C I T Y O F A T L A N T A M. KASIM REED DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT MAYOR 55 TRINITY AVENUE, S.W. SUITE 3350 – ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30303-0308 CHARLETTA WILSON JACKS 404-330-6145 – FAX: 404-658-7491 Director, Office of Planning www.atlantaga.gov STAFF REPORT July 22, 2015 Agenda Item: Application for a Review and Comment (RC-15-248) for site work at 18 Palisades Rd. – property is zoned R-4 / Brookwood Hills Conservation District / Beltline. Applicants: Dianne Barfield PO Box 675935 Facts: According to the 1991 photographic inventory this residential building was designed in 1923 by Neal Reed and is considered contributing to the District. The Commission recently reviewed application RC-15-157 for alterations, additions, and site work at this address at the March 11, 2015 Commission meeting. The current Application before the Commission is to add a circular concrete basketball court to the rear of the principal structure, and to add a 4’ high metal fence with a retaining wall in the front yard. Analysis: The following code sections apply to this application: Per Section 16-20.007(b) of the Atlanta Land Development Code, as amended: Conservation Districts Exempted: Certificates of appropriateness are not required for Conservation Districts. However, no person shall construct, alter, demolish or move, in whole or in part, any building, structure or site located within a Conservation District until the Commission shall have reviewed the proposed action(s) and made written recommendations regarding any such action to the owner(s) of the property. Sec. 16-20.009. Same; further standards. In deciding individual applications for certificates of appropriateness, the commission shall be guided by the purposes set forth in section 16-20.001, by findings contained in ordinances designating buildings and sites for protection, by purposes and objectives which are contained within individual Landmark and Historic District regulations, and by findings contained in reports prepared in support of Landmark and Historic District regulations as are required in article D of chapter 4 of part 6. Furthermore, in considering whether to grant approval, conditional approval or denial of an application for a type II or type III certificate of appropriateness, the commission shall apply the following standards: RC-15-157 – 57 Woodcrest Ave. – Alterations, Additions, and Site Work Page 1 of 2 (1) Every reasonable effort shall be made to adapt the property in a manner which requires minimal alteration of the building, structure or site and its environment. (2) The distinguishing original qualities or character of a building, structure or site and its environment shall not be destroyed. The removal or alteration of any historic material or distinctive architectural features should be avoided when possible. (3) Changes which may have taken place in the course of time are evidence of the history and development of a building, structure or site and its environment. These changes may have acquired significance in their own right, and this significance shall be recognized and respected. (4) Distinctive stylistic features or examples of skilled craftsmanship which characterize a building, structure, object or site shall be kept where possible. (5) Deteriorated architectural features shall be repaired rather than replaced, wherever possible. In the event replacement is necessary, the new material should reflect the material being replaced in composition, design, color, texture, and other visual qualities. Repair or replacement of missing architectural features should be based on accurate duplications of features, substantiated by historical, physical, or pictorial evidence rather than on conjectural designs or the availability of different architectural elements from other buildings or structures. (6) Contemporary design for alterations and additions to existing properties shall not be discouraged when such alterations and additions do not destroy significant historical, architectural or cultural material, and such design is compatible with the size, scale, color, material and character of the property, neighborhood or environment. (7) Wherever possible, new additions or alterations to buildings, structures or sites shall be done in such a manner that if such additions or alterations were to be removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of the building, structure or site would be unimpaired. Site Work The Applicant is proposing to install a circular basketball court to the rear of the principal structure, and a 4’ high metal picket fence with a retaining wall to the front yard of the property. Staff finds that the proposed basketball court, fence, and retaining wall will have no negative impact on the existing historic house. As such, Staff has no concerns with the design of the basketball court or with the design of the fence and retaining wall combination. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends that the Commission send a letter with comments to the Applicant. RC-15-157 – 57 Woodcrest Ave. – Alterations, Additions, and Site Work Page 2 of 2 C I T Y O F A T L A N T A TIM KEANE M. KASIM REED DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Commissioner MAYOR 55 TRINITY AVENUE, S.W. SUITE 3350 – ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30303-0308 404-330-6145 – FAX: 404-658-7491 www.atlantaga.gov CHARLETTA WILSON JACKS Director, Office of Planning STAFF REPORT July 22, 2015 Agenda Item: Review and comment (RC-15-256) for crosswalk painting / public art at the intersection of 10th Street and Piedmont Road - Property is zoned variously. Applicant: City of Atlanta – Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs 233 Peachtree Street Facts: The proposal includes the re-painting of the pedestrian crosswalks at this intersection using a stripped, rainbow color scheme “in recognition of the LGBT community”, per the application. Currently, the crosswalks use a standard white paint, stripping pattern. Analysis: The following code sections apply to this application: Per Section 6-4043 of the Atlanta City Code: (7) The commission shall review the alteration, demolition, movement or construction of any structure, site or building which involves the use of capital expenditures by the City of Atlanta or capital expenditures by other public agencies or authorities which are required to submit plans for review by the city. Per Section 16-20.009. Same; further standards. (1) Every reasonable effort shall be made to adapt the property in a manner which requires minimal alteration of the building, structure or site and its environment. (2) The distinguishing original qualities or character of a building, structure or site and its environment shall not be destroyed. The removal or alteration of any historic material or distinctive architectural features should be avoided when possible. (6) Contemporary design for alterations and additions to existing properties shall not be discouraged when such alterations and additions do not destroy significant historical, architectural or cultural material, and such design is compatible with the size, scale, color, material and character of the property, neighborhood or environment. (7) Whenever possible, new additions or alterations to buildings, structures or sites shall be done in such a manner that if such additions or alterations were to be removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of the building, structure or site would be unimpaired. RC-15-256 – 10 Street and Piedmont Avenue – Crosswalk Painting and Public Art Page 1 of 2 While the Staff supports the project regarding its concept, purpose, and contribution to the City’s built environment, the Staff does have a couple of technical concerns about the installation. First, the Staff is concerned about the potential distraction the bright colors might present to drivers passing through the intersection, both negatively (making them look down vs. ahead) and positively (likely vehicles will slow down given the unique graphics / colors of the installation). Second, the Staff is concerned about the traction for pedestrians as they cross the street. Assuming that the proposed paint is the same material used for standard crosswalk and pavement markings, the Staff doesn’t know if using it in a continuous application presents any additional problems for pedestrian’s when it is wet or icy vs. having some exposed pavement in the crosswalk. Staff Recommendation: The Staff recommends that the Commission confirm the delivery of its comments at the meeting for a Review and comment (RC-15-256) for crosswalk painting / public art at th the intersection of 10 Street and Piedmont Road - Property is zoned variously. RC-15-256 – 10 Street and Piedmont Avenue – Crosswalk Painting and Public Art Page 2 of 2 C I T Y O F A T L A N T A TIM KEANE M. KASIM REED DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Commissioner MAYOR 55 TRINITY AVENUE, S.W. SUITE 3350 – ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30303-0308 404-330-6145 – FAX: 404-658-7491 CHARLETTA WILSON JACKS www.atlantaga.gov Director, Office of Planning STAFF REPORT July 22, 2015 Agenda Item: Review and Comment (RC-15-258) for alterations and an addition at 81 Wakefield Drive - Property is zoned R-4 / Brookwood Hills Conservation District. Applicant: Britt Morris – MHGC, Inc. 2135-B Hills Avenue Facts: According to the Fulton County Tax Assessors website, this single-family dwelling was built in 2000. Analysis: The following code sections apply to this application: Per Section 16-20.007(b) of the Atlanta Land Development Code, as amended: Conservation Districts Exempted: