July 5, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes

The main entrance is on the right side, it follows that line that takes you into the building. Along the backside of the building, they will have a driveway and the driveway brings down maintenance vehicles to the back of the facility. There is an outdoor off exhibit area for the animals, so they can have some quiet time. Otherwise, this is mainly to the staff members, they'll be coming in and out and doing their daily tasks. This is all connected to the existing driveway to the backside. The landscaping that they have out there is mainly nativ, they try to do some unique plantings. The architect is looking for a wilderness feel for people to come up there and see a very cool serene area using ferns and plants of that nature. And just allowing the kids to have a good time as they walk through this area. BOARD QUESTIONS Council president Williams asked about the number of people the outside sitting will accommodate. Mr. Piga said that about 13 to 15 people. Mr. Smeralo asked about if there will be any impact on the accessibility to emergency equipment or emergency access through the driveway. Mr. Piga said that the maintenance driveway it's going to remain, so it'll give access through the zoo. Mr. Smeraldo asked where the standpipe will be located. Mr. Piga said in the backside they are putting standpipe. NO PROFESSIONAL QUESTIONS PUBLIC QUESTION Robert Rashkes at 35 Oak Crest Road asked if the building will have a sound system for the education for the people who are going to be sitting in the bleachers. Mr. Piga said that it's not intended to have such a system. If there was anything, it would be a low volume that will be meant for the 15 people that are sitting. Mr. Rashkes asked how high the seats will be off the ground. Mr. Piga said that the sittings will be about 36 inches and the seats surrounding the site will be 2 feet high. PUBLIC COMMENT* PRESENTATION Mr. Fleder introduced the architect Ms. Lorrie Sciabarasi from Comito Associates Architecture Firm, she entered on the record, she was sworn under oath and her credentials were accepted by the board. Ms. Sciabarasi started her testimony by describing the project in which the design of the project is to have a natural wilderness theme to fit into the North American area of the zoo. The exterior of the building they are trying to use natural elements such as some faux wood grills along the

oject is to have a natural wilderness theme to fit into the North American area of the zoo. The exterior of the building they are trying to use natural elements such as some faux wood grills along the facade as a screen wall. On the right is the public entrance, which is the entry lobby which is made of glass and it also has a solid side to it and we have these abstracted trees as well sort of floating in front of the fagade. The public will enter through the lobby on the right through the double-sided doors. The lobby will be open to the public. There will also be some public restrooms right off the lobby area and there's also a meeting room off the lobby which the public will have access to with personnel from the zoo. Beyond the double-sided doors it will be restricted to the public because it's all private area for zoo personnel. All the aspects of the building including its mechanical, electrical systems & ventilating systems meet all current code requirements.