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Design Review Board

Level 1: Minor alteration of an existing building/structure

8-E-15-DT

SUMMARY: This proposal is a revision to the previously approved CoA # 5-C-15-DT and includes the removal of the canopy columns, moving the bug screens to the inside of the building at the storefront openings, adding hanger rods to support the awning, and modifying the north storefront bay to include a self-closing service entrance.

CANOPY (AWNING):
The awning covered canopy projects 8'-0" from the existing building face, as required by the board's previous approval. The canvas roof of the canopy will be operable so that the roof may be opened electrically in four sections (see the attached example). The structure of the canopy has a 9-foot clearance with the sidewalk and has soft valance that extends lower with an 8-foot clearance.

The low-slope canopy will be constructed of five 4" x 8" steel "I" beam rafters and four hanger rods that are attached to the "I" beam rafters and the new building structure behind the brick facade. The sides of these rafters will also contain the rails for the electrically operated awning system.

STOREFRONT: The north (left) storefront bay was originally approved to have a tri-fold door. The revised plan has a bi-fold and an in-swinging door to closer facilitate food delivery to the patio and complete the health department requirement for self-closing doors to the outside.

SIGNS: The sign package in unchanged from the previous approval.

Location
412 S Gay St
Applicant Request
SUMMARY: This proposal is a revision to the previously approved CoA # 5-C-15-DT and includes the removal of the canopy columns, moving the bug screens to the inside of the building at the storefront openings, adding hanger rods to support the awning, and modifying the north storefront bay to include a self-closing service entrance.

CANOPY (AWNING):
The awning covered canopy projects 8'-0" from the existing building face, as required by the board's previous approval. The canvas roof of the canopy will be operable so that the roof may be opened electrically in four sections (see the attached example). The structure of the canopy has a 9-foot clearance with the sidewalk and has soft valance that extends lower with an 8-foot clearance.

The low-slope canopy will be constructed of five 4" x 8" steel "I" beam rafters and four hanger rods that are attached to the "I" beam rafters and the new building structure behind the brick facade. The sides of these rafters will also contain the rails for the electrically operated awning system.

STOREFRONT: The north (left) storefront bay was originally approved to have a tri-fold door. The revised plan has a bi-fold and an in-swinging door to closer facilitate food delivery to the patio and complete the health department requirement for self-closing doors to the outside.

SIGNS: The sign package in unchanged from the previous approval.
Staff Comments
The project is located within the Gay Street Commercial (National Register) Historic District and the 'Historic Resources' section of the design guidelines will apply. Though this building is being renovated to look very similar to its original design, it remains a non-contributing structure within the national register historic district.

The revised canopy plan meets the board's previous conditions of approval that the canopy (including planters attached the railings) extend me more than 8'-0" into the sidewalk and that the awning be structurally supported by the building.

The Knoxville Utilities Board (KUB) has reviewed the plans because the canopy, railings and seating area are partially over a sidewalk grate and underground utility vault. KUB does not have issue with the design as-is moving forward subject to the following: 1) The railings that extend over the vault gratings must not be anchored to the building or sidewalk so they can be relocated for vault access. 2) The canopy overhanging the vault area only allows 8' of clearance which is not enough room for a crane to lift the transformer out of the vault. If utility equipment needs to be replaced the awning will need to be addressed at the property owner's expense.

There are two locations where storefront doors swing out and over the public sidewalk, the main entrance in the south (right) storefront bay and the bi-fold doors in the left (north) storefront bay. The door encroachments will require approval from City Council.

Applicable guidelines:

Section 1.B.4. (ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER)
Buildings should be visually interesting to invite exploration by pedestrians. A building should express human scale through materials and forms that were seen traditionally. This is important because buildings are experienced at close proximity by the pedestrian.
GUIDELINES:
4a. Encourage first floor uses that draw walk-in traffic; businesses that do not require pedestrian traffic should be located on other floors.
4b. Enhance pedestrian interest in commercial and office buildings by creating a largely transparent and consistent rhythm of entrances and windows.
4c. Scale first floor signs to pedestrians.
4d. Differentiate the architectural features of ground floors from upper floors with traditional considerations such as show-windows, transoms, friezes, and sign boards.

Section 1.B.5. (GROUND FLOOR DOORS AND WINDOWS)
Entrances and ground floor windows should foster pedestrian comfort, safety and orientation. Not every building in downtown needs to have the same window or entry designs; however, repeating the pattern of historic openings helps to reinforce the character of downtown, differentiating it from suburban areas.
GUIDELINES:
5a. Use consistent rhythm of openings, windows, doorways, and entries.
5b. Orient primary front entrances to the main street; secondary entrances should be clearly defined and oriented to streets or alleys, as appropriate.
5c. Design entrances according to the proportions of the building's height and width.
5e. All windows at the pedestrian level should be clear.
5f. Recess ground floor window frames and doors from the exterior building face to provide depth to the facade.

Section 1.C.2. (STOREFRONTS)
Throughout downtown, historic buildings present a front elevation with an individual facade that is usually 25-35 feet wide. The storefronts are divided horizontally into three sections: bulkheads, solid or opaque, usually 18-24 inches tall; a plate glass storefront window 6-8 feet tall; and above it, a clear or patterned glass transom.
GUIDELINES:
2a. Restore and maintain storefronts as they were originally.

Section 1.C.3. (ENTRANCES)
Formal entrances to front facades should be retained. This includes entrances that are located above street level and accessed by exterior stairs. Altering or removing the main entrance to grant street-level access is not appropriate.
GUIDELINES:
3a. Establish recessed entries, either rectangular or with slightly canted sides, which are appropriate in storefronts.
3b. Allow for multiple entries on the first floor of the building, giving access to commercial space that may be divided into bays.
3c. Provide access to upper stories through additional entries.
3d. Maintain original height and materials for doors that are consistent with the use of the building, such as residential, commercial, or banking purposes.

Section 1.C.7. (RECOMMENDED SIGNS)
Commercial establishments need to advertise. However, advertising signs should be effective and appropriate to historic areas without contributing to visual clutter. Primary concerns are a sign's location, size, material, and illumination.
GUIDELINES:
7a. Locate signs above storefront windows, below second-story windows on the sign board, or on the storefront windows themselves (30% is maximum coverage), or off the front of the building as a projecting sign (maximum size: 9 square feet).
7b. Create signs that are proportional to the building where they are located.
7c. Do not light signs internally.
7d. Allow painted signs on building walls in the warehouse area along Jackson Avenue, and in some other locations along Gay Street.
7e. Preserve signs that are historic elements of buildings.

Section 1.C.8. (AWNINGS)
Awnings are allowed on historic buildings when they are appropriate to the building and are designed with traditional shapes, forms, and materials. If awnings are used, their overall size, shape, and projection from the building must be in proper proportion and scale to the building and contained within the window or door they shelter, and not cover adjacent wall surfaces. Canvas is usually the appropriate material for awnings.

GUIDELINES:
8a. Allow awnings in traditional shapes and materials.
8b. Contain signs or advertising only within the valance of the awning.
Applicant

Melvin R. Fain Architects, Inc.

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