1125 UNIVERSITY AVENUE CONTINUED PRELIMINARY DESIGN REVIEW

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1 D E S I G N R E V I E W C O M M I T T E E S t a f f R e p o r t CONTINUED PRELIMINARY DESIGN REVIEW For Committee Decision/ Majority Recommendation MARCH 17, 2011 Design Review # of a new one story, 9,399 sq. ft. branch library for the Berkeley Public Library. The proposed project will include the demolition of the existing structure and site excavation. I. Introduction This project is located on the north side of University Avenue, between San Pablo Avenue and Curtis Street, and is in the General Commercial (C-1) zoning district. It is returning to the Design Review Committee (DRC) for Continued Preliminary Design Review (PDR) after it was presented for PDR on February 17, The project was before the West Branch LPC Subcommittee several times. It was before the Landmarks Preservation Committee (LPC) at their March 4, 2010 meeting for an informational presentation. At that meeting, the poor state of the historic structure and the work necessary to renovate it was evaluated. As a result, the library director and the design team have decided to move forward with new construction. The project was before the LPC again as a courtesy item at their January 6 th, 2011 meeting to discuss its draft EIR. At this meeting, the LPC requested that alternate designs which include preservation of the building be incorporated into the EIR for consideration or be reviewed by the body that certifies the EIR. The project was referred to the Zoning Adjustments Board (ZAB) at their January 13, 2011 meeting for comments on the adequacy of the draft EIR. The ZAB deemed it unnecessary to take action because they felt the EIR document and the public process was thorough. The project is tentatively scheduled for final action by the ZAB at their April 2011 meeting. II. Background The original library on this site was built in 1923 and was designed to resemble the Carnegie libraries that were built in the United States from 1889 through In 1973, the original building was significantly altered by a renovation and addition, 2120 Milvia Street, Berkeley, CA Tel: TDD: Fax:

2 DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE Page 2 of 5 MARCH 17, 2011 with major parts of the older building demolished or damaged. In May 2003, the remaining 1923 portion of the building was designated a Structure of Merit by LPC. In November 2008, the City of Berkeley passed Measure FF to pay for the renovation and expansion of all the Berkeley Branch libraries. III. Project Setting A. Neighborhood/Area Description: This parcel is in the General Commercial (C-1) district, consistent with the parcels to the east, south, and west. The Multiple-family Residential (R-3) district is located just to the north of the parcel. See Land Use table below for more information. Figure 1: Vicinity Map 1125 University Avenue West Berkeley Branch Library

3 DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE MARCH 17, 2011 Page 3 of 5 Table 1: Land Use Information Location Existing Use Zoning District General Plan Designation Subject Property West Branch Library General Commercial (C-1) Avenue Commercial Surrounding Properties North Residential/ 2-story apartments Multiple-family Residential (R-3) Medium Density Residential South Mixed Use General Commercial (C-1) Avenue Commercial Development East Hotel/ Holiday Inn General Commercial (C-1) Avenue Commercial West Retail/ Halmar Work Clothes Center Table 2: Development Standards Standard BMC Sections 23(click and enter #) Existing General Commercial (C-1) Addition/ (Reduction) Proposed Total Avenue Commercial Permitted/ Required Lot Area (sq. ft.) 12, ,000 12,000 Gross Floor Area (sq. ft.) 6,230 3,169 9,399 30,000 Floor Area Ratio Dwelling Units Total Building Height Building Setbacks (ft.) Affordable Average (ft.) Minimum 30 Maximum (ft.) Stories Front 2 average 0 2 average 2 average Rear Left Side Right Side Lot Coverage (%) Usable Open Space (sq. ft.) 5,200 (2,200) 3,000 1,700 Parking Automobile Bicycle 12 public; 4 staff IV. Design Review Summary from February 17, 2011 Preliminary Design Review was continued with the following recommendations: MOTION (McCulloch, Blake) VOTE ( ) Olson abstain; Allen, Williams absent. Recommendations: Schematic Building Design Transparency into and thru the main interior space is a nice quality. Show specific glazing types on south elevation more clearly.

4 DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE Page 4 of 5 MARCH 17, 2011 Show a better detail of columns, vines, and covering of trellis design. Show how trellis will be resolved in the soffit area beneath curtain wall. Comprehensive analyses for heat and energy loads are applauded. Show how art opportunities could be integrated with the building design. Recommend identifying these opportunities early so artists have this information when developing their proposals. Lit window signage could be an art opportunity. Articulation: West elevation is blank and opaque and may be for a long time. Provide more interest and articulation. Building Entrance: Modify the entrance for a stronger, more civic statement and more substantial, less hidden appearance (majority). Develop trellis/main entrance design for better relationship to mass behind it. Look carefully at the rhythm and scale of the columns on the main entrance trellis. Large expanse of glazing on the south elevation appears to be appropriate, but main entrance should be more civic. Look carefully at the proportions and various heights of façade elements on the south elevation. Main entrance layout with more informal smaller- scaled elements appears to be successful. (minority) Trellis/landscape design appears to be a generous gesture, but the entrance vestibule / sound lock appears more meager. Provide more detail on the main entrance vestibule. It should be more in keeping with the grand entrance gestures on the south elevation. Building Materials and Colors: Show how graffiti will be handled on materials near the ground level. Show Committee a fiber board sample at the next meeting. Quality and durability are critical. Used as rainscreen at pedestrian level, this material is susceptible to damage. Provide more information on proposed wood at main entrance should be durable. Show detail of fiber cement board and stucco juncture. Consider more durable and civic materials at the main entrance. Landscape: Infiltration planting areas appear to be well integrated into the overall design. Raised planters at entrance appear to be successful and add protection to the plants. If existing redwood location is setting the plan with the blank west elevation, consider replacement location, as they grow quickly in this climate. Interior Plan Issues: Consider flipping the floor plan so that the more interesting elevation is on the west since more visible. Recommend that flooring in the main reading room should be more civic than Marmoleum.

5 DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE MARCH 17, 2011 Page 5 of 5 Landscape should be better coordinated with the office windows on the east elevation. V. Project Description A. Requested Discretionary Permits 1. Demolition of an existing library. 2. Construction of a new library. 3. Reduction of required rear yard adjacent to a residential district. 4. Parking requirement waived. 5. Off-street loading requirement waived. 6. University Avenue Strategic Plan Overlay: there is a 2 story requirement for new buildings in the node, as well as a percentage of specific commercial uses required at the ground floor. VI. Issues and Analysis A. CEQA Please review the EIR for the West Branch Library prior to the meeting. The link is below. There is a summary in Chapter 2. B. Design Review Issues: The applicant is still working on detailed information to present to the Committee at the meeting. Refer to the attached applicant s memo for a response to some of DRC s recommendations from the previous meeting. C. Issues for Discussion: Building Entrance Articulation Building Materials Landscape Plan VII. Recommendation Staff recommends that the DRC discuss the above issues and forward a favorable recommendation to ZAB with conditions and specific direction for Final Design Review as necessary. Attachments: 1. Project memo, received March 10, 2011 Staff Planner: Anne Burns, aburns@ci.berkeley.ca.us, (510)