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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDR-00-21 - Decision - 0368 Dorset Street#DR-00-21 FINDINGS OF FACT AND DECISION STATE OF VERMONT COUNTY OF CHITTENDEN CITY OF SOUTH BURLINGTON Re: Findings of Fact, design review application of South Burlington Realty Company to amend a planned unit development. The amendment consists of: 1) altering the window locations on the south and north fagades of the 8,944 square foot building at 368 Dorset Street, 2) removing the northern most door on the west fagade of the 8,944 square foot building at 368 Dorset Street and replacing it with glass, 3) altering the entrance ways on the north and south fagades of the 8,944 square foot building at 368 Dorset Street to include triangular pediments instead of the previously approved segmental pediments, 4) removing the door on the east fagade of the 8,944 square foot building and replacing it with glass, 5) the replacement of the balcony railing the west fagade with vertical shiplap siding, and 6) replacing the wooden shingles on the 8,944 square foot building with vinyl shakes at 368 Dorset Street. On the 5th of September 2000, the South Burlington Development Review Board approved the design review application of South Burlington Realty Company under Section 24.1 of the South Burlington Zoning Regulations based on the following findings: This project consists of amending a planned unit development consisting of: 1) a 4800 square foot building for a multiple number of commercial uses for a multiple number of tenants, 2) an 8,060 square foot building for a multiple number of commercial uses for a multiple number of tenants, 3) an 8,944 square foot building (phase 1), and 4) a 13,640 square foot building (phase 2) for a multiple number of commercial uses for a multiple number of tenants, 364, 366 and 368 Dorset Street. The amendment consists of. 1) altering the window locations on the south and north facades of the 8,944 square foot building at 368 Dorset Street, 2) removing the northern most door on the west facade of the 8,944 square foot building at 368 Dorset Street and replacing it with glass, 3) altering the entrance ways on the north and south fagades of the 8,944 square foot building at 368 Dorset Street to include triangular pediments instead of the previously approved segmental pediments, 4) removing the door on the east fagade of the 8,944 square foot building and replacing it with glass, 5) the replacement of the balcony railing the west fagade with vertical shiplap siding, and 6) replacing the wooden shingles on the 8,944 square foot building with vinyl shakes at 368 Dorset Street. 2. Consistent Design The applicant has proposed removing one of the two doors on the west facade of the building. The northern most door will be replaced by the continuation of the glass storefront. The applicant has also proposed shifting the windows on the south fagade vertically upwards to accommodate the doctors offices on the interior. These windows previously ran from the ground up. The applicant has requested permission to change the pediments of the south facade from a segmental arch to a triangular pediment as the contractor is having a hard time locating the appropriate materials to construct a segmental arch. The proposed changes do not interfere with the overall reading of the building. The building therefore maintains a consistent design. 3. Windows and Doors: A high proportion of the first floor facade must consist of glass. The use of full-length panes increases the use of natural light in the building and the pedestrian's ability to visually penetrate the building from the outside. The applicant has proposed using smaller single pane windows instead of the full length windows on the south facade of the building. The Committee should consider if the proposed design will still consist of a high proportion of glass along the first floor of the building. One of the doors on the west facade, or Dorset Street facade, of the building will also be eliminated and replaced with glass. This may slightly increase the proportion of glass on the west facade although eliminating an entrance way. 4. Human Scale Design: The proposed changes do have an affect on the human scale design of the building. Removing one of the doors on the west facade reduces pedestrian access to the building. As long as one door remains, the affect should not be adverse. The shifting of the windows from the ground to the center of the facade reduces the size of the windows and therefore reduces the visual penetration of the building. While the applicant has proposed the same number of windows in the same locations, the Committee should consider if the proposed changes have an adverse affect on the building's relation to pedestrian traffic. 5. Orientation of Building to the Street: The proposed design offers regular points of access along all facades. An entrance along Dorset Street is required. The reduction of the number of entrances on the west facade from two to one still complies, but has a negative affect on the building's relation to Dorset Street. The use of glass in replacing the door is necessary to allow the design of the building to communicate with the street effectively. The approved entrances along the south, or San Remo Drive, facade offers an interesting variety of entrance ways that help to break up the building and identify different portions of the complex. The proposed changes to the pediment will result in one entrance way changing to mirror the other. While the change is slight it does make the facade a bit more monotonous. The Committee should consider if the proposed changes adversely impact the building's relation to the street. DECISION AND CONDITIONS Based on the above Findings of Fact, the South Burlington Development Review Board approves the design review application #DR-00-21 of South Burlington Realty Company to amend a previously approved planned unit development. The amendment consists of: 1) altering the window locations on the south and north fagades of the 8,944 square foot building at 368 Dorset Street, 2) removing the northern most door on the west fagade of the 8,944 square foot building at 368 Dorset Street and replacing it with glass, 3) altering the entrance ways on the north and south fagades of the 8,944 square foot building at 368 Dorset Street to include triangular pediments instead of the previously approved segmental pediments, 4) removing the door on the east fagade of the 8,944 square foot building and replacing it with glass, 5) the replacement of the balcony railing the west fagade with vertical shiplap siding, and 6) replacing the wooden shingles on the 8,944 square foot building with vinyl shakes, 368 Dorset Street as depicted on a two page set of plans dated 5/2/2000, last revised on 8/23/2000, entitled "Elevations 368 Dorset Street", prepared by Rabideau Architects, Inc. with the following stipulations: This recommendation for approval of the proposed addition is based on the application's compliance with the design review criteria contained in Section 24 of the South Burlington Zoning Ordinance. The determination of whether or not this application complies with all other requirements contained in the zoning ordinance shall be made by the Code Officer. 2. All previous approvals and stipulations which are not superseded by this approval shall remain in effect. Z'-0- hair or Clerk Date South Burlington Development Review Board