This is a proposed commercial project for 12.8 acres known as University Commons Phase II located at the southwest corner of University Blvd. and Telfair Avenue bounded by the recently completed Tarrington Avenue and Cotesworth Avenue. The developer for this proposed FDP also developed the University Commons Phase I commercial FDP located across University Blvd. at the corner of University Blvd. and Wescott Avenue. Many of the same architectural and site design features for the proposed Phase II are consistent with the University Commons Phase I FDP Ordinance No. 2041, which was approved in 2016. Staff believes this provides for a more cohesive commercial development along the University Blvd. corridor as a gateway into the Telfair community.

This proposed FDP is part of the 35.9 acre General Development Plan PD located at the northwest corner of US Highway 59 and University Blvd., approved by City Council under Ordinance No. 1926 in 2013. The General Development Plan included a number of shaping parameters for development along University Blvd. and Telfair Avenue, as well as any future public streets, and placed restrictions on a variety of land uses throughout the overall 35.9 acres. Based on staff review, the proposed Final Development Plan is in overall compliance with the General Development Plan. The proposed University Commons Phase II FDP includes two alternative site plan options for development. Each includes separate building envelopes with the primary distinction between the two site layout plans being that Site Layout Plan Alternative 1 provides for the option to include a separate drive-thru for Building Envelope 2b at the corner of University Blvd. and Telfair Avenue.

The Commission held a workshop on July 27, 2017 with regard to the proposed commercial FDP. The workshop allowed for the Commissioners to review a set of draft documents for the proposed FDP, including exhibits, and pose questions to provide overall feedback to the applicant. Several key areas of feedback included:

• Discussion on the rear of Building 1 as to the proposed screening for the back of house areas from the adjacent roadway and residential homes. The Commission requested a more detailed aerial view of this area depicting the successive series of screen walls as well as the proposed architectural relief on each wall.    

• A need to better understand the relationship of the proposed drive-thru area, as part of the Final Site Layout Alternative 1, to the corner of University Blvd. and Telfair Avenue with the existing Telfair monument, and how the anticipated grade change would affect screening of the cars in the drive-thru.    

• Additional information on the outdoor sales area for the grocer tenant, specifically details on the location of this area in relationship to the front door, ensuring a clear walkway is maintained, details on any products/material that would be placed in this area for sale.    

• A focus on key pedestrian elements on the proposed FDP, including a request for additional pedestrian connectivity between Buildings 1 & 2, as well as additional pedestrian amenities internal to the development to create a more inviting space.    

• A number of clerical edits and suggested modifications to the proposed FDP language and associated exhibits to provide clarity for the reader.

The Commission held a public hearing on September 12, 2017 with regard to the proposed FDP. There were no speakers from the public. The Commission was able to provide key feedback and requested further revisions to the proposed FDP and exhibits. The following outlines a number of key revision requests:

• Further discussion on the outdoor sales area for the grocer tenant and a request for specific information on products that will be for sale and to include that in the PD text and associated exhibit.    

• Discussion regarding the existing landscape berm/former levee along Telfair Avenue and whether the berm will be completely removed in certain areas along the roadway.    

• Further review of the pedestrian elements in the PD based on modifications made after the workshop meeting and ensuring the exhibits reflect the language in Exhibit B, the PD document.    

• Additional clerical edits and suggested modifications to the proposed FDP language and associated exhibits to provide further clarity for the reader.

The Commission held their Consideration and Action meeting on October 10, 2017 where they reviewed the revised material based on discussions held during the workshop and public hearing. The applicant has provided information to address the Commission’s questions and concerns during their series of meetings, and a more detailed description of the Commission discussions and the applicant’s responses are included in the attached staff report. The Commission then made a unanimous recommendation of approval to the Mayor and City Council for the proposed FDP and Planning Staff believes that the revisions found in this Ordinance material are in overall alignment with the Commisson’s feedback and supports a recommendation of approval to the Mayor and City Council.

CC: Patty Bender, pbender@vistagroupllp.com;

Steffen Staiger, steffen.staiger@obrienarch.com;

Ryan Gathmann, Ryan.Gathmann@obrienarch.com;

Mick Granlund, mick.granlund@obrienarch.com;

Sean O’Brien, sean.obrien@obrienarch.com

Planning Case No.: 17-75000003
Document No.: 23790