MINUTES Opening Remarks City of Olathe City Planning Division The Planning Commission convened at 7:00 p.m. to meet in regular session with Chairman Dean Vakas presiding. Planning Commissioners Mike Rinke, Ryan Freeman, Chip Corcoran, Jose Munoz, Ryan Nelson were present. Commissioners Jeremy Fry and Barry Sutherland were absent. Recited Pledge of Allegiance. The Chair made introductory comments. Regarding ex parte communication, the Chair asked that if a commissioner had something to report, that they specify the nature of the ex parte communication as that item is reached in the agenda. A motion to approve the minutes as written from the June 11, 2018, Planning Commission meeting was made by Commissioner Rinke and seconded by Commissioner Corcoran. The motion was approved 6-0.
MINUTES City of Olathe Planning Division Application: PR18-0027 Preliminary site development plan for Indian Creek Library Sean Pendley, Senior Planner, appeared before the Planning Commission, summarizing the application for a preliminary site development plan for the new Indian Creek library, located in the vicinity of 135th and Brougham Drive. This project is a collaboration between Library and City staff. The site is currently zoned C-2 Commercial and is a former Hy-Vee grocery store. There is retail to the south and west and multifamily residential to the north. Retail to the south and an existing restaurant are not affected by this development. Mr. Pendley presented site views of the development. He said there are no changes proposed for adjacent retail, although over time, additional renovations may occur to those spaces. All parking will remain on adjacent lots. Mr. Pendley added that the total building area for the library is just over 47,000 square feet. The adjacent building to the south may possibly be used for uses related to the library. Site improvements include additional landscape areas within the parking lot, which will reduce the amount of impervious surface. The building will be improved with new modern and efficient building materials, including glass, aluminum sun shade, and skylights to provide more natural light within the building. Other components of the new library include multipurpose areas, a recording studio. Mr. Pendley noted that some existing parking will be removed to add more green space and site amenities, including sidewalk connections and possible connections to future trails north of the site. Also, two existing access drives from 133rd Street will be removed. Existing drives from Brougham will remain. He added that changing the use from grocery store to library creates a reduction in trip generations of approximately 50 percent. Proposed parking for the library is 194 spaces. The total floor area for the library and adjacent retail will require a minimum of 104 spaces. All existing parking to the south of existing retail will remain. Modifications to parking on the south end will be made to incorporate a book drop-off area. Mr. Pendley noted that there is existing landscaping around the grocery store property. The existing landscape buffer on the east side will remain, and most existing trees along Brougham and 133rd will remain. New trees will be provided throughout the site. Mr. Pendley presented building elevations, noting the exterior of the building will be completely remodeled. The primary entrance will be on the west façade and the façade will be replaced with a glass curtain wall and an aluminum sunshade. Building material samples have been provided for the Commission's review. Primary materials for the new building include glass curtain wall, architectural metal panels, and existing CMU. All facades will be improved, including the rear. All facades will have glass added. The north elevation will have architectural metal panels and glass curtain wall, a substantial upgrade to the existing CMU walls on the grocery store. The site is located within a commercial corridor and architectural design requires Building Design D
PR18-0027 June 25, 2018 Page 2 standards, which require a minimum of 70 percent Category 1 materials. The applicant is requesting a waiver from the minimum requirement, from 70 percent to approximately 53 percent on the north elevation, due to the change from CMU to a metal panel. The applicant is above the minimum glass requirement, and because of those improvements, staff is in support of the waiver for the building material. A second waiver is for the vertical articulation on the north elevation. Mr. Pendley stated the only change in elevation is the skylight through the center of the building. However, due to the increase in glass and the additional component of clerestory, staff recommends support for that waiver, as well. Additional details will be provided by the applicant. Mr. Pendley presented a rendering of the sunshade and the glass. He concluded his portion of the presentation. Jeff Blakeman, Senior Building Design Project Manager, City of Olathe Public Works, 13881 South Blackfoot Drive, approached the podium. He notes that this project has been in the works for a number of years and they are excited about the improvements this project will bring to this area. He reiterated Mr. Pendley's points, including improvements to the building and surrounding grounds. Mr. Blakeman noted that the building is approximately 68,000 square feet and the finished library space will be approximately 47,000 square feet. The interior space at the southern portion of the building will be left unfinished at this time. The City will examine opportunities to develop that space in the future. Mr. Blakeman concluded his comments. Sean Zaudke, Gould Evans Architects, 6330 Mackie Street, Merriam, approached the podium. He stated that this has been a programming effort with City Council, the Library Board, and through a series of workshops, the last of which developed some of the critical goals for the project. He said his firm was challenged to re-think the library so it was not a traditional library. They strived to create a place of innovation, creation and activity. They worked to flip the site from a parking lot, to a park, creating pedestrian access into the building. A central allay connects to a central area in the plan called Marketplace. The allays transition the asphalt into much more green space throughout the entire perimeter. The northern portion of the site has been converted to primarily green space and park, and they are working with the Parks Department to create a park and a connection to the trails. They strived to create a community destination. Mr. Zaudke presented a photo of what the space looks like currently, overlaid with how they plan to translate and transform it into a library. He noted that transparency and glass were important elements. The sunshade system was inspired by the notion of nature and change, capturing sun and sky. The site will include a fountain, and entry of green space, and beacons to draw people to the main entry. Inside the library, the beacon organizes the central marketplace of the library, including an information/welcome desk. This area will include a pop-clerestory that will allow natural light to illuminate the heart of the library. Mr. Zaudke added that a struggle with this building is that it does not have a lot of windows, but by introducing skylights and clerestories, they were able to bring much more natural light to the interior of the building. Mr. Zaudke presented a floor plan of the proposed library and outlined various areas within, including a café and a covered drop-off area. He also pointed out an event space and a meetand-greet type of space, including small conference rooms. Mr. Zaudke noted that a courtyard is included and is defined as both an interior and exterior space, which actually notches out of the existing library. This space has multiple possibilities for uses. The north side will include a plaza and/or coffee court, and the corner to the north and west will be glass. As previously stated, this area could be connected to area trails. Mr. Zaudke concluded his presentation.
PR18-0027 June 25, 2018 Page 3 Comm. Rinke said he likes the green space and landscaping. He questioned if the Fire Department has approved the changes to fire access on the east and north sides of the building. Mr. Zaudke responded that the fire department has found sufficient connection to the south. Comm. Nelson questioned if traffic patterns been adjusted for newer library uses compared to traditional library use. Mr. Zaudke believes the statutory requirements for the parking lot were in the 75 range. His company worked with another architecture firm that specializes in libraries, and that firm recommended the 100 range. They feel that long term, events to the north could require more parking. Comm. Nelson wants to ensure that event traffic has been considered. Mr. Blakeman responded that they worked with library staff, who provided counts such of average persons per day who were utilizing the original Indian Creek Library. They took those counts and considered potential increase of people who would come to the new library. Comm. Nelson asked if future parking was considered for the unfinished space. Mr. Pendley responded that Mr. Blakeman considered that and provided analysis that reflected that there will be sufficient parking when/if that space is remodeled. Comm. Nelson asked if parts of the library become less functional during certain times of the day because of the sun. Mr. Zaudke responded that a daylight energy analysis was conducted, which showed how to make the building feel more inhabitable as a library. That study concluded that more daylight was needed inside the building. They added the transparency, but also added the sun shade to help alleviate strong sunlight. Comm. Nelson asked that the security of the building be addressed. Mr. Zaudke that security cameras will be located throughout the library. Entrance to the library will be limited to the west/main entry and the courtyard. Other doors not used for regular ingress/egress will be protected by an alarm. Mr. Blakeman added that the local police department has also been consulted and helped to identify vulnerable points in the building. He added that there will also be cameras on the exterior of the building. Chair Vakas asked if the aluminum façade extends south over the unfinished space. Mr. Blakeman responded that the aluminum stops at the edge of that space. Chair Vakas noted that the library will be set off from 135th Street, behind other commercial buildings. He asked how they plan to extend the excitement of the new library up to the street. Mr. Zaudke noted that they have planned the site to be visible from a distance, including as far as I-35. He believes there is a strong visual connection moving east on 135th Street. Chair Vakas asked about signage. Mr. Zaudke said there is existing signage but does not believe additional signage is allowed. Mr. Pendley added that the existing complex sign could have space for the library, but a separate freestanding sign could be located on Brougham. Mr. Zaudke said that sign has not yet been designed and will be a separate submittal to the Planning Commission. Comm. Nelson expressed concern about reflection from the aluminum sunshade and the effects of sun spots on the grass. He asked if any consideration has been given to the impact of the material. Mr. Blakeman responded that consideration has been given to that and the panel will be anodized aluminum, which is much duller. Chair Vakas called for a motion. Motion by Comm. Rinke, seconded by Comm. Nelson, to recommend approval of PR18-0027, subject to staff's stipulations, as follows: a. A final site development plan shall be approved prior to building permit submittal. b. A waiver shall be granted from UDO 18.15.040.A to eliminate the requirements for vertical articulation on the northern and western building façades.
PR18-0027 June 25, 2018 Page 4 c. A waiver shall be granted from UDO 18.15.040.G to allow a reduction in the minimum Category 1 materials on the northern façade from 70% to 53%. d. A parking lot lighting plan, in accordance with UDO requirements, shall be submitted and approved with the final site development plan. e. As required by the UDO, all exterior ground or building mounted equipment, including but not limited to mechanical equipment, utility meter banks and coolers, shall be screened from public view with landscaping or an architectural treatment compatible with the building architecture. Aye: Freeman, Nelson, Rinke, Munoz, Corcoran, Vakas (6) No: (0) Motion was approved 6-0
City of Olathe City Planning Division MINUTES Application: RZ18-0002 Rezoning 22.41± acres from CP-2 to R-2 and preliminary development plan for Boulder Hills Villas Aimee Nassif, Chief Planning and Development Officer, stated that the applicant is requesting their first continuance in order to work with staff on possible changes or amendments to their proposal. Motion by Comm. Nelson, seconded by Comm Rinke, to recommend continuance of RZ18-0002 to a date uncertain. Motion passed 6-0.
City of Olathe City Planning Division MINUTES Application: RZ18-0009 Rezoning 10.33± acres from CTY RN-1 and CTY RUR to C-2 and preliminary development plan for Lone Elm Commercial Aimee Nassif, Chief Planning and Development Officer, noted that the applicant requests a continuance in order to work on possible site layout changes. Motion by Comm. Rinke, seconded by Comm Nelson, to recommend continuance of RZ18-0009 to a date uncertain. Motion passed 6-0.
City of Olathe City Planning Division MINUTES Other Matters Chair Vakas noted that the next Planning Commission will be held on Monday, July 9th, at 7:00 p.m. On behalf of the Planning Commission he wished everyone a happy and peaceful Fourth of July. There were no other announcements. Meeting adjourned.