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Design Review Board

Level 2: Addition to an existing building/structure

4-B-16-DT

This case has been appealed

Staff Recommendation
APPROVE Certificate 4-B-16-DT as submitted.Case File
Location
900 Henley St
Applicant Request
In 2013, Hartman-Cox Architects was contacted to participate in what was initially conceived to be a renovation of the Parish Hall that expanded into a Master Plan Study of the entire 1931 building including entrances, parking and drop off areas, and signage. The architects have recommended the master plan be implemented over 3 phases and this proposal is Phase 1, focusing on Hospitality and Fellowship, includes the following:
1) Improved accessibility and life safety to the Parish Hall and Nave
2) Covered parking drop-off and accessibility to the Nave and Parish Hall
3) New three story addition adjacent to the Magnolia parking lot with elevator, stairs, accessible restrooms, and storage
4) Renovated Parish Hall with controllable light fixtures and A/V systems and new finishes, including wood beams and wainscot
5) Renovated mechanical, electrical, and fire suppression systems to installed concurrent with construction of additions and renovations

Improved circulation and accessibility are a priority in Phase 1. The proposed Magnolia Addition includes an elevator and stair that provides access to all three stories of the addition as well as the existing Nave and renovated Parish Hall. A new hydraulic elevator is sized for moving furniture and equipment to and from the Parish Hall and storage rooms in the basement of the Magnolia Addition. It will also accommodate about 16 passengers comfortably and is sized for coffins that can be taken from the Narthex to the Magnolia parking lot.

Update to the Plan Following the Workshop on March 16th, 2016:
1) Site Circulation: The team has studied existing site circulation and provided an updated site plan that connects existing site circulation patterns and provides an accessible route from Henley St. to the new entry.
2) Entry Sequence: In response to comments about the cloister at the Commons entry, the line of exterior enclosure has been relocated to the masonry arcade. This also addresses concerns about providing sheltered space.
3) Windows: We agree with the Board that new windows must match the character of the existing building. We propose Hope's University Series windows as the basis of design which offer true divided lites and historic profiles.

Materials:
1) Tennessee crab orchard stone
2) Limestone trim
3) Replicated historic light fixtures
4) Slate roof to match existing 1931 building
5) True divided lite windows
6) Covered drop-off has metal structure and glass roof

Site Improvements:
1) Existing Magnolia in parking lot to remain and be protected.
2) Stone foot path from Henley Street to the parking lot.
3) Walkway with stairs from the parking lot that lead to both Henley Street and the main level of the church.
4) Most existing trees around the parking will be saved or transplanted, along with some new plantings (see Tree Preservation Plan on the Preliminary Site Plan sheet).
5) The parking lot will be reconfigured some to accommodate the addition and new drop off area.
Staff Comments
Church Street United Methodist Church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places so the Historic Resources section of the guidelines do apply.

Applicable guidelines:

Section 1.A.3. (PARKING FACILITIES)
GUIDELINES:
3d. Screen surface lots, where they abut a public sidewalk, with decorative walls, fencing and landscaping.
3e. Distribute shade trees within surface lots at a ratio of 1 tree per 8 parking spaces. Trees may be planted in wells between spaces.
3f. Provide pedestrian-scale lighting (10-15 feet in height) that uniformly illuminates the lot.

Section 1.C.1. (ROOFLINES AND ADDITIONS)
GUIDELINES:
1d. Do not alter, obscure or destroy significant features of historic resources when constructing additions.

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:
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.4. (WINDOWS)
Appropriate window appearance is significant in finishing a rehabilitation project. From a preservation standpoint, the first and best answer when determining a treatment for windows is to repair rather than replace them. If that is not possible, replacing only deteriorated portions is the next best alternative to total replacement. It is possible to replace window sills, rebuild all or parts of window sashes, and replace window glass, making original windows energy efficient and functional.
GUIDELINES:
4a. Repair rather than replace historic windows.
4b. Replace windows if repairs are not possible with matching windows, including duplicating design, operation, material, glass size, muntin arrangements, profiles, and trim.
4c. Insert windows with the same pane configuration, materials and size as other buildings of the same general construction date, if no original windows are present.
4d. Maintain the relationship of solids to voids with new construction that is similar to other buildings in the district, including the typical width, height, spacing, and horizontal alignment of windows.

Section 1.C.5. (MASONRY)
Masonry features should be retained and repaired; materials, including mortar, should match the original mortar in color and composition. Mortar joints should be sized and struck to match the original. Belt courses, string courses, dripstones, quoins and contrasting brick and stone are common. These features should be preserved and repaired if necessary, and should be introduced on infill buildings.
GUIDELINES:
5a. Repair masonry with stone or brick and mortar that match the original.
5b. Do not paint masonry that has never been painted.

Section 2.A. THE BOULEVARD DISTRICT
1. YARDS/SETBACKS
Create yards that complement the green space of adjacent buildings.
GUIDELINES:
1a. Separate new buildings from the sidewalk with lawn or other landscaped area.
1b. Plant native or naturalized trees and other landscape materials in the open spaces.
1c. Compliment the architecture and landscaping of adjoining property.
1d. Allow for plazas or similar quasi-public spaces in a portion of these private open spaces.

2. BUILDING CONSIDERATIONS
Enhance the architectural harmony of all buildings along the street.
GUIDELINES:
2a. Design building entrances to be clearly oriented to the street.
2b. Encourage building forms that are complimentary to the mass of adjacent buildings.
2c. Design building elevations to compliment the buildings along the side or back streets when buildings are to face more than one street.
2d. Screen service facilities or incorporate them into the design of new buildings so that they are not obtrusive.
Applicant

Church Street United Methodist Church

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