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- 108 Solar panels
- 3 Residential Condominiums with 1 car garage 7300 sf total
- 8200 sf of Retail & Office space, possible cafe
- Art Gallery throughout the building, all hallways, staircases
- Smart Home Technology & Security throughout
- Designed for a .18 acre lot
I started by putting .08 acres in contract for $49,000 contingent on getting approvals for a 15,000 building. I got the approval and closed on land worth $400,000 for only $49,000, we finished the architectural plan bought a little more land and got 15,500 approved on .18 acres. The as-built appraisal was $3,600,000 with a total construction and land cost of $2,400,000. The southern roof line below holds 108 solar panels that generate solar electric and hot water. Building this on a hillside allows for a walk-out basement, and more residential living space.
Interior
GENERAL: This project contemplates the replacement of an old button factory that was previously located on the site with a new 15,500 square feet (including basement) mixed residential/commercial use building that will be compliant with the stated purposes of the Village Center District. The architecture will be compatible with the neighboring historical buildings. It is anticipated that the basement level will be used for storage and utilities, the lower, ground and main levels will be reserved for general retail or office uses, and the highest level dedicated for residential apartments.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY: The structure will be unique in that it will utilize all modern energy conservation techniques such as geothermal heat pumps and solar photovoltaic panels to produce an energy-independent building. No gas or oil fuel will be required. It will be a model for other similar construction in the Town of New Milford and the surrounding area.
SITE CONDITIONS: The site is comprised of 3,270 square feet of relatively flat topography. A five (5) feet passageway is envisioned for the south side of the building adjacent to an existing brick structure. The front of the building will abut the existing improved sidewalk configuration recently put in place by the Town of New Milford and will contain a landscaped planter. The north side of the building will abut an existing municipal parking lot. The rear of the building will abut a small strip of vacant land next to the parking area for the Post Office on Main Street. The grade differential is approximately eight feet (8’) in height (front to rear lot line) with a five (5) feet retaining wall located approximately one hundred ten (110) feet from the front lot line. The slope from front lot line to this retaining wall is approximately three (3) feet, front to back. There are no wetlands on the site.
ARCHITECTURE: The building will contain three and a half stories above a basement level. The front façade will be brick with period-styled storefront windows on the ground level, colonial casements on the upper stories, and the top floor containing a dormer/balcony. Side and rear siding will be textured “Hardiplank” chosen for its excellent appearance, fire retardant features and insulation value. The appearance will be directly compatible with and will complement other buildings on the street. A box planter will be provided at the front of the building to provide an attractive landscaped street-side appearance.
DRAINAGE & UTILITIES: The town stormwater sewer immediately adjacent to the front of the building will accommodate roof drainage. Likewise, city water and sewer service are available at the site. No unique or unusual services will be required and it is believed that this project will be an attractive addition to the Village Center as well as being a model of energy-efficient construction.
FIRE PROTECTION: The building will be provided with a sprinkler system serviced by the municipal water system. Street-side fire hydrants are located within _____ feet of the front entrance. The building is accessible on three (3) sides, i.e., Railroad Avenue, the municipal parking lot to the north of the site, and, in the rear, by the parking area of the Post Office on Main Street. Access is also available from the passageway on the south side of the building. The building will be provided with a fire alarm system with direct reporting to the Fire Department. Knox boxes will be provided as recommended by the Fire Department.
LIGHTING: The front façade will be provided with four (4) period-type lighting fixtures to complement the building architecture. These fixtures will be of relatively low intensity sufficient to aid pedestrian traffic along the sidewalk. The south passageway will be equipped with down shielded fixture sufficient to provide security lighting within the passageway. Period type lighting fixtures is contemplated on the north side of the building by the entrances and the rear will be equipped with down shield fixtures over the rear entryway. Engineering cuts of the proposed fixtures and associated photometric data are provided within the application package.
EROSION AND SEDIMENTATION CONTROLS: Prior to any excavation or site work. erosion and sedimentation controls in the form of properly installed silt fencing and hay bales will be provided to prevent any siltation from departing the site. Because of the relatively small size of the site, no detention or retention ponds will be required.
SUMMARY: It is envisioned that the building will be attractive enough for proprietors to work and live in the same building. The views from the upper floors are magnificent. We believe the project will be in keeping with the purposes and requirements of the Village Center District and will complement other business uses in the area.