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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDepartment Report 12-03-24 5 Carmel Plan Commission COMMITTEE Tuesday, December 3, 2024 Department Report 2. 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. *Updates to the report are in blue. 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 a pergola, update to lighting fixtures, and new signage. 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 Petitioner originally proposed to reskin the brick with a metal panel system. After receiving feedback from the Plan Commission Committee, the Petitioners now propose to keep the existing building architecture as is. An aluminum pergola with ironspot brick masonry base is now proposed on the south façade to provide an employee amenity area furnished with planters and a fireplace feature. 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 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. Landscaping: Planters are included with the pergola amenity to the south of the building. 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 the approval of these changes with the present petition. 6 Recap of October 1, 2024 Plan Commission Committee Meeting: • Petitioner stated desire to make updates to the property exterior to modernize appearance • Proposed updates consisted of a reskin of the building with a metal composite material on the second and third floors as well as a new glass entryway and pergola fronting that new entryway • Staff argued that it would be irresponsible to cover the notable ironspot brick when it should be showcased • Staff suggested alternative improvements to maintain architectural character: replacement of worn limestone windowsills, removal of the east and west triangular prism glass vestibules, etc. • Staff recommended denial of the petition as proposed • Committee members agreed with staff that covering the brick would not be in the best interest of upholding the architectural integrity of the building and continued the project to give Petitioner time to work with staff on acceptable revisions instead of denial November 7, 2024 PC Committee Meeting Recap: Item TABLED to Tuesday, December, 3, 2024 meeting. DOCS Remaining Comments/Concerns: We are appreciative of the refocused scope; however, the site still needs to be brought into compliance regarding the following: 1. Signage details 2. Bike parking details 3. Plans for existing outdoor sports courts Recommendation: The Department of Community Services recommends the Plan Commission Committee votes to Approve this item tonight, subject to finalizing and addressing all Department review comments through Project Dox.