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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDepartment Report 10-01-2412 Carmel Plan Commission COMMITTEE Tuesday, October 1, 2024 Department Report 6. Docket No. PZ-2024-00156 ADLS Amend: 401 Penn Exterior Building Modifications. The applicant seeks design approval for exterior modifications including architectural material changes, addition of an entry pergola, and updates to lighting and signage. The site is located at 401 Pennsylvania Pkwy. It is zoned MC /Meridian Corridor and is not located within an overlay zone. Filed by Cade Brummer of NSPJ Architects. Project Overview: The subject property is located within an existing office park north of I-465, east of US-31, and west of College Avenue. Properties to the east, west, and south are zoned MC/Meridian Corridor with the vacant property (a protected tree preservation and buffer area) to the north across Pennsylvania Parkway zoned B-7/Business. The building was approved under Docket No. 74-88 DP/ADLS. The Petitioner seeks approval to remodel the building exterior through the addition of an entrance pergola, alteration of pediment design, an update to lighting fixtures and signage, as well as “reskin” the top two floors of existing masonry with a metal panel system. Please see the Petitioner’s Information packet for more details. Architectural Design: The existing three-story office building was constructed in 1989 and features storefront windows and ironspot brick on all three stories on all facades. Immense brick and limestone detailing are present along with a federal styled pediment on the north and south facades. The Petitioners propose to modernize the building design by altering the pediment to feature a flat parapet wall with continuous cornice as well as adding an aluminum entrance pergola on the north façade to complement the storefront window system. The Petitioners wish to reskin the top two floors with a metal panel system to match the style of the two office buildings adjacent on the east and west. Originally, the two flanking six-story office buildings were planned to be constructed of granite and glass but were approved under Docket No. 05080011 DP/ADLS with glass and precast concrete panels. No brick or masonry detailing exists on these two flanking office buildings. The proposed metal panels would conceal the existing brick – a high-quality and valuable building material. The design of the building also has a vast amount of architectural detailing including limestone design features and extensive brick soldier coursing. The proposed design degrades the architectural quality of the central building that anchors this office park development. Staff conducted a site visit to assess the quality of the existing brick and found the brick present on all facades to be in excellent quality. Some limestone detailing was fractured and could use replacement. Due to the excellent quality of the existing brick, staff is NOT in support of the Petitioner’s request to cover the top floors of the building with metal paneling. Staff would be supportive of all other proposed changes to the exterior of the building, if presented as part of a new proposal. Lighting: 16’ tall, modern wall sconces are proposed on both building fronts facing Pennsylvania Parkway to the north and I-465 to the south. No additional lighting is proposed. Automobile and Bike Parking: The Petitioner is not altering the existing parking layout. Automobile parking is shared for this site. Between all three office buildings, the entire development is actually overparked by 183 spaces (969 spaces required). Bicycle parking is currently located on the east and west sides of the subject building. There are 13 racks with 26 spaces; however, the entire development requires 34 bike parking spaces. Please see below for additional site concerns and work with staff to address these issues. 13 Landscaping: Changes to landscaping are not included with this petition. Signage: Four wall signs are proposed for the building tenants with two facing I-465 and two facing Pennsylvania Parkway. One sign is currently proposed on the second story on the north façade. This location is not allowed per the UDO and will need to be relocated. Petitioner, please work with the Sign Permit Specialist to finalize signage details. Sign permits will be required for new proposed wall signs. Other Site Concerns: Sometime between June and August of 2024, 14 parking spaces were removed from the parcel, addressed at 501 Pennsylvania Parkway to the east of the subject parcel, for the installation of outdoor sports courts without approval from staff. Petitioner, please provide plans for this installation so staff can include these changes with the present petition. DOCS Remaining Comments/Concerns: 1. Architectural proposal is unacceptable 2. Signage details 3. Bike parking details 4. Plans for existing outdoor sports courts Recommendation: The Department of Community Services recommends the Plan Commission Committee votes to DENY this item this evening.