Submitted by: Jim Chandler
Submitting Department: Community & Economic Development
Agenda Section: Action
Item Title:
title
Riverfront at West Hyattsville Multifamily Buildings - Detailed Site Plan 20053
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Suggested Action:
recommendation
I move that the City Council authorize the Mayor to provide correspondence to the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission in support of DSP-20053, Riverfront at West Hyattsville. The correspondence and oral testimony to the Planning Board shall convey the following:
1. The City supports modification to Ground Floor Retail standard to the proposed square footage of retail in the southernmost portion of the building and along the pedestrian trail on the southeast side of the building. The curvature of the site near Little Branch Run presents unique challenges to meeting Maximum Block Length, Block Size, and Rear Yard Line standards.
2. The City supports modifications on these requirements to the degree outlined in applicants Statement of Justification (SOJ) given site constraints.
3. The City supports modification of “Irrigation” standard given the District Council approved an amendment to remove the requirement for an automatic irrigation system provided that native and drought tolerant plant species be used. Staff recommends no additional action on traffic at this time but will continue to monitor and study as more development occurs in this area. Traffic Impact Analysis conducted by Lenhart Traffic Consulting, on behalf of the applicant, demonstrates signalized and unsignalized intersections surrounding the study area are operating to Prince George’s County standards.
4. The City recommends that an off-street parking structure or public facilities be shared to reduce pressure on street parking. Following guidance provided in the Prince George’s Plaza Transit District Development Plan (TDDP) Policy TM18, adopted in 2016, staff finds six (6) spaces for non-residential use inadequate and recommends at least 25% of those spaces be available for hourly and/or daily rental by the public. The City recommends the applicant unbundle or separate the cost of off-street parking from the costs of housing or commercial space. This may be achieved by the applicant by use of flex spaces that may be available for retail or residential use, based on market demand.
5. The City supports the inclusion of Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations within a structured parking garage with capacity for conversion of additional charging stations should demand increase. Locations of EV charging stations shall be detailed in the applicant’s exhibit(s).
6. The City supports modification of the location of Mechanical Equipment standards to adhere to PEPCO standards. Staff supports efforts to improve aesthetics and screen transformers to ensure that they are not prominently visible from the streetscape.
7. The City supports modification to Signage standards to allow internally illuminated signage for some blade and retail signs to improve visibility and wayfinding from the Metro.
8. The City supports implementing graphic heavy wayfinding signage in both English and Spanish.
9. The City supports implementation of LED lighting in both the parking structure and public streetlights. The City agrees that lighting technology has changed significantly since the adoption of the TDDP in 2006 and supports implementation of energy efficient lighting and furthermore supports modification of specific minimum and maximum foot candle levels for certain locations so long as the overall lighting pattern throughout the length of the promenade exists to ensure the safety of pedestrians and cyclists.
10. The City concurs with the Planning Committee in its encouragement of the applicant to pursue opportunities for financing through programs, such as Amazon’s Housing Equity Fund, to support the City’s Affordable Housing Strategy.
11. The City supports the applicant’s request for modifications to off street parking standards to provide space size of 8.5’ x 18.5’ for reasons outlined in Exhibit D in the applicant’s Statement of Justification (SOJ).
12. The City recommends a significant increase in bike storage proposed by the applicant, given the property’s proximity toe Metro and the Anacostia Tributary Trail System. Staff recommends the applicant achieve a 2 (RDU) - 1 (dedicated bicycle parking space) ratio, which may include a combination of vertical bike storage included in an indoor bike room and secured outdoor bicycle storage.
13. The City recommends the applicant consider additional covered bike storage outside building with private Frequency Operated Button (FOB) entry, integration of double-deck bike racks to increase capacity, and a basic bike repair stand like the College Park Metro Bike Facility shown in Exhibit C. Additionally, staff recommends wayfinding and an assistive door device at the street-level pedestrian entrance to the garage to ensure safety and ease of access for cyclists utilizing bike parking within the structured parking garage.
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Summary Background:
The applicant, Gilbane Development Company, is proposing the construction of a mixed-use development containing 291 multifamily dwelling units and 3,213 square feet of retail. The proposed development will be a part of the Riverfront at West Hyattsville project, located on Ager Road in Hyattsville, Maryland. The West Hyattsville Metro station is to the southeast of the subject property with Little Branch Run to the northwest of the property.
The subject property is zoned M-X-T (Mixed Use-Transportation Oriented) and is located within the boundaries of the 2006 Approved Transit District Development Plan for the West Hyattsville Transit District Overlay Zone. The development will be located on a portion of a tract of land containing approximately 2.4 acres.
Next Steps:
No additional action.
Fiscal Impact:
N/A
City Administrator Comments:
Recommend approval.
Community Engagement:
The M-NCPPC Planning Board Hearing for this detailed site plan application is scheduled for Thursday, December 16, 2021.
Strategic Goals:
Goal 2 - Ensure the Long-Term Economic Viability of the City
Legal Review Required?
N/A