MINUTES
TOWN OF NORMAL UPTOWN DESIGN REVIEW COMMISSION
CONFERENCE ROOM C CITY HALL
100 E. PHOENIX AVE.
NORMAL, IL
SPECIAL MEETING
APRIL 30, 2007 @ 4:00 p.m.
Members Physically Present:
Dennis French, Pam Locsin, Mark Comerford, Dirk deWerff
Members Absent:
Rick Kentzler, Kathy Wilcox, Rebecca Landau
Others Present:
Lauren Kerestes, Associate Planner; Wayne Aldrich, Downtown
Redevelopment;
Debbi Feid, Office Associate; Tim Maurer, One Main Dev.; Ed
Scopel, Chris Boardman and Rod Reid of Ratio Architects; Mayor
Koos; Nora Dukowitz, Uptown Marketing Manager; Mark Peterson,
City Manager
Call to Order:
Mr. French called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. and noted a quorum was present.
Minutes:
The commission approved the minutes of the regular meeting on
April 9, 2007.
The motion carried 4-0.
CC-07-04-08, One Main Development, Building B, Site Plan and Elevations
Mr. Boardman of Ratio Architects gave an overview of the architectural elevations and noted that the plans for Block B are close to what the Commission reviewed earlier in the month with a few changes.
Mr. Boardman said they are exploring the option of having loft style apartments in accordance with the building’s urban design.
Mr. Boardman brought examples of the two brick colors that they would be using for this building. Also a sample of the clear anodized aluminum windows and color samples for the metal siding, railings, cornice and paneling. He explained that the architects and owners are considering using longer bricks that would require less labor, but still be consistent in width with standard brick. The UDRC was amenable to the use of these bricks.
Mr. French asked if the building would be tuckpointed in the traditional manner. Mr. Boardman said that it would.
Mr. Boardman brought an example of the metal panels in a dark grey color. Mr. deWerff asked if there were other colors to consider. Mr. Boardman said there were other colors, but that costs would increase when they deviate from the standard colors.
Ms. Kerestes had some concerns about the light gray metal color around the windows. She felt a darker color would look better.
Mr. Boardman showed more pictures of similar developments with similar materials located in different cities. Mr. Comerford said that he thought the look of the lighter gray metal window frame is more modern in accordance with the architecture and that he was in favor of this look. Mr. French agreed and said that he preferred the vertical metal siding and its color choice.
There was much concern about the look, color and pattern of the metal panels. The commissioners wanted to be sure the look was just right and wanted to know how well it would look in the future. Mr. Boardman said the quality is guaranteed to last 50 years. The UDRC agreed that they preferred vertical metal siding, but needed more examples of this material elsewhere. The actual design, width, appearance of the metal siding was undetermined.
Mayor Koos said he like the lighter color around the windows. Mr. Comerford said the clear anodized windows were more sustainable in that they never have to be painted.
There was some discussion about the new tower element on the Circle facade. Ms. Kerestes noted that she preferred that the Circle façade carry along from building end to building end, preferring symmetry along that face. Mr. French thought the asymmetrical design looked good. The Commission also liked the way the tower relates to the Circle and mirrors the tower element of the Multi-Modal Transportation Center.
Overall, the building received positive feedback from the Commission. The UDRC liked the architectural style of the building, its presence along the Circle façade, the tower element and the proposed color palette.
Ms. Kerestes reviewed the waivers requested for the One Main Development, Block B.
Waivers
The design for the One Main Development, Block B will require
the following four (4) waivers from the Uptown Design Code:
- Windows: 2:1 Vertical Orientation and Operability
Sec. 15.17-11(A)(1)(C)(2) requires that “Windows must be vertical, with no less than a 2:1 ratio of height to width” and be operable; however, the UDRC felt that the proposed windows with less than the 2:1 ratio are appropriate in accordance with the building’s architectural style. They noted that this code requirement, as well as the operability requirement, is more appropriate for the upper story windows of existing, historic developments or infill.
- Materials
Sec 15.17-11(A)(4) prohibits the use of the following materials on the building exterior visible from the street or alley “corrugated metal, aluminum siding, metal siding other than copper”. While the Commission was not opposed to the use of metal siding, they expressed some anxiety about which type of siding would be most appropriate. The UDRC recommended in favor of the waiver for the use of metal siding, contingent on the requirement that the type of siding be further explored by the architect and then come back before the UDRC for final approval.
- Anti-Monotony
Sec. 15.17-11(A)(1)(h) requires that new construction must avoid excessive monotony in design by having no more than 15 feet of blank wall length without an interruption. This waiver applies to the space behind the residences where the HVAC systems and other mechanical equipment will be housed. The Commission felt the waiver is necessary given the tightness of the site, high visibility of all sides of the upper stories, and the requirement to screen the mechanical equipment. They noted that this space is set back from the street façade and will not be visible from Circle which will have high levels of a pedestrian traffic.
- Scale of Design
Sec. 15.17-11(A)(9) stipulates that the first floor must be between 12 and 15 feet in height and upper stories between 9 and 12 feet in height. The first, second and third floor heights exceed the code maximum; however, the UDRC determined that the floor heights are in proportion with the building’s massing, position on the Circle, and relationship to the adjacent Multi-Modal Transportation Center.
Mr. deWerff motioned for approval of the design of the One
Main Development, Block B with the requested waivers contingent
on the final approval of the design of the metal material by the
Uptown Design Review Commission. Mr.Comerford seconded.
Ayes: Mr. Comorford, Mr. deWerff, Ms. Loscin, Mr. French
Nays: None
Motion declared carried 4-0.
Other Business:
- Uptown Wayfinding Concepts
Nora Dukowitz, Uptown Marketing Manager gave an overview of the wayfinding system
designed by the Cardosi Kiper Group. Ms. Dukowitz said that at this time they just wanted to show the commission an overall design of the signs and information maps. The wayfinding focus group had not yet talked about where the signs will be placed. The commissioners were very pleased with the overall appearance and design of these wayfinding sign system.
- Officer Elections
The commissioners decided to elect officers at the next meeting, because there were only four commissioners.
There was no other business.
Adjournment:
The meeting adjourned at approximately 5:15 p.m. Mr. deWerff
moved, Ms. Locsin seconded.
Respectfully submitted,
Debbi Feid
Office Associate