James Traynor, Dan Stout, Mark Kerr, Erin Pratt, and Jason Therrell, Planning Director Penelope Karagounis, Planner Lauren C. Hebert, and Development Coordinator Diana Fragomeni Guest: Duane Christopher (DFC and Associates, LLC), Councilman Ben Hudgins, Stephen Overcash (ODA Architecture), Garrett West (ODA Architecture), and Eddie Murdock (Eddie Murdock, INC) Chairman Mark Kerr called the Planning Commission meeting to order at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, and welcomed everyone to the meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairman Kerr gave an opportunity to the Planning Commission to review and comment on the February 20, 2024, Planning Commission meeting minutes. Chairman Kerr had the following correction to spell Erin Pratt’s name correctly. Commissioner Stout made a motion to approve with the edit and Commissioner Curtis seconded the motion. The minutes were approved by a vote of 7-0. Information and Discussion 1. Planning Director Penelope Karagounis mentioned that the first item under Information and discussion is a preliminary commercial appearance review to gain feedback for the building and elevation drawings for a proposed storage facility. This is an informal discussion of the proposal, and no vote will take place tonight. The property is located at 471 Highway 21 Bypass and is zoned Highway Commercial. Any new building needs to come through the commercial appearance review process. Duane Christopher, architect stated they have been working on this project for three years because of some difficulties with the site. He has been working with Stephen Overcash and his team has worked with the Planning department for the last 6 weeks with drafts and reviews with the proposed site plan. Stephen Overcash discussed the issue with slopes and grade of the land how they looked at ways to fit this proposed use of a storage building. 1 The street elevation looks two stories but looking from the slope in the back it goes to four stories. They are proposing a lot of red brick to play homage to the Town of Fort Mill textile mill and is proposing significant glass on the building too. 98% of the units are accessed from the internal of the building, while there are some external doors for people to use access from the external of the building. Primarily the building is designed to look more like an office building since there are many windows being proposed for this building. Mr. Overcash also brought materials of the building materials for the Planning Commission’s review. Climate control storage units typically have their own color scheme so with this one they picked a color not to compete with the national brand climate control storage unit. They picked a teal color for the storage unit doors. Highway 21 will be widening to 5 lanes, and the applicant hopes to be built before then. Commissioner Matt Lucarelli stated I am sure you have designed many around the Charlotte region. Mr. Overcash stated they have designed about 200 climate control storage buildings. Commissioner Lucarelli asked what the theory behind windows that expose overhead door. Mr. Overcash stated it is for advertising and breaking up long facades. People associate roll up doors with storage facility buildings and it is just a marketing aspect for their logo. Commissioner Stout asked if the fourth floor in the back of the building is being excavated. Mr. Overcash said yes with a retaining wall. Commissioner Sarah Curtis asked if this will be full brick and Mr. Overcash stated yes. Commissioner Lucarelli stated this is a by right use. The facilities being proposed is an allowable use. Commissioner Lucarelli does not like the windows showing exposed overhead doors. He believes that the Town should have more conditions for proposed storage facility buildings for design of the external building. Commissioner Stout would like to see adequate screening with the site plan. Chairman Kerr mentioned this would be submitted when they make a formal submission for the site plan/landscaping plan. Tonight, we are only reviewing the elevation of the building for recommendations. Commissioner Lucarelli did state he likes the architectural design of the building but is not favor with all the glass with the transparent view into the exposed overhead doors. Commissioner Traynor stated these samples of the building materials are very nice. The Town could consider in the future if they want to add more conditions for the storage use building use. Commissioner Lucarelli doesn’t like the four-story glass walls where the internal doors are 2 shown and these doors are not even operable. Stephen Overcash will consider reducing some of the glass and take in consideration all of the comments to make the necessary revisions before they submit formally for the Commercial Appearance Review. 2. Recognition of Service for Mr. James Traynor. Mr. Traynor served for 21 years on the Town of Fort Mill Planning Commission. We appreciated his expertise, his kindness, and his calm demeanor in conducting effective Planning Commission meetings. Planning Director Karagounis presented him a plaque for his service on the Planning Commission. Councilman Ben Hudgins attended the Planning Commission and he wanted to congratulate Mr. Traynor’s service for 21 years. He spoke briefly about how Mr. Traynor was a great leader when he served on the Planning Commission and appreciated all his wisdom over the years. He will be missed on the Planning Commission. Commissioner Traynor made a motion to adjourn, and Commissioner Therrell seconded the motion. The motion to adjourn was voted 7-0. The meeting adjourned at 6:40 pm. 3