03-18-2002 Planning Comm. Minutes

Home Browse Search

M7NUTIJS PLANNING COMMISSION MARCH 18, 2002 COMMON IIOND Weiss reviewed the backgrow~d of Common Bond as a provider of over 3,600 units of senior housing. He also noted that Common Bond has received grant approval for this project. Weiss reviewed the fascade of the building addition and noted that they are now proposing a flat roof rather than the pitched roof shown on the original diagrams submitted. Weiss noted that there will be a roof element at the center of the building where the new building meets the old building to break up the linear look of the roof. Weiss noted Che Planner's recommendation for a sidewalk along Market Place Drive and reported that they will install a cement sidewalk. Weiss reported that Garden Terrace currently consists of 41 units of senior housing and the addition would add 35 units, 2 of which will be handicapped units and 1 will be a hearing and sight impaired unit. The addition will also have community spaces, a computer lab, a wellness office, a fitness room, new laundry facilities, and additional office space that will be shared between the two buildings. Anew entrance will be added, however, the security systems will be tied together so that residents can use either entrance. The buildings will be incorporated together to form one building. Dw~ay asked if the exteriors will be blended together. Weiss reported that the existing building is totally brick and the new building will be brick and siding. While the intent is to blend the buildings together, they will not match exactly. Weiss noted the Planner's reference to the pitched room and indicated that the roof has been a point of on-going discussion for Common Bond. Weiss reported that Common Bond has not identified a funding source to put a pitched roof on the existing building. The HUD grant that they are receiving will not allow money from this grant to be spent on the existing building. An option would be to refinance the existing building, however, Chat option would likely be a couple of years out and is very dependent on market conditions. Therefore, in order to blend the two buildings together, they are proposing a flat room for the new building and adding a roof element such as a tower or parapet that will break the linear look of the roof. Carson suggested a pitched roof on the new portion of the building, with the pitched roof added to the existing building later. Weiss noted that Common [3ond has a wish list for improvements to the existing building that include new carpeting, additional community space, etc. Common Bond also has limited reserves ($30,000) for the existing building, -~-