ATTACHMENT 3

SUMMARY OF COMMUNITY DESIGN COMMISSION

CONCEPT PLAN PROPOSAL COMMENTS

Subject:                       The Sawmill Residential Loft Condominiums

Concept Plan Proposal

Meeting Date:           December 17, 2003

Recommendation:      That the comments of the Commission be forwarded to the applicant and the Town Council.

Vote:   Unanimous to forward comments by members present: George Cianciolo (Chair), Dale Coker, Chris Culbreth, Thatcher Freund, Laura King Moore, Scott Nilsen, Scott Radway, John Runkle, Amy Ryan, Polly Van de Velde 

General Comments

1. Conceptually, the Commission agreed that the general proposal and project design seems to work well.  One Commission member thought that portions of the applicant’s presentation (elevations and affordable housing offer) were difficult to evaluate.

2. Another Commission member thought that the building site was appropriate for the proposed development.

Affordable Housing

3. In response to the Comprehensive Plan goal to provide an affordable housing component, the applicant presented the Commission with an alternate affordable housing proposal (attached).  Several Commission members stated that this Concept Plan forum was not the appropriate setting to discuss this alternate proposal and directed the applicant to the Town Council. 

4. One Commission member requested that in addition to the proposed 1-bedroom affordable housing units, that the applicant also provide affordable 2-bedroom units for families with children.

Recreation

5. The proposed development includes a recreation component. Some Commission members requested that the applicant’s formal application include additional information on the proposed types of recreational activities.

Access and Circulation

6. Recognizing the traffic congestion on Airport Road near the proposed project, a Commissioner expressed a concern with access from Airport Road, especially left hand turns during peak hours.

7. One Commissioner suggested that because this area of Town has such good mass- transit service, the applicant encourage alternate modes of transportation and consider decreasing the number of on-site parking spaces.

Parking

8. Most of the Commission members endorsed the applicant’s proposal to design the project with a portion of the parking spaces underneath the building.

Buffers

9. A Commission member stated that the proposed landscape buffers seemed minimal.

Stormwater Management

10. In response to the applicant’s approach to designing stormwater management solutions, several Commissioners were supportive of the applicant’s proposal to use underground cisterns to collect and reuse rainwater.

11. Another Commissioner questioned how the applicant proposed to treat stormwater runoff from the parking lots.  This Commissioner also stated that there are other stormwater management solutions, other than underground cisterns, that the applicant should consider.

Resource Conservation District

12. A Commissioner expressed concern with the potential impact that post development stormwater runoff would have on the Resource Conservation District.  The Commission also stated a concern with the encroachment of recreational activities (proposed walking trail) into the Resource Conservation District.

Solid Waste, Recycling

13. Identifying the single refuse dumpster location on the proposed plan, a Commissioner asked that the applicant consider a design that includes additional refuse and recycling containers.

Architecture

14. In addition to receiving positive feedback from several Commissioners on the proposed elevations, other Commission members provide the applicant with suggestions and recommendations on modifications to the proposed architecture.

Prepared for:    George Cianciolo, Chair

Prepared by:     Gene Poveromo, Principal Planner