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Design Review Board

Level 1: Sign

9-A-16-DT

Install new illuminated projecting sign that is approximatley 6'-11" tall by 2'-2" wide (14.3 square feet), made of aluminum, and will have a clearance with the sidewalk of approximately 11'-0". On the upper portion of the sign, the dark background color is on a solid metal face with push through acrylic letters. The lower portion of the sign has a yellow metal face with push through acrylic letters and decorative elements. The internal illumination will penetrating the push through letters decorative elements only.

Location
522 S Gay St
Applicant Request
Install new illuminated projecting sign that is approximatley 6'-11" tall by 2'-2" wide (14.3 square feet), made of aluminum, and will have a clearance with the sidewalk of approximately 11'-0". On the upper portion of the sign, the dark background color is on a solid metal face with push through acrylic letters. The lower portion of the sign has a yellow metal face with push through acrylic letters and decorative elements. The internal illumination will penetrating the push through letters decorative elements only.
Staff Comments
The proposed sign is similar in design and size as some other projecting signs on Gay Street. The main difference being that the proposed sign is mounted little lower. For example, the Sapphire sign is 8'-0" tall by 2'-0" wide (or 16 square feet), similar in size to the proposed sign, however it is mounted 5 to 6 feet higher than the proposed sign.

In this block of Gay Street there are several existing and proposed large signs and canopies that do differentiate this location from others along Gay Street. To the north, the Regal Theatre and S&W buildings both have large canopies and projecting signs, and to the south the Farragut Building proposes a large canopy and projecting sign. The S&W sign and canopy have the most impact on the visibility of the proposed Potbelly Sandwich Shop sign. The higher the sign is on the façade, the less visible it is for pedestrians on the same side of the street.

Applicable guidelines:

Section 1.C.7. (RECOMMENDED SIGNS - HISTORIC RESOURCES)
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 2.B.1. (RECOMMENDED SIGNS - THE TRADITIONAL GRID DISTRICT)
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

Potbelly Sandwich Shop

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