Design CommissionNov. 23, 2020

Urban Design Guidelines Matrix — original pdf

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The East Tower – Downtown Austin Design Guidelines Density Bonus Application Area-Wide Guidelines Urban Design Guideline Achieved? AW.1 Create dense development YES Applicant's Comments The project is applying to exceed the density of 15:1 FAR permitted administratively through the density bonus program by 5.45:1 FAR through City Council approval. The total density requested is 21:1 FAR. The midblock project site is limited to 120' of street frontage on East Avenue, with a very limited 15,115 sf floor plate. The ground floor contains an active lobby space with access to both the primary entrance, facing east, as well as a second entrance to the ground-floor to the west where residents may access a bike storage and have a direct route to the Rainey Street District and future transit options. This project will not close any Downtown Streets. This project will be developed similarly in shape and size to other mid-rise and high-rise construction within the Rainey neighborhood. The western entry point will feature a large mural highlighting the entry access and public art gallery space that will be visible to pedestrians along Rainey Street. The Project does not obscure important public views and is not located in a Capitol View Corridor. The exterior design aesthetic for the Project will be contemporary minimalist and will not appear to be built earlier than it was. No historic properties are adjacent to the site. All equipment will be screened from views from the street. The two amenity decks on levels 12 and 41 incorporate large planting areas and pedestrian-scaled amenities that will enhance the view from adjacent properties. This project will not be a themed development. The only existing building on the site is in need of repair and will not be preserved or recycled. AW.2 AW.3 Create mixed-use development Limit development which closes Downtown streets YES YES YES YES YES YES YES AW.4 Buffer neighborhood edges YES Incorporate civic art in both public and private development AW.5 AW.6 Protect important public views YES AW.7 AW.8 Avoid historical misinterpretations Respect adjacent historic buildings Acknowledge that rooftops are seen from other buildings and the street Avoid the development of theme environments AW.9 AW.10 AW.11 Recycle existing building stock NO The East Tower – Downtown Austin Design Guidelines Density Bonus Application Public Streetscape Guidelines Urban Design Guideline Achieved? Applicant's Comments The ground floor building facade is recessed from the projected building line above to provide shade and weather protection at the main entry. The sidewalk design meets TXDOT's ROW requirements for this district which includes a 2' paving buffer zone that contrasts the sidewalk in texture and color to make pedestrians aware of adjacent vehicular traffic and drivers aware of the pedestrian space. Two curb cuts currently exist, and this project is proposing to reduce to one, which closely matches the existing southern curb cut. This project does not impact the street configuration in any way, which is currently a one-way traffic lane governed by TXDOT. The vehicular entry to the parking garage can function in both a one-way and two-way street system. This project proposes a much wider sidewalk than previously existed on site, connecting to the sidewalk in the right of way on each side. The recessed ground floor façade provides space for planting and pedestrian scale elements. The interior dual-entrance ground floor design facilitates a pedestrian connection through the alley to the Rainey Street district. No transit stops exist near the site. The recessed ground floor façade provides space for planting and pedestrian scale elements, such as an artistic sculpture, to enhance the streetscape experience. No utility appurtenances are proposed in the pedestrian zone of the streetscape with this project. Street Trees and canopies are not permitted by TXDOT in the ROW. The pedestrian realm will be lit to provide a safe and interesting place; TXDOT will not allow additional lighting in the ROW adjacent to this property. A 2' paving buffer and curb separates vehicular traffic from the pedestrian zone. This buffer is walkable and the existing parallel zone PS.1 Protect the pedestrian where the building meets the street PS.2 Minimize curb cuts YES YES PS.3 Create a potential for two-way streets N/A PS.4 PS.5 Reinforce pedestrian activity Enhance key transit stops YES N/A PS.6 Enhance the streetscape YES Avoid conflicts between pedestrian and utility equipment PS.7 PS.8 Install street trees PS.9 PS.10 Provide pedestrian-scaled lighting Provide protection from cars/promote curbside parking YES YES N/A YES The East Tower – Downtown Austin Design Guidelines Density Bonus Application PS.11 Screen mechanical and utility equipment YES Provide generous street-level windows Install pedestrian-friendly materials at street level YES YES PS.12 PS.13 is screened remain, providing additional parking will protection. All mechanical equipment in accordance with Commercial Design Standards Section 2.6.2. The ground-floor will consist of approximately 80% generous floor-to-ceiling windows along East Avenue frontage, exceeding Subchapter E requirements. The sidewalk design will include pedestrian scale and friendly materials, planting, and bike racks. street The East Tower – Downtown Austin Design Guidelines Density Bonus Application Achieved? Plazas and Open Space Guidelines Urban Design Guideline Treat the four squares with special consideration Contribute to an open space network Emphasize connections to parks and greenways PZ.1 PZ.2 PZ.3 PZ.4 PZ.5 PZ.6 PZ.7 PZ.8 PZ.9 PZ.10 PZ.12 PZ.13 PZ.14 PZ.15 Incorporate open space into residential development Develop green roofs Provide plazas in high use areas Determine plaza function, size, and activity Respond to the microclimate in plaza design Consider views, circulation, boundaries, and subspaces in plaza design Provide an appropriate amount of plaza seating Use plants to enliven urban spaces Provide interactive civic art and fountains in plazas Provide food service for plaza participants Increase safety in plazas through wayfinding, lighting, and visibility PZ.11 Provide visual and spatial complexity in public spaces N/A N/A N/A YES N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A YES YES YES N/A N/A Applicant's Comments The project is not adjacent to one of the four Downtown Austin squares. The site has no connectivity to adjacent greenspace The site has no connectivity to adjacent greenspace The building will have two large amenity decks with ample open space for tenant interaction. Level 12 will have an outdoor seating area, fitness yard, and a large dog park for tenant use. Level 41 will have a pool deck, lounge area, and outdoor kitchen/dining area. The small site will not support a public urban plaza. The small site will not support a public urban plaza. The small site will not support a public urban plaza. The small site will not support a public urban plaza. The small site will not support a public urban plaza. The small site will not support a public urban plaza. In the spirit of activating public spaces, we are featuring a large mural viewable from Rainey Street activate the public art gallery space entry. We have incorporated as many plantings possible. Including a green wall that can reach approximately 110 feet in height on the building, in order to enliven the urban space along our building. The rear entry will include a mural across the rear entry to the public art gallery and entry to the building. The small site will not support a public urban plaza. The small site will not support a public urban plaza. The East Tower – Downtown Austin Design Guidelines Density Bonus Application Consider plaza operations and maintenance N/A The small site will not support a public urban plaza. PZ.16 The East Tower – Downtown Austin Design Guidelines Density Bonus Application Building Guidelines Achieved? Urban Design Guideline Applicant's Comments B.1 Build to the street YES Provide multi-tenant, pedestrian-oriented development at the street level B.2 YES B.3 Accentuate primary entrances YES B.4 B.5 Encourage the inclusion of local character Control on-site parking YES YES B.6 Create quality construction YES B.7 Create buildings with human scale YES The facade will extend to the property line along the only street frontage at East Avenue. The midblock project site is limited to 120' of street frontage on East Avenue, with a very limited 15,115 sf floor plate and frontage only on East Ave. We are utilizing the Public Access Easement at the rear of the building to connect residents and users of the public art gallery space to Rainey Street. The main entrance will open to East Avenue (the only street frontage available) and will be accentuated with large areas of glass, have dedicated signage, and be recessed from the sidewalk pedestrian zone. The western pedestrian entrance will be visible from Rainey Street and accentuated with an artistic mural by a local artist and creative signage. The tower's façade design seeks to achieve a timeless "contemporary minimalist" aesthetic with a mix of modern glass and metal panel systems. The interior design of the building and the street-level experience will be focused on conveying the unique local character, historical context and urban feel of the adjacent Rainey Street neighborhood. The Owner, Architect, and General Contractor all have strong local ties and a shared commitment to fostering high- quality design and contextualism in all of their Austin projects. The parking will be open decoupled from the cost of the residential units in the building. The project seeks to achieve a high-design aesthetic and will utilize a palette of quality materials with deference to durability, sustainability, and a long-term lifespan. The project is seeking a three-star AEGB certification and will incorporate bird deterrent strategies to mitigate the impact to local bird colonies. The design incorporates the Urban Design recommendations where applicable, and will have the appropriate pedestrian scale, level of detail, architectural variety, and vertical The East Tower – Downtown Austin Design Guidelines Density Bonus Application massing relief to satisfy the intent of this section.