06-12-2001 PC MIN - SPECIAL - Laserfiche WebLink

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Planning Commission Minutes June 12, 2001 Page 7 . Chris Leeseberg, Planner, reviewed an exhibit of two buildings to illustrate the two proposed ordinance amendments. Mr. Leeseberg asked the Commission to clarify whether the issue is material or form. Commissioner Mesich felt the buildings shown in the drawing looked like industrial buildings, with no doors or windows. Mr. Leeseberg stated that the buildings would have doors and windows to meet code requirements and that this drawing was intended to show design only. Ms. McPherson noted that design and placement of doors and windows is driven by the use of the building, and that the issue of uses needs to be separated from the issue of building materials. She stated that the Commission either needs to change the uses allowed in the Business Park or change the zoning district to Light Industrial and allow concrete tip-up panels. Commissioner Baker stated that he find changes in texture and fas;ades appealing. He noted that the more stringent building standards being proposed may not be economically feasible for some of the uses which are allowed in the Business Park District. Mr. Leeseberg explained that the texture of a building may appear very different depending on whether you are viewing the building while driving by, or whether your are walking on a sidewalk up close to it. Chair Mesich stated he feels that when people drive by an attractive business park, they will want to live in the City. Mr. Leeseberg explained that from a distance, it is nearly impossible to tell what kind of building material is used. He stated that texture and form may have nothing to do with materials when viewed from a distance. . Commissioner Franz felt that Item A of the staff version of the ordinance, regarding the intent to encourage high standards of architectural design, would be difficult to determine. Commissioner Schuster stated that there is also material issue, since some types of materials may fade or deteriorate. Chair Pederson stated that the Planning Commission's concern is that the entire business park would become nothing but concrete tip-up panel buildings, with no character or architectural design. The Commission would hope to have buildings that can change from one use to another and still look appropriate in a business park. He felt the Commission's greatest struggle is to define what a "good looking" quality tip panel looks like. Chair Pederson suggested only allowing concrete tip-up panels as a conditional use. Commissioner Mesich suggested that plain block buildings or scored block buildings not be allowed. Jeff Gongoll stated that the intent of the business park zoning was to create something above and beyond the light industrial zoning standards. Discussion followed regarding the design standards proposed by staff and the changes recommended by Mr. Martens of Brookstone regarding percentage of materials, which sides of the building various percentages of materials would be required, loading docks and doors, screening, and whether or not to require Planning Commission review. . Staff will propose revisions to the ordinance draft based on the discussions from this meeting, and the changes will be presented to the Commission at a future meeting.