APPEARANCE COMMISSION AGENDA

October 4th, 2018

7:30 PM Town Hall, Room 100 (Please note that all times are approximate) 7:30- 8:00 II. Wilkinson Supply Building- Relief Request from Architectural Standards 8:45- 9:00 III. Discussion of Proposed Building at 203 South Greensboro Street Presented at September 20th meeting 9:00- 9:05 IV. Review/Approval of Minutes from May 4th, 2017 Meeting Adjourn

September 6, 2018

Wilkinson Supply (Showroom Addition)Appearance Commission Certification of Alternative Design

Section 15-178 Architectural Standards for Downtown Development. (AMENDED 6/20/06)

(a) The Board has established a policy that encourages the evolution of a downtown district that embodies the Town’s character and includes medium-rise buildings that are appropriately sited with adequate public access in keeping with downtown design guidelines. High-quality building design and construction are considered primary elements of the built environment in downtown Carrboro. Creativity is encouraged to the extent that new architectural design is harmonious and complementary with existing buildings and with the community as a whole. Standards have been developed to add consistency and predictability to the permit review process. The following provisions shall apply to new construction within the B-1(c), B-1(g), CT, M-1, and B-2 zoning districts.

All projects must conform with the following requirements to the extent practicable, except as otherwise provided in subsection (b):

(1) A primary entrance shall be oriented toward the right of way and shall be articulated either by a recess or by a detachable awning.

Applicant’s Response: The building’s entrance will be located close to the street right-of-way but will be placed on the side elevation due to grade concerns (floor elevation is below street elevation) and to provide proximity to the handicapped parking space and other customer parking spaces.  The entrance will be articulated by an awning and flanking windows to clearly announce its location, as required. And the entrance area is directly connected to the street sidewalk by a short onsite access sidewalk.

(2) With respect to any side of a building that faces the street adjacent to the lot where the building is located and is visible from such street right-of-way, a minimum of 40 percent of the elevation of such side shall consist of a glass surface, and a minimum of 60 percent of the elevation of the ground level of such façade shall consist of a glass surface.

Applicant’s Response: Being a showroom, interior wall space is precious.  So the amount of street elevation glass provided will be less than the requirement which is attempting to maximize a retail store’s transparency and interaction with passing pedestrians in the core downtown area.   However more glass will be provided than the current street elevation provides and will be located above interior shelf heights within to provide natural lighting to the interior. Plus this location is not within the downtown core area and is not a retail use being, in fact, located within a manufacturing (M-1) district.

(3) Buildings taller than 40 feet shall maintain a 20-percent shade free area within the public right of way between two lines extended north from the easternmost and westernmost points of the building at the street right of way as measured at noon on September 21.

Applicant’s Response: This requirement is not applicable as the building is less than 40 feet tall.

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September 6, 2018

(4) Parking or utility areas shall be substantially shielded from the view of adjoining streets by habitable space. For the purposes of this subsection, the term habitable shall mean partially or fully enclosed space within a building that is actively used or occupied by the residents of the building. The active use of these spaces is characterized by the routine and regular presence of the building’s residents rather than the routine and regular presence of stored goods, equipment, or other materials.

Applicant’s Response: The parking and utility areas are now more shielded from the street right-of-way with the new showroom addition and landscaping than previously provided and the parking spaces that were previously located between the street and the building have been relocated to the side yard area.

(5) A building more than 45 feet in width shall be divided into increments of no more than 45 feet through articulation of the façade achieved through the following techniques:

(a) Divisions or breaks in materials (b)Window bays(c) Separate entrances and entry treatments (d) Variation in roof line(e) Building setbacks

Applicant’s Response: Although this building is more than 45 feet wide, it is not in line with other smaller buildings.  So as a standalone building, there is less of a need to break up the building massing than a main street downtown location might require in order to make a larger building more compatible with adjoining smaller buildings.   The roof line does break up the massing as the main pitched roof is asymmetrical to the addition’s pitched roof. The window pattern, banding, and choice of building materials also break up the massing of what would be less than two bays of building width if this requirement were to be strictly applied.

(6) The following exterior materials are prohibited: metal siding with exposed fasteners, vinyl siding, and processed wood panel products (e.g. hardboard).

Applicant’s Response: Prohibited building materials are avoided and a mixture of masonry, glass, wood, and fiber cement siding is utilized, as illustrated by the building elevations.

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, applicants for projects that do not comply with the standards specified above may voluntarily participate in an alternative design review process that involves input from or a decision by the Appearance Commission as follows: (AMENDED 2/23/10).

(1) If the project requires the issuance of a zoning permit and the Appearance Commission certifies to the zoning administrator that the alternative design substantially achieves the purpose (as spelled out in subsection (a) of this section) of the architectural standards for downtown development, then the development shall not be required to comply with the standards set forth in subsection (a).

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Wilkinson Supply103 Barnes St Carrboro, NC

SCALE1/8" = 1'0

DATE8. 31. 2018

Elevations

Wilkinson SupplyElevations

FRONT / BARNES ST

NORTH / JONES FERRY RD

SOUTH / INTERIOR

REAR

FFE: 460.45'

12.0 ' CEILINGS

FIBER CEMENT PANELS

CUMARU WOOD SIDING

1/16" = 1'0 8. 31. 2018

FRONT

REAR

SOUTH

NORTH / JONES FERRY

8. 31. 2018

DRAFT COPY

MINUTES May 4th, 2017

Members Present: Emily Kreutzer, Roy Mars, Danny Schuster, Sheryl Forbis, Wendy Dale,

Lydia Lavelle Members Absent: Johnny Crncic, Gwen Barlow Staff Present: Marty Roupe- Zoning Development Administrator Guests: Jim Spencer, Architect I. Discussion of Joint Review Item- 716 Homestead Subdivision Road Concept Plan Roy Mars expressed disappointment with the architectural renderings and noted a few specific issues with the designs. Okay in general with the project, but not happy with the renderings. Roy Mars suggested we come up with an example of what they’d rather see built in the future, rather than just note what he doesn’t like. Encourage them to use smarter building materials and more energy efficient features. Danny Schuster asked about asked about scheduling future agenda item for discussion of suggested/recommended architectural standards and invite developer (ie. Omar Zinn) to the meeting for discussion. Danny also requested a copy of the Land Use Ordinance. The Appearance Commission likes the idea of creating a new/revised version of the Architectural Standards and have the new attorneys consider ways to possibly implement them and Sheryl Forbis mentioned an emphasis on the new document being what the Appearance Commission will recommend.

II. Discussion of Joint Review Item- Conditional Rezoning for IFC at 110 West Main Street Danny Schuster asked about collaboration with the veterinarian. Jim Spencer noted that a fence exists on that side of the building and talked about the change in grade between the two properties.

Appearance Commission Minutes

Page 2

Emily Kreutzer likes the project in general, but is disappointed with the façade. Excited about the project in general and understands that the costs are limiting what they are able to do design wise. Sheryl Forbis likes that the design allows privacy for the people utilizing the facility and that it prevents a feeling of people loitering on the street ahead of eating. She likes the design, including the gable roof. Roy Mars likes it as a whole, but would prefer to see the roof design accommodate more solar panels. Possibly use NC Botanical Gardens new building as an example of how it could be made better. Roy further mentioned to Jim Spencer the desire to improve the design to increase solar panels, better window designs, etc. Awning design was discussed and the applicant explained that the gable accommodates central air circulation vertically in a way that is most energy efficient. Jim Spencer explained the design choices, further explanation of the balcony plantings, possibility of a cistern for on-site use and irrigating plants and locally sourced building materials to the greatest extent possible. The applicant mentioned that they welcome additional features if money is available. More solar would / will be added if money will allow as well, but the formerly available tax credits have limited their ability to do some things. Further discussion by the Appearance Commission related to drop offs and they will strongly encourage drop offs at the rear of the site rather than Main Street.

Adjourn