CBD - 2008 - 09_09CITY OF ALLEN
ATTENDANCE:
CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT
DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE
Called Meeting
September 9, 2008
Ogden `Bo' Bass, AICP, Director of Planning and Development
John Baumgartner, PE, Director of Engineering
Paula Ross, Citizen Representative
Steve Shaffer, AIA. Citizen Representative
Shelli Siemer, Assistant City Manager
Tim Derider, BLA, LI, Director of Parks and Recreation
ABSENT:
Bret McCullough, CBO, Chief Building Official
City Staff Present:
Lee Battle. AICP, Assistant Director of Planning and Development
Tiffany Mcleod, Planner
Regular Agenda
Call to Order and Announce a Quorum is Present:
With a quorum of the Committee members present, Bo Bass called the meeting to order at 8:25
a.m. in the Planning Conference Room at Allen City Hall, 305 Century Parkway.
Action Items:
Agenda Item 1: Allen Towne Square —104 & 106 McDermott Drive
Ogden "Bo" Bass, Director of Planning, presented the project to the Committee. He stated that
this meeting was called to discuss this project. The developer and engineer met with the
Planning Department, as a result of the DRC comments from the August 26, 2008 meeting. As a
result of this meeting, a revised site plan has been submitted for review Prior to the August 26,
2008 DRC meeting, Mr. Bass was unaware that the engineering plans for this project were close
to completion Due to that fact, Mr. Bass requested the Committee revisit the project and review
the revised site plan. Mr. Bass then summarized the comments from the August 26, 2008
meeting.
Mr. Bass presented the revised site plan to the Committee and noted the following changes:
Additional setback between proposed buildings "D", "E and "F" and the property line.
Addition of an 8 ft. masonry screening wall along the southern property line.
Relocation of dumpsters on northwest comer of the property
Additional note stating architectural style of all proposed buildings will be the same
John Baumgartner, Director of Engineering, inquired about the plans for the buildings close to
the railroad tracks. Lee Battle, Assistant Director of Engineering, stated that the plans for those
buildings are moving forward.
Mr. Baumgartner asked if the Committee considered defining the CBD as the area north of
McDermott Drive, Mr. Bass reminded the Committee that this project is on the periphery of the
CBD district.
Tim Dentler, Director of Parks and Recreation, asked if the dead end parking at the northwest
corner of the property had been addressed. Mr. Bass stated that the plan (which includes the
current parking configuration) had already been reviewed by the Technical Review Committee
TRC).
Mr. Derider stated a concern that the site plan will not go through a process that requires a public
hearing. He questioned how the City would communicate this project to the residents abutting
the southern end of the property
Shelli Siemer, Assistant City Manager, stated that in most cases the developer is responsible for
communicating to the residents. She continued by stating the project went through the zoning
process and should not be open for further discussion.
Mr. Battle agreed with Ms. Siemer and added that normally there are no additional steps to
communicate with residents once zoning has been approved.
Mr. Bass invited the applicant to speak.
Mark Webb, Webb Consulting Group, Inc., applicant representative, addressed the Committee.
He stated the original plan went to DRC one year ago. The direction at that time was to submit
the plan for TRC review prior to submitting to the DRC. Mr. Webb believes this revised site
plan addresses DRC concerns with buffering by proposing a 15ft. setback. In addition, the
screening has been changed to an 8 ft. masonry fence. He continued by stating the proposed
buildings are one-story Therefore, the buffering and fencing should address screening concerns.
Mr. Baumgartner asked if the developer has had any contact with neighbors. Mr. Webb
answered that the developer would be happy to meet with the residents to explain the project.
Mr. Bass stated that this would be a good idea considering there is no other opportunity to
address residents in this process.
Paula Ross, Citizen Representative, asked if office use would be the only use for proposed
buildings "D", "E" and "F' Mr. Webb stated that office use would be the only use.
Steve Shafer, Citizen Representative, inquired about exterior building materials. Mr. Webb
stated a combination of concrete, stucco, metal panel, tile, block and glass would be used.
Mr. Bass stated that a materials list will be required as an exhibit. In addition, the materials
should be called out on the site plan.
Mr. Derider asked if the developer was comfortable that the trees, located on the southern end of
the property, could be protected. Mr. Webb answered yes.
Ms. Siemer inquired about the developer's plan to maintain the space between the residential
wooden fences and the masonry wall. Mr. Webb stated the developer would recommend each
homeowner to tear their wooden fence down.
Mr. Bass informed Mr. Webb that if this plan is approved by DRC, elevations of all building
sides must be submitted before the project is allowed to move forward.
Motion: Upon a motion by John Baumgartner and a second by Paula Ross, the
Committee voted 6 IN FAVOR, and 0 OPPOSED, to conditionally approve
the project contingent on the submittal and DRC approval of the following:
Rear building site line drawings
Exterior materials list
Elevations of all sides of proposed buildings "C", "D", "E" and "F'
Updated landscape plan
Report on discussion with residents of the Allenwood Estates, #3
subdivision
The motion carried.
These minutes approved this day of 11:
Ogden "Bo" Bass, AICP, Director of Planning Tiffany McLeod, Planner