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Design Review Board

Level 1: Minor alteration of an existing building/structure

4-C-19-DT

This proposal is for a garden courtyard to the rear (north) of the Merchants of Beer building over a portion of the existing parking lot. Last year the board approved a similar garden courtyard on the west side of the
parking lot (9-F-18-DT).

1) Install 3 inches of compacted stone (Vulcan No. 10 Riverside) over the parking surface. (See description on sheet L-3)
2) Remove the asphalt on the north and southeast sides of the garden courtyard so the compacted stone will be flush with the adjoining asphalt surface.
3) Three raised seatwall planters will be installed for seating and the planting of large specimen trees. The seatwalls will be approximately 1'-6" tall and constructed of Belgard concrete block.
4) Install Belgard wall with removable wood top and river slicks on the northeast side of the existing building, west of the existing patio. The wood panel is at seating height and is removable to provide access to utilizes. (See detail D on sheet C-2)
5) Re-purpose the existing patio metal fence to be installed in the wall/fence opening along the S. Central Street frontage. Additional fencing and metal gates will be fabricated to match as needed. The fence will be mounted to a new concrete curb. (See sheet L-2 and detail A on sheet C-2)
6) Install new black aluminum fencing along the north, west, and southwest sides of the garden courtyard that will have a similar design as the S. Central Street fencing. (See sheet L-2 and detail B on sheet C-2)
7) Install a concrete accessible ramp from the S. Central Street sidewalk to the existing patio. (See sheet L-1 and C-1)
8) Accent lighting within the tree planters will provide additional illumination and aesthetic effect.
9) A food truck will be installed at the west end of the site. This is intended to be a non-operable vehicle that remains as a "permanent" fixture/structure on the site. (See the image of the food truck to be used on sheet L-3)
10) Site furniture will include picnic table seating and yard games (bocce ball and corn hole).
11) Additional landscape along the perimeter will be installed along S. Central Street and screening on the west side. (See sheet L-1)

Location
137 S Central St
Applicant Request
This proposal is for a garden courtyard to the rear (north) of the Merchants of Beer building over a portion of the existing parking lot. Last year the board approved a similar garden courtyard on the west side of the
parking lot (9-F-18-DT).

1) Install 3 inches of compacted stone (Vulcan No. 10 Riverside) over the parking surface. (See description on sheet L-3)
2) Remove the asphalt on the north and southeast sides of the garden courtyard so the compacted stone will be flush with the adjoining asphalt surface.
3) Three raised seatwall planters will be installed for seating and the planting of large specimen trees. The seatwalls will be approximately 1'-6" tall and constructed of Belgard concrete block.
4) Install Belgard wall with removable wood top and river slicks on the northeast side of the existing building, west of the existing patio. The wood panel is at seating height and is removable to provide access to utilizes. (See detail D on sheet C-2)
5) Re-purpose the existing patio metal fence to be installed in the wall/fence opening along the S. Central Street frontage. Additional fencing and metal gates will be fabricated to match as needed. The fence will be mounted to a new concrete curb. (See sheet L-2 and detail A on sheet C-2)
6) Install new black aluminum fencing along the north, west, and southwest sides of the garden courtyard that will have a similar design as the S. Central Street fencing. (See sheet L-2 and detail B on sheet C-2)
7) Install a concrete accessible ramp from the S. Central Street sidewalk to the existing patio. (See sheet L-1 and C-1)
8) Accent lighting within the tree planters will provide additional illumination and aesthetic effect.
9) A food truck will be installed at the west end of the site. This is intended to be a non-operable vehicle that remains as a "permanent" fixture/structure on the site. (See the image of the food truck to be used on sheet L-3)
10) Site furniture will include picnic table seating and yard games (bocce ball and corn hole).
11) Additional landscape along the perimeter will be installed along S. Central Street and screening on the west side. (See sheet L-1)
Staff Comments
This property is not located within a National Register Historic District, so the Historic Resources section of the guidelines does not apply.

The installation of permanent or semi-permanent fixtures or structures, such as the non-operable food truck in the garden courtyard, is not addressed by the guidelines. Staff reviewed it as a structure for the purposes of considering the recommendations of the guidelines. The size and placement of the food truck is similar to that of an accessory structure. The board needs to make a determination on whether the food truck and its location meets the intent of the design guidelines. If the board is inclined to approve, the first condition staff recommends is for such. Otherwise the board must approve a modification to the proposal or provide reasoning for denial.

There are potential building code issues that could impact the food truck proposal, such as having to meet the International Building Code and connecting to a grease trap. If it is operable and properly licensed, it will not need to meet these standards. This plan may need to be brought back to the board for approval if it is modified significantly to meet the applicable code requirements.

Being that the area where the garden courtyard is proposed is currently a parking lot, there is a vehicular entrance to the site that will no longer be used. The City of Knoxville Department of Engineering may require that this curb cut and driveway apron be removed and the sidewalk and curbing along S. Central Street be repaired to match the existing. This will be considered during permitting and since it is within the public right-of-way, this general maintenance can be completed without board review as long as the repair matches the existing condition.

Once the existing parking lot is converted to a new use it will lose its status as non-conforming in regard to the recommendations of the design guidelines and the design standards of the zoning ordinance. In order for the parking lot to be reestablished, the design must conform with the adopted zoning regulations and obtain approval from the board.

Applicable guidelines:

Section 1.A.1. (PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLIST SAFETY)
Consider pedestrians first, then transit, then the automobile in designing and developing downtown places. Public utilities and streetscape amenities should be located to support safe, convenient, and unimpeded pedestrian flow. Due to the nature of the narrow downtown streets with low traffic speeds it is relatively safe to bike within the downtown area. However, bike lanes and greenways leading to downtown, and places to store bicycles once downtown should also be considered. For more information, please see the Knoxville Regional Bicycle Plan (2002).
GUIDELINES:
1g. Consolidate curb-cuts and locate driveways near mid-block, when necessary; alley access should be provided for service and parking, if feasible.
1k. Repair pavement surfaces (asphalt, brick, concrete, etc.) to original standards when underground utility or other repairs are necessary.

Section 1.A.4. (DOWNTOWN BEAUTIFICATION)
Beautifying downtown can occur through many different elements including architecture, landscape architecture, horticulture, art, and performing art. These elements provide expressions of local history and culture. They contribute to local identity and unique qualities of downtown. Public spaces should be designed to include art and beautification.
GUIDELINES:
4a. Foster downtown beautification with landscaping and plantings, public art, and public open space.
4b. Establish performance spaces for the arts including opportunities for artists to perform, display, or create work.

Section 1.B.2. (BUILDING LOCATION)
It is important to establish a strong relationship among buildings, sidewalks, and streets. This is typically accomplished through consistent setbacks that locate buildings on the same line.
GUIDELINES:
2b. Consider using landscape elements to define the sidewalk edge where a building is to be set back from the sidewalk.
2d. Limit grade separations above or below the sidewalk, generally no more than 3 feet. Allow for clear sightlines into and out of buildings and plazas.
2e. Design private plazas to be pedestrian-friendly. Provide human-scale amenities and include landscaping.
Applicant

Versen / Michael Versen & Associates

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