Design Review Board

JOINT BOARD MEETING PLANNING BOARD DESIGN REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES MONDAY DECEMBER 10, 2012 6:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL ROOM PLANNING BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman; Tom L Lewis, Vice Chairman; Amy Durland; Dan Gaba; Howard Pinsley ABSENT: Philip Klein; Mariesa Coppola DESIGN REVIEW COMMISSION PRESENT: Steven Rowland, Chairman; Richard Martin; Robert West; Staci Mannion; Karen Cavotta, ABSENT: Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman; Robert DeMarco STAFF: Bradley Birge, Administrator Planning and Economic Development – Staff to the DRC Kate Maynard, Principal Planner – Staff to the Planning Board CALL TO ORDER: Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman, Planning Board called the meeting to order at 6:09 P.M. Steven Rowland, Chairman of the Design Review Commission stated since a quorum is present he would like to make a motion to approve the minutes from the November 7, 2012 meeting with corrections as submitted and the following addition to the minutes. Regarding the application of the Algonquin Apartments the applicant has agreed to have the Turkish Bazaar remove the blue ceramic tiles from the front of the building. This was not discussed at the meeting but should be reflected in the minutes. Robert West seconded the motion. VOTE: Steven Rowland, Chairman, in favor; Richard Martin, in favor; Robert West; Karen Cavotta, in favor; Staci Mannion, abstained MOTION PASSES: 4-0-1 Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman stated this joint meeting is being held for application: 1. #03.088.4 LEXINGTON CLUB, 52 Marion Avenue, sketch of site plan for review o mixed use building the transect-5 District. Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman stated this is Sketch Plan Review and no decision will be rendered on a sketch plan review. APPLICATION UNDER CONSIDERATION: 1. #03.088.4 LEXINGTON CLUB, 52 Marion Avenue, sketch of site plan for review of mixed use building in the Transect-5 District. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Special Use Permit approved by the Planning Board on July 9, 2003. Site Plan approved by the Planning Board on October 15, 2003. Architectural Review on October 21, 2004, extended to June 1, 2006. Construction halted in 2007. All approvals preserved as start of actual construction occurred. Letter of Credit in Place for $444,756 associated with former approved project. Planning Board required additional screening of site in December 2010. Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman, Planning Board stated Dave Carr, LA Group has been before these Boards many times providing information on how this project is progressing and how it is to be maintained. Applicant: Beechwood Associates, LLC, Andre Schmidt; Chris Schmidt Agent: Dave Carr, LA Group; Corrina Martino, LA Group Brian Bullard, Schopfer Achitects; James Dewey, Fresh Market SEQRA: No SEQRA Action is required with sketch plan review. Mr. Carr thanked the Planning Board and the Design Review Commission for hosting this joint meeting to move this project forward. This is a 4 ½ acre parcel of land. The LA Group was not originally involved in this project. We have been involved since 2006. There are still existing approvals on the project, including an existing Letter of Credit. The previous plan was presented to the Boards. The former approved Plan called for a diversity of uses a hotel, restaurant, banquet facility, spa, office/retail, residential multi-family and townhouses and parking deck as well as on-street parking. The current plan provides for a 20,000 square foot grocery store, a 20,000 square foot two story retail building, and a four story mixed use building. What we are proposing is much more towards commercial. The First 20,000 square foot building which is the fresh market is basically a grocery store but not a normal grocery store. There is one currently located in Latham. The market is based on more of a European style grocery store, mainly perishable based. Our basic theme is centered around service and perishable meats and seafood and produce. It is a little different. A second 20,000 square foot two story retail building, and along Excelsior Avenue a mixed use four story building. The first floor of the four story building will include approximately 10,000 square feet of commercial use along Excelsior Avenue and more than half of the building would provide parking. The second level would have 10,000 square feet and indoor or covered parking with two stories above and 30 apartments. One access point off of Marion and one access off of Excelsior Avenue which will be shared access with the vacant parcel to the west, a property the Schmidt's already own. A five foot retaining wall will be placed along Route #50, where the grade drops. There are 281 parking spaces all surface levels. Sewer and Water will match the approved plan. Creighton Manning will update the traffic study outlining the differences between the impacts of the original plan and this plan. 2 Brian Bullard, Schopfer Architects provided the board with an architectural presentation of the project, reviewing the materials being used for the fresh market building, as well as building elevations. Colors and brick samples were provided for the boards review. Mr. Bullard also reviewed the two other buildings in the project, the mixed use building with the parking deck and the 2 story retail building. Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman, Planning Board stated this is certainly a unique opportunity. We always appreciate what the Design Review Commission has to say, and we learn something along the way. Steven Rowland, Chairman, Design Review Commission stated one thing this plan is lacking is a strong feature at the corner of Route 50 and Marion Avenue. In the past applications there were some dramatic features which anchored the building and that seems to have been lost in this plan. Is there a thought to have a color pallet the same for all three buildings or a different color scheme? The applicant's agent stated the three buildings will have the same color scheme. Steven Rowland, Chairman stated that since there are three buildings, perhaps they should have their own individuality, but we certainly can talk about that a bit later on. Some of the things we always discuss are the mechanicals, which are important to us. The Board requested a review of the buildings elevations. The architect stated they are planning to screen the mechanicals behind the front elevation. Karen Cavotta stated there are three separate buildings, with different identities. I can see some continuity in some of the materials but they should speak their own language. They are different types of buildings. I am not sure that this site needs to talk all the same language, common details, but not the same language. Steven Rowland, Chairman stated in terms of mass and scale, the reverse gables, especially those on the building that face Excelsior Avenue where it becomes more important, those elements need to have some more weight, more strength to them. On the south elevation, with the strong horizontal lines emphasizing its length perhaps more brick moving up the building, you would start to break up the mass. Breaking the roof lines with dormers, differences in window glazing could be a possibility, and lighting. Another element is the signage and how that might manifest itself on the building. Where does it go, how does it go on the building and how does it change. Richard Martin questioned snow removal. Dave Carr, LA Group described the snow would go along the edges of the property, but most would be transported off site. Richard Martin questioned the use of radiant heat in the sidewalks, as well as a strong presence at the corner as Steve stated. Dave Carr, LA Group stated they could look into the radiant heat on a case by case basis. Discussion ensued regarding placement of the Fresh Market Building. Dave Carr, LA Group stated the location of the fresh market is where they want it to be. They are the fastest growing grocer in the country. they have a vision of themselves and that is the corner that they wanted it to located. Easy vehicular access for delivery trucks. Howard Pinsley asked if the fresh market building is a standard building, standard footprint. 3 Dave Carr, LA Group stated their footprint is the same, but every one of their buildings is different. They assimilate into the community they are in and build their building to fit into the community. Tom L. Lewis, Vice Chairman stated the building needs to be where it is for visibility on Route #50. One more thing Saratoga is attracting national people. Amy Durland, questioned if the T-5 requirements have been met. Dave Carr, LA Group stated they do meet the requirements. Amy Durland stated there are many constraints concerning heights. I would like more of a connection, more of a neighborhood center. They do seem apart and not connected and how can you make them more connected pedestrian wise, perhaps internal connections. David Carr, LA Group stated sidewalks perhaps linking the sites and introducing internal sidewalks between the buildings. Kate Maynard, Principal Planner, Stated there is some question on how people will access the site on bicycles or walking. Connectivity issues. Grading issues. Access points and accommodation. Stormwater management. Civic Space. Dave Carr, LA Group stated some bio-retention areas will be located in the islands, and Rain gardens will be installed. Bradley Birge, Administrator Planning and Economic Development stated the transect zones were created to provide a very strong street presence. You have two very strong street presences there, you have Excelsior Avenue and Marion Avenue. I know you are accessing it from the internal side of the parking lot so you have the dual purpose there how do you best balance the functional entrances on the interior of the buildings, while maintaining a strong street presence and still pedestrian access on Marion and Excelsior. Dave Carr, LA Group stated on Excelsior Avenue it is a little easier because these retails spaces on the first level are only accessed on Excelsior so they will be oriented to Excelsior unless there happens to be a two story commercial space that could access both. To really make this large retail building work, there will need to be access from both sides. James Dewey, Fresh Market gave the Board a brief overview of the Fresh Market concept. They are a specialty grocer. A 20,000 square foot specialty grocer. In that smaller size we focus on high quality perishable products. We been very well received in the communities we are in. We visited this community and tried to figure out how to be a part of this community. Tom L Lewis, Vice Chairman asked why Saratoga? Mr. Dewey, Fresh Market Representative, stated they look at several things, population density, and what we come to understand a customer who appreciates what we do. Higher education levels and income levels. We feel that Saratoga Springs offers us an opportunity to provide this community with what we offer. Also the tourist population was taken into consideration. Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman stated the applicants should be commended for bringing such a good project forward. This is a remarkable improvement regarding size, fewer residential units, more respectful as an entranceway to the city. Huge progress has been made. 4 Dave Carr, LA Group thanked the group for coming together for this special meeting. Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman, adjourned the Joint Planning/Design Review Commission Meeting at 7:07 P.M. Respectfully submitted Diane M. Buzanowski Recording Secretary Land Use Boards Approved by DRC: 1/3/13 Approved by Planning Board: 1/9/13 5