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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-15-2018 - Com. Develop. Committee MinutesDUBLIN CITY COUNCIL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Wednesday, August 15, 2018 Minutes of Meeting Chair Reiner called the meeting of the Community Development Committee to order at 5:55 p.m. in Council Chambers. Committee members present: Chair Reiner, Ms. De Rosa, Vice Mayor Amorose Groomes. Staff members present: Ms. Crandall, Mr. Kridler, Ms. Gilger and Ms. Burchett. • Historical District Commercial FaSade Improvement Grant Program Background Mr. Kridler reviewed the background and intent of the program, which is to add investment to Historic Dublin and enhance and maintain the character of that area. Grant Criteria With the pilot program, grants would be available only for commercial, mixed-use or non- profit building facade improvements within the Historic Dublin core. Examples of facade improvements for which a grant may be issued include: uncovering/restoring historical facades; awning and sign installation repairs; site and landscaping improvements on buildings accessible to the public; store front restorations and renovations; window and door repairs; and installation and upgrades of lighting. The pre -applications that have been received meet the intent of the proposed grant program. As a reminder, Mr. Kridler reviewed the grant application process with the members of the committee. Grant Application Process 1. Submission of application. Staff review of the application and communication with the applicant via meeting or email. 2. Architectural Review Board (ARB) review to verify design and materials are consistent with the Historic District. 3. Community Development Committee review to verify the project would meet the grant program intent and to make recommendation. 4. City Council approval/disapproval of Committee recommendation. 5. Inspection of completed project and confirmation that the project has been completed per the approved application. 6. Disbursement of matching grant funds after verification of project completion and submission of receipts. This process is similar to the City's Beautify Your Neighborhood (BYN) grant program. The two applications before the committee have had staff review and completed the ARB approval process, if that is warranted. The budget for the program this year was $100,000. These two applications would add up to a $25,000 reimbursement from the City, which would leave $75,000 remaining in the budget for this program. Committee Development Committee Minutes — August 15, 2018 Page 2 of 5 113 South High Street As a part of 113 S. High's overall proposal, staff believed that three components of the project met the guidelines for the Commercial Fagade Improvement Program. Mr. Kridler noted that these owners are making a substantial investment in the property apart from the grant application items. The three components of the project include: 1. Parking Lot Creation of newly paved asphalt parking lot in the rear of the building. This will replace the loose, unmarked stone driveway to the rear of the structure. Parking lot entry will be on Mill Lane. This would improve the overall appearance of the rear of the property, as well as providing seven parking spots. 2. Walking Path Creation of a new concrete walking path from the front side of the building to the newly created parking lot in the rear of the building. This will give the public an access way from the front of the building to Mill Lane. This will improve the overall fagade of Historic Dublin, and give the public access to walk through the lot. 3. Roof Replacement Replace existing Metal roof on historic structure. This will bring the existing building back up, and further enhance the quality and character of historic Dublin. This protects the structure and adheres to the Historic Dublin Guidelines. Mr. Kridler provided images of the property to highlight where these components would be completed. Chair Reiner asked what the replacement material was for the roof. Mr. Kridler stated it is the same metal material. Ms. De Rosa asked for additional information as to what other improvements were being made to this property. Ms. Burchett responded that the applicants are constructing a second building on the property. Ms. Burchett stated that the applicant completed the ARB approval process for design and character. The applicant also worked with the neighbors surrounding the property. Vice Mayor Amorose Groomes asked if the roofing material was identical to what existed. Ms. Burchett stated that it is. The new building to be constructed will also have the same roofing material. Vice Mayor Amorose Groomes asked if the foot path connects to the sidewalk on High Street. Mr. Kelly Burke, applicant and owner of 113 South High stated that there will be new landscaping around the parking lot and path. The path will wrap around the existing building. There will be a new patio -type area for both buildings and a common space between them. Vice Mayor Amorose Groomes asked if this parking is available to the public or is it private. Mr. Kridler stated the parking is for the business and their customers. Ms. De Rosa inquired as to whether or not there are other improvements to be made to the existing building. Committee Development Committee Minutes —August 15, 2018 Page 3 of 5 Mr. Burke stated there will likely be a fresh coat of paint and of course the roof replacement that was already noted. There is a covered patio that needs the roof. Chair Reiner asked if the neighbors are aware of the path and how it will work. Mr. Burke stated that the abutting neighbors are very supportive of the project. Vice Mayor Amorose Groomes stated that she is concerned about the parking being available for public access and inquired as to whether or not there would be interest in an after-hours agreement to allow public to park in this lot. Mr. Burke stated that the new building is where their business will be located because they have outgrown the existing historic structure. He is unsure of who the tenant will be for the existing building and what their needs will be. Therefore, he is reluctant to try to predict the future on that. Vice Mayor Amorose Groomes asked Mr. Kridler how he applied the grant criteria when looking at the parking lot. Her assumption was that the sidewalk would be available to the public to use. Mr. Burke responded that he would not have an issue with people using the sidewalk and mentioned an area that he thought was required to be a common area. Ms. Burchett stated that open space is required for development within the Bridge Street District. The applicants, as a result of discussions with ARB, chose to pay a fee in lieu of because it would be under 100 square feet. The walking path is provided to allow the connection. Mr. Kridler added that staff did discuss the parking area with respect to cleaning up an unsightly area and allowing more parking for the customers of the business. However, after-hours parking was not discussed. He is willing to see if there is a possibility for that to occur. Chair Reiner asked if there was a landscape plan submitted for the back parking lot. Ms. Burchett stated there was a landscape plan presented to ARB and approved as part of that process. Mr. Burke stated that there will be arbor vitae and boxwoods surrounding the property as well as 15 new trees being planted. Chair Reiner stated that these will help to minimize the glare from cars. Mr. Burke stated there will be landscaping to break up the concrete and the alley. He also added that all the lighting will be down lighting. Ms. Burchett stated that the parking lot screening is part of the zoning requirements as well. Chair Reiner reiterated that Council desires to identify additional parking whenever possible in Historic Dublin after work hours because it is so badly needed. Mr. Burke stated that he would have to discuss with request with his business partner and determine what tenant would fill the other building before he could really speak to a parking agreement. Vice Mayor Amorose Groomes asked for confirmation that ARB was presented with everything that the Committee is seeing tonight and has approved it. Mr. Kridler stated that is correct. Committee Development Committee Minutes —August 15, 2018 Page 4 of 5 Vice Mayor Amorose Groomes explained to the applicant that because they were the first application in this grant program, the Committee has to work through how the criteria would be applied. That is the reason for the questions tonight. Vice Mayor Amorose Groomes moved to recommend approval of this grant application to City Council. Ms. De Rosa seconded the motion. Vote on the motion: Chair Reiner, yes; Ms. De Rosa, yes; Vice Mayor Amorose Groomes, yes. The committee members thanked the applicant for coming to the meeting and for the investment he is making into the business. In response to a question by Vice Mayor Amorose Groomes regarding his total investment in the property, Mr. Burke stated it is approximately $800,000. 53 North High Street Mr. Tim Cistone, owner of 53 North High Street, has met with staff on-site — including Engineering staff -- to walk through his proposed project as his building is adjacent to the new Dublin library construction site. In alignment with the library project, Mr. Cistone is proposing to renovate the entranceways to his building to be more consistent with the character of the surrounding area. Mr. Cistone plans on adding some additional landscaping on the side of his building. 1. Walkways Replace two concrete walkways with brick paver walkways on the east and north side of the building that connects to the newly constructed sidewalk on the south side of North Street. Work with the North Street developer in order to match the brick pavers installed along the south side of North Street. Mr. Kridler shared images of the site where the walkways would be replaced. Mr. Cistone is working with the same contractors who have done a good deal of the brickwork in Historic Dublin. They are currently waiting on a final cost estimate, but Mr. Kridler has brought this application to the Committee to keep the process moving. Vice Mayor Amorose Groomes stated that it was her recollection that the library was going to have a different paver at different portions of their entry. She just wanted to make sure these were going to be the Historic Dublin pavers and not the library pavers because she is uncertain that they are the same. Mr. Cistone stated that his intention is to blend his landscaping with the property next to it. The Committee agreed that more grass will look better down there. Chair Reiner stated that sometimes the sidewalks are too narrow, but this walkway looks nice and wide. He asked about the ramp leading to the threshold and the grading and whether or not he would be pouring new concrete. Mr. Cistone responded that the concept was to connect the ramp to the new sidewalk paver, but after meeting with professionals, he found that the slope would be too steep. The solution at this time is to remove the ramp completely. The other entrance is ADA compliant. Committee Development Committee Minutes —August 15, 2018 Page 5 of 5 Vice Mayor Amorose Groomes asked if the front step would be re -poured. Mr. Cistone stated that, according to the contractor, he can turn it into brick pavers all the way to the building. He is still awaiting final details. Chair Reiner stated that the contractor is very competitive and that their work is excellent. He thanked the applicant for seeking grant funding for these improvements. Ms. De Rosa moved to recommend approval of this grant application to City Council. Vice Mayor Amorose Groomes seconded the motion. Vote on the motion: Ms. De Rosa, yes; Vice Mayor Amorose Groomes, yes; Chair Reiner, yes. Chair Reiner thanked the applicants for applying for the grants and investing into their businesses. These recommendations will be scheduled for Council review and approval at the August 27 Council meeting. Approval of Minutes of April 9, 2018 Ms. De Rosa moved approval of the minutes of the April 9, 2018 meeting. Vice Mayor Amorose Groomes seconded the motion. Vote on the motion: Vice Mayor Amorose Groomes, yes; Chair Reiner, yes; Ms. De Rosa, yes. The Committee asked staff to provide any existing condition photos ahead of time for application review. It is helpful to see these prior to the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 6:25 p.m. Clerk of Council