3A Public Hearing 2006 0905 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Excerpts/rom the Planning Commission Meeting Worksession Agenda No. 06.02 January 26, 2006 Page 3 of 4 Commissioner Holcomb said she understood the applicant's preference to avoid putting a front door on Hays Street, but she agreed with staff that some element of identification or interest facing Hays would be desirable. Applicant Langon said there are ways to add some element of interest in the front elevation. He said it would be difficult to move the interior stairwell to provide space for an entryway facing Hays. Commissioner Holcomb suggested a front entry that would utilize the staircase landing, with two steps up at the front door, as long as this does not result in a secluded front entry that is not open and visible for security reasons. Applicant Langon said such a design is a possibility. He noted an additional concern, that creating front entries for the front two units could make the four back units appear to be the back part of the front units. Chair K1eebauer noted that staffhad recommended increasing the depth of garages from 18.5 to 20 feet. Architect Burrell said the garage could be expanded a foot or eighteen inches into a five-foot open space to the rear of the garage that is a covered area, without any change to the ten-foot setback. Chair Kleebauer asked if the patio space in the rear is the only open space. Applicant Langon said the actual concrete patio area could be expanded to include some of the ten-foot rear setback. Commissioner Reed suggested that the architect provide additional architectural enhancements, especially of the elevation facing the street, but also see what can be done to enhance the architectural presentation of the entire exterior elevation, front, back, side and interior. He noted that the building would be around for a long time and that a lot of structure is being proposed in a fairly small area. Applicant Langon said the contemporary craftsman style, which is not a cheaper way to build, had been selected because it achieved high architectural interest. He noted that a wood and stucco mix and multiple colors had been utilized to create additional architectural interest. Architect Burrell briefly discussed architectural details. He said that the three-story fa~ade had been broken up by using setbacks and that the arbor element and variations in window treatment had been added to provide detail to the front of the project. Commissioner Ponder said he liked the density of the project, which he finds appropriate for a downtown area. He said that initially he liked the courtyard with all six houses facing each other, but on reflection he is in agreement with staff that it would be nicer and more beneficial for the neighborhood to have a couple doors facing the street. He also noted there are two different home designs based on front elevation. He asked how the home styles would be distributed. Architect Burrell said the styles, would be staggered, three each.