HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Presentation - Cleveland Flex 08-19-2025Cleveland Flex Building
DR25-000005
DR Commission: August 19, 2025
Planner: Garline Davis, Planner I
Thank you, Commissioners. Garline Davis. 205 S. 6th Avenue.
Before you today is a Design Review application for The Cleveland Flex Building. DR25-000005
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Subject Site Location
The project is a portion of a parcel located approximately 0.4 miles southeast of the East Ustick Rd and Cleveland Blvd intersection. Situated along Cleveland Boulevard, a key corridor
within the city, the site is subject to design review requirements. The site will take access from Cleveland Blvd.
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Subject Site - Zone
The subject parcel and is split zoned C-3 (General Commercial) and M-1 (General Industrial). There are M1, R3, and AD parcels to the North, M1 AND C3 parcels to the East and West, C3
and R2 to the south.
The proposed Flex Space use is a permitted use in both the C-3 and M-1 zoning districts.
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City of Caldwell Code 10-11-05-2.1: KEY CORRIDORS
Purpose – Caldwell’s key corridors are high-profile routes that guide movement and create a strong sense of place through distinctive streetscape design.
Design Guidelines, where applicable:
Commercial and mixed use along street frontages;
Concealed surface parking;
Transitional density to residential areas;
Transit stops;
Protected bike lanes;
Consistent streetscapes with distinct landscaping;
Attractive signage and similar placemaking elements;
Streets with public space for all users, with an emphasis on safe street crossings and intersections,
Uses with appropriate densities and uses that enhance street activation, particularly near area hubs and planned or existing transit services; and
Consistent architecture motifs and building locations that form a sense of place and uniform urban edge.
Caldwell’s key corridors are high-profile routes that guide movement and create a strong sense of place through distinctive streetscape design.
Of the design guidelines stated in the city code for key corridors, staff finds that 3 are applicable to this project:
Concealed Surface Parking
Consistent streetscapes with distinct landscaping
Consistent architecture motifs and building locations that form a sense of place and uniform urban edge.
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Applicant Request
The applicant is requesting a design review for a new 38,400-square-foot flex building, intended to accommodate up to 16 tenants, located on an approximately 18.72-acre parcel with a
split zoning designation of M1 (General Industrial) and C-3 (General Commercial).
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Applicant Request
The site is proposed with a new parking lot with 28 spaces, parking lot landscaping and building perimeter landscaping, as mandated by city code.
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Staff Analysis – Exterior Elevations
The proposed building features a carbon-colored split-face CMU veneer at the base, with Charcoal Gray vertical metal siding above. Aged Zinc standing seam metal roofing with matching
aluminum gutters and downspouts. Key accents include a Tricorn Black metal canopy, Tricorn Black-framed windows and doors, and Safety Yellow bollards for visibility and protection.
Fenestration for the building consists of translucent Kalwall panels and Snowbound overhead doors.
The City Code does not have specific design standards for façades along key corridors; therefore, the elevations are generally consistent with the code as proposed . However, staff recommends
that the Commission include a condition of approval requiring the applicant to introduce an additional exterior material and color to the Cleveland Boulevard-facing façade.
The goal is to reduce the dominance of metal in the design and enhance the architectural character of the structure.
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Staff Analysis - Landscaping
After reviewing the project’s landscape plan, staff finds that:
The street landscape buffer along Cleveland Blvd and parking lot landscaping are compliant with code requirements.
Part of the surface parking is not concealed as required in the design guidelines. However, the building is set back from Cleveland Blvd. and positioned behind an existing structure.
Staff finds that this configuration helps mitigate the visual impact of the exposed parking area.
Additionally, the landscaping plan does not include parking lot perimeter landscaping.
A perimeter landscape buffer is required along the boundary of each individual project, per city. It plays an important role in enhancing the visual quality and aesthetic appeal of the
project. Staff would advise against delaying it until the completion of future phases
Therefore, staff recommends that the Commission include a condition of approval: The applicant must revise the Landscaping Plan to incorporate the required perimeter landscaping around
the parking area, except in areas where landscaping is limited by easement, around the Notus canal.
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Staff Summary
Are the Applicable Design Guidelines met?
Concealed surface parking;
Consistent streetscapes with distinct landscaping;
Consistent architecture motifs and building locations that form a sense of place and uniform urban edge.
Staff concludes that the project complies with the applicable design guidelines, provided that the condition recommended by staff regarding parking lot perimeter landscaping is included
in the approval document.
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