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Planning commission approves Lotus Alchemy exterior changes for downtown apartment project
Summary
The Salt Lake City Planning Commission approved modifications to the Lotus Alchemy design review, allowing material and storefront changes the applicant said will reduce construction and long-term maintenance costs. The changes moved from the consent agenda to the regular agenda and won unanimous approval.
The Salt Lake City Planning Commission on Aug. 13 approved a design-review modification for Lotus Alchemy, a planned mixed-use apartment project at 48 West 700 South, after the applicant told commissioners the changes will lower construction and operating costs.
Planning Manager Chrissy Gilmore told the commission the requested edits mostly affect exterior materials and storefront configurations, and that staff recommended approval. "They are primarily modifying the balconies, changing them from glass panels to aluminum vertical pickets, replacing the metal facade panels with fiber cement panels, replacing the overhead doors on the big block walkway facade with ground level, unit windows, and then removing the storefront height by removing the top transom sections on a window," Gilmore said.
Andrea Palmer, who represented the Lotus Company, said financing for the project is near close and the team expects to begin construction after closing in November. "We are very close on closing on our financing for this project, projected to close in November, with construction slated to start just shortly thereafter," Palmer said.
Adam Hughes, also with the Lotus Company, described the firm as "design forward" and said the material swaps and removing certain operable overhead doors respond to maintenance challenges and rising construction costs. "We've been looking for some guidance in, not only ways to find some ways to save some costs for construction, but also save some cost in our operations of the project," Hughes said.
Commissioner Landon Krasick moved PLN PCM 202200442 from the consent agenda to the regular agenda; the motion passed on a roll-call vote. After hearing staff and the applicant, Krasick moved to approve the design-review modification application as recommended by staff; Commissioner Michael Vela seconded. The commission voted unanimously to approve the modification; commissioners recorded affirmative votes and the chair announced, "So that is approved."
The approval does not change interior layouts, Gilmore said; the reductions mainly affect exterior elements and storefront transoms while keeping required ground-floor glass percentages. Commissioners asked for clearer renderings of the revised storefront appearance before permits are finalized.
The project remains subject to building permits and any other city reviews required at permit intake. The commission also approved the meeting minutes from its July 23 meeting (motion passed with one abstention by Commissioner Landon Krasick).
Looking ahead, Gilmore noted other planning items coming to the commission this fall, including a zoning amendment in Sugar House and a state-mandated Wildland-Urban Interface fire code later in the calendar year.
