Date: Fri 06-Jun-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

P&Z-office-building-Route-34

Full Text:

P&Z Seeks Modifications To Office Building Plans

BY ANDREW GOROSKO

Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) members say they want the applicants for

a 7,500-square-foot office building on Route 34 to modify their design plans

for the structure to improve its appearance.

On May 29, P&Z members discussed the site development plans submitted by James

and Kathryn Maguire, but took no action.

In the plans, the one-story building, with dimensions of 75 feet by 100 feet,

would have a flat roof. The structure would have a brick veneer and a fluted

metal fascia panel running around the top of the building near the roof. The

building would have oblong vertical casement windows. The structure is

designed for office space and storage. Garage doors would be installed at the

rear of the building. Landscaping would be provided.

James and Kathryn Maguire, the applicants, want to build an office building on

the east side of Route 34, about 1,200 feet north of its intersection with

Mile Hill Road. The site is across Route 34 from G&H Tool Company, Inc.

P&Z member Heidi Winslow said her inspection of that area found that other

buildings there don't have fascia panels.

Ms Winslow said she prefers that the proposed building make use of some type

of shingling instead of the use of sheet metal fascia panels.

The office building proposed by the Maguires will be the first such

professional building in that area, Ms Winslow said, adding that she doesn't

want the use of metal fascia panels to set an architectural standard for new

buildings there.

P&Z Chairman Stephen Koch said he compared the architectural qualities of

commercial/industrial buildings in the Route 34 area with those along Commerce

Road.

Mr Koch said he likes the use of a brick facade as proposed by the Maguires,

but doesn't like the vertical metal siding used in the fascia panel. Mr Koch

suggested that the applicants employ "something nicer," such as a false

mansard roof. False mansard roofs provide the appearance of a sloping roof on

buildings with flat roofs.

Ms Winslow observed there's still much green vegetation in B-3 business zone

where the office building is proposed. The proposed building will have much

asphalt paving around it, she noted, adding she would like the applicants to

provide as much landscaping as possible at the one-acre site.

In making its site development plan review, the P&Z is obliged to ensure the

proposed building is in harmony with area architecture, Mr Koch said.

P&Z officials plan to contact the applicants about their architectural

concerns.

The site would contain 28 parking spaces. The building, proposed for general

office use, would have an on-site water well and septic system.

The health department has expressed concerns about the quality of water which

would be produced by a well on the site, asking that the well be drilled

before a building is built to check water quality. The site is in the general

vicinity of a former landfill.

Approximately 2,800 cubic yards of earth materials would be removed from the

site in conjunction with the project.

An office building had been planned for the site about 10 years ago, but it

was never built.

The P&Z's site development plan review for such an office building doesn't

require a public hearing.