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Board approves Sharpened Iron Studios sound stages after staff recommends denying the design
Amarillo Junior College applied for variances for two 18,000-square-foot sound stages for Sharpened Iron Studios near Polk Street and S.W. 15th Avenue. Staff supported a larger setback and fewer windows but recommended denial of the design, saying the membrane-clad buildings were "a significant departure" from the area's character. Nine people, including representatives of the AEDC, the Chamber of Commerce and Amarillo College, spoke in favor; the company's CEO said it might look at other cities if the variances failed. The board approved all three variances, each 5-0.[1]
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COA-21-01 (applicant: Amarillo Junior College; Blocks 182 and 197, Plemons Addition) covered two new 18,000-square-foot sound stage buildings, renovation of the existing Nixon gym and about a 3,100-square- foot addition. Staff supported a nine-foot setback (noting "the Board has approved 10 similar requests previously") and fewer windows given how sound stages operate, but said "the proposed buildings for the applicant's site are a significant departure from the character of this area and does not meet the intent of the DAUDS as currently proposed," and "recommends DENIAL of the proposed design as currently presented due to architectural elements not meeting core DAUD Standards." [1]
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Nine people spoke in favor during public comment, among them AEDC CEO Kevin Carter, who described "the Sharpen Iron Studio incentive," and representatives of the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce, Amarillo College, the Amarillo Sod Poodles and Amarillo National Bank; no one spoke against. Sharpened Iron Studios CEO Sean Doherty "stated that if the variances were not approved, they may be forced to look at other cities to locate the project in." The architects said a brick sound stage with the same acoustic performance was "economically unfeasible." The board approved the setback, street-facade transparency, and architectural treatment and compatibility variances, each "unanimously 5-0" on motions by Alan Cox and Gary Jennings; alternate Gregg Bliss, who said the project "could serve as a significant catalyst," did not vote. [1]
