New plans for Olmsted revealed
The latest plan for the Olmsted has also changed the height of the building, adding 24 feet to the building that was previously supposed to be the same height as the neighboring Charles Commons. This change means that the Olmsted will top out at 13 stories, a height of which the University disapproves.
"Not only is the building now out of scale with its surroundings, it will present a blunt wall on the 33rd St. side directly across from Charles Commons, creating a sort of canyon effect on the south side of the street, blocking light to the Charles Commons," Burger said.
Charles Commons stands 316 feet high, and the University wants the Olmsted to max-out at this same height. According to Burger, the Commons was held to a vertical limit of 332 feet to match the height limits of the adjacent Charles and Blackstone apartments.
"Our position is that the Olmsted project should be built in accord with the same standards so it does not compromise the Charles Commons and the look and feel of this neighborhood," Burger said.
While Sandy Sparks, the chair of Planned Unit Development (PUD), said that the committee took these concerns seriously, the vote on Sept. 27 was overwhelmingly in favor of increasing the height of he Olmsted.
"The City Council has legislation pending to permit the height of the Olmsted to be 340 feet," said Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke,, who represents the Charles Village area on Baltimore's city council.
The UDARP height approval is just the first of a series of necessary approvals prior to construction.
"UDARP's approval is not the last step. There needs to be a Plan Commission hearing and a Second Leader meeting within the City Council where votes will be taken on the amendment. There is also a third vote after those two steps, but it's typically for formality," Pula said.
Salem Reiner, Hopkins' director of Community Relations of the Homewood Campus, explained the University's stance.
"We are interested in seeing a high quality design comparable to that of Charles Commons, one that works with the other physical elements and uses in the area. We want to see uses that enhance the viability of the area and are of interest to the surrounding community," Reiner said.
"Not only is the building now out of scale with its surroundings, it will present a blunt wall on the 33rd St. side directly across from Charles Commons, creating a sort of canyon effect on the south side of the street, blocking light to the Charles Commons," Burger said.
Charles Commons stands 316 feet high, and the University wants the Olmsted to max-out at this same height. According to Burger, the Commons was held to a vertical limit of 332 feet to match the height limits of the adjacent Charles and Blackstone apartments.
"Our position is that the Olmsted project should be built in accord with the same standards so it does not compromise the Charles Commons and the look and feel of this neighborhood," Burger said.
While Sandy Sparks, the chair of Planned Unit Development (PUD), said that the committee took these concerns seriously, the vote on Sept. 27 was overwhelmingly in favor of increasing the height of he Olmsted.
"The City Council has legislation pending to permit the height of the Olmsted to be 340 feet," said Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke,, who represents the Charles Village area on Baltimore's city council.
The UDARP height approval is just the first of a series of necessary approvals prior to construction.
"UDARP's approval is not the last step. There needs to be a Plan Commission hearing and a Second Leader meeting within the City Council where votes will be taken on the amendment. There is also a third vote after those two steps, but it's typically for formality," Pula said.
Salem Reiner, Hopkins' director of Community Relations of the Homewood Campus, explained the University's stance.
"We are interested in seeing a high quality design comparable to that of Charles Commons, one that works with the other physical elements and uses in the area. We want to see uses that enhance the viability of the area and are of interest to the surrounding community," Reiner said.
Be the first to comment on this story