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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-00500142- 00076586 PDD POLICY AS APPROVED BY THE CITY OF COLLEGE STATION CITY COUNCIL AUGUST 2001 The goal of the Planned Development District is to promote and encourage innovative development that is sensitive to surrounding land uses and to the natural environment. In order to justify varying from certain standards, the proposed development should demonstrate community benefits. To achieve this goal, the City of College Station has adopted the following policies: 1. CONCEPTS ONLY: A PDD should not be used to guarantee specific site or building characteristics within a development. A PDD should be submitted for multiple sites, and should not be used to apply additional development standards to a single site. 2. RELIANCE ON EXISTING PERFORMANCE STANDARDS: A PDD should not be used to require buffering or other standards that are over and above existing district standards. If the existing buffering standards are deemed inadequate, the standards themselves should be reviewed and upgraded. 3. INNOVATIVE DESIGN: A PDD application should be encouraged where a development is to follow a modern trend Raw ,, style such as new urbanism, mixed use, or cluster, and that includes all or some of the following elements: ❑ Preservation of open space in prominent locations with good vehicular, pedestrian, and bicycle access ❑ Preservation of wetlands, ponds, or other natural resources ❑ Good connectivity within the development as well as connectivity to surrounding neighborhoods and thoroughfares ❑ Significant amenities located in highly visible locations with good vehicular, pedestrian, and bicycle access ❑ Preservation of significant tree stands ❑ Inclusion of neighborhood supporting uses such as workplaces, recreation, shopping, and personal services with orientation to the neighborhood and good pedestrian and bicycle access ❑ Incorporation of public transit waiting stations in pedestrian friendly areas ❑ Accommodation of the existing topography to minimize required grading ❑ A mix of residential densities and housing styles ❑ Inclusion of urban open spaces such as plazas or marketplaces ❑ Location of elementary school sites in areas easily accessible by pedestrians and cyclists ❑ Connectivity of natural areas within the development and to those in surrounding areas ❑ Avoidance of cul -de -sacs ❑ Traffic calming features ❑ Vistas ❑ Pedestrian and /or bicycle trails and paths ❑ Parking located such that it is - - • - • • I's • - • • •• • - ❑ - A - V - ifirdance of a mono onous "superblock" ❑ A commercia ron age at is two or three stories, with architectural embellishments ❑ Street trees and peripheral landscaping ❑ Streetscape features 4. SENSITIVE AREAS:_APDD should be required in infill areas to assure similar residential densities to those of the surrounding area. - 5. MERITORIOUS MODIFICATIONS: A developer may choose to request a PDD if the proposed development will result in alternative bulk standards than currently exist in the City of College Station development regulations. These may include variations such as: ➢ Decr ed-Iet -size G� (�/ n n - { y (�(��� C J - -- • - - • •�•• -• '•• ✓SC - S +A-CUk SC_ v CC-C I( ➢ Decreased right -of -way and /or street widths D. Alternative access to the public street requirements for lots, such as may be desired for traffic calming or to create vistas /views to internal or external amenities ➢ Reduction in standard buffering requirements or fencing requirements ➢ Increase in height restriction ernative sidewalk requirements Fe developer requests significant variations from the above list, the plans should also include a significant amount of elements from the first list of beneficial development elements. q 1 17 V Rezone -PDD 7/2/2003 ( u ( 5 of .- . 9 The College Station Train • Depot Benjamin Knox Gallery PHASE 2 ;; Addition of Building C -, .,.. , y; ..„.. ; ,,,.... , _, - , ... .. . .. ,,,:„. 7 ....„ j ... , ..„. , .. , 1 , ; . „T.:7 - - . 1, G , _. _ ■ 6: n' WI THE COLLEGE STATION 1883-1966 ..o p --,7-.•;-,-1 OCTOBER2, 2001 .q r , s '# "P 'r. s - ffi §p THE COLLEGE STATION 1 BENJAMIN KNOX GALLERY �405 UNIVERSITY DR. COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS i-, . f �l�C v / v' . i Our mission is to serve the community as a cultural center and promote fine art in the B razos Valley. CONTENTS 1 .INTRODUCTION 2.REZONING SUPPORTING INFORMATION 3.FIRST CONCEPTUAL PLAN 4.CONCEPTUAL SITE PLAN INTRODUCTION In 1876 the Brazos Valley was chosen for the home of Texas A &M University partly because the Houston and Texas Central Train Line, later Southern Pacific, was a major thoroughfare. The first train depot for the university was built in 1883 and replaced by a larger one around 1900. The conductor would announce the stop as "College Station." When the city of College Station was incorporated in 1938, it was named after the College Station Train Depot. By 1958, the station was no longer in use. Automobiles had replaced train travel as a more convenient mode of transportation. In 1966, the namesake of College Station was destroyed. A replica of the 1900 College Station Train Depot was designed and built by Benjamin Knox. It was dedicated by Texas Governor Rick Perry on September 28, 2001 to commemorate the 125 anniversary of Texas A &M University. Benjamin also designed the adjacent building B that compliments the depot and houses the business part of the gallery. The exterior is an exact replica of the 1900 depot and the interior serves the community as the Benjamin Knox Art Gallery. It is a cultural center that promotes fine art in the Brazos Valley. We are also the national leader in promoting higher education, scholarships, and charitable events through the donation of fine art prints. Development Phase 2 of the College Station Depot/ Benjamin Knox Gallery Cultural Center is the addition of building C as planned. This will enable us to sustain the company in its present location by providing us the needed space for national growth and development. The best solution for adding building C is to attach it to the north -east side of building B where it will extend into the existing parking lot of the property. The first level will provide work area, and the second level will be a warehouse to store all of the prints, packaging, boxes, etc. We already have the approval to place a locomotive and railcar on the property. This would provide decorative and historical ambiance. We also have the approval to have a small restaurant/ ice cream parlor on the property. We are requesting that the railcar may be moved to the north -east side of the depot, and that it may house the small restaurant /ice cream parlor. The railcar would be between the depot and the adjacent existing parking area. An existing ramp and wood deck provides ADA approved access to the railcar. Water, sewer, and electricity are provided to the railcar site as well. Finding an authentic and historic railcar is difficult. A Southern Pacific caboose is preferred, but even harder to find. Our goal is to find a small antique caboose that will easily fit in the space provided, but the lengths of these railcars vary. Just in case we can only locate one that is a little longer, we are requesting that the railcar may extend into the side street setback 5 to 8 feet. It will only extend into this area if necessary. REZONING SUPPORTING INFORMATION In the year of 2000, I was in the final development stages of a project to bring back the College Station Train Depot. Its function is to serve the community as a cultural center and to house the Benjamin Knox Art Gallery. 1) Two other buildings are planned to accompany the College Station Depot/ Gallery - building B and building C. The buildings will house display space, offices, work areas, storage and warehouse space. A small restaurant/ ice cream parlor is also a part of the plan. It will create more ambiance and develop the site into more of a unique destination place. Since funds at the time were limited, I knew that I would have to build the project in two phases. Phase 1 consisted of the construction of the College Station Depot/ Gallery and building B for offices and display space. Phase 2 is the construction of building C for work areas and warehouse space. The acquisition of a locomotive and railcar (which may be the small restaurant/ ice cream parlor) would also be after phase 2. They would provide decorative ambiance and historical authenticity to the project. My goal is to continue to improve the site each year with the acquisition of antiques and landscaping. 2) I was in the process of purchasing three lots on University Drive between Nimitz and Macarthur Streets. These consisted of two houses on lots 17 and 18 block D owned by one person, and an old bank building on lot 1 A block D owned by another person. While acquiring the financing for the project, I also changed the zoning to a PDD so that the College Station Depot, building B, and eventually building C could be built. My plan was to rent the two houses until I was ready to build phase 2 and building C. The zoning was approved, but I was not able to acquire the financing for the two houses on lots 17 and 18 block D. They would not appraise. They had been recorded wrong at the tax office, were over priced, and no appraiser could justify the price. I was forced to let them go. Lot 1A block D did appraise. I realized that I could still accomplish all of the goals of the entire project by purchasing lot 1 A block D only. I could attach building C to the north- east side of building B where it would extend into the existing parking area. There is plenty of parking spaces to accommodate the square footage. I talked with some members of The College Station City Council about this, and they said that it would be no problem. I could build phase 1, but I would have to modify the PDD before building phase 2. With that in mind, I proceeded to purchase lot 1 A block D and built the College Station Depot and building B. Building B's design was modified so that building C could easily be attached to it. The footprint of building B extends into the driveway area that would have connected the parking lot of the adjacent property. 3) To sustain the Benjamin Knox Gallery at its present location, building C is a necessity. As planned, we need the space to develop as a national company. I am requesting that the PDD that I initially designed to be modified for the following reasons: 1. The space building C provides is still needed to sustain the company. There is plenty of parking spaces to accommodate the extra square footage. 2. Building C has always been an important part of the initial design and planned as phase 2. Phase 1 has been built knowing that phase 2 would be added. Building C would be attached to building B. 3. I was not able to purchase the adjacent lots 17 and 18 block D because they did not appraise. I do not own the adjacent property. 4. Lots 17 and 18 block D have recently been purchased by Jesse Montelongo. He wishes to build his own building. We do not want our building projects to be attached. My goal is to build a beautiful and historical destination place in College Station that has an international prominence. It is a unique place that promotes the arts in our community. It is a place that celebrates our heritage. Building C is a necessity to accomplish this and keep my headquarters intact in College Station. Thank you for hearing my requests in developing College Station into a more beautiful and exciting place. '100■40070, ,tines} - �a c9s� � s .t PrR' Vlg',l2� "V -r)1c1(9-1-A 1/(A(123- 10 _ ico-cy) lq lc (Ain y Vrnir sl tir -) 'rrAl ) a) 0 1 -wryvo0 ,�oZ� 2coU v�c� BENJAMIN KNOX GALLERY EXPANSION The following are responses to questions posed in the January 26, 2005 letter to Chris Haver regarding Phase 2 Development of the Benjamin Knox gallery. 1) All enclosed space (including hallways) will have to count toward parking in some way. Please see #5 for more information. Only the area sectioned off for the coffee shop will count toward the 25 %. 2) The alley is not permitted to be used as a driveway, and no curb cut is permitted to University Drive. 3) Since a curb cut from University Drive is not permitted, the carport and parking are not feasible in this location. 4) The fence may be relocated. 5) With more than two uses on site, this will be considered a shopping center. Parking is based on 1/250 s.f. for the entire development (coffee shop or other food establishments can not exceed 25% without additional parking at 1/65). Parking can no longer be calculated separately for a single site with multiple uses. 6) Please explain "Private Work Space." 7) Sign permit must be submitted. Only one freestanding sign per property. Any changes to required landscape will need to be submitted and reviewed for approval. 8) This is considered a structure (requires a building permit) and will have to meet building setbacks. If this structure has any copy or logo on it, it will be considered a freestanding sign and will have to meet freestanding sign requirements. Again, the building plot is allowed only one freestanding sign. Observations related to 'site plan' received: • 180 square feet landscaped islands are required at the end of every parking row. • Will 'Caboose' have any use inside of it? Your next step is to get a concept plan approved by the Design Review Board. 2 ` q i' Mil f The College Station Depot BENJAMIN KNOX GALLERY PHASE 2 DEVELOPMENTS BUILDING C ADDITION COFFEE BAR ADDITION UNDER PORCH LANDSCAPING AND SIGNAGE January 26, 2005 Meeting with Chris Haver Quinn Williams Benjamin Knox QUESTIONS: 1) The depot porch will be enclosed with sliding glass doors, and the coffee bar will accommodate a percentage of the porch. The rest of the porch (adjacent to the doors) will be for egress to the galley. Can- the - par - king square footage for the coffee bar be- calculated only for what is necessary under the porch excluding the egress space? 2) I am planning to utilize the back alley as a driveway. This will enable 2 additional parking spaces behind Building C. 3) Can I put a carport/deck over the 2 parking spaces behind Building C. It would partially extend past the 25' setback line, but not in to the 7.5' setback 4) Can the fence be moved to the other side of the alley to be a buffer for the one neighbor? It is only a small distance and the owner is approving. A fence is not necessary between Montelongo's building site and mine. 5) The first level of Building C is warehouse space. This is calculated as 1 parking space per 1000 square feet, correct? 6) The second level of Building C will be private work space. Will this be calculated as 1.5 parking spaces? 7) I am planning to increase the signage and landscaping facing University Drive and Macarthur Street within the property line and visibility line. 8) At the entrance into the parking lot I am planning to put a post and beam entrance and sign (similar to what you see when entering a ranch or historic area). It will be inside the property line_ 0 - 4 BENJAMIN KN OXJ .mow. GALLERY 405 University Drive East • College Station, Texas 77840 973/691 -2787 • fax 979/691 -2788 • www.bnjaminknox.com