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Cook Children's clinic wins council approval after debate over blue peaks and parking variance
Summary
Cook Children's requested variances for color and parking for a proposed 6,000 sq ft clinic in PD 118. The council approved the amendment 4–2 after public discussion about brand elements (three blue peaks) and the requested 44 parking spaces versus the PD max of 19.
Arden presented a PD 118 amendment for a 6,000-square-foot Cook Children's clinic on approximately 1.6 acres and said the applicant is requesting two variances: an increase in maximum parking (proposing 44 spaces where the PD would allow a maximum of 19) and a color variance to permit corporate blue peaks as an architectural element.
Michael Smith, representing Cook Children's, told the council the three peaks are a core part of the organization's wayfinding and branding and argued the clinic's schedule and exam-room staffing make the higher parking count necessary: "We do 2 parking spots per exam room...we have four doctors and then three staff with them," he explained. Several council members said the blue peaks and pitched elements stand out from the surrounding PD architecture and expressed concern about precedent; others said careful landscaping and elevation adjustments could reduce the visual impact. After motions and alternate options to require additional landscaping, the council approved the amendment and required the massing pattern of trees along the northern property line to be continued to the east and south, passing 4–2.
