Zionsville Architectural Review Committee (ZARC)

AGENDA ZIONSVILLE ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE APRIL 28, 2015 | 7:30 AM ZIONSVILLE TOWN HALL 7:30 CONVENE 7:30 RECOGNITION OF QUORUM | ADOPTION OF AGENDA 7:35 APPROVAL OF MINUTES 7:40 REPORTS FINANCIAL SUMMARY 7:45 OLD BUSINESS 1. PENDING APPLICATIONS a. NONE 2. ACTIVE PROJECTS (UPDATES) a. 130 HAWTHORNE STREET (CHAPEL) b. 30-40 N. MAIN ST. (GREEK’S PIZZERIA/MIKE COLE) c. 99 N. FIRST STREET (PRICE 8:30 NEW BUSINESS 1. PROGRAM INQUIRIES, NEW APPLICATIONS 2. PROGRAM REFINEMENTS (DISCUSSION) 8:45 NEXT MEETING: MAY 26, 2015 8:50 ADJOURN 27 January 2015 SUMMARY OF PROGRAM REFINEMENT CONSIDERATIONS For consideration and discussion 1. ‘FOUR STEP PROCESS”: The web site still describes a four step process that starts with an application. The program typically works best when an inquiry is first informally vetted with a committee member prior to a formal application being made. Replace this with “EXECUTIVE SUMMARY & OVERVIEW”, updated as applicable, which was first published in 2012. (copy attached). 2. TIMING OF APPLICATION MATERIALS: The committee has been asked to approve materials that are first presented at the time of the meeting. Going forward, the committee will require all materials, including costs, drawings, descriptions and other pertinent information that they are asked to approve, to be submitted to the Town staff, for distribution to the full committee, seven (7) days prior to the meeting in which an approval is being requested. 3. IMPLEMENT FINANCIAL CAP PER PROJECT: In 2014 deliberations which resulted in reduction of the matching amount, discussions included the possibility of creating a $25,000 cap per project. 4. APPROVAL PRIOR TO CONSTRUCTION: Currently, the program reads as follows: “Committee approval of the Project and its qualified expenses is required prior to the start of construction or demolition. Cost for any work completed prior to such approval is not eligible or qualified.” Suggested alternative wording is as follows: “Committee approval of the Project and its qualified expenses is required prior to the start of any exterior construction or demolition, regardless of whether said work is being considered as part of the program. Upon commencement of any exterior construction, the project is ineligible for the façade grant program.” 5. OCCUPIED/NON-OCCUPIED PROVISIONS (to follow) 6. ANCILLARY STRUCTURES (DUMPSTER ENCLOSURES, FENCES, ETC.) 1. It must qualify for facade grant rules like any other facade grant project, meaning: a. It is visible from a public right of way. b. It will transform and improve the associated property facade character (and is not a maintenance only project, i.e., replacing worn or damaged materials or structure with like materials or structure). c.It must be in the ZARC downtown facade grant district. 2. It may receive additional "bonus points", meaning more votes for approval, if it also: a. Incorporates a live vegetative, artistically or aesthetically appealing element of design such as a "green wall" or (visible from the ground) "green roof" that is planned for successful year round maintenance. It must incorporate plant materials that are attractive year round and winter hardy in our local climate. b. Incorporates collaboration with other users that will reduce the "footprint" of trash enclosures in the ZARC and downtown district, such as shared dumpster enclosures, joint recycling, etc. c. Incorporates other footprint reducing technologies or methods, such as trash compaction. d. Incorporates other funding sources to achieve more extensive improvements (better, longer lasting materials, etc.) to the trash enclosure, not just a cost reduction to the owner applicant. e. Is part of a larger adjacent or contiguous facade project. (Separate/Outside the $25K proposed cap for building facade work). f. Incorporates longer lasting, exterior grade materials (such as non-rusting metals or IPE wood), that do not require on going, regular maintenance such as painting. Raw materials that weather to a permanent patina are acceptable as well. g. Is it's own unique design that compliments the facade and contributes to the "greening" of the Zionsville downtown district in a positive, uplifting way. 3. The applicant must provide a maintenance committment plan guaranteeing a minimum of 3 years or more (to guarantee plant establishment). The Maintenance plan could include automatically irrigated systems or contracts for landscape services, for example. 4. Any logos or signage incorporated in the green wall or roof or trash enclosure must comply with the Zionsville sign ordinance. ZARC reserves the right to review them for appropriateness in with the downtown district and grant funding (i.e. true advertising is not encouraged, while tastefully executed and subtleness may be allowed.).  5. The applicant must provide written proof of trash collection company approval for the enclosure and it's access for trash collection services (gates, clearances, etc.). 6 If expenses are shared, a written agreement between parties sharing the costs must be provided with the application. 7. All green wall/roof structures and associated elements must comply with all codes, regulations, ordinances. And for further clarification, here is a beginning definition of the intent for a "Green Wall or Roof": A live plant material covered exterior surface of a building or exterior structure. It may be self sustaining through irrigation on timers, or it may be naturally watered through rainwater directed into the soil or ground. Coverage may be complete or partial as long as the plants are an obvious major focus of the surfaces covered. Support structures may vary, but longer lasting, natural finishes are encouraged for lowest maintenance. ZARC encourages these elements in the "Green" surfaces: a. Artistic, aesthetically pleasing design of plant materials to include but not be limited to: 1. A balanced composition 2. Variety in materials, textures, colors, shapes, lines, patterns, direction 3. Enhancement of the support structure and surroundings by "framing good views", not blocking bad views. 7. Creative adaption to the immediate surrounding building or environment (no "cookie cutter" plans!).