1st Comments Response
100 Grandville, Suite 030, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 616.458.5554 henricksonap.com
8/19/2020
Re: GEM Prep School CZC Application 1st Comments Response
1. UDC 11-3A-11 limits light spill to .1 foot-candles when abutting residential. The foot candle limit is exceeded
along the northeast, east, and south property line.
a. Also, please provide “cut sheets” or details indicating the style of light fixtures and reflecting that they
are fully downcast and shielded.
We have attached an updated lighting plan with these changes along with the requested cut-sheets for
the light poles.
2. The fencing around the playfield is shown as vinyl-coated chain link on the site plan whereas the landscape plan
indicates it is opaque vinyl.
This has been revise to vinyl coated chain link per the attached updated plan.
3. The tree removal and preservation plan on Page 1 of the landscape plan indicates 506 caliper inches being
removed, with Page Two reflecting 146 inches needing mitigation and 76” provided. Staff has forwarded this to
the City Arborist and is awaiting whether this mitigation is acceptable or if additional trees or widths are
necessary.
Brian has coordinated with the City Arborist on the tree planting count but we’ve not been successful and getting the process of the tree trust.
4. Why is Gem Prep St. shown as incomplete on the landscape plan?
In working with ACHD, they don’t want pavement extended to the north boundary as it won’t get driven
on. Instead, the school will pay into a road trust so that when it is needed it will have those funds
available. In the interim, the landscape plans are seeding to stabilize the dirt.
5. Please show contours depicting the berms along N. McDermott Rd on the landscape plan.
Contour lines for the berms along N McDermott Rd are labeled and added to the updated plan.
100 Grandville, Suite 030, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 616.458.5554 henricksonap.com
Page 02
6. The Architectural Standards Manual (ASM) states “Untextured concrete panels and prefabricated steel panels
are prohibited as field materials for building façades, except when used with a minimum of two other qualifying
field materials and meeting all other standard fenestration and material requirements.” (5.1I). It appears this is
exceeded on the all elevations except the west and it does not appear there are two other field materials other
than lap siding. The applicant will either need to reduce the metal panels to less than 20% of each façade or
submit a request for a design exception as is described in Page A-4 of the ASM.
The Exterior Elevations have been updated to reflect the requested change of having less than 20%
metal panels on all exposed sides. The updated exterior elevations have been resubmitted.
7. Please provide information describing how ground mounted or rooftop mounted mechanical equipment will be
screened. The site plan notes masonry dumpster enclosures are on the architectural plans, whereas it is not.
The ground mounted transformers will have a screen wall of similar wall materials as shown on the
updated elevations. The rooftop units will be screened by the building parapets per design.
The dumpster enclosure is on sheet A201, we have uploaded this sheet as part of the resubmittal.
8. Please be advised public access easements will be required for all pathways crossing the property.
We are submitting the pedestrian easement along McDermott to ACHD this week. The easement for the
pathway along the southern boundary will be submitted separately to the City.
End of 1st Comments Response
Dwayne Johnson
Project Manager
H E N R I C K S O N
ARCHITECTURE + PLANNING
O: 616.458.5554
D: 616.710.4924
C: 616.780.0329