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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004 04 26 Consent 203 COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM 203 Consent Information Public Hearin Re ular x April 26, 2004 Meeting ff" MGR. ;L---"/Dept. ) REQUEST: The Community Development Department- Planning Division requests that the City Commission, acknowledge variations from the Code (related to Building 1 and Building 2 of the Town Center) which will be incorporated into a future amendment to the Development Agreement. PURPOSE: The purpose of this agenda item is to request an amendment to the Development Agreement for variations to the Town Center Code for Building 1 and Building 2. The amended Development Agreement will be prepared by the Attorney's office and will be presented to the Commission at another time. APPLICABLE CODE: Sec. 20-326. Building elements. (a) Awnings and Marquees: Depth= 5 ft. minimum. Height= 10ft. minimum clear. Length= 25% to 100% of building front. The above requirements apply to first-floor awmngs. requirements for awnings above the first floor. ... There are no mlmmum (e) Stoops: Depth= 6 ft. minimum. Length= 5 ft. minimum. . . . Sidewalks shall have clear access for pedestrians. Stoops may be covered or uncovered. Sec. 20-327. Architectural guidelines. (d) Opacity and facades: Retail storefront areas only: 1 June 23, 2003 Regular Item G . . .Doors or entrances with public access shall be provided at intervals no greater than fifty (50) feet, unless otherwise approved by the development review committee. CONSIDERATIONS: Staff has worked diligently with Randall Paulson Architects, James Doran and J. Raymond Construction to resolve site conditions related to Building 1 and Building 2. Consideration of certain site conditions has warranted changes to Building 1 and 2 that deviate from the Code. FINDINGS: These minor changes require an amendment to the Development Agreement. They include: Awnings on Building 1 were allowed at a 9 ft. height (instead of 10ft.) in exchange for getting deeper awnings (6 ft. depth rather than 5 ft. depth). After discussion with Dover-Kohl, it was determined that this slight reduction in height would not be hazardous to pedestrians and would provide more shade (which is desperately needed) for pedestrians along the street frontage. One doorway facing Tuskawilla Road on Building 1 was removed to accommodate the sidewalk grade. The Commission might recall this discussion from the Workshop and Site Field Trip with JDC back in February. On Building 2, one doorway facing Tree Swallow Drive (Town Center entrance off of Tuskawilla Road) was removed after consultation with Dover-Kohl and StreetSense. The unanimous consensus was that removal of the doorway onto Tree Swallow Drive did not impact the integrity of the design and was not critical for the success of the space from a retail point of view. The need for a handicapped ramp leading to the front entryway was a compelling interest which conflicted with the door location. Accomodating the grade differences along the sidewalks has been a huge issue for both Building 1 and Building 2. Egress requirements are satisfied without these doors. The stoop that includes the handicap ramp on the north side of Building 2 is only 4 ft. deep. Although this covered area is considered a stoop on the front the building, on the north side of the building (Tree Swallow Drive) it functions less like a "stoop", and more like a covered handicap ramp. It would be a mistake to narrow the sidewalk along Tree Swallow Drive to accommodate a wider ramp. It is important that these minor discrepancies be acknowledged and followed with an amendment to the Developer's Agreement. RECOMMENDATIONS: Staff recommends that the City Commission acknowledge these minor discrepancies to the Code and direct the Attorney to prepare an amendment to the Development Agreement to include these items. ATTACHMENTS: None COMMISSION ACTION: 2