HomeMy WebLinkAboutSD-00-34 - Decision - 0001 0003 0005 Dorset Street#SD-00-34
FINDINGS OF FACT AND DECISION
STATE OF VERMONT
COUNTY OF CHITTENDEN
CITY OF SOUTH BURLINGTON
Re: Findings of Fact, final plat application of the John Larkin to amend a previously approved final plat
for a planned unit development consisting of constructing an addition to an existing hotel building and a
new 71 room hotel building on a site developed with an 89 room hotel and 275 seat restaurant, 1
Dorset Street. The amendment consists of modifying the exterior building elements of the new hotel
building from a thin brick veneer to a real brick base on the first story facade and stucco on the upper
three stories of the exterior facade.
On the 25th of July, 2000, the South Burlington Development Review Board approved the final plat
application of John Larkin under Section 204 of the South Burlington Subdivision Regulations based
on the following findings:
1. This project will amend a previously approved final plat of John Larkin for a planned unit
development consisting of constructing an addition to an existing hotel building and a new 71 room hotel
building on a site developed with an 89 room hotel and 275 seat restaurant approved on January 4, 2000.
The amendment consists of modifying the exterior building elements of the new hotel building from a thin
brick veneer to a real brick base on the first story facade and stucco on the upper three stories of the
exterior facade.
2. The owner of record is John Larkin.
3. The property located at 1 Dorset Street lies within the C 1 and C.O. District. It is bounded on the north
by Williston Road, on the west by I-89 ramp, on the east by Dorset Street, and on the south by the
University Mall.
4. Exterior Materials: The applicant proposed revising the exterior of the new hotel to employ real bricks
instead of a brick veneer along the first story of the building and stucco on the upper three stories of the
building instead of a brick veneer on the entire exterior of the building, SwtiQn 26.151(h) of toe South
Burlington Zoning Ordinance requires that planned unit developments shall "not have an undue adverse
effect on the scenic or natural beauty of the area". The use of real brick promotes a high visual quality.
The proposed use of stucco will lighten the facade of the building to match the color of the existing hotel,
but stucco is very problematic to maintain in the harsh climates of the Northeast. Stucco is prone to
weathering, water stains, chipping, fissures, and bulges in humid climates such as Vermont's. The Board
should consider if the long-term durability of stucco constitutes an undue adverse effect on the scenic and
natural beauty of the area.
The architectural design of the structure is an issue because a height waiver was granted and when such
a wavier is granted, the Board has authority over the architectural design of the structure. The unfortunate
situation with this request is that it is a `Tait accompli". This put the Board in an awkward position of being
"forced" to approve something they do not necessarily favor.
DECISION AND CONDITIONS
Based on the above Findings of Fact, the South Burlington Development Review Board approves
final plat application #SD-00-34 of John Larkin to amend a planned unit development consisting of
constructing an addition to an existing hotel building and a new 71 room hotel building on a site developed
with an 89 room hotel and a 275 seat restaurant. The amendment consists of modifying the exterior
building elements of the new hotel building from a thin brick veneer to a real brick base on the first story
facade and stucco on the upper three stories of the exterior facade, 1 Dorset Street, as depicted on a two
(2) page set of plans, page one (1) entitled, "Elevations University Inn, Dorset Street South Burlington
Vermont", prepared by Rabideau Architects, dated 2/1/00, last revised on 3/20/00, with the following
stipulations:
1. All previous approvals and stipulations which are not superseded by this approval shall remain in effect.
2. Any change to the final plat plans shall require approval by the South Burlington Development Review
Board.
% Chair or Clerk
Mouth Burlington Development Review Board
ate
2