Appearance Review Board approves design recommendation with conditions for Fourth Street Village project

The Town of Oakland Appearance Review Board reviewed design plans for the Fourth Street Village plan development amendment and voted to recommend approval with a condition that the applicant enhance texture and architectural detail on building faces that front State Road 50.

Brad Cornelius of Wade Trim presented the project, describing a reconfigured site plan that clusters a four-story multifamily building to the rear (approx. 190 units) and places commercial buildings along State Road 50. Cornelius said the multifamily building is roughly 50,000 square feet in floor plate (well above the 12,000-square-foot footprint referenced in the town’s general design code) and about 228 feet deep; several commercial buildings also exceed the code’s 150-foot width limit (he gave figures of about 204, 215 and 224 feet for those buildings). Cornelius told the board staff did not object to the larger dimensions because the components were integrated into an overall mixed-use plan approved in concept by the Town Commission in 2024.

The presentation included renderings of activated public spaces and an event venue intended to create an internal “Main Street” for the development. Cornelius said the project had earlier project approvals (PD and development agreement approved by the Town Commission in April 2024) but the developer had not previously submitted elevations and building designs for ARB review; this item provides those missing design materials.

Board members and the applicant discussed several design concerns and mitigations. Board members expressed worry that facades facing State Road 50 appeared flat in the submitted elevations and suggested the applicant add architectural texture, undulations, plantings or other features so the roadway view would not present blank walls. Applicants and architects noted practical constraints: tenant space planning, delivery access and security can limit glazing and openings on rear or service-facing elevations; they said the project includes a landscape buffer along State Road 50 (presentations cited a 12-foot landscape buffer plus right-of-way setback in places and potential additional landscaping) and that signage and other façade elements will be incorporated in later design steps.

Cornelius and the development team confirmed project scale details in the presentation: about 190 multifamily units in a four-story building, approximately 73,500 square feet of commercial/office space, and an internal circulation scheme intended to create an active pedestrian zone. Cornelius also outlined the review schedule: Planning & Zoning recommendation on Oct. 21, Town Commission consideration on Oct. 28, and final action on Nov. 10.

After discussion, a board member moved to approve the Fourth Street Village plan development amendment (design review) with the condition that the applicant enhance textures/detailing on building faces fronting State Road 50; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote.