12/04/2003 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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1. A 9 foot variance for maximum height of structures, (code perinits 36 ft., applicant shows 45 ft.), section (1149.041 (d)). 2. A 19 foot variance for front yard setback to parking garage, (code requires 50', applicant shows 31'), section (1149.041(b) (1)). 3. An 11,388 square foot variance for building massing of parking garage, (code permits 73,162 sq. ft., applicant shows 84,500 sq. ft.), section (1149.041 (i)). 4. A 50,238 square foot variance for building massing of retail "A", (code requires 73,162 sq. ft., applicant shows 12,3400 sq. ft.), section (1149.041 (i)). Which is in violation of Ord. 90-125 sections (1149.041 (d)), (1149.041(b) (1)), (1149.041 (i)), and (1139.11). NOTE: No site lighting or photometric plan was submitted. These may or may not require variances. Chairman Maloney called all interested parties forward to review the request. Mr. Robert Berryhill came forward on behalf of Carnegie Management. Mrs. Maureen Diver, Mr. Angelo Skoulis, and Councilman Dean McKay also came forward to address the board. All parties were sworn in. Applicant's Presentation Mr. Berryhill said they have been working on this project for some time and it involves a piece of property that has been highly contested over the years. It is approximately a 24-acre piece of property that has a Mixed-Use D zoning. They would like to come into the city and create a series of buildings there, which would conform in most respects, to the Mixed-Use D zoning. There would be miscellaneous retail and multi-family housing in the three buildings shown closest to Brookpark Road. He referred to a rendering he brought in. He said as part of their plan, they did a presentation to the Planning Commission and have agreed not to have any access points to Westview, and they agreed not to have any access points to Columbia to the east. They have integrated and pulled away the buildings from the residential neighbors to the north and put them as close to Brookpark Road as they possibly can to help ease the impact buildings might have on adjacent residential property. They have taken the required 75 foot set back for landscape buffering that is along the residential area and increased it to 100 feet. They have created an 8 foot mound and an 8 foot fence on top of that which further creates a separation of this parcel from the residential neighbors to the north. He presented a color rendering and said they have created a couple of concept drawings, which they submitted to the Planning Commission and furthermore have made commitments in a letter to the Mayor. He then distributed a few copies of the letter (see attached). He said it is very rare for a developer to commit himself in such a fashion as they are doing here. In the discussions they have had with the new Planning Director, which have been very helpful, the city's ideas were outlined as to what should happen on this parcel. He then reviewed the letter. He elaborated on the fifth item of the list and said what they intend to do with the 100 foot landscape buffer is take the first 75 feet that is adjacent to the residents and leave it as natural as they can, remove the scrub, dead wood, and poison ivy, and put drains back there because it is "marshy" back there. That will bring the water back into their system. They will put the 8 foot mound and 8 foot fence closest to the retail portion. The residents will be looking at as much natural environment as they can possibly save. He said they are requesting a variance for building massing (see item 7) and in discussing this with the Planner, the intent was to limit the scope visually of one big solid wall of building. They have broken that up in the form of creating 2 separate architectural stylings on the larger box. He referred to the color rendering again and pointed out the Western Reserve type style. He indicated they will discuss that further with the Architectural Review Board. He then mentioned the style closest to Brookpark Road, which has variance in height and elements of the roofline making it look like 2 separate buildings. It is 1 building on the inside but has the appearance of 2, and reduces the impact of the massing, by creating the look of 2 or more multiple series of buildings. They are still in design concept but will get further with the Architectural Review Board with regard to the center element and the attempt to de-emphasize the look of an additional store front. They intend to have offices above and there will be activity. It will not be a dead storefront or fake storefront. It will be interactive. He went back to reviewing the list of commitments. He said the request for a 45 foot 7