02-18-16 Regular Meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission

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rrrur;? Sri'} /r,rir�? ("u rrrrrrirJri I't r' it r A t 't11, Jt ia.ra �r.l ?r IJ r'}r llrt a l/�1 Planning and Development Department Staff Report ISSUE Should the Planning and Zoning Commission approve a request by Stripes LLC for a waiver to the city's exterior facade materials design guidelines for construction of new Stripes Convenience Store and Gas Station at the southeast corner of W. Main Street (Spencer Highway) and Bay Area Boulevard (Sens Road)? DISCUSSION The site is subject to the city's Design Guidelines as outlined in Article IX of Chapter 106 of the city's Code of Ordinances. Section 106-928 outlines various architectural design guidelines, including building form, building articulation, roof, architectural design elements, and exterior facade materials. Because this site fronts Spencer Highway, the code requires 50% of the building's facade be covered by stone or masonry materials for a Tier 2 building and 50% for other materials such as stucco, architectural block, cementitious fiberboard, EIFS (above 14 feet), and painted, colored or stamped tilt -wall. The applicant is requesting consideration of a waiver to the city's Design Guidelines concerning Exterior Facade Materials. Their proposal includes the use of a cementitious fiberboard material on all facades of the building. Although this is a masonry product and will result in the building being fully covered by a masonry product, the code requires the use of stone and/or brick to cover 50% of the facade. Section 106-927 of the city's Code of Ordinances states that the Planning and Zoning Commission may approve a waiver request subject to two findings. The following is a list of those findings: 1. The project as designed is consistent with the general spirit and intent of the City of La Porte's Comprehensive Plan. 2. The proposed building will result in an attractive contribution to the community. In reviewing this waiver request, staff is concerned with waiving the use of brick or stone. The city's design guidelines intentionally specify this requirement to add quality and diversity to the architectural design of buildings within the community. As a result, staff is not supportive of the waiver request. All development should comply with the design guideline regulations. Staff is