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Design Review Board approves renovation at 36801 Woodward Avenue with conditions on rooftop screening and materials
Summary
The board approved exterior renovations at 36801 Woodward Avenue, asking the applicant to provide rooftop‑unit screening drawings, glazing specifications, a complete paint palette and canopy dimensions that meet public‑right‑of‑way clearance requirements before permits proceed.
The Design Review Board approved the design‑review application for renovations at 36801 Woodward Avenue on April 2, conditioning approval on final details for rooftop‑unit screening, glazing, paint colors and canopy dimensions.
Nick (staff member) described the project as a modernizing refresh that will replace storefront systems, add limestone panels, extend a parapet and add metal cladding and sunshades. Staff said the property is in the TZ‑3 transitional zoning district; the district requires minimum building standards that the project generally meets but staff asked for confirmation of glazing calculations and a final material and color palette.
Board members asked for specific details on a proposed rooftop‑unit (RTU) screening and for the applicant to provide RTU elevations showing adequate screening. Staff noted that screening shown in plans sent the night before appeared sufficient but that board action should include an explicit condition requiring final screening details.
Laurie Hewitt Hiller, a principal at McIntosh Forest Architects and tenant representative, and Michael Porus (building tenant) said the building is expected to remain a one‑ or two‑tenant office building; they confirmed signs shown in renderings were placeholders and that signage would return as a separate application. The applicants said some landscaping is city‑maintained and that they would coordinate with city forestry/streets staff about street‑tree replacement and possible improvements to the nearby median.
A board member moved to adopt the planning department findings and approve the application with conditions that the applicant: submit architectural elevation drawings of the RTU with adequate screening; provide glazing specifications to confirm code compliance; submit a complete paint color palette including manufacturer and color codes for proposed stucco; and provide dimensions for the metal‑clad canopy to ensure a minimum 5‑foot sidewalk clearance within the public right of way (or two‑thirds of the right of way, whichever is less). The motion passed (second and roll call not recorded in the transcript). Staff and applicants agreed to work together to finalize materials and right‑of‑way details before permit submittal.
