3037 piedmont road, ne – raising cane’s

Description

The applicant proposes to convert the recently closed Krystal into a Raising Cane’s. The remodel will retain the core structure of the existing restaurant and drive-through and reclad the exterior with new finishes. There will be no change in use, interior floor space and minimal changes in fenestration. A slight bump-out will be made to the structure on the north side to accommodate a payment window for the drive through. The applicant also proposes making several changes to the exterior including removing one curb cut from Piedmont, relocating the existing outdoor seating and redoing the traffic flow from a two-way configuration within the lot to a one-way flow of traffic. The front of the parking lot will change, and the number of spaces will decrease by one (but still exceeding the current SPI-9 maximum). Finally, at the rear, a new freestanding canopy will be constructed over the drive through ordering boards.

 

 

 

Applicant:  Harold Buckley

            Also present for the Applicant: Melanie Hembree, Harrison Aiken, Sarah Holmes

SAP#:  SAP-25-046

Variation Requested: Driveways and off-street parking

Recommendations Regarding Variations: 

Section 16-18I.020(3)a: Driveways shall be perpendicular to any adjacent street. Circular drives are not permitted between the sidewalk and a building.

Sec. 16-18I.023(3): Off-street surface parking lots, including those for the authorized sale or lease of vehicles, shall not be located between a building and the adjacent street without an intervening building.

The current site layout does not conform to SPI-9 zoning code as both parking and vehicular driveways are located between the building and the street. Since the applicant is proposing to make substantial changes to both the pedestrian and vehicular components of the lot in a manner that does not correct the nonconformity, variations should be considered.

Recommendation: The Development Review Committee supports the applicant’s request for variations from §16-18I.020(3)a and §16-18I.023(3) as the applicant has (1) will eliminate the curb cut immediately to the south of the retained one, (2) allow the restaurant to operate the drive-through more efficiently, (3) make pedestrian-friendly improvements along the remainder of the Piedmont Avenue frontage and (4) improve pedestrian safety for those walking to the restaurant by relocating the walkway access.

The following recommendations cover code-related aspects of the project that do not appear to require variations, provided the applicant supplies the requested information and/or make small changes to the plan documents or construction process:

• The proposed material list includes stucco and architectural metal. Sec. 16-18I.027(2) limits both to no more than 30% of the street-facing elevations. The applicant should show the material ratios on the elevations and ensure neither exceed the code maximums on the Piedmont Road or Peachtree Drive frontages.
• The proposed painted wall sign may be too large under the existing signage code and would need to be modified. The committee encouraged the applicant to consider a mural without business identification signage.
• The proposed sidewalk configuration at the remaining opening to Piedmont needs to comply with Sec. 16-18I.020(1) on extending the sidewalk material across the curb cut and implement the textured concrete requirement parallel to it.
• The before and after fenestration values should be clearly identified in the drawings and application.
• The committee reminded the applicant not to exceed the 60% of replacement cost provision in Sec. 16-18I.010 during the demolition part of the renovation. Demolition plans need to clearly identify what part of the structure will be removed and what will be retained.   

 Additional Recommendations:

The Development Review Committee also had additional recommendations for the proposed restaurant:

• In respect to the landscaping, the committee suggested additional site screening and/or trees to improve the lot.
• The committee encouraged the applicant to consider higher fence heights and/or other property boundary modifications to dampen sound transmission into the Peachtree Park neighborhood.
• Once operational, the committee encouraged Raising Cain’s to reach out to Livable Buckhead to secure discounted MARTA passes for employees who might want them.
• Finally, the committee commended the applicant for using recycled materials in their finishing and encouraged them to use building products that have EPD statements.

 The Development Committee does NOT expect to see this applicant again unless significant changes are made to the proposed plans that necessitate additional variations or the city staff and/or Neighborhood Association requests additional input from the DRC.