Downtown Design Review Board

DOWNTOWN DESIGN REVIEW BOARD April 25, 2018 I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The April 25, 2018 Downtown Design Review Board meeting was called to order in the City Council Chambers of the Wheaton City Hall, 303 W. Wesley Street, Wheaton at 6:00 pm. On a roll call, the following were: Present: Paula Barrington Nathan Bossenga Craig Farnsworth Tracy Jones Kevin Maguire Absent: Steph McGrath City Staff: James P. Kozik AICP, Director of Planning & Economic Development II. PUBLIC COMMENT There was no public comment. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – August 30, 2017 Mr. Maguire moved and Ms. Jones seconded a motion to approve the minutes of the August 30, 2017 Downtown Design Review Board meeting as submitted. On a voice vote, all voted aye. V. NEW BUSINESS – 130 W. Liberty Drive – Façade Renovation Adam Garcia, CEO of New Path Construction and property owner Larry Bartell were in attendance to review an application to renovate the façade 130 W. Liberty Drive. Their application was denied due to the determination that the proposal was not in full compliance with Wheaton’s Downtown Design Review Guidelines. Mr. Kozik stated that the Downtown Design Guidelines booklet contains general guidelines which are considered by the City when reviewing proposed projects throughout Downtown Wheaton. The booklet also contains additional guidelines specific to the three character areas in the Downtown; the Traditional Core Area, the Perimeter Commercial Area, and the Residential Conversion Area. The subject property is located within the Traditional Core Area. Item number 2 of the “General Guidelines” states that “Exterior insulating finish systems (EIFS, “Dryvit”) are not recommended for exterior use in new construction and renovations.” Item number 5 of the “General Guidelines” states that “Materials that have been applied to cover older traditional façade elements should be removed and not replaced.” The proposed façade renovation contemplated by the owners calls for removing the existing black and white aggregate panels and replacing them with EIFS instead of removing them and replacing/repairing the original terracotta. In 2017, the Board approved a plan to “skim coat” the existing aggregate panels in an effort to minimally upgrade the appearance of the building. Mr. Kozik stated that the architects for the owner indicate that they seek to use EIFS because it is a cost-effective solution to renovating the exterior of the building. The original terracotta was severely damaged many years ago when the black and white aggregate panels were installed and replacing or repairing the damaged terracotta would be cost prohibitive. Mr. Kozik stated that it is Staff’s opinion that strict adherence to the guidelines, which would require replacement/repair of the original terracotta, is unreasonable, although Staff would question the use of EIFS as masonry products exist that would be compliant with the design guidelines. Mr. Kozik stated that the use of EIFS would not be compatible with neighboring properties, nor would it substantially improve the appearance and function of the building or enhance the character of the Downtown. Mr. Garcia stated that he did have the character of Downtown Wheaton in mind when he prepared the plans for the façade renovation and cited numerous examples of EIFS being used in the Downtown. Mr. Garcia stated that the use of EIFS is the only cost-effective solution in this case given the circumstances of the condition of the building. Members of the Board discussed the proposed material and concurred with Mr. Garcia’s assessment. Mr. Maguire then moved and Ms. Jones seconded a motion to approve the design of the façade renovations for 130 W. LibertyDrive conditioned upon the façade materials and colors being in conformance with the plans prepared by New Path Design Desk entitled “130 West Liberty Drive Design Package”. On a voice vote, all voted aye. The motion carried unanimously. VI. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:20 pm. Respectfully submitted, James P. Kozik, AICP Director of Planning & Economic Development