2014.01.14 EDA Agenda Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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O'Reilly's Auto Parts - Sketch Plan The guidelines identify 147d' and Highway 61 as a key entry point into downtown and encourages this area to be designed as a gateway into downtown. Gateway elements could include open space, unique landscaping, walls or gates, water features, and City signage. General Land Use The guidelines state that "downtown development should be appropriate for a traditional downtown area" such as mixed use buildings, drug stores, banks, specialty markets, small grocers, destination retail, restaurants and entertainment, are encouraged. New auto - dominated commercial development such as fast food, auto service, and large single -use development are discouraged in the downtown. General Design Standards The guidelines state that "building should be oriented to the street with fully articulated street facades based on traditional storefronts (doors and display windows) along the sidewalk". The building is not oriented to the street, but rather towards the parking lot. Although one side is along Highway 61, the building is placed close to the north property line with the entrance to the south along the parking lot in the front. The building could be turned to be placed at the southwest corner of the property with the parking lot to the east. This would create a facade that could be towards Highway 61 and the main entrance on the east side of the building; this would give a feel more like a traditional downtown storefront. The guidelines state that "all new downtown development shall provide for pedestrian as well as vehicle circulation and shall create linkages to existing and proposed sidewalks". In general the applicant has provided connections to the existing and proposed sidewalks, however not in same way one would think of a traditional downtown with an entrance located along the road. An auto parts store is not necessarily pedestrian oriented, but rather automobile oriented. Although the plan shows a monument sign and some landscaping, it does not do a good job of designing a space with gateway elements to showcase the area as a key entry point into downtown. There is sufficient space located at the southwest corner of the site to provide a gateway element that is encouraged in the guidelines. The guidelines also encourage landscaping along the roads and sidewalks. Architecture and Building Material The downtown design guidelines encourage new buildings to be designed with elements of traditional main street design, Hugo's French trading post roots, or mid -western prairie style architecture. Traditional main street style buildings usually have flat roofs with well defined roof lines. The French trading post architectural elements include steeper or mansard roofs, open storefronts, and exterior plaster with stone and brick. Prairie style architecture has hipped roofs with low spreading deep overhangs. All of these styles are presented with more detail in the guidelines.