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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCorrespondenceb3- 5�- 2g3 L /1 Q c uo � Y3 ins, L C U = c S 1�?_ C ca �c c C W l. Cd 0 - Li o: Li CM a: O OD 'c g a v �o r' s.. N W (AA :� O W QHat _0 Ln W N 0 F C d V+ at �-+ 0 a, CL 14 K ._J n U ennifer Prochazka COCS - Development Services P.O. Box 9960 College Station, TX 77840 Re: A &M United Methodist Church Storage Buildin€ Dear Jennifer, The following are our responses to City Comments # 1 for the above referenced project. Plannine' Comment: The Northgate Guidelines recommend that the building color be considered "in the context of the entire block of area." Please consider colors of nearby buildings. For example, the Lutheran Church, the Northgate Center, the Baptist Student Center, the parking garage, the proposed A &M UMC Education building, etc. All utilize earth tones and are all very similar in the types of color used. Please also note that the Northgate Design Guidelines state that "white is a bright color that does not blend in readily" with the surrounding area. Answer: Please see attached drawing. New colors have been selected to match nearby buildings. Comment: Provide a general note that all roof and ground- mounted mechanical equipment shall be screened from view or isolated so as not to be visible from any public right -of -way or residential district within 150' of the subject lot, measured from a point five feet above grade. Such screening shall be coordinated with the building architecture and scale to maintain a unified appearance. Answer: There will not be any roof or ground mounted mechanical equipment on the storage building. Comment: As a condition of approval, staff will require that the temporary building be removed no later than 30 days after the C.O. is issued on the new Education building. Answer: We would like to request a time frame of 90 days because of the length of time it will take to move during the "weekend ". The moving/work parties are members of the congregation. Engineering: No comments. Electrical: Comment: No electrical service proposed to the temporary building. Answer: Correct - We will not be extending electrical service to this building. If you have any questions please give us a call. Veronica LB. Mb�goi , P.E. Managing Partn�� Cc: Will McCollum File December 15, 2004 Mr. Kip R. Gilts Senior Pastor A &M United Methodist Church 417 University Drive College Station, Texas 77840 -1375 Dear Reverend Gilts: Thank you for meeting with city staff regarding your request to convert portions of Lodge Street to a pedestrian facility. The City is excited about the significant and beautiful building addition that is currently underway by the Church. We believe the discussions that took place were beneficial to all parties toward recognizing and accomplishing common goals in the District. This letter is intended to summarize the discussions that took place at that meeting. Below is an outline of those discussions: Church Request and Follow -up Needed • The Church is proposing to convert Lodge Street from Patricia Street to Church Street into a pedestrian facility /mall. o Improvements by the church would include street trees, colored brick pavers, reserved fire lane area of 20' wide, and curbing in a design similar to 2 nd Street. o A decision by the City is needed by no later than spring of 2005. o In order to process this request, the City asked for a concept plan that reflects the following information regarding service delivery issues: proposed way of addressing solid waste collection, utilities, fire /EMS services, maintenance, and litter control. o The City is already in receipt of a letter from the Church making the request. o City staff is currently evaluating the request and will make a determination on the documentation/method needed to accomplish it. One possible approach to development and maintenance of the pedestrian improvements is to enter into a Public Improvements in the Public Right of Way (PIP) Agreement. P.O. BOX 9960 1101 TEXAS AVENUE COLLEGE STATION • TEXAS • 77842 979.764.3500 www.cstx.gov City Requests ■ The City needs easements from the church on Church Street to install infrastructure improvements. o These improvements have been approved for funding and would include 10 -12' wide brick -paver sidewalks, street rehabilitation from College Main to Spence Street, ornate light fixtures, street trees, and underground electric. o The City will provide survey information to show the exact location of the proposed easements and will provide a sample easement document for the church's review. o Veronica Morgan will provide the City with all existing survey information of the church properties that has been generated to date, preferably in AudoCad electronic format. The City also requested that it be allowed to make a presentation to the Board of Trustees on February 6, 2005. o The presentation would include an overview of other funded improvements to the District including street rehabilitation, sidewalks, gateway features, pedestrian/median improvements on University Drive, public restrooms, and water features. o The presentation would also include discussion of the Northgate Redevelopment Plan which outlines the need to have continuous commercial development along both sides of Church Avenue and how this relates to the church's needs for additional parking. During the meeting, it was also determined the documentation allowing the Lodge Street conversion by the church and the easement dedication to the City would be handled simultaneously. The City appreciates A &M United Methodist Church's interest in promoting a vibrant and pedestrian friendly environment. Successful redevelopment of the Northgate neighborhood must involve the participation of all parties and we look forward to partnering to make these goals become a reality. Again, thank you for meeting with us. We look forward to our future discussions. Please feel free to contact me at 764 -3509 or tbrymer@cstx.gov should you have any questions. Sincerely, Thomas E. Br City Manager cc: �m Foutz, Director of Economic Development VJoey Dunn, Director of Planning and Zoning David Giordano, Fire Chief Eric Hurt, Fire Marshal