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Design Review Board

Level 1: Sign

7-D-19-DT

Installation of 5 new signs for the tenants in the Embassy Suites hotel. NOTE: Signs A, B, and C have previously been approved by the Board and are presented for reference only.

1) Wake foot sanctuary (sign D): 9 sqft round aluminum projecting sign with a 8'-0" clearance with the sidewalk. The sign is non-illuminated and located on the Union Avenue elevation, at the northwest corner of the building (near the alley).

2) K Brew Coffee & Bagels (sign E): 13 sqft aluminum projecting sign with a 9'-0" clearance with the sidewalk. The sign is non-illuminated and located on the Gay Street elevation, between the two entrances.

3) Knox Mason (sign F): 19.5 sqft internally illuminated sign attached to the glass railing of the new balcony over the Gay Street sidewalk (under construction). There will be two signs installed, one on each side of the balcony. The face of the sign will be metal (opaque) with the letters and lines routed out to allow light to pass through. The sign will have an 11'-9.5" clearance with the sidewalk.

4) Top Golf Swing Suite (sign G): 6.8 sqft aluminum projecting sign with an 8'-6" clearance with the sidewalk. The sign is non-illuminated and located on the Gay Street elevation at the Gay Street and Union Avenue corner of the building.

5) Embassy Rooftop Lounge (sign H): 5 sqft aluminum hanging sign with an 8'-0" clearance with the sidewalk. The sign is non-illuminated and located on the Gay Street elevation, attached to the bottom side of the balcony.

Location
505 S. Gay St.
Applicant Request
Installation of 5 new signs for the tenants in the Embassy Suites hotel. NOTE: Signs A, B, and C have previously been approved by the Board and are presented for reference only.

1) Wake foot sanctuary (sign D): 9 sqft round aluminum projecting sign with a 8'-0" clearance with the sidewalk. The sign is non-illuminated and located on the Union Avenue elevation, at the northwest corner of the building (near the alley).

2) K Brew Coffee & Bagels (sign E): 13 sqft aluminum projecting sign with a 9'-0" clearance with the sidewalk. The sign is non-illuminated and located on the Gay Street elevation, between the two entrances.

3) Knox Mason (sign F): 19.5 sqft internally illuminated sign attached to the glass railing of the new balcony over the Gay Street sidewalk (under construction). There will be two signs installed, one on each side of the balcony. The face of the sign will be metal (opaque) with the letters and lines routed out to allow light to pass through. The sign will have an 11'-9.5" clearance with the sidewalk.

4) Top Golf Swing Suite (sign G): 6.8 sqft aluminum projecting sign with an 8'-6" clearance with the sidewalk. The sign is non-illuminated and located on the Gay Street elevation at the Gay Street and Union Avenue corner of the building.

5) Embassy Rooftop Lounge (sign H): 5 sqft aluminum hanging sign with an 8'-0" clearance with the sidewalk. The sign is non-illuminated and located on the Gay Street elevation, attached to the bottom side of the balcony.
Staff Comments
The board recently approved signs A, B, and C that are shown on the signage plan that are for the Embassy Suites hotel (5-C-19-DT). Signs D, G, and H meet the recommendations of the guidelines of being 9 sqft or less in size. Sign E is 13 sqft measured as if there is an imaginary box using the maximum height and width dimension, however, the sign will be visually smaller.

The Knox Mason sign (sign F) is atypical in how it is located. The attachment method is similar to a wall sign but the orientation is more similar to a projecting sign. There is an assumption that this sign will be able to be permitted and if not, the sign will need to be brought back to the board as a new application. The board needs to determine if this type and size of sign is appropriate for this location. Being that this sign is located below a large canopy and set further back from the street edge than most other signs along Gay Street, staff feels the signs meet the intent of the guidelines because of the unique characteristics of the location and the limited amount of illumination that will be passing through the sign face.

Applicable guidelines:

Section 2.B.1. (RECOMMENDED SIGNS)
These recommendations for signs in the traditional grid district recognize that certain types of signs are more pedestrian-friendly and should be encouraged within the grid district.
GUIDELINES:
1a. Wall signs on sign boards that are above a transom or first story and mounted flush to the building façade.
1b. Projecting signs of modest size (9 square feet, maximum); a larger sign must be approved by the board.
1c. Window signs, less than 30 percent coverage, including neon signs.
1d. Building name sign and/or building directory.
Applicant

Sycamore Sign Service

Planning Staff
Mike Reynolds
Phone: 865-215-3827
Email: mike.reynolds@knoxplanning.org
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