On Aug. 20, the Pagosa Springs Planning Commission, acting in its capacity as the Design Review Board, approved a sketch major design application from the Ruby M. Sisson Memorial Library for its plan to renovate and expand the facility by more than 3,000 square feet.
The library’s current footprint is an existing 7,500-square-foot building, and the proposed project includes interior and exterior upgrades, as well as “full-site improvements,” which include “reconfiguring the existing parking lot, a large community reading garden and a smaller children’s garden,” states an agenda document on the matter.
A project overview document, prepared by the architects for the project, Reynolds Ash + Associates, states, “Overall, the Library has not had a major renovation or expansion in nearly 20 years and is in need of more space for programming and service space.”
The document also states that the library “has great visibility from the highway, but architecturally it does not stand out or present itself as a community building and Library.”
The renovation and expansion project aims to “architecturally improve visibility and highlight the new entry,” the document states.
Lauren Davis, representing the architects at the meeting, described the existing building as “dated” and “a little bit underwhelming,” saying that the new design strives for the “wow factor,” which would ultimately create a better community space.
The design proposed includes a glass and aluminum store-front look that tries to utilize natural light as much as possible, Davis explained.
The existing stucco would get a new color coat on it to match the new color scheme of various grays, dark blue and aluminum, and a new roof would also be installed, she added.
The plans also include a reconfiguration of the parking lot.
Davis noted that the library hopes to add a children’s library section as well as a multipurpose community space as part of its new programming.
Community Development Director James Dickhoff explained that the sketch design largely complies with the town’s Land Use and Development Code (LUDC).
However, Dickhoff also noted that there were certain conditions that the applicant would need to address in its final major design review application.
Some of the conditions that will need to be met before final design review would include stormwater and snow storage plans, verification from utility providers about their ability to serve the expanded facilities, and detailed lighting and landscaping plans, he explained.
The board unanimously approved these sketch design plans, with Julie Gurule being absent from the meeting.
derek@pagosasun.com
