Committee recommends exterior materials for 201 Westview commercial building; fire access, hydrant and sprinklering discussed

The Waterloo Planning Committee recommended that the city council consider the exterior building materials request for a proposed commercial building at 201 Westview (the former Aunees building). Staff described a two-phase, L-shaped building with phase 1 facing Mill Street and a later phase wrapping Church and Hill streets.

Staff member said the applicants propose brick on the Mill and Church Street facades and lap siding at the rear, noting they would not wrap brick around a portion planned for demolition until phase 2 is built. "The part on Mill Street will be phase 1, and the sides on Hill Street and Church Street will be brick," staff said during the presentation.

Committee members raised questions about fire access and the location of a fire hydrant. Chair noted the hydrant is currently on private property without an easement; the committee discussed moving the hydrant to the city sidewalk and ensuring sidewalk width accommodates a four-foot pedestrian path. Because the building will be mixed-use, staff said sprinklers will be required, and a committee member advised that the fire department should review access to rear courtyard areas before final approval.

Chair moved to recommend the exterior materials request to council; staff later explicitly recorded a second in the transcript. The committee approved the recommendation by voice vote (attendees said "aye"); the transcript does not include a roll-call tally. The recommendation will be forwarded to the city council for final action.