DESIGN REVIEW BOARD

MINUTES OF MEETING

AUGUST 8, 2007

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:  John Cunningham, George McVey, Alan Seymour, Ken Kraus and Dave Klug.  Scott Draughn and Larry George were excused.

 

OTHERS PRESENT:  Dan Miller, Karen Page, Ed Willman, Scott Murray, Aaron Greene, Jeff Bellinski and City Planner (Acting Clerk) Greg DeLong

 

The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm. 

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  

 

The minutes from the meeting of July 11, 2007, were approved with the following change:

 

                   Page 1 – under 225 E. 5th Street – change “with” to “be in compliance…”

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

New Office Building - E. 4th Street Office Complex – 420-500 E. 4th Street – filed by DDP and Associates

 

Dan Miller, DDP & Associates, stated this project will be a two building office space with 5 tenant spaces in each building.  They proposed building the east building first with the west building being built at a later date.  The buildings will be facing each other with a parking lot in between.  Design will help keep the car lights in the parking lot.  Office use will be a soft transition to the residential district.  There will be a vinyl fence between the residential uses to the east for buffering.  Air conditioning units will be placed on the back of the buildings.  Hardi plank is proposed for the building.  They are working with Page Engineering on design of the storm water.  It will be designed to be contained in the parking lot with catch basins.  Pillars with brick at the bottom of each will be used on the back of the buildings.

 

Mr. Klug stated the dumpster is located in the middle of the site.  It seems no one ever closes the gates on the dumpsters.  It is important to have gates and to have the gates be closed.

 

Mr. Miller stated they could try to tilt the location of the dumpster so it is not facing directly onto 4th Street.  Mr. Seymour stated that would help soften the head-on look.  He stated he would like to see them turn it.  Mr. Miller stated they could move and possibly have a turn-around. 

 

Mr. Kraus stated perhaps not requiring curbing at the rear of the property for the ease of the trucks for trash removal might make sense. 

 

City Planner Greg Delong stated there seems to be an inconsistency on the landscaping plan and the development plan.  There are 9 Arborvitae shown on the drawing – 10 listed in the index.  4 Sentinel Crab trees on drawing – 2 listed in the index.  Also, all the plants need to be labeled on the drawing. 

 

Mr. Miller stated the shingles will be charcoal.  Mr. DeLong stated the drawings show the main front window gable is reddish while the rest of the roof is grey. 

 

Mr. Seymour asked if the landscape areas will be curbed.  Mr. Miller stated yes, that is the intent.  The roof pitch looks pretty shallow.  In past projects we encouraged 6/12 be the minimum.  Mr. Miller stated that would be fine.  Mr. Miller stated there is a standing seam metal roof above the gable elements and above the entrances.

 

Mr. Klug questioned where the tenant’s signage would be permitted.  Mr. Seymour stated if all the sign boards are the same size it looks better.  This way, each tenant can use their own logo, etc.  Standardized sign boards look better.  Mr. Kraus stated in B-R the size of the monument sign is 5’ in height 12 sq. ft. in size.  Mr. DeLong stated it is considered a multi-tenant sign and would be permitted according to the sign ordinance.  Mr. Kraus discussed the rear of the building where there is no lights.  This could be a haven for kids and problems.  He asked if lights could be installed to deter this potential problem.  Mr. Miller stated a couple pac lights could be added.  Mr. Seymour stated a nice job was done on the dumpster enclosure. 

 

Mr. Klug made the motion to approve this agenda item with the following conditions:

 

·  Verification of rear pillars to project about 8” which breaks up rear façade

·  Dumpster enclosure will be hardi plank

·  Move dumpster enclosure back to the direction behind north end of the west building as preferred option or at least pivoted somewhat so that the front is not so visible from the road

·  Landscaping needs to be cleaned up so plans conform to requirements of landscape ordinance

·  Business signs will be above front doors

·  Roof pitch will be changed to 6/12

·  Rear column colors as well as front columns will match the gutter trims that will be brought down

·  2 or 3 light packs placed low on the rear of the east building between building and fence to light that area

·  Building materials and final elevations to match

·  All materials to be labeled properly

·  Make sure elevations are labeled accurately, including calling out the brick cap on the brick

 

The question put, stood:

 

Mr. Klug Yes Mr. Cunningham Yes Mr. Seymour Yes Mr. Kraus Yes Mr. McVey Yes

 

Plans to be revised and resubmitted for final approval by Zoning Inspector.

 

Renovation and new canopy - Smart Oil, LLC – 1254 Columbus Avenue

 

Scott Murray, president of Smart Oil, stated what they have now are above ground tanks and gas pumps off to the side.  What they are proposing is to put the above ground storage tanks underground.  Will move the gas pumps behind the building with a card lock system with a canopy.  They will be able to do away with the current pumps.  The underground storage tanks have been approved by the State of Ohio and they have received approval for the removal of the above ground storage tanks.  It will be a nice cleaner area.  Products at this facility are on-road diesel, off-road diesel, kerosene, unleaded gasoline, regular, and premium.  Off-road diesel is one of the fuel oils. 

 

Mr. Kraus stated he has noted standing water on this property at times.  Mr. Murray stated that will be addressed when the renovations are done. 

 

Mr. Klug asked if this lot would be paved in the future.  Mr. Murray stated he would like to do that in the future, after this project is finished.  Landscaping will be done at this time, however.  

 

Mr. Kraus if the dumpster would be enclosed.  Mr. Murray stated right now it is 3-sided but can put a vinyl gate on it. 

 

Mr. DeLong stated that signs will be required to be in accordance with the sign ordinance.  Barb will need to know the existing signage in order to calculate what size the new signs will be.

 

Mr. Kraus made the motion to approve this agenda item as submitted with the understanding that the new dumpster will be enclosed with vinyl material.  The question put, stood:

 

Mr. Cunningham Yes Mr. Seymour Yes Mr. Kraus Yes Mr. McVey Yes Mr. Klug Yes

 

New Office Building - Mill Valley Medical Center – 17853 SR 31N (SR. 31 & Mill Wood Blvd.) – owned by Memorial Hospital – filed by HPLEX III, LLC

 

Jeff Bellinski representing HPLEX III, LLC, stated they are proposing to develop a 10,000 sq. ft. medical hospital for Memorial Hospital at S.R. 31 and Mill Wood Blvd.   This is a very tight site and they tried to position the building to have access to the utilities that are on Mill Wood as well as storm.  There will be an on-site retention plan to the east of the building.  They cannot go into the pond.  They will have to have it in the parking lot and let it go out to the east side.  They received a memo from Brian Palmer, Assistant City Engineer that requires the entrance drive to be moved and to install a turn lane off Mill Wood Blvd.  Mr. DeLong stated one of the reasons for the turn lane is for the future extension of Mill Wood Blvd. to County Home Road.  This road could potentially get a lot of traffic.  Moving the curb but to the west will allow the turn lane to be further off SR 31 – it can be done with striping and marking.

 

Discussion was held on sidewalks not being required on S.R. 31 but should be required on Mill Road Blvd. 

 

Mr. Bellinksi stated they are using a combination of synthetic stone – EIFS around the windows, River Valley cultured stone which sticks out from the mortar.  The shingles will be a blue/grey.  The cultured stone will also be used on the dumpster enclosure.   Mechanicals will be outside the building being screened with fencing or landscaping.  Mr. Kraus suggested landscaping on the west side towards retention pond and vinyl fencing to screen on the south.

 

Mr. Seymour asked why this 1960’s style architecture was chosen as opposed to other buildings and houses built in this area.  Mr. Bellinksi stated they are trying to keep the building fairly low, now sure this is 1960’s style at all.  Mr. Seymour stated a steeper roof pitch would be nice.  The trim is a little simple, would prefer more fancy design.  Mr. Bellinski stated wanted to make it as fancy as possible with keeping in the neighborhood but have to understand there is a higher cost to that.  Believe it blends very well.  Mr. Kraus stated he feels this blend is not so bad.  There are all types of architecture out there and this is not a bad design for the area. 

 

Lighting will be bronze, downlit lighting. 

 

It was noted the freestanding sign does not meet the sign regulations.  Mr. Bellinski stated they will make the size and height conform to the code.  The two signs on the building will be used also.  Mr. DeLong stated Barb has told him the two walls signs are in compliance.

 

Mr. Kraus asked if handicap buttons will be installed; Mr. Bellinski stated yes.

 

Mr. DeLong asked what the new curb cut will do to the parking lot.  Mr. Bellinski stated it may take up a couple parking spaces but they are still ok with number required.

 

The landscape plan was reviewed with it being noted that 7 perimeter trees are required but the plan only shows 5.   Two perimeter trees are required to be added to the landscape plan.

 

Mr. Klug made the motion to approve this agenda item with the following conditions:

 

·  Entrance moved as far west as possible on Mill Wood Blvd.

·  Add left turn lane west bound on Mill Wood Blvd. (involves striping only)

·  Mechanicals to be ground mounted with west side screened with landscaping and on south side with vinyl fence

·  EIFS around windows will be two colors (off white and tan) to match/compliment the stone

·  Dumpster to be enclosed with stone with vinyl gate or door

·  Ground sign to be in compliance with sign ordinance

·  Landscaping to be changed to reflect two extra trees required

 

The question put, stood:

 

Mr. Cunningham Yes Mr. Seymour No Mr. Kraus Yes Mr. McVey Yes Mr. Klug Yes

 

Revised plans required to be submitted for final approval by the Zoning Inspector.

 

Discussion – 125 N. Main Street – Color Choice of Building that was approved by Fast Track

 

Mr. Delong explained Barb had fast tracked this application and it was not painted the way they said it would be painted.  They stated the painters painted the entire pole when they should have painted them white with a purple base.  She wanted to verify with the Board if the colors were ok, should they go before the Design Review Board or have them change it.  Mr. Cunningham stated he was approached by another church in town that had to come before the Board when they painted their doors green and they felt it was unfair for this color to be used.  Mr. Kraus stated he feels the bottom line is if they did not do what was approve and we make an exception now, we open up the door to something we don’t want to open it to.  They should comply to what was approved or they pay the fees to come in like everybody else.  Mr. Cunningham stated they already are requiring commercial owners to come in when it is required.

 

Mr. Seymour stated the Fast Track ordinance 1136.09(a) (3) reads:  Painting of structures and signs as long as the painting does not involve any structural modification and the paint color selection complies with the design and color guidelines established by the Board...” and color guidelines do not exist so he feels they meet the fast track criteria.  This is a maintenance item and we don’t want approval for paint to come before the Board.  Don’t feel they should have to pay $250 to come before us.  Colors will continue to be a controversy.

 

Mr. Kraus stated the church with the green door did not have the option for the fast track.  Under existing rules it could be approved by Barb and the Board would not have seen it.  Mr. Seymour stated that is what the Board prefers.  Mr. Kraus stated the rules changed after one church and the one we’re dealing with now.  Mr. Klug stated if that is the case, you have to get Barb what color is right or wrong without using her own personal opinion.  Mr. Cunningham stated that Greg commented that the church was told as long as it was the same color it was fine but they painted more of the building (the pillars) than they were suppose to paint. 

 

Discussion held on the color range the Board is willing to accept. Mr. Seymour stated you should give applicants a choice from this point to point, a range of colors that would be acceptable.  If you leave it up in the air that any color from here to there is acceptable, it leaves it wide open.  Mr. Klug agreed to bring in a chart of colors so the Board can go through and sort out groups of colors that are appropriate.   Mr. DeLong stated the speaker next month may be able to advise the Board on what direction to go. 

 

Mr. Kraus stated a memo addressing the change made to the building color by the applicant for the church and modifying the application will make this fast track item legal and clean.  The Board agrees Barb needs some broad guidance on colors and if there are exceptions to the colors and if people want to do something different, they will be required to come to the Design Review Board and pay the appropriate fee to do so.  Suggest not bringing the colors in until October meeting in order to be able to meet with the guest speaker. 

 

Mr. DeLong asked if the meeting next month could start at 6:00 p.m. because of the possibility of having a big agenda item next month.  Members stated that would be all right.

 

COMMENTS OF INDIVIDUAL BOARD MEMBERS:

 

Mr. Cunningham asked if the building next to Best Buy is adhering to the Design Review’s approval.  Mr. DeLong stated he would check with Barb.

 

Mr. Kraus stated he would like to see an expiration date in the ordinance for approvals. 

 

ADJOURNMENT:  The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.