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HomeMy Public PortalAboutStaff Report_36 Arlington_570 Arsenal_2018_1109_FINALTown of Watertown Department of Community Development and Planning STAFF REPORT This Staff Report is a technical analysis of the submitted application material and the required findings of the Watertown Zoning Ordinance. It is based only upon information submitted prior to the public hearing and may be revised or updated with new recommendations, findings and/or conditions as new information is obtained by Planning staff during the public hearing process. Case Number: Subject Property: Parcel ID: Zoning District: Petitioner(s): Owner: Zoning Relief Sought: Special Permit Granting Authority: Site Plan Review Meeting(s): Date of Staff Report: Staff Recommendation: Planning Board Meeting: Zoning Board Hearing: ZBA-2018-28 & 29 SP/SR & SP 36 Arlington Street / 570 Arsenal Street 1236-3F-0 / 1236-5H-0 Regional Mixed Use District (RMUD) 36 Arlington Street LLC, 137 Newbury Street, Boston, MA Surrey Road, LLC / BP Watertown, LLC c/o Summit Hotel Properties Special Permit with Site Plan Review & Special Permit: • §5.01 for Fitness Center, Office, Commercial/Retail, & Warehouse • §6.01 for Shared/reduction in Parking and companion Special Permit for offsite shared parking Zoning Board of Appeals May 30, 2017 November 7, 2018 Conditional Approval Scheduled November 14, 2018 Scheduled November 28, 2018 36 Arlington & 570 Arsenal St ZBA-2018-28 & 29— SP/SR & SP November 7, 2018 Staff Report I. PUBLIC NOTICE (M.G.L. C. 40A, §11) A. Procedural Summary Petitions ZBA-2018-28 & 29 are scheduled to be heard by the Planning Board on November 14, 2018 and are scheduled to be heard by the Zoning Board of Appeals on November 28, 2018. As required by M.G.L. c. 40A, Sec.11 and the Watertown Zoning Ordinance, notice is given as follows: • Published in the newspaper of record (Watertown Tab) on November 9 & 16, 2018 • Posted at the Town Administration Building on October 31, 2018 • Mailed to Parties of Interest on October 31, 2018 B. Legal Notice "36 Arlington Street - Matt Harrington, 36 Arlington Street LLC, 132 Newbury Street, Boston, MA 02116, herein requests the Zoning Board of Appeals grant a Special Permit/Site Review in accordance with Watertown Zoning Ordinance §5.01.3(b); §5.01.3(a); §5.01.3(f)2; §5.01.5(h), to partially convert former Fitness Center to Retail, Business, Fitness and Warehouse use. RMUD (Regional Mixed Use District) Zoning District. ZBA-208-28 (Combined with ZBA-2018-29)" "570 Arsenal Street - Matt Harrington, 36 Arlington Street LLC, 132 Newbury Street, Boston, MA 02116, herein requests the Zoning Board of Appeals grant a Special Permit in accordance with Watertown Zoning Ordinance §6.01(b); §6.01(e); §6.01(f); §6.01(g) Off -Site Shared Parking. RMUD (Regional Mixed Use District) Zoning District. ZBA-2018-29 (Combined with ZBA-2018-28)" Front and left facade from Arlington St. Rear parking lot from Marriott Parking lot. Access to rear parking lot from Arlington St. Front facade from north Page 2 of 11 36 Arlington & 570 Arsenal St ZBA-2018-28 & 29— SP/SR & SP November 7, 2018 Staff Report 11. DESCRIPTION A. Site Characteristics The 68,000 square foot (1.56 acre) main site on Arlington St. has a two-story brick building initially used for industrial/warehouse that was converted to a fitness center (Super Fitness). The building has an approximately 22,000 s.f. footprint, and fronts on Arlington Street. The site slopes downward to the rear with 26 parking spaces within the front yard along Arlington Street in one continuous curb -cut, and 56 spaces (proposed to be restriped to 58) behind the building. Existing site landscaping consists of a vegetated strip abutting the lower level/first floor and along the driveway accessing the rear of the property. The secondary site has a 6 -story hotel with 150 rooms and a parking field with 119 spaces. There is a staircase installed within an easement area to access the adjacent 36 Arlington St site at the rear of the auxiliary lot of the hotel and a lease agreement for the use of 30 parking spaces within an area of the lot. B. Surrounding Land Use The site is bounded by Arlington Street along the front, the Marriott Hotel to the side/rear, Saris Motors to the south (at the corner of Arlington and Arsenal Streets) and a vacant lot to the West (Sawin's Pond). There is a small business/industrial complex to the rear facing Elm St. and the site is located across the street from the UPS Customer Center and warehouse. Home Depot and Arsenal Yards is located to the South of Arsenal St. C. Nature of the Request The Petitioner is seeking a Special Permit with Site Plan Review to replace the previous approval at 36 Arlington Street and allow occupancy of the 22,500 square foot second floor (accessed from Arlington Street) of the building to accommodate a commercial/retail store and flex warehouse. As proposed, the project is the conversion of interior space, with limited changes to the site and existing building. The Fitness Center and office uses would continue to occupy the lower floor. The Petitioner also requests offsite and shared parking under a separate Special Permit for 570 Arsenal St. D. Public Comments As of the date of this staff report, no comments have been received on this project. E. Relevant Permitting History According to Zoning Board of Appeals, Assessors, Building and Planning records, the Arlington Street site has the following relevant permitting history: • 1944: Lot appears on Assessors' records, owned by Akron Rubber Company, Inc. • SP -93-17: Convert building from Industrial use to Commercial Recreation a. Required a minimum of 127 parking spaces (100 on site, 27 off site) Page 3 of 11 36 Arlington & 570 Arsenal St ZBA-2018-28 & 29— SP/SR & SP November 7, 2018 Staff Report • Amendment SP -93-41: To include an off -site "auxiliary" parking lot at 640 Arsenal Street • July 17, 1997 (no formal Permit Number issued): ZBA Hearing to address parking issues per SP -93-17 Discussed valet parking September to April on Charles River Saab lot (a second off -site lot) as needed; Police detail as needed on Monday evenings November - April; use company for the parking program. Total of 245 spaces (152 on site/with valet, 70 at UPS, 23 at Saab) • Amendment SP -02-33: Modify the existing Special Permits to utilize 25 parking spaces as part of the required off -site parking for the site (36 Arlington Street) located at 71 Arlington Street. Based on the request, the previous permits for 36 Arlington Street should be voided and replaced with the current request for a Special Permit with Site Plan Review. The Special Permit with Site Plan Review for the Hotel should remain in effect. III. ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS A. Plan Consistency: Comprehensive Plan Watertown's 2015 Comprehensive Plan includes a vision of the Arsenal Street Corridor as a mix of retail, office, and research and development uses that can serve a regional market area. The site as proposed would provide a potential for a mix of smaller retail/commercial and light industrial uses that would support the business and residential within the area. B. Plan Consistency: Strategic Framework (2011) The Framework's vision identifies key aspirations such as a thriving business community in strategic locations in former industrial sites, owner -occupied business, and redevelopment of existing buildings. The proposed redevelopment, as well as the continued occupancy of the first floor of the building by existing uses is in keeping with the Strategic Framework. C. Special Permit with Site Plan Review This project requests two Special Permits (one for each site) and must meet the four conditions of approval for a Special Permit set forth in §9.05(b) of the WZO. Special Permit Criteria §9.05(b) 1. The specific site is an appropriate location for such a use, structure, or condition. Met: The site on Arlington Street is an appropriate location for a mix of commercial, fitness, and warehouse uses. The site was previously converted to fitness only use and had to rely on substantial offsite parking, valet parking, and other methods to support the successful use of the entire building as a fitness center. The proposed uses reduce the overall demand for parking and the supporting documentation shows that the site can accommodate parking for all uses during all times except for peak demand. The required parking, per Zoning, is proposed to be 93 spaces, and 85 are proposed. If the site had shared uses that were compatible, the site's parking requirements could be reduced by up to 25% to 70 spaces. In looking at the site for shared parking, it was found that at peak hours, the Fitness Page 4 of 11 36 Arlington & 570 Arsenal St ZBA-2018-28 & 29— SP/SR & SP November 7, 2018 Staff Report Use only was close to use the entire capacity of the site and therefore, additional parking is required. During the parking assessment, it was noted that UPS was using the front parking area and this was rectified subsequent to the analysis. The request has identified an appropriate long-term solution for an increased parking demand through the use of shared parking with the Arsenal Street property. Staff suggests that 30 offsite spaces shall be required for the proposed mix of uses and that prior to any new tenant occupancy, an updated shared parking report be submitted to DCDP for review and approval by Staff showing that that the tenant mix is appropriate and in -keeping with the approval. Further, the site shall create and maintain a TDM Plan to be reviewed and approved by DCDP with annual reporting, prior to occupancy of the first floor tenant spaces. The plan shall include a section on the status of the shared parking with recommendations if it needs to be adjusted. The proposal includes an additional request for offsite shared parking on an adjacent lot through an existing easement agreement. The submitted materials shows that location (hotel parking lot) is appropriate for shared parking for the hotel and a fitness center. A parking count was carried out which found that during peak hours of demand by the fitness center, a maximum of 43 spaces were occupied (leaving 76 available). 2. The use as developed will not adversely affect the neighborhood. Conditionally Met: The Arlington Street location was an industrial warehouse that was converted to a fitness center. The use of the entire building as a fitness facility required substantial parking management and offsite parking arrangements. The proposed partial conversion back to warehouse decreases the parking demand which reduces impacts on the neighborhood. Further, the proposed uses are in -keeping with the neighborhood, retain existing businesses, and provides an appropriate new business opportunity in a vacant storefront. The proposed landscaping will also soften the front yard parking and break up the continuous curb -cut which improves the street's aesthetics. Shared parking at the Hotel site is also a positive impact in that an underutilized parking field can be more efficiently used, reducing the demand for additional parking at other locations within the neighborhood. 3. There will be no nuisance or serious hazard to vehicles and pedestrians. Conditionally Met: The Arlington Street site is currently accessed from a continuous curb cut on Arlington Street. The open and undefined site access creates an awkward entrance and exit from the site. The proposed access uses two new landscaped areas to reduce the overall amount of pavement, thereby helping direct vehicles. One parking space adjacent to a fire hydrant has also been eliminated. These modifications to the site plan allow removal of the temporary jersey barriers which improves pedestrian access along the site frontage. This also creates an area for bicycle parking near the front door of the commercial space. With the proposed redevelopment, the curb cut will be better defined with required final review and approval by DPW. With regard to parking, the Petitioner has also proposed an off -site parking of up to 30 spaces on an adjacent lot (the Hotel). That parking lot was designed with a stair access into the rear yard of the site which allows pedestrian access. Another option for access would be to use the sidewalk from the adjacent lot. Page 5 of 11 36 Arlington & 570 Arsenal St ZBA-2018-28 & 29— SP/SR & SP November 7, 2018 Staff Report 4. Adequate and appropriate facilities will be provided for the proper operation of the proposed use. Conditionally Met: The proposal will meet all building, health, and safety requirements. The Arlington Street site has existing loading areas that can be designed to accommodate the proposed use for two tenant spaces on the first floor. An existing trash and recycling area was designated on the site plan in the rear of the site. A screened enclosure shall be designed and installed with regular maintenance, to be submitted for review and approval by DCDP. Exterior signage and lighting shall be in - keeping with the requirements of Section VII of the Zoning Ordinance with permitting as required. As noted, the auxiliary off -site parking area at the Hotel was designed and approved through a previous Special Permit and adequate facilities have been provided for that parking lot to be used for this site. Site Plan Review Criteria §9.03(c) The project is subject to the review procedures under §9.03 Site Plan Review of the WZO, in which the ten criteria listed in §9.03(c) must be evaluated. A formal Site Plan Review/Developers' Conference meeting was held on May 30, 2017. The following are the findings as identified through analysis of the updated project and the Committee review. 1. Landscape: The landscape shall be preserved in its natural state, insofar as practicable, by minimizing tree and soil removal, and any grade changes shall be in keeping with the general appearance of neighboring developed areas. Adequate landscaping shall also be provided, including screening of adjacent residential uses, provision of street trees, landscape islands in the parking lot and a landscape buffer along the street frontage. Conditionally Met: The site is currently mostly paved with some landscaping along the front facade and side facades. There is also some vegetation adjacent to the Sawin's Pond parcel to the north. As part of the updated site, landscape plantings should be added where feasible. Specifically, the existing landscape along the front of the building should be maintained with the newly proposed landscape islands. The site's existing landscaped areas should be regularly maintained. A final planting plan should be submitted to DCDP for review and approval, prior to Building Permit with planting to be completed prior to a certificate of occupancy for any first floor occupancy. 2. Relation of Buildings to Environment: Proposed development shall be integrated into the terrain and the use, scale and architecture of existing buildings in the vicinity and shall be in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan or other plans adopted by the Town guiding future development. The Planning Board may require a modification in massing so as to reduce the effect of shadows on abutting property in all districts or on public open space. Not Applicable: The building and site are not being modified in such a way as to trigger review under this criterion. 3. Open Space: All open space required by this Zoning Ordinance shall be so designed as to maximize its visibility for persons passing the site, encourage social interaction, maximize its Page 6 of 11 36 Arlington & 570 Arsenal St ZBA-2018-28 & 29— SP/SR & SP November 7, 2018 Staff Report utility, and facilitate its maintenance. Conditionally Met: Additional landscaping has been added in front of the main entrance and near the fire hydrant to create a permanent solution for protecting it. This new landscaping is within view of Arlington Street, and also decreases the existing non -conforming amount of open space. 4. Circulation: Special attention shall be given to traffic circulation, parking areas and access points to public streets and community facilities in order to maximize convenience and safety of vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian movement within the site and in relation to adjacent streets. Special consideration shall be given to infrastructure and design that will enhance public transit, such as bus shelters, on -site transportation demand management measures, and participation in a Transit Management Association. Conditionally Met: The following is a list of items that were discussed and have been integrated into the project to address on and off -site circulation concerns: • Identify a long-term solution for parking management and off -site parking (30 spaces are proposed as shared parking on an adjacent site with conditions as previously identified) • Re -design single, unrestricted "curb cut" along Arlington Street (Two new landscaped areas will reduce the amount of open curb, and better direct vehicles specific access points) • Protect the fire hydrant from being damaged by vehicles accessing the site, and parking along the building (The parking space behind hydrant has been removed and will be landscaped open space) • Better define the loading dock/area for loading (Two loading spaces are now shown on the plans) 5. Surface Water Drainage: Special attention shall be given to proper site surface drainage so that removal of surface waters will not adversely affect neighboring properties or the public storm drainage system. Proposed developments shall seek to retain storm water runoff on site to the maximum extent possible, incorporating best practices in storm water management and Low Impact Design techniques. In cases where storm water cannot be retained on site, storm water shall be removed from all roofs, canopies and paved areas and carried away in an underground drainage system. Conditionally Met: The site is not being altered in such a way to trigger further stormwater requirements as part of this review. Future site work may trigger stormwater permitting with any review and approval to be completed by DPW. It was noted that snow storage and removal should be addressed, when necessary, to ensure parking is not impacted and that snow is not pushed into the adjacent parcel. 6. Utility Service: Electric, telephone, cable TV and other such lines and equipment shall be underground. The proposed method of sanitary sewage disposal and solid waste disposal from all buildings shall be indicated. Not Applicable: The building and site are not being modified to trigger review under this Page 7 of 11 36 Arlington & 570 Arsenal St ZBA-2018-28 & 29— SP/SR & SP November 7, 2018 Staff Report criterion. 7. Environmental Sustainability: Proposed developments shall seek to diminish the heat island effect; employ passive solar techniques and design to maximize southern exposures, building materials, and shading; utilize energy -efficient technology and renewable energy resources; and minimize water use. All Mixed Use Developments in the NB, LB, CB, 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, and PSCD Districts must meet LEED Certifiable requirements as outlined by the United States Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (current edition as applicable) as a minimum. Design documentation shall be provided by the Petitioner to the Town to verify that the project could achieve the minimum number of LEED points to achieve certification. Such documentation may include but not be limited to a project narrative describing how the project design intends to achieve selected LEED credits, and a LEED checklist with criteria (or points) which shows the project will achieve a minimum of 40 points. All Mixed Use Developments in the RMUD must meet LEED Certifiable requirements as outlined by the United States Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (current edition as applicable) at the Silver level. Conditionally Met: Since this is an existing building as not being substantially renovated, the request does not need to comply with LEED certifiability. Based on the current zoning, a solar energy assessment shall be completed following the procedures as adopted. The Energy Assessment shall be completed with review and approval of by DCDP Staff. 8. Screening: Screening, such as screen plantings, shall be provided for exposed storage areas, exposed machinery installations, service areas, truck loading areas, utility buildings and structures, and similar accessory areas and structures in order to prevent their being incongruous with the existing or contemplated environment and the surrounding properties. Conditionally Met: Screening of new rooftop equipment including HVAC, as necessary, shall be installed, as determined by DCDP Staff. Further, trash and other ground level areas shall be appropriately screened. 9. Safety: With respect to personal safety, all open and enclosed spaces shall be designed to facilitate building evacuation and maximize accessibility by fire, police, and other emergency personnel and equipment. Met: All code requirements will be met at the time of building permits. 10. Design: Proposed developments shall seek to protect abutting properties from detrimental site characteristics resulting from the proposed use, including but not limited to air and water pollution, noise, odor, heat, flood, dust, vibration, lights or visually offensive structures or site features. Conditionally Met: The building and site are not being modified but exterior lighting shall comply with the Ordinance and be full -cut off and shielded. IV. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Page 8 of 11 36 Arlington & 570 Arsenal St ZBA-2018-28 & 29— SP/SR & SP November 7, 2018 Staff Report DCDP staff recommends that the request for a Special Permit with Site Plan Review at 36 Arlington Street under §5.01 for a mix of uses to include a fitness center and office, commercial/retail, and warehouse be approved with conditions as it satisfies the general criteria of the Watertown Zoning Ordinance and meets the criteria as set forth within §9.03 and §9.05. Further, staff recommends that the request for a Special Permit at 570 Arsenal Street under §6.01 for Shared/reduction in Parking and offsite shared parking be approved as it satisfies the general criteria of the Watertown Zoning Ordinance and meets the criteria as set forth within §9.05. # Condition Compliance Timeframe To be Verified by 1. Control Documents. This approval is based upon the application materials and Control Documents submitted, as modified by these conditions: 1. Sheet C-1, Legend, General Notes, and Site Details, 10/5/2018, VHB 2. Sheet C-2, Parking Restriping Plan, 10/5/2018, VHB 3. Sheet SV-1, Existing Conditions Plan, 6/8/2017, VHB 4. Sheet SD -1, Elevations, 6/21/2018, by Dacon Design Build 5. Sheet C-1, Shared Parking Plan, 10/5/2018, VHB 6. VHB Memorandums to Mathew Harrington, Parking Summary 10/29/2018, Parking Memo 10/5/2018, & Traffic Impact Assessment 10/5/2018. Perpetual ZEO/ISD 2. Plan Modifications. Neither the Petitioner nor any present or future owner of any interest in the project shall change or modify either the Control Plans referenced in this decision, or the project itself, without first filing a formal request with the DCDP Director, Zoning Enforcement Officer, and Building Inspector, for an opinion as to whether or not such change or modification requires further review from the Special Permit Granting Authority. Minor modifications may be considered and approved by the DCDP Director that are found to be consistent with the project approval. BP ZEO/ISD 3. Recordation. Upon application for a Building Permit, the Petitioner shall provide evidence to the Zoning Enforcement Officer that this entire decision has been filed with the Registry of Deeds, and/or Land Court. BP ZEO 4 Codes/Regulation Compliance. The Petitioner shall comply with all other applicable local, state, and federal requirements, ordinances, and statutes. CO ZEO/ISD 5. Certificate of Occupancy/Final Inspection. A copy of the Building Permit with final approval signatures from all relevant inspectors must be submitted to the Zoning Enforcement Officer upon completion of the project. CO ZEO 6. Permit Expiration. In accordance with WZO §9.13, a Special Permit granted under §9.04 shall lapse one year from the date of grant thereof if substantial use thereof has not sooner commenced except for good cause, or, in the case of a permit for construction, if the construction has not begun by such date except for good cause, or as allowed by applicable State or Federal law. Perpetual ZEO 7' Utilities. All utilities servicing the site shall be underground. Sewer and water connections will require final review and approval by DPW. BP/ Perpetual ZEO/DPW Page 9 of 11 36 Arlington & 570 Arsenal St ZBA-2018-28 & 29— SP/SR & SP November 7, 2018 Staff Report # Condition Compliance Timeframe To be Verified by 8. Landscaping, Site Plan and Screening: The Petitioner shall: A. Include an appropriate enclosure and screening for trash with review by DCDP Staff. B. Provide adequate screening, as necessary, for new HVAC and other rooftop systems visible from the public way with a determination by DCDP staff. C. A Landscape Plan shall be submitted for review and approval by DCDP staff for species appropriateness, mix, size, quantity, and spacing. Planting shall be completed prior to Certificate of Occupancy for any new tenant fit out. All landscaping shall be regularly maintained. D. All exterior lighting for the site shall be compliant with Section VII of the Zoning Ordinance. Signage shall be reviewed under a separate building permit. E. A snow storage and removal plan shall ensure parking is not unreasonably impacted and that snow is not pushed into the adjacent parcel. BP/ Perpetual ZEO/ DCDP 9. Refuse. A screened enclosure for trash/recycling installed to be submitted for review and approval by DCDP. The enclosure shall be regularly maintained, and trash and recycling shall be collected by a private waste management company. BP/ Perpetual ZEO/ DCDP 10. Shared Parking. A. 30 offsite spaces shall be required for the proposed mix of uses. B. Prior to any new tenant occupancy, an updated shared parking report be submitted to DCDP for review and approval by Staff showing that that the tenant mix is appropriate and in -keeping with the approval. C. Create and maintain a TDM Plan to be reviewed and approved by DCDP with annual reporting, prior to occupancy of the first floor tenant spaces. The plan shall include a section on the status of the shared parking (with annual reporting) with recommendations if it needs to be adjusted. CO/ Perpetual ZEO/DCDP 11. Solar Assessment. A solar energy assessment shall be completed following procedures as adopted in zoning. The assessment shall be completed with review and approval by DCDP Staff. BP/CO DCDP Page 10 of 11 aag3,2aa& �p The dais shown on Ibis ems em provided to r lefo rm a tmns l and planning purpose s only. The Town a nd da con sultan ts a re not reepana Ode fo r the misu se ar misrepres entation of the data r■ m if -4 1510 5A 0 1237 17 3 #49 #63 1237 16 4 #59 #B 12371300 1237 15 5 #9 055 YUKON AVE 1237 1 1237 11 0 #49 #7 #11 1 1237 2B C #76 92040 9`8 58000 0 050 151030 #71 9�oapo Sao 90 15091 0 #15 0" O Val 5 EctZi 8/551 a50 210 420 ft Printed on 08/22/2017 at 0228 PM Zoning - Copy =Cl uster Re sidendel-01 =Resid enti al- R.75 =Resid enti al - R1.2 =Industrial -11 =Industrial -12 =Industrial -13 GCB Cannot Business =Limited Business- LB = Neighb Frhaad Busi ness =Single Family -510 = single Famiy- 56 =Single Family C enser s!. =Two Family -T = Open Space/Conserve! =Pleasant St Corridor -3 =Pleasant St Corddar -2 =Pleasant St Corridor -1 =I Regional Mixed Use Buildings H A/ Par cels Tow n Boundary Wi MA Highw ays Interstat e US Highway • ",Numb er ed Route s Street s N 36 Arlington Street (RMUD 1-1) N co n I ti N oo N oo xv 20 0 C 11 1313 CI- DJ V r0 NJ Z .--+ 00