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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes SpecStdy 08-01-00CARMEL /CLAY PLAN COMMISSION SPECIAL STUDY COMMITTEE AUGUST 1, 2000 The regularly scheduled meeting of the Special Study Committee was called to order at 7:00 PM on August 1, 2000 in the Caucus Rooms of City Hall, Carmel, Indiana. Members present were: Leo Dierckman; Madeline Fitzgerald; Bob Modisett; James T. O'Neal; and Paul Spranger. Steve Engelking, Director, represented the Department of Community Services. Paul Spranger announced that the following items have been tabled for this evening: Docket No. 77 -00 OA, Old Meridian District Ordinance; Docket No. 78 -00 Z, Old Meridian District; and Docket No. 92 -00 ADLS Amend, Meridian Mark I Liberty Mutual Insurance. Item 1. Docket Nos. 106 -99 SP 107 -99 DP /ADLS, Carmel Science Technology Park, Block 14, Lot 3 Petitioner seeks approval to plat one lot on 3.533 acres and to construct seven self storage buildings with office totaling 69,300 square feet to be known as Carmel Drive Storage. The site is located at 550 West Carmel Drive. The site is zoned M- 3/Manufacturing. This item has been continued from the February 1 and March 7, 2000 Special Study Committee meetings. Filed by Keith Bonham of the Tower Design Group, PC. Steve Engelking reported that there was an outstanding issue on the drainage. A letter has been provided to the Department of Community Services from the City Engineer's office following their review of plans submitted to them on July 25 The salient points: The City Engineer is currently out of town and not available to provide documents to the Committee. Discussions between Engineering and Moench Engineering were referred to regarding the calculations and the plans submitted to Brian Moench for review. Final drainage calculations have not yet been approved, although there have been productive discussions between the City Engineer and Moench Engineering. Also, the City Urban Forester submitted a letter to Laurence Lillig today referring to a landscape plan that was re- drawn; this was necessitated because of the drainage issues and the size of the project on the lot. This issue should be considered in any decision making process. Point of Clarification: Steve Engelking reported that the landscape plan was submitted to the City Engineer's office along with the drainage plan; the Department of Community Services was not aware that the landscape plans had been submitted until today. The City s:\ P1anCommission \SpecialStudy \spst2000aug 1 Engineer's report addresses the fact that there is landscaping within the frontage drainage area and utility easements that may be disrupted as well as plantings that are in the retention pond area. The ponds may be flooded from time -to -time, and the species allowed in this area must be compatible with possible flooding. Ron Bland, architect with Tower Design Group, appeared before the Committee representing Keltner Associates. Mr. Bland addressed the following items. Site Plan: Building E, the front building has been moved farther away from the Carmel Drive buildings. The office space has been moved back an additional 5 feet from the building setback line. The remainder of the building is back 15 feet, 10 feet back on the "bump- outs." The majority of the building is back 15 feet from the building setback line from Carmel Drive. Dumpster Enclosure: The elevations show the dumpster enclosure to be constructed of the same materials as the building. Signage: The owners have opted to revert to a ground sign versus a building sign shown at a previous meeting. Basically, the ground sign as shown this evening will be shown on the lighting plan and the elevations. Approximately 75% of the building is now 15 feet behind the building setback line. The sign dimensions have been addressed. The materials are the same as the building; the letters are black and will be back -lit. Site Lighting: The current plan is very similar to the one previously submitted. It has been changed slightly due to the reconfiguration of the buildings. The lighting is contained within the site and the outside perimeter of the lighting diagram is one -half of one foot candle; from there on out, it is at zero. The site is lit well enough for a customer to come in and use the facility, but it will not be a glowing beacon on Carmel Drive. Revised Landscape Plan: Additional plantings have been added along Carmel Drive to work in with the articulation of the building. Several varieties of plans are shown as well as a plant schedule. In order to screen between building E and the adjacent building, three Austrian Pines are shown in this area together with 10 feet of wrought -iron fence. Ron Bland stated that there is a swale that runs along the backside of the building; this will be a drainage area. Exterior Elevations: One of the concerns was the "bump -out" on the building as it faces Carmel Drive -it is indicated as a short roof just over the five foot area; it was suggested by the Committee that something be done to improve upon this look. The petitioner has taken the roof back in three locations so that it runs the entire depth of the building. There is not equipment on the roof, therefore no need for screening. Madeline asked about the site lighting plan. Mr. Bland responded that there are two ground lights in front of the office, otherwise, there is no additional lighting. The internal s:\ P1anCommission \SpecialStudy \spst2000aug 1 2 lighting is by wall packs, eight feet above the ground, and very low profile. Generally, the lights are dusk -to -dawn automatic on/off. Leo Dierckman asked about the hours of the facility. Mr. Bland responded that there will be some sort of code or key pad for entry into the facility and it will be in operation 24 hours per day. Paul Spranger asked about the level of illumination of the signage and cautioned the petitioner as to glare and spillage onto Carmel Drive. It was determined that the Department of Community Services would be given total discretion as to the level of illumination of the sign and whether or not it is consistent with other signage on Carmel Drive. Ron Bland referred to the 8 foot wide asphalt path along Carmel Drive. The path will be located between the curb and the right -of -way line and will align with the path at the adjacent properties on the east and west sides. The asphalt path is in lieu of a sidewalk along Carmel Drive. Leo Dierckman said he felt very strongly about the way the building "juts out" and that it should be set back farther. At the current proposed location of the building and the site line, it is a disservice to the other property owners. It would also be more pedestrian friendly if it were set farther back from the property line. Leo was in favor of eliminating building E and adding square footage into one of the other buildings. The crux of the problem has been too large a project for the amount of ground space available. Madeline Fitzgerald agreed with Leo that the building should be set back farther or perhaps the front building could be re- designed to accommodate a second story. Madeline said she would hate to see the sight line destroyed because as it is today, it is very pleasant. Jim O'Neal commented that the petitioner has re- designed the building several times at the request of the Committee. With all due respect, the committee is not made up of architects and engineers. What is before the Committee this evening seems to be the best presentation thus far. Ron Bland responded that as a company throughout the state, they have designed over one million square feet. When this type of facility was started, it was obvious what is was -there were color overhead doors for miles in all directions with a see through, chain link fence. The petitioner has tried to refine the look by using the buildings as a fence and screening method for containing the look. Anytime a second story is involved, the costs escalate and some sort of screen would still be needed along Carmel Drive. The buildings on either side of this project are two stories high. The proposed buildings along Carmel Drive are no more than eleven feet high -not a looming presence. In addition, with the landscape and the articulation in and out, it is a very attractive site. It does not have the acres of asphalt out front that is seen in the majority of buildings along Carmel s:\ P1anCommission \SpecialStudy \spst2000aug 1 Drive -it will be green and lush with plantings -no overhead doors will be visible from Carmel Drive. Security wise, it is good to have the buildings surrounding the property. At this point, the petitioner requested that this project be moved forward to the Plan Commission, pending final approval from the City Engineer on the drainage plan. Madeline Fitzgerald asked for clarification of the materials on the two story building; Mr. Bland responded that the second story will be the same brick look as along the front of the building and around the perimeter of the building. As the building comes down to the first story that will be screened by the other buildings, it will be a smooth or split -face block. The entire south facade will be brick. Basically, any area that would show from the outside will be brick. In response to Bob Modisett's request for clarification of the architectural features on the west elevation, Mr. Bland stated that the petitioner is proposing an architectural metal panel similar to a standing seam roof so that it all ties together, surrounded by the split face block and quick brick on both sides. The petitioner is committing to the accent line on the second story of the building. Paul Spranger asked about the drainage resolution. Mr. Bland explained that the petitioner is requesting a drainage easement to the rear of the building on Mr. Keltner's property as well as to the front so there will be smaller pipes going two ways instead of one. There is a catch basin just to the north of the property. There is capacity with retention along the back of the building and the storm collection point to the rear of the property that can be utilized for drainage. Steve Engelking commented that at the time the building to the southwest of this project came in, there was a commitment to make the existing curb cut off Carmel Drive a "shared" drive that would function to serve the current area as well as this area when it developed. The petitioner is asking the Board of Public Works to consider an expansion of the curb cut. City Engineer Kate Weese has asked the BPW to table their request until such time as this project comes out of the Plan Commission. Ultimately, it is the BPW's authority to grant curb cuts, but it is the City Engineer's opinion that the shared cut is adequate to serve this project because of the reduced amount of parking in relation to this project. The traffic in and out may not warrant an expansion of the curb cut. Bob Modisett referred to the site plan that shows an island within the curb cut. Bob Modisett felt that the island would be in the way of ingress /egress. Bob recommended that the island be eliminated; the petitioner stated a willingness to remove the island. Jim O'Neal moved to recommend approval of Dockets 106 -99 SP 107 -99 DP /ADLS, Carmel Science Technology Park, Block 14, Lot 3, CONDITIONED UPON acceptable drainage calculations, the coordination of landscaping material with the City Forester, and the coordination of acceptable turning radius and resolution of the curb cut issue. This motion died for lack of a second. s:\ P1anCommission \SpecialStudy \spst2000aug 1 4 Bob Modisett made formal motion to send Dockets 106 -99 SP 107 -99 DP /ADLS, Carmel Science Technology Park, Block 14, Lot 3 to the Plan Commission with a negative recommendation, with prior conditions intact, seconded by Leo Dierckman. NEGATIVE RECOMMENDATION 4 in favor, Jim O'Neal opposed. Item 2. Docket No. 77 -00 OA, Old Meridian District Ordinance Petitioner seeks a favorable recommendation to amend the Carmel/Clay Zoning Ordinance to adopt the OM /Old Meridian District Ordinance. Filed by Michael P. Hollibaugh of the Department of Community Services for the Old Meridian Task Force. TABLED to September Special Studies Committee Item 3. Docket No. 78 -00 Z, Old Meridian District Petitioner seeks a favorable recommendation of a rezone from S -2; R -1; R -3; R -5; B -1; B -2; B -3; B -5; B -7; I -1 M -3; and PUD to OM on 370.35 acres. The site is zoned S- 2 /Residence; R -1 /Residence; R -3 /Residence; R -5 /Residence; B -1 /Business; B -2 Business; B -3 /Business; B -5 /Business; B -7 /Business; I -1 /Industrial; M- 3/Manufacturing; and PUD /planned unit development. Filed by Michael P. Hollibaugh of the Departmnet of Community Services for the Old Meridian Task Force. TABLED to September Special Studies Committee Item 4. Docket No. 92 -00 ADLS Amend, Meridian Mark I Liberty Mutual Insurance Petitioner seeks approval to erect a 67.5 square -foot sign reading "Liberty Mutual" with logo in place of the existing "GRE Insurance" sign with logo. The site is located at 11611 North Meridian Street. The site is zoned B -6 /Business within the US 31 Overlay Zone. Filed by Scott C. Newby of Federal Sign for Liberty Mutual Group TABLED to September Special Studies Committee Item 5. Docket No. 114 -00 DP Amend /ADLS Amend, St. Vincent's Carmel Petitioner seeks a favorable recommendation to amend the Carmel /Clay Zoning Ordinance to adopt approval to expand the existing hospital's facilities on 39 acres. The site is zoned B -6 /Business and is located within the US 31 Overlay Zone. Filed by Becky R. Feigh of BSA Design for St. Vincent's Carmel Hospital. Present for Petitioner: Jim Nelson, Nelson and Frankenberger; Michael Chittenden and Charles Jeffries, St. Vincent Hospital; Becky Feigh and other members of BSA Design. Petitioner is requesting approval to expand existing facilities to provide space needed by existing departments and also to provide space to accommodate new medical services. The expansion involves primarily four components: the hospital, near the east and southeast corner of existing hospitala three story expansion; a surgery area —one story in height located at the south edge of the property, adjacent to Sundown Gardens. There s:\ P1anCommission \SpecialStudy \spst2000aug 1 are two office building adjacent to the hospital and those are being connected on the west by a three -story addition. With respect to parking, some of the existing parking will be utilized for hospital addition near the east end. The parking will be expanded in two areas —east, near the entrance, and to the west, near the apex of the trianglea net increase in parking spaces of 293. A small maintenance /accessory building is being provided near the west end of the property. The site and landscape plan identifies the areas where the expansion will occur. Additional landscaping is being provided as a part of the ADLS request. The additional landscaping occurs primarily along US 31 and within the parking areas. The landscape plan was filed with the Department and reviewed by the Urban Forester. The petitioner has provided a revised landscape plan to address comments from the Urban Forester. The Urban Forester has basically approved the plan but has requested a possible change in certain species of plant material. The site plan does require a variance from the Board of Zoning Appeals. Under the prior provisions of the US 31 Overlay Zone, parking was permitted within the 90 -foot setback. Under the latest amendment to the US 31 Overlay Zone, parking within the 90 -foot setback is not permitted and the parking does encroach within the setback by 23 feet. There are approximately 25 spaces that encroach and a variance is required. The petitioner is in the process of providing revised drainage calculations, pursuant to the City Engineer and County Surveyor's Office. The City Engineer and County Surveyor have not yet approved the drainage calculations. The architectural design aspects of the hospital were presented and discussed as well as the maintenance facility. It was the intention to preserve and continue the existing design aspects of the hospital facility, not only by way of design, but also by building materials. Landscaping will include a combination of evergreens near the building and shade trees to break up /soften the look. The drive into the parking lot will be continued, and island parking incorporated. Additional landscaping has been incorporated along the greenbelt; the existing facility lacks the necessary, per the Ordinance. There is a continuous combination of evergreen trees, shade trees, and ornamental trees that will provide buffer and screening during the winter months as well as spring and summer. Concerns were expressed regarding traffic on US 31, right turns onto Old Meridian and right into the hospital facility; traffic tends to back up in this area. Steve Engelking commented that traffic problems would be alleviated with the Old Meridian project and a future roundabout on Old Meridian at the hospital entrance. There were also concerns expressed with the exterior materials of the small maintenance building, and the trash refuse structure. It was agreed that the materials, design, style and color will be the same as the office building. The trash refuse structure will also be reduced to a height of 6 feet, 8 inches s:\ P1anCommission \SpecialStudy \spst2000aug 1 Jim Nelson will finalize a list of commitments made by the petitioner and submit to Steve Engelking within the next week. Bob Modisett made formal motion to forward Docket No. 114 -00 DP Amend /ADLS Amend, St. Vincent's Carmel to the full Plan Commission with a favorable recommendation, approved 4 in favor, none opposed, Jim O'Neal recused. The meeting adjourned approximately 8:50 PM. Paul Spranger, Chairperson Ramona Hancock, Secretary s:\ P1anCommission \SpecialStudy \spst2000aug 1