﻿P16-06: Powerhouse Alley Loft Project

P16-06: Powerhouse Alley Loft Project

1/14/2017

A request to subdivide a vacant parcel (R-3A zone) within the Capitol Avenue Historic District into five parcels and develop each with a studio dwelling unit on the first level and a two-story single-family dwelling on the 2nd and 3rd levels. The entitlements requested are a tentative map, Preservation review for two three-story attached building types comprising three parcels and two parcels, respectively.

Comment deadline February 3, 2017.

Questions and comments can be directed to:
Matthew Sites, Associate AIA, LEED AP
Urban Design/Planning Staff
Community Development Department
300 Richards Boulevard, 3rd Floor
Sacramento, CA 95811
916.808.7646
msites@cityofsacramento.org

2 Comments

Matthew Piner

1/14/2017 04:18:45 pm

This is Hausman's now familiar 3 story 20 foot zero lot line solution - here on what is now a now vacant parking lot off the "P-Q" alley between 18th and 19th. It's a brilliant notion of land use (Zero Lot line) that increases density with it's footprint and minimal setback "waste". Doesn't matter where it goes, though - this is an imposing mass that will always be controversial. In different areas (to my knowledge) this has already been built (China Alley), approved (at Tomato Alley) and approved in Boulevard Park after considerable community uproar and redesign. 2218 Capitol is a bit different as a 40 x 160 lot split, and under Appeal in Capitol Mansions Historic District. That is going to Planning and Design Commission on Jan. 26th. As for the "style" - in my opinion the design is appropriate climate wise with window shading awning elements, the movable shading "roman shades" and ample outdoor living space, and the rooftop made into usable space as well is a nice feature. I personally like the contemporary style here as a stand alone issue. What comes with this height however are privacy and solar rights issues. Since this is to the north of existing homes -it will lessen the solar/shading effects but I won't be surprised if those directly adjacent won't be upset with the loss of privacy. Clearly this scheme continues to be popular with developers as it is lucrative with For sale units. These are the same developers who did the F Street project in Boulevard park. There is also a large 45" diameter (trunk) heritage oak that is being removed, considered "over mature" at 250 years old, even though it is not actually diseased. That in itself is a whole other conversation - what do we do about these great oaks that have been here since the birth of our Nation? Maybe at least require the timber to be salvaged? That tree has seen a LOT...
Other comments anyone? This is an important conversation to have about creating more density and housing using this 3 story zero lot line alley infill scheme - does it work here? Are the privacy and massing issues a worthy tradeoff?

David Mooney

2/3/2017 10:12:25 pm

I like the idea of infill, but the size and character of this structure appear more appropriate to areas where an entire block can be developed with a similar approach. I would like to see a development more similar to what occurred at 20th and S Streets where the developer harmonized with the existing character of the block. I live in front of where this building is proposed. At this location the balconies will only look into the bedrooms of the houses on Q street in front of the structures with a significant loss of privacy for the existing residents and no real view for whoever buys or rents these units. At the same time, the monolithic modern style will tower over the single story 19th century homes and our back yards. This developer should render the existing homes for comparison and to understand how the proposed development fits into the Capitol Avenue Historic District.

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.

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