Title
HPC11-24, Old Mill Park Restrooms, 95 Mill View Ave, Land Lot 643
Body
Item Summary:
Applicant is requesting approval to construct restroom facility in the blacksmith shop.
Staff Report:
Background
Old Mill Park is home to several of the most earliest and significant structures and artifacts in the City. The Park houses the Roswell Manufacturing Company ruins, access to Big Creek Falls and the Machine Shop, constructed circa 1854, the only remaining building of the original 1839 Roswell Manufacturing Company. The 1882 Southern Mills building and Mill Village are north of the park site and the Chattahoochee National River National Recreation Area is located to the south, across Big Creek.
Old Mill Park has become a popular destination as a result of the construction of the covered bridge (2003), linking the park to the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, and the construction of boardwalks and trails that allow visitors to view the mill ruin (2009). Visitor traffic to the park necessitates a restroom facility to be constructed for public use. In his project summary, the applicant has included the criteria used to determine the best location for the proposed facility.
The proposed restroom will be located west of the 1854 Machine Shop building on the footprint of a "storage" building identified on the 1885, 1890, and 1924 Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps for the mill area. The building identified on these maps is a one story brick building with a brick or metal cornice, with window openings on the east, west, and north façades.
Proposal
The proposal is for the construction of a structure, 12'-4" x 32'-4", within the footprint of the "storage" building identified on the Sanborn map. The floor elevation of the proposed building will be 904.70' compared to the main floor level of the Machine Shop at 902.41'. The building will be constructed of brick and architectural details will compliment that of the Machine Shop. No photographs or elevation drawings of the "storage" structure exist today so the applicant has utilized Sanborn Maps and details from the Machine Shop in his design. The architect also met with Michael Hitt, local historian, to discuss possible features of the previous building. According to Mr. Hitt's research, the "storage" building served as one of the black smith shops for the mill.
In addition to the restroom facility, new pavers are proposed to surround the restroom and to provide a sidewalk connection to the existing stone pavers at the bridge. New landscaping is proposed to the east and west of the restroom. Three River Birches will be relocated as a result of the project. A stacked stone retaining wall will be added to the north of the restroom and a fence will be installed south of the restroom.
Zoning
The property is zoned H-R/C-3 (Historic Roswell/Highway Commercial).
North: H-R/R-4 (Historic Roswell/Multi-Family Residential)
South: H-R/R-1 (Historic Roswell/Single Family Residential)
East : H-R/C-3 (Historic Roswell/Highway Commercial)
West: H-R/C-3 (Historic Roswell/Highway Commercial)
Department Comments
Landscape Architect:
· Provide tree save fencing (orange mesh) at limits of disturbance.
Fire:
· There are no comments at this time.
Transportation:
· There are no comments at this time.
Building
· There are no comments at this time.
Public Works
· Pending - comments will be forwarded to applicant as soon as possible.
Engineering
· Remove disturbed area from 25' state buffer (near sewer manhole tie−in).
· Remove 12" CPP storm systems from state buffer and design/build level spreaders (outside of state buffer) to dissapate discharge into sheet flow through the buffer. Restore areas in 25' state buffer to buffer standards per City Engineer. Provide Stone Outlet Protection at outfalls on the parcel as
needed to prevent erosion. These systems were not shown on the 2001 survey and should be removed unless a buffer variance was acquired from the state previously.
· The current system of releasing hard surface run off directly into Vickery Creek has a negative impact on the water quality and some form of abatement should be considered such as rerouting discharge to creek via bio-retention areas.
· Any impervious areas created or replaced on this parcel since 2001 per the survey provided dated 2−−should be added to the proposed impervious areas. If total is above 5,000 square feet, storm water issues should be addressed with E/PW. Provide quantity for proposed impervious area and replaced impervious
Design Guidelines
Mechanical Systems
Mechanical systems and satellite dishes should not be visible from the public view. (Roswell Historic District Design Guidelines - Mill Village and South Atlanta Street, pg. 55)
No new HVAC units are proposed for the building but a new transformer is proposed at the northwest corner of the building.
Setback/Height and Width/Spacing and Orientation
The setback of new construction should match that of surrounding, existing buildings.
New construction should be compatible in height and width with adjacent structures.
The pattern of spacing and orientation of new construction should follow the traditional pattern. (Roswell Historic District Design Guidelines - Mill Village and South Atlanta Street, pgs.62-63)
Design consideration for the proposed structure has been based on the precedent of the "storage" building on the Sanborn map. The structure will be located within the footprint of the previous building but will be smaller than the "storage" building. The applicant indicates that the proposed building footprint and location will also suit functional requirements that the building be located in a central area and provide ADA access.
Materials
New buildings should use exterior materials common to buildings in the district. (Roswell Historic District Design Guidelines - Mill Village and South Atlanta Street, pgs.62-63)
Brick, to match the Machine Shop, is proposed for the restroom building. Brick is also historically appropriate as it is identified as the building material of the previous structure on the Sanborn Maps. The proposed roof material is wood shingles and was selected based on roofing material likely used on a utility building of the period. The roof pitch of the new structure is based on the existing Machine Shop which is approximately 4:12.
Architectural Detail
Architectural ornament should be maintained and preserved.
The applicant has given considerable attention to architectural detail on the proposed building. Faux window openings are proposed with jack arches above each opening and door. Faux windows are proposed due to use of the building as a restroom and for security purposes. Insulated metal doors are proposed which possess a single vertical panel in keeping with the industrial nature of the building.
The brick fascia of the structure is designed similar to that of the Machine shop. This is supported by the Sanborn Map which indicates that the previous "storage" building possessed a "brick or metal cornice".
Archeology
Determine archeological significance before beginning work at site.
Several archeological reports have been prepared for this area in the past. The project location is within close proximity to a known archeological site therefore a professional archeologist should be involved to monitoring the site.
Staff Recommendation
The staff recommends approval with the following conditions:
1. A professional archeologist, with industrial site experience, shall be retained to monitor all land disturbing activities related to this project. A report on findings shall be prepared and submitted to the City of Roswell.
2. Final elevations shall be submitted to the architectural subcommittee for approval prior to the issuance of the building permit.
3. The proposed transformer at the northwest corner of the building should be screened
The staff also recommends consideration of the following in analysis of this proposal:
1. Staff would encourage the exploration of using shutters to articulate some or all windows rather than bricked-in faux windows.
2. Contained within the section of Design Guidelines related to "Residential" buildings, is the guideline that "walkways and drives should be of gravel, brick or concrete". Staff would assert that early pathways around the mill property were probably dirt or possibly gravel therefore stone pavers, as depicted on the plans, are inappropriate. The use of hardscape materials should be minimal and provide a path for ADA access only.
3. An interpretive panel or plaque which identifies the significance of the building would be beneficial. Such sign would identify the building as new but could explain the connection to the mill complex.
Materials
Application
Project Summary
Rendering
Sanborn Maps
Site Photos
Civil Plans
Elevations
.
Presented by:
Cherith Marshall, Planner II