TOWN OF GILBERT DESIGN REVIEW BOARD WORKING SESSION

90 E. CIVIC CENTER DRIVE, GILBERT, ARIZONA

JULY 14, 2005

BOARD PRESENT: Chairman Truitt, Vice Chairman Petterson, Board Member Deardorff, Board Member Bohlen, Board Member Gibson, Board Member Lindahl

BOARD ABSENT: Board Member Cole, Board Member Berg

STAFF PRESENT: Planning Manager Edwards, Planning Manager Cadavid, Senior Planner Milillo, Planner DeMaree, Planner Nicolella, Planner Veljic

ALSO PRESENT: Recorder Rocco

CALL TO ORDER WORKING SESSION:

Vice Chairman Gary Petterson opened the Working Session at 4:07 p.m.

DR05-48 - Preliminary evaluation of the elevations for the Police Property Storage and Fire Resource Management facility, proposed north of Williams Field Road between Greenfield and Higley Roads.

Planner Leila DeMaree presented DR05-48 to the board. Ms. DeMaree stated that the area is approx 18 acres. This is a Town of Gilbert design built project and CIP scheduled to start construction soon. There are three proposed facilities for the site. The site includes Fire Station 7, located directly north of Williams Field Road, the proposed well and reservoirs (that are under separate contracts), and the Town of Gilbert proposed police property and fire resource management facilities. The proposed Fire Station 7 is approximately 25,000 square feet and the police facility is approximately 65,000 square feet. Ms. DeMaree used a visual aid to point out a specific area whereas staff is not aware of what is planned for that area. The main access would be coming from Williams Field Road. This access will also be servicing the Police facility to the north. The driveway directly in front of Fire Station 7 will be for exit only. Fire trucks will have to enter from the main driveway and come in from the north part of the building. There is sufficient parking provided base on the number of employees and estimated number of visitors for the entire site. The applicant has provided 46% landscaping whereas only 15% is required. Also to maximize the buffering between the adjacent neighborhoods located to the east and north of the site, the applicant provided two rows of sisoo trees along the eastern and northern parts of the site. In addition, the buildings are also oriented to the western part of the site. There is a lot of separation from the adjacent residential properties and the proposed Town of Gilbert facilities. Ms. DeMaree used a visual aid to show the line of site from different angles from the north, south and east sides of the property. She also presented elevation exhibits that showed the proposed Fire Station 7 designed with a more traditional style and is well articulated. The Police facility is more of a modern design. Staff did solicit input from Board Member Bohlen and Board Member Lindahl. She noted that their recommendations for Fire Station 7 have been incorporated in the revised elevations. Staff is very comfortable with the overall project. The only reason that staff is bringing the case to the board is to solicit input on the elevations for the police facility.

Chairman Truitt joined the meeting at 4:20 p.m.

Board Member Lindahl asked what the land use is to the west.

Ms. DeMaree replied that the land use to the west is single family. The land is vacant and is owned by the Catholic Diocese of Phoenix.

Vice Chairman Petterson asked if there is a block wall fence to the north.

Ms. DeMaree replied that there is an existing 6 foot perimeter wall to the north and east part of the property. There will be an 8-foot screen wall added to the inner part of the site due to the security nature of the site. She noted that PF/OS zoning allows a 55-foot building height but the applicant is proposing 32 feet to minimize the impact to the adjacent neighborhoods. She added that a lot of the fire station materials and color were also carried over to the police facility to create a commonality.

Board Member Deardorff requested to review the color board showing building elevations.

Maria Cadavid commented that the only item subject to the study session would be the elevations of the Police and Fire facilities. She informed the board that the other classically designed building to the right is already on the agenda this evening for board action. The reason staff brought the elevation to the attention of the board is that staff had a concern about the various styles of architecture within the same complex. The Town, being the applicant, has expedited this Capital Improvement project. Staff has also worked with the adjacent north and east residential neighborhoods. She noted that the neighborhoods did not have any issues with the design or landscaping buffer. She explained that staff did not want to bring to the board two buildings at the same time for action due to the issue with the disparity of the styles. If style is not an issue, then staff can bring the buildings to the board for action at the special meeting scheduled for July 28th.

Board Member Deardorff asked which building would go to the special meeting scheduled for July 28th.

Ms. Cadavid responded that the Police Facility building would be put on the agenda for July 28th.

Chairman Truitt asked if the Board had any comments to provide to staff before moving onto the next case.

Board Member Deardorff responded that he did not have any issues over the fact that they are not similar buildings. If this were an industrial park of this size, there would be a fairly significant variety of buildings in the park. He added that he does not think the project lives up to the Town of Gilbert?s standards of what we would expect out of an industrial building of this size in terms of materials.

Mr. Truitt commented that the dissimilarity is not the issue but possibly the design of the building. He suggested that the building be measured up to the adopted guidelines. He asked staff if the industrial guidelines have been adopted.

Ms. Cadavid responded that this is a public facility.

Mr. Truitt asked what guidelines would apply.

Mr. Deardorff commented that a public facility should come under the commercial guidelines and be well designed as reflected in the facility across the street.

Mr. Truitt stated that there needs to be some guidelines or standard of measure for public facilities.

Ms. Cadavid responded that technically there are not any guidelines for public facilities/institutional facilities. She asked the board to give specific directions to the application so that they can incorporate materials or change the plans to whatever the board feels will unify the site better, more compatible and attractive. She noted that compatibility is not the issue at this time.

Mr. Truitt commented that the buildings do not meet some sort of guidelines standards.

Board Member Bohlen asked if the brick and materials are going to be the same as the other buildings on the site.

Ms. DeMaree responded that the materials and colors would be very similar.

DR05-64 - Preliminary design review site plan, landscaping, grading and drainage, and building elevations for Gilbert South Area Service Center located at 420 & 4760 S. Greenfield Road / 2332 E. Queen Creek Road.

Planning Manager Maria Cadavid presented DR05-64 to the Board. She noted that the architect for the site is HDA Architects. She stated that this is a 35-acre Town facility CIP (Capital Improvement Project) that is located in Maricopa County. The Town is working on an IGA (Inter Governmental Agreement) to be able to process the building planning and construction through the approval of the Design Review Board. She added that most of the utilities and installation are planned for the fall of this year. She continued that the facility would be built to serve Gilbert residents located south of the Santan freeway corridor. Services provided on site would include Public Works, Administration, Wastewater, Engineering, minor permitting, Development Services, Parks & Recreation, etc. She commented that staff does not have any issues with the project. The technical items listed include: the sidewalks be designed to meet ADA requirements. The larger, main building is approximately 88,000 square feet. All of the utilitarian buildings will be finished with a tilt top panel finish and be located behind an 8-foot wall. The visual impact will be made by the corner building. The administration building is very attractive. The east and south elevations will be exposed. The two items that are being brought to the attention of the Board are the roofline and downspouts. Items 1-7 are technical comments.

Board Member Deardorff commented that the hazardous waste building is extremely visible from the street and park entrance. An 8-foot wall will not hide the metal building. He added three-quarters of the building is metal siding and is not allowed in the Town. He added than an 8foot wall would not hide the building.

Ms. Cadavid responded that this facility is next to the water treatment plant that is designed with large mounds and berms. She commented that the visual impact would be minimal.

Board Member Deardorff asked staff if there is a future park planned across the street.

Ms. Cadavid responded that there is a water treatment facility located to the north.

Paul Mood, Capital Improvements Coordinator, commented that a future park is being planned across the street

Board Member Deardorff questioned what would be the building height along the south elevation.

Chairman Truitt noted that the Board?s concern relate to the visual impact along the drive, particularly the south and west elevations.

Mr. Mood commented that the building will not be visible due to the 4?-5? berms.

Chairman Truitt directed staff to review the south and west elevations in relation to visual impact prior to putting the project on the board?s agenda for action.

Board Member Deardorff noted that the building needs to be masonry.

Chairman Truitt reiterated the visibility concerns and that the building should not be metal. He noted that the administration building looks OK.

DR05-28 and DR05-29 ? Preliminary evaluation of the site plan, landscaping, architecture, and lighting for a 157-acre church campus located on Parcels 37 ? 42 of the Spectrum at Val Vista PAD at the SEC of Germann and Lindsay Roads.

Senior Planner Mike Milillo presented DR05-28 and DR05-29 to the board. He explained that DR05-29 is the overall 157-acre campus for the Central Christian Church and that DR05-28 is phase one of the project. This project was initially approved through zoning in 2001. The plan that was approved was a very centralized as shown on the exhibit. The original building concept was very monolithic. As the church began to think how they were going to develop the site, they came up with an organic village concept be phased over a 20-year period. The original plan only went before the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Town Council. The new concept is based off of a graded stream concept. The plan includes a pedestrian area flowing through the center with buildings flanking both sides. He used a visual aid to show the phasing of the project. The first phase would include buildings that are closer to the corner of Germann and Lindsay Roads. The second phase would include an area he pointed out, additional parking, second worship center and a children?s center. Phase 3 would include a sports facility at the southwest corner of the site as well as the central portion of the site and additional parking areas. The main worship center will be built in phase 4. Phase 5 would include the perimeter of the property at the southeast corner of the site. The project has three access points along Lindsay Road and three access points along Germann Road. He used a visual aid showing the scale of the structures to the ultimate worship center. He showed character sketches to give a good idea of what the campus would look like.

Chairman Truitt asked of the exhibits show the water features.

Mr. Milillo replied that the exhibits show the two water features. He commented that they have been reviewed by the Town?s Water Resource and Conservation Departments and meet ordinance requirements. He used a visual aid that showed the different building heights. The original concept in 2001 shoed the building to be considerably taller. The residential to the east is developed or being developed. The residential to the south will be a future development. The majority of phase 1 shows a 45? building height with the worship center II at 55? building height and the main sanctuary at a 70? building height.

Mr. Milillo used a visual aid that showed phase 1. This phase consists of four buildings and is located closest to the corner of Germann and Lindsay Roads. The graphic shows the different hardscape features including the sidewalk pathway systems, fire lane, pavers etc.

Mr. Milillo used a visual aid that showed the conceptual landscape plan for the project. He commented that the future building site in phase II would probably be used as a welcome center. The buildings total to 93,500 square feet.

Mr. Milillo stated that staff has an issue with the lack of sisoo trees which is the main District 12 street theme tree along Germann and Lindsay Roads. He noted that staff reached a compromise with the applicant by looking at some of the projects nearby with many of them using a combination of the sisso, palo verde and sweet acacia trees. He stated that the first phase, including the first quarter mile after the intersection, staff would allow the blue palo verde as the main tree and the sisoo as a secondary tree. The acacia is also on their plant list but will be inter dispersed with the sweet acacias.

Vice Chairman Petterson stated that there would be thorn and water issues with some of the selected landscaping. He noted to get rid of the sweet acacia and go with the palo verde in the smaller planters, which require less maintenance.

Mr. Milillo commented that the site has a nice, interesting area for socializing between the buildings and pathways. The fountain basin is located in a plaza area. There are potential shade structures across the landscaped areas along the 20? pathway that runs through the center of the project.

Chairman Truitt noted that the landscape ideas were discussed with the previous church project. He noted that there appears to be a lot of concrete.

Mr. Milillo commented that some of the other features include fencing around the back if the play area and preschool/nursery building. He showed a detail of the parking screen walls.

Chairman Truitt asked Mr. Milillo what inputted is needed from the board.

Mr. Milillo responded that he would appreciate the board?s comments, concerns, and suggestions in terms of landscaping and paving materials.

Chairman Truitt commented that there are a lot of details that direct pedestrians to the Lindsay and Germann corner. He asked what is out there that would make people want to go there? He suggested adding a feature to the area for functionality.

Board Member Gibson noted that the last phase appears to include only parking.

Board Member Bohlen asked if staff mitigated the amount asphalt.

Mr. Milillo responded that this issue has been discussed with the applicant primarily for phase 5. The LDC allows the Planning Director to look at alternatives in terms of parking area and types of pavement in areas that are not expected to occur heavy use. He pointed out that staff sees this issue similar to car dealers with large paved areas and we are asking them to look at paving materials to mitigate the urban heat island effect.

Mr. Milillo described the building architecture as contemporary with an interpretation of historic landforms and ancient architecture that was predominant in the southwest. The applicant used a lot of angular forms and different types of materials including stone veneer, stucco with three primary paint colors and two accent colors and metal roofing materials along with some curved roof structures. He stated that staff is pleased with the architecture but is interested in the board?s comments. He noted that staff?s only guidance is that the applicant should add to the type of materials for future phases but maintain the same architectural theme with phases 2-5.

ADJOURNMENT

Meeting was adjourned at 5:05 p.m.

Chairman Darrell Truitt

ATTEST:

Recorder Wendy Rocco