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Design Review Board

Level 1: Minor alteration of an existing building/structure

5-B-15-DT

SCOPE: This streetscape project includes 700 block of S. Gay Street, from Cumberland Avenue to Church Avenue, and the Gay Street and Clinch Avenue intersection.
SUMMARY: The project includes improving the sidewalks in the 700 block of Gay Street by installing new pervious paver sidewalks, street trees, and crosswalks and accessible curb ramps. Three intersections will be improved with a decorative stamped asphalt treatment.
700 block of Gay Street:
1. Remove the existing concrete sidewalk and trees.
2. Install a below grade Silva Cell modular system to support the new sidewalk and hold lightly compacted soil that supports the growth of large trees and treats stormwater onsite.
3. Install new sidewalks with pervious pavers laid in a herringbone pattern.
4. Plant new street trees.
5. Reinstall existing street lights and bike racks.
6. Improve crosswalks and accessible curb ramps as shown.
7. Construct a new screen wall along the north sidewalk, adjacent to the surface parking lot. The new wall will have a brick base and metal fencing on top. At either end of the block the screen wall will curve at the intersection and along the side streets for a short distance.
INTERSECTION:
1. Remove the existing brick intersections at Church Avenue and Clinch Avenue.
2. Install new colored stamped asphalt intersections in the pattern shown in the attached plans for the following intersections: Cumberland Avenue, Church Avenue and Clinch Avenue.

700 block of South Gay Street
Applicant Request
SCOPE: This streetscape project includes 700 block of S. Gay Street, from Cumberland Avenue to Church Avenue, and the Gay Street and Clinch Avenue intersection.
SUMMARY: The project includes improving the sidewalks in the 700 block of Gay Street by installing new pervious paver sidewalks, street trees, and crosswalks and accessible curb ramps. Three intersections will be improved with a decorative stamped asphalt treatment.
700 block of Gay Street:
1. Remove the existing concrete sidewalk and trees.
2. Install a below grade Silva Cell modular system to support the new sidewalk and hold lightly compacted soil that supports the growth of large trees and treats stormwater onsite.
3. Install new sidewalks with pervious pavers laid in a herringbone pattern.
4. Plant new street trees.
5. Reinstall existing street lights and bike racks.
6. Improve crosswalks and accessible curb ramps as shown.
7. Construct a new screen wall along the north sidewalk, adjacent to the surface parking lot. The new wall will have a brick base and metal fencing on top. At either end of the block the screen wall will curve at the intersection and along the side streets for a short distance.
INTERSECTION:
1. Remove the existing brick intersections at Church Avenue and Clinch Avenue.
2. Install new colored stamped asphalt intersections in the pattern shown in the attached plans for the following intersections: Cumberland Avenue, Church Avenue and Clinch Avenue.
Staff Comments
Applicable guidelines:
Section 1.A. (PUBLIC REALM AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS)
The public realm is composed of streets, sidewalks, and public open spaces. Public space is defined by development and supports a diversity of uses. It promotes transit use and pedestrian activity. It can be considered the outdoor room created by surrounding buildings.
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.
GUIDELINES:
1a. Prioritize pedestrian safety and comfort through public amenities, such as pedestrian-scale lighting, benches, and trash receptacles.
1b. Require sidewalks and crosswalks that are accessible to all and are aesthetically pleasing.
1d. Widen sidewalks to accommodate street trees and amenities with a minimum 5-foot clear pedestrian passage.
Applicant

City of Knoxville - Dept of Engineering

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