2004-07-06 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Lynch suggested that the Task Force's charge be sharpened because it was Council's intention that the Task Force not make recommendations, but he does not feel that is clear in the charge. Dr. Brown said the charge says "explore" and he does not have a problem with the open-endedness of the charge. Mr. Caravati said he would like the Chair of the Task Force make a brief report to Council after they have met for a month or a month and a half. The reporting date for the Council Elections Study Task Force was extended by the following vote. Ayes: Dr. Brown, Mr. Caravati, Ms. Hamilton, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Schilling. Noes: None. RESOLUTION: SPECIAL PERMIT FOR #3 UNIVERSITY CIRCLE Ms. Mary Joy Scala, Planner in Neighborhood Development Services, explained that the special permit is to allow an addition to an existing building. She said the proposal includes restoring the original building and grounds. She said this property is not subject to review by the Board of Architectural Review, but the Planning Commission noted that the Council could ask the BAR for a non-binding recommendation. Ms. Scala said that there had been opposition to parking in the front yard, noise and traffic. Ms. Scala said that a number of exceptions were requested and all were recommended by the Planning Commission except parking in the front yard. Mr. Caravati asked if the Fire Department has approved the reduction in the width of the driveway, and Ms. Scala said the Fire Marshall has accepted the change. Mr. Turner, applicant, said that the request was to reduce the driveway to 12' at the street and then to increase it to 15' 6" behind the building and the Fire Marshall has approved this. Mr. Lynch asked if the roof is proposed to be standing seam, and Mr. Turner said the drawings show standing seam, but they are still studying slate and no decision has been made. Mr. Schilling said he would like to see the original width of the driveway and to know the reasons why the Fire Marshall feels that the reduction is appropriate. Mr. Brown read from an e-mail from the Fire Marshall, which stated that the reduction was being requested in order to preserve a tree, but he expressed concern about accessing the driveway with a fire truck. Mr. Schilling said he would like to speak with the Fire Marshall and made a motion to defer the resolution, and Ms. Hamilton seconded the motion. Mr. Caravati said the Fire Department is not going to make recommendations lightly, and he said he will vote against the motion to defer. Mr. Turned said that his architect had a conversation with the Fire Marshall. Mr. John Mathews, architect for the project, said that the Planning Commission had asked if the driveway could be narrowed to save the tree. He said three alternate layouts were presented to the Fire Marshall and the one described is the one the Fire Marshall thought was appropriate. He said that a normal driveway width is 16'. Mr. Schilling said he would like to see the Fire Marshall's comments in writing. Dr. Brown said he feels the opinion of the Fire Marshall is clearly before us, and suggested that the resolution be approved contingent on approval of the driveway width by the Fire Marshall.