3162 Piedmont Road – Second Submittal
Description: Modification of existing building to add second story, exterior elevator and potentially a rooftop space. Development to include two retail tenants on second floor, restaurant on ground floor, lounge and kitchen in basement.
Second Visit – plans modified to eliminate use of rooftop completely. Lounge in basement revised to casual restaurant. Parking lot revisions made to include impervious surface in lower portion to reduce land disturbance to less than 5K sf to avoid need for detention. Tenant to provide beer and wine only – no liquor.
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Applicant: Joseph Gobrial, Michael Beck (engineer), Allen Ensari
SAP#:
Variation Requested:
Recommendations Regarding Variations:
Section 16-18I.023 Parking Table
Recommendation: There was a great deal of confusion regarding the parking requirements triggered by the uses on the site. The committee recommends the applicant revisit the parking requirements to ensure calculations are correct, reflective of all spaces including the rooftop use since elevator access will be provided to it and incorporate these calculations on the revised plans.
Second Visit – Applicant revised plans to eliminate the rooftop space and new calculations call for 23 parking spaces with 31 provided on site resolving the issue.
Section 16-18I.023.4 Parking Lot Screening between surface parking lot and the Piedmont Road frontage.
Recommendation: Committee recommends applicant update plans to include 30-42 inch high landscape buffer to comply with this requirement.
Second Visit – Applicant has amended plans to reflect changes needed, however, still need to add landscape buffer adjacent to the southern corner of the building facing Piedmont Road to provide screening for southbound traffic on Piedmont.
Section 16-18L.022 (Parking Lot Landscaping)
Recommendation: The committee recommends the applicant revise plans to incorporate the required number of trees necessary to satisfy the code requirement. (The 48-month period for compliance referenced in the code has expired and is no longer applicable).
Second Visit – Applicant has revised landscape plans for the parking area to comply with code requirements.
16-18I.023.5.b.II: Shared Parking Arrangements. The applicant has indicated that he will establish a shared parking arrangement with neighboring Wells Fargo to meet parking requirements for the expanded development (39 spaces).
Recommendation: The committee recommends the applicant return to the December DRC meeting with a written an executed parking agreement that meets all requirements on this section. Of particular note are 1) ensuring the WellsFargo site is eligible for such an arrangement given the presence of the median on the Piedmont frontage, and 2) signage requirements are satisfied as required on the designated parking spaces.
Second Visit – Applicant presented changes to plans that eliminate the use of the rooftop which brings the parking requirements into compliance with the code so there is no longer a need for a shared use agreement.
Section 16-18I.025: Minimum Bicycle parking requirements
Recommendation: The committee recommends the applicant incorporate three bicycle parking spaces/racks to satisfy the code requirements
Second Visit – Applicant has revised plans to incorporate bike racks necessary to satisfy code requirements.
Additional Recommendations
The committee understands the applicant will be seeking an alcohol permit which may trigger different parking requirements than the SPI-9 zoning code. The applicant is advised to ensure they incorporate these requirements into the revised plans.
Second Visit – Applicant indicated that only beer and wine will be sold on-site.
The committee recommends the applicant revise the plans to designate the areas for each use type and include specific area calculations for each use on the plans.
Second Visit – Applicant has provided updated documentation reflecting designation of uses and square footages as requested.
The applicant indicated that they are considering modifications to the existing monument sign. The committee recommends the applicant consult the sign ordinance to ensure compliance with requirements.
Second Visit – No discussion regarding this issue.
Additional Recommendations – Second visit
Section 16-19*.019.4 Dumpster screening – applicant indicated screening for dumpster would be in place, however, it is not reflected on plans. Committee recommends updating plans to reflect inclusion of screen to satisfy code requirements.
Applicant indicated they are working with GDOT to relocate driveway on Piedmont frontage to accommodate revised parking layout. Committee expressed concerns about whether this would be approved given adjacency to neighboring curb cut and recommends applicant pursue this conversation as it has significant implications for the site circulation. Applicant indicated there may be a shared use driveway agreement with the neighboring property that will facilitate this access. Committee recommends the applicant resolve this issue and work with the City to develop a revised site circulation plan prior to returning before the committee.
Committee expressed concerns about access for the basement level restaurant use from the rear of the site – particularly the lack of accessibility – and recommends the applicant revisit the configuration to consider alternative layouts such as relocating the entrances to the side or extending the elevator to the basement to ensure pedestrian and ADA accessibility is provided directly for this space.
The Development Committee does expect to see this applicant again at its January 8th committee meeting. The project has been placed on the agenda at 1:30pm.
