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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-10-28_cityofsanrafael_ec18da4d24e760567a25a95d36f1a77f~'-""U'-H" U'-L'-LH_'-and north -cen tra l Hall to the west, the south (see Covet OCT 2 2014 will a new 17,940 Academy campus, on II Athletic Field to attached Plans). The building will ",-,,_u,-",-lab cJassrooms (2 biology, 2 '-'''~UlJ'' and 2 physics), a small a centtallobby and circulation ",-,,«,-,-u prep rooms adjacent to the a nd a field level basement. rooms, or an additional classroom. access upper floots to the will include either fitness and ,-,""-'''~kF-. with those of will improve circulation and parking A new decJ{ will to new stairs to the ~~ ...... w.~ two floors over the an elevatot. It will be Hn.<>h,'rI Sustainahtllty and handicapped (ADA) access, as of all parking "J'lhuF'Pn the new science A 11 educational garden and provide space for vv.., .... v'v improvements of the employee I-""'>"<"'J'. se1vice toad to and additional as to the ci:tculat driveway and entrance to Foster Hall. Upgrades to stoml water treatment are also included in out Enrollment Cap Increase Academy is requesting a 1 increase in its enrollment cap, 400 to 450 A recent aOHlysis of classroom occupancy at can easily support an <t,",'"'L'V''''' SO students (approxu11ately indicates 3 per grade) current physical phtllt ~~k.>~'~H~·'~u generated by a higher sllccess, reflect well on EXHIBIT 6 Incteasing Marin Academy's permitted enrollment will provide many benefits to the school and the greater San Rafael corrunUJuty by: 1. Allowing more students to benefit fwm the school's highly regarded high school education. 2. Helping the school manage tuition costs, making a Marin _A.cademy education more affordable and supporting the school's ongoing conunitment to student fmancial assistance. 3. Strengthening our existing partnerships with San Rafael community groups, including Next Generation Scholars, Aim High, and organized )'outh athletic programs that utilize !ViA's athletic facilities at more affordable costs. 4. Increasing student and employee patronage at local West End businesses. Emollinent growth at school would take place in a planned and gradual manner, over a period of several ye:u:s. Marin Academy has a sb:ong track record of conununicating with neighbots and responding to neighborhood concerns when it must make changes to its campus to prepare for the future and meet its educational objectives for our youth. Matin Academy will continue its proactive engagement with neighbors and the greater San Rafael community. 2 Marin Academy Science and Innovation Center Design Review Narrative / Statement of Intent including Visual Simulations October 20) 2014 EXHIBIT 7 IT 11 \ The Science and Innovation Center will be located to the east of Foster Hall, north of Thacher Hall, and south of the old Gym, along a hillside {Idjocent to the athletic field . A newly created pedestrian spine will strengthen campus circulation and enhance safety by separating pedeslrian and vehicular traffic. 2 A new connection from the drop-off circle to the field will be created along the south side of the site. MARIN ACADEMY SCIENCE AND INNOVATION CENTER SIT~ -:SIGN The proposed site for the Science and Innovation Center at Marin Academy was specifically chosen to have the least impact on neighbors, to preserve views to and from the site, and to improve existing site circulation and pedestrian safely. Key Elements • The Science and Innovation Center will be located to the east of Foster Hall, north of Thacher Hall, and south of the old Gym, along a hillside adiacent to the athletic field. • A new connection from the drop-off circle to the field will be created along the south side of the sile. • A newly created pedestrian spine will strengthen campus circulation and enhance safety by separating pedestrian and vehicular traffic. e The proiee! will have no impact on the total number of parking spaces available on campus. Ex i st ing edwo o d Tre e The location of the proposed building respects the location of the existing large redwood Iree to the south . A deck under the redwood tree will be carefully constructed to protect the existing root structure. The design team has held meetings with several arborists to discuss the appropriate distance between any new construction and the tree trunk to ensure the protection and preservation of the existing redwood tree . Views The proposed location of the new Science and Innovation Center at Marin Academy allows the building to be tucked into the existing hillside, minimizing the overall mass of the building. Views are maintained across the site, including all views of Mt. Tamalpais and the hills to the south. Drainage n Sto rmwater Ra in arden s The proposed landscaping will use a combination of bio-retention areos and permeable pavement to treal and mitigate site stormwater runoff. The stormwater treatment area required by the Marin County Hydrology Manual Guidelines has been exceeded by 1600sf. (7 times more area than required) These measures will reduce the peak flow of stormwater leaving the site by 20%. The bio-retention areas also provide an on-site educational opportunity for science students. See the Hydrology Report for more information. A Storm Woter Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) will be submitted with plans for a building permit and will address erosion control measures during construction_ PLANNING NARRATIVE 3 4 Geotechnica l Issues Initial geotechnical studies found that the building site has bedrock a shallow distance below the proposed foundation, making this site on ideal building location. A complete geotechnical report is included in our formal application . U j i lly ervice All ulilities are available at the site. Utility connections will be installed underground. Com pus Aerial and Context Mop MARIN ACADEMY SC IENCE AND INNOVATION CEN TER , ., .' r' I ' ~J Pedestria Spine The proposed project creates a pedestrian spine that connects the south campus to the north, academics to athletics, This spine separates pedestrian traffic from vehicular traffic on campus, improving pedestrian safety. Access to the Soccer Fie d The Design Review Board expressed concern for the design of the new staircases proposed along the south and east building elevations with up to 20-step runs without a landing. Based on these comments, the site stairs have been redesigned to have a shallower rise and to accommodate generous landings . The stair along the south of the bUilding was reconfigured to bend towards the seating area at the field level and to provide a more generous width . The stair at the north of the Science and Innovation Center was moved east to avoid disturbing the root structure of the existing oak trees along that hillside and to ovoid the 20/ clearonce around the soccer field . (see sheet L7 .02) Pa rki ng The total number of parking spaces on campus will remain unchanged by the proposed project. Parking spaces will be added to the North Parking Lot and along the edge of the service road to replace those lost at the east side of Foster Hall. The North Parking Lot will be modified to meet all fire code and access requirements. See the fire Access Plan on sheet AO.l 1. The proposed design consolidates parking on campus, improving site circulation and pedestrian safety. for more information on parking throughout the MA campus, please see the Traffic and Parking Studies, included with our formal application . PLANNING NARRATIVE 5 6 Maintenence Athletic Center a.. ~ 1/1 c .2 Q. E u ..c u I N The siting of the bUilding was chosen in pari to optimize the exterior landscape areas, striking a balance between the needs of the building and the constraints of the site . MARIN ACADEMY SCIENCE AND INNOVATION CEN TE R NDSCAPE D ·SIGN The siting of the building was chosen in port to optimize the exterior landscape areas, striking a balance between the needs of the building and the constraints of the site. Science Court A new garden landscape wililransform a small parking lot east of Foster Hall into a vitalized, experiential learning space. Science learning will be allowed to spill out of the classrooms into this court, supporting outdoor, hands-on science education. An accessible path will weave through the science court along the east side of Foster Hall. Natural science exhibi.ts such as rain gardens for stormwater conveyance and treatment, and native habitat and plant communities will be integrated in the court. The court will also include multiple outdoor classroom and gathering areas, such as a terraced sealing area. Re wood Deck The new building is sited to preserve the redwood tree to the south of the proposed building. A redwood deck will connect Thacher Hall (the existing science building) to the new Science and Innovation Center. The raised deck will utilize drilled piers to protect the root structure of the large redwood tree between the two bUildings . The deck will become a unique outdoor space for the campus, and will prOVide a shaded perch for fans to watch athletic play on the field below. 56 new trees are being planted, including redwoods, oaks and other trees, to enhance the existing redwood and oak groves, and replace those trees that were removed for construction of the bUilding. PLANNING NARRATIVE 7 8 \ at r-effici ent Landscap e Desi gn The landscape planting will be drought-tolerant and wdter-efficient, with spec ies selected from the suggested list included in the City of San Rafael's design guidelines . l an dscape Buffe r Areas an d Trees The existing oak grove on the slope to the northeast of the building will be retained and will serve to soften and compliment the building's appearance . It will also screen the building from the view of neighboring properties to the north and east. Any trees removed during construction will be replaced on site . An arborist's report is included in the formal application . Oak trees will be planted along the East West ridge north of Foster Hall extending the existing Oak woodland. The proposed planting strategy enhances the existing oak woodland to the north and the redwood grove to the south . Maple trees are proposed for the science court complementing the riparian rain garden design. Deciduous shade trees are proposed for the North Parking Area . Wildla nd-Urba n Interfa ce Area This site is located in a Wildland-Urban interface area . Plant materials will be chosen to be compatible with the City of Son Rafael Wildland-Urban Interface Vegetation Management plan . (See sheet II .00) Ve g eta t io n Managem e nt Pl an Parking lot landscaping wi ll be designed to control heat build-up from paving and reduce air pollution . Additional trees will be planted in the North Parking Lot to soften the appearance of the parking lot and provide shade . All code requirements regarding the number of trees per parking space have been satisfied . (See sheet L5.01) MARI N ACADEMY SCI ENCE A N D IN N OVATION CEN TE R oca ting Colu no r Trees A l ong the 'Eas an d W es t Facades At the Conceptual Design Review presentation, we received feedback that the proposed 40 foot vine scrim was potnetially infeasible, and that columnar trees could or should be incorporated to serve the green wall function at the east elevation (neighboring view from across the field),. After careful review of the space between the building and the field, we have concluded that incorporating trees along this elevation will necessitate moving the building west. This causes significant impacts to site circulation in the science court. We therefore propose to include vine scrims to a reasonable height of 13'. (See A3.0 1). Along with the adiacent oak grove to the north, this will create a horizontal band of vegetation along the entire east fo<;ade of the building. These landscape elements will help to minimize the perceived height of the building from the east and will screen the building from view to neighboring properties to the nOrlheas.t . The vine scrims proposed on the west and east facades blend the bUilding with the adjacent landscape and create a living sunscreen . These scrims will be located in raised planters to prolect the bose of the vines from damage and breakage from students and athletic balls . Trumpet vine (Oisticus buccanatorial, an evergreen vine with trumpet shaped orange flowers, will be planted at vertical vine cables on both the west and east facades . These vines should easily extend to the 13' and 18' vine screen heights on the east and west elevations . PLANNING NARRATIVE Vine Cable Support Trumpet Vine 9 10 The Science and Innovalion Center will open onto a science court Ihat allows science learning to spill into the outdoors. This court will provide a n accessible path to upper campus that weaves through a science garden and o terraced outdoor classroom areo. The new bUilding is sited to avoi d impacting the eX i sting redwood tree to the south of the sile . MARIN ACAD EM Y SCIENCE AND INNOVATION CENTER ARCH ITE -TURF • The design of the building is contextual to the existing campus in both scale and use of materials. • The Science and Innovation Center will be a 21 st Century learning environment that makes the sciences a visible, vibrant, and integral part of the Marin Academy campus. The building includes six lab classrooms and an independent study lob to support Marin Academy's innovative science program . These lab classrooms will provide space for integrated, long-term student projects to support hands-on learning and to inspire the next generation of young scientists, while preparing them for the opportunities and challenges of the 21 st Century. • A two-story "hub" space will provide key circulation space and will house an art! science gallery, small breakout spaces outside the classroom, and small meeting nooks to serve the entire Marin Academy campus . Portions of the hub will have the ability to open to the adiacent science garden when weather permits. ~"'lceJn( Iii I p :: Because the proposed building is built into the hillside, a daylit basement is located on the field level. While the exact function of this space has not been determined at this time, several ideas have been discussed. The space's adiacency to the field makes it a prime candidate for a fitness room and a physico! therapy space. Restrooms to serve the adjacent field during games have also been discussed. In the current design and budget, this space is designated as a shell space. See sheet A2.00A for the alternatives that have been discussed as future build outs of this space. l :; ,tYI -I.-r r I. The Science and Innovation Center will be a highly sustainable building, and will serve as an obiect lesson for students . ...J ~ ~ h. The proposed building height is below the maximum height allowed above the average grade plane by the zoning requirements of the City of San Rafael. (Please see sheet 1/ A3.01) -PI i . .I i I -, I, I c, All site and exterior bUilding lighting will be designed to meet minimum safety requirements while avoiding glare 10 adjacent properties. light levels will be designed sensitively, and fixtures will be chosen to comply wilh night sky requirements and to avoid light pollution to neighboring properties, while meeting appropriate safety requirements. (See AO.1 0 and the Site Lighting Photometries Studies) PLANNING NARRATIVE 11 12 5 E w -) The lab classrooms were designed to maximize the potential for doylighting, to allow teachers to turn off electric lights, and to minimize energy use. A clerestory window element to the west washes light across the ceiling of the discussion space. Mecho shades on the east windows will block the low angle of the sunlight in early mornings. Diffuse skylights on the roof provide a source of dayl ight in the middle of the classroom to provide a balanced level of daylight and to provide a secondary source of daylight when the east shades are drawn . Site signage w i ll be designed to be consistent w i th Chapter 14.19 of the San Rafael Municipal Code . 1"' ,_,I L . I The mechanical equipment on the roof will be screened from view by the roof form and a screen wall to the west. I I I I, -, : 11 I The bUilding will be des igned to comply with 0" requirements of the Wildland Urban Interface regulations regarding use of sprinklers and malerials . MARIN ACADEM Y SC IENCE AND INNOVAT ION CENTER Th e bUilding was designed to be contextual in height, material, character, and scale to surrounding buildings, including Foster Hall directly to the west. Respected preservationists Page & Turnbull found that the proposed project has no impact on foster Hall's historic significance. See the Historic Resource Evaluation report. , 1-; __ I The building will be primarily stucco in order to be contextual with other buildings and structures on campus. Colors will be earth tone and will be selected to blend with the existing context. ISee the Materials and Colors board.) PLANNING NARRATIVE 13 VIS AL SIM ULArI( S The proposed location for the Mar in Academy Science and Innovation Center was selected due to it's central location on campus and to hove the least visual impact on the surrounding neighborhood. ® The Science and Innovation Center will not be visible from the up per portion of Bryn Mar Drive MARIN ACADEMY SCIENCE AND INNOVATION CENTER <D The Science and Innovation Cenler will nol be visible from the upper portion of Bryn Mar Drive ® The Science an d Innovation Center will not be visible from the upper portion of Bryn Mar Drive PLANNING NARRATIVE 15 ® The view of the Science and Innovation Center from the lower port of Bryn Mar Drive is lorgely obscured by' trees 16 MAR IN ACADEMY SC IENCE AND INNOVATION CENTER ® View of the Science and Innovation Center from the fence of the lower port of Bryn Mor Drive PLANNING NARRATIVE 17 ~ '--. @ The view of the Science and Innovation Center from the corner of Bryn Mar Drive and Mission Avenue is largely obscured by trees 18 MARIN ACADEMY SCI ENCE AND INNOVAT ION CEN TE R ® View of the Science and Innovation C enter from the gate to Ihe soccer field olong Mission Avenue PLANNING NARRATIVE 19 ® View o f the Science and Innovation Center from the drop-off loop ore blocked by large Redwood Trees © View of the Science and Innovation Center from the drop-off loop are blocke d by large Redwood Trees 20 MARIN ACADEMY SC!ENCE AND INNOVATION CENTER A dense row of trees blocks Ihe site from view along Mission Sireet to the sout h PLANNING NARRATIVE 21