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02.10.21 DAB MinutesCITY OF BOULDER DESIGN ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES February 10, 2021 Virtual Meeting A permanent set of these minutes and a tape recording (maintained for a period of seven years) are retained in Central Records (telephone: 303-441-3043). Minutes and streaming audio are also available on the web at: http://www.bouldercolorado.gov/ DAB MEMBERS PRESENT: Lauren Folkerts, Chair Rory Bilocerkowycz Matthew Schexnyder John Gerstle, Planning Board Ex-Officio Member DAB MEMBERS ABSENT: Todd Bryan STAFF PRESENT: Kalani Pahoa, Urban Designer Cindy Spence, Administrative Assistant III Elaine McLaughlin, Senior Planner Jacob Lindsey, Director of Planning and Development Services Charles Ferro, Development Review Manager 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair, L. Folkerts, declared a quorum at 4:06 p.m. and the following business was conducted. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The board approved the December 9, 2020 Design Advisory Board minutes as amended. 3. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION No one spoke. 4. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. PROJECT REVIEW: Project Review for a proposed three-story addition to the existing Grace Commons Church (formerly First Presbyterian Church) building located at 1820 15th Street along with a new mixed-use building located at 1603 Walnut Street. The church project will be primarily assembly space and meeting rooms. Proposed on the church’s property at 1603 Walnut (referred to as the “Annex”) is a four-story mixed use building with ground floor cafe/restaurant and tuck-under alley-accessed parking. There are 30 permanently affordable apartments planned on the second and third floor (12 one-bedroom and 18 efficiency living units) along with and an event space and roof deck on the fourth floor. • Staff Introduction E. McLaughlin provided a summary of the OLIV at Boulder project located at 1750 15th Street. • Applicant Presentation Pete Weber, with Coburn Architects, Josh Felix, with BGW Architects, and Carol Adams, with Studio Terra, Inc., representing the applicant, presented the item to the board. • Public Participation 1) Scott Herrin, representing The Walnut HOA, requested the design conform with the Design Guidelines and respect the scale and characteristics of the existing neighborhood. • Board discussion L. Folkerts summarized the board’s recommendations. She stated that as the design evolves new complexities may arise and may cause some comments to no longer apply. The board is attempting to provide design guidance and not a literal road map, therefore, the applicant should apply their best judgment.  1603 Walnut (the “Annex”) - Best aspects regarding this portion of the project o The board appreciated that the building holds the block and is an increase in density over the existing structure is more in line with what would work in that area. In addition, the board appreciated the street scape improvements, the inclusion of the service oriented commercial space, the affordable housing component, the inclusion of brick as a façade material, and the two-story massing on the south side of the building.  1603 Walnut (the “Annex”) - Discussion of referral topics 2.1A continuity of building wall o The board encouraged a step back final unit on the third floor to fifteen feet, otherwise they found the project largely in compliance with the requirements. 2.1B, 2.1C, 2.1D view corridor/mechanical screen/sunshade o The board encouraged a stepping back final unit on the third floor. They approved of the location and screening of the mechanical equipment. In general, they approved of the sunshades. They suggested looking a structure that provides more shade. 2.1.I Open space o The board encouraged more operable windows next to the café seating on the south. The suggested considering the reassignment of some of the open space adjacent to the lobby to the west or south side of the building. Excerpt from section 1.1A Exterior materials, window openings and patterning o The board encouraged a reduction in the variety of aperture sizes. They would encourage a higher percentage of brick cladding. At a minimum, the “corner stone” portion should be clad in brick. The board encouraged a removal of the shed parapet. They suggested a modern interpretation of a cast iron lower level with brick above. The board found that the window groupings and balconies met the intent of the twenty-five-foot bay requirement. They encouraged the residential entrance to command more space and/or have additional embellishment to make its purpose clear and have the dignity it deserves. 1.2.C window proportions o The board encouraged a reduction in the variety of aperture sizes and a stronger adherence to consistent horizontal datums. The board found the more horizontal window bay appropriate to the transitional context. They encouraged a careful look at window groupings with an eye to establishing a clearer primary, secondary, and tertiary hierarchy. 1.4.A Durable materials o The board found that fiber cement could be durable enough especially for a secondary cladding material. They believed a subdued material pallet would be important and encouraged continued refinement of the exterior cladding materials. Two of the three board members recommended using brick for a significant proportion of the exterior cladding. 2.2.A, 2.2B Height o The board found the height to be in scale with adjacent structures and within the allowed height limit. One out of the three board members recommended looking at stepping back the south side stair so that more of the south façade would be stepped back. 2.2.C, Large forehead o The board encouraged looking at making the south side third story windows taller or adding lintel to reduce the forehead. Currently, the board found that the awnings successfully break up the façade. The appreciated the steel parapet cap as an appropriate modern touch. 2.2.C, Human scale o The board found the scale of the building cladding to be acceptable. They would encourage a closer look at the pattern and how it would be treated where it meets smaller details, if this scale of material would actually be used. 2.2.C, Distinction between ground floor and floors above o The board agreed the lower level did a good job of creating transparency. The board found the deep structure successful at creating transition (eddies) between sidewalk and structure. The board encouraged a careful review of the number of columns to balance preserving the openness with providing a consistent pattern. The encouraged more porosity adjacent to the café with either additional operable windows or doors. 2.2.E, Maintain Rhythms o The board found that some variation in bay size is completely acceptable if not preferred. The board would encourage a light modification to the large columns for a slightly more regular pattern to satisfy this requirement. The board found that a strict adherence to the twenty-five-foot bay would not be appropriate in this instance. 2.2.F, First Floor should feel taller o The board found the window height acceptable. They appreciated the wood screen detail, although it may be better in metal. The board encouraged looking at adjusting door height to make doors taller and transoms smaller. The board would encourage changing the exterior wall to a material would match the window frame, increasing the apparent size of the windows.  1603 Walnut (the “Annex”) - Best aspects regarding this portion of the project o The board appreciated the entry knuckle, the inviting outdoor space, and the outdoor space buffering the historic structure.  1820 15th Street (the Grace Commons Church) - Discussion of referral topics 2.1E 4-sided design/trash enclosure o Generally, the board does not have an issue with the trash enclosure. They would encourage aligning the header with the adjacent window. In addition, the board encouraged looking at siding it with building siding, so the doors disappear. They encouraged moving the sidewalk away from the trash door. Excerpt from 1.1.A Building material/display windows/entrance hierarchy/ storefront/ wood header detail/parapet/25’ bay o The board appreciated the use of brick on the upper levels. They would be okay with a light material on the lower level. They encouraged a simplified more rhythmic exterior. The Entry element could be the jewel of the project and all other architectural elements should be in deference to it. The board suggested the use of awnings and window patterning to help clarify the hierarchy of entrances and where entrances exist. They encouraged a more consistent parapet height across the project. 1.2.C Maintain Proportions o The board recommended the creation of a clearer primary, secondary and tertiary hierarchy of fenestration. They encouraged simplifying the variety of patterns across the building but adding nuanced detail to the execution of the pattern. 1.4.A Building Materials o The board would encourage the use of more brick as an exterior material and a more simplified material pallet. 2.2.B Mass and scale o The board had concerns that the tower element might be confusing to pedestrians because it looks like it calls out an entrance. The board liked that the tower element tied into the adjacent buildings. They recommended creating a façade that moved people toward the entrance courtyards. The board encouraged simplifying existing modules into a more cohesive overall building. 2.2.C Human and scale o The board encouraged a strong base element of concrete, limestone, or similarly massive material that would search across the lower level of the entire corner building with larger windows that correspond to the structural grid. They encouraged the consideration of two-story window elements in a brick façade for the office area on both facades. 2.2.C Texture and pattern of building o The board appreciated that the color of the fiber cement panels at the base provided a nice floating effect. They encouraged the use of a more durable material. The board appreciated the deep punch in of some lower-level windows. They would like to see this more consistently along the entire base. They suggested raising the sill where there are windows and not doors to make it clear that this is not an entrance. 2.2.C Texture and pattern of building level o At the ground floor, the board recommended having a glazing fill area between heavy structural elements. They found that glazing above could be as wide as glazing below, with window trim color used to make the windows above look smaller (possibly light-colored frames that match exterior materials on first level, dark colored frames that contract to exterior materials on upper levels). 2.2.C Maintain distinction between ground floor and upper levels o See comments above 5. BOARD MATTERS 6. CALENDAR CHECK 7. ADJOURNMENT The Design Advisory Board adjourned the meeting at 10:45 p.m. APPROVED BY _____ Board Chair ______05/12/2021________________+_ DATE