Reso PC21-11 0086 PC Reso Recommending Approval of ZA Amendment 1616 Gordon Street

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ATTY/RESO.0086/PC RESO RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF ZA AMENDMENT – 1616 GORDON STREET REV: 10-13-2021 VR Page 4 of 21 E. The extent to which natural features, including trees, shrubs, creeks, and rocks, and the natural grade of the site are to be retained; The natural features of the site have been incorporated into the design. The existing live oak tree has been featured on the Hawes Court side as well as the other perimeter trees on the West and South of the property. Existing oak trees have been worked around on the interior of the lot inflecting the shape of the building. The existing vegetable gardens will be replanted after construction to maintain that feature for the residents at Gordon Manor. F. The accessibility of off-street parking areas and the relation of parking areas with respect to traffic on adjacent streets; The existing off-street parking areas on Gordon Street have been retained in the design. Three new parking spaces are incorporated within the existing parking lot to upgrade the capacity of the lot and is consistent with zoning requirements. No new parking is proposed on Hawes Court. G. The reservation of landscaping areas for the purposes of separating or screening service and storage areas from the street and adjoining building sites, breaking up large expanses of paved areas, separating or screening parking lots from the street and adjoining building sites, and separating building areas from paved areas to provide access from buildings to open space areas; Landscaping has been designed to screen the building and paved areas. The existing perimeter trees have been retained in an effort to provide effective screening of the building. New planting has been proposed at the building facades to soften the building edges. H. In the case of any commercial or industrial structure, the Zoning Administrator shall consider its proximity to any R District and shall consider the effect of the proposed structure upon the= character and value of the adjacent R District area; The proposed structure complements the adjacent multi-family residential neighborhood to the West and South as a two-story structure. Existing trees have been retained along the South perimeter and along Hawes Court to soften the view of the structure from the neighboring lots. Existing street trees on Hawes Court further soften the view from that residential area. The proposed building has been designed with low eaves facing the South in order to maximize photovoltaic exposure to the sun and present a modest appearance to the neighbors. Existing residential structures on Hawes Court and Union Avenue are two-story with composition roofs and stucco siding. The proposed design for the addition at Gordon Manor uses similar massing and materials to maintain the character of the surrounding district. I. The provision of permeable areas and drainage design appropriate to capture and treat stormwater runoff prior to its discharge from the site including, but