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Design Review Board

Level 1: Sign

7-B-16-DT

Install new illuminated projecting sign that is 6'-0" tall by 1'-5" wide (or 8.5 square feet), made of aluminum, and will have a clearance with the sidewalk of approximately 15'-0". The illumination of the sign includes halo lighting and "retro style" LED bulbs within the channel letters. The halo lighting will be located between the red background and the raised black face. The sign will be attached to an existing mounting plate in the storefront cornice (lower bracket) and through the masonry mortar joints of the brick façade (upper bracket).

Location
430 S Gay St
Applicant Request
Install new illuminated projecting sign that is 6'-0" tall by 1'-5" wide (or 8.5 square feet), made of aluminum, and will have a clearance with the sidewalk of approximately 15'-0". The illumination of the sign includes halo lighting and "retro style" LED bulbs within the channel letters. The halo lighting will be located between the red background and the raised black face. The sign will be attached to an existing mounting plate in the storefront cornice (lower bracket) and through the masonry mortar joints of the brick façade (upper bracket).
Staff Comments
The proposed sign is similar in design as other projecting signs on this block of Gay Street. The main differences is that the proposed sign is smaller and it is mounted a little lower. The adjacent sign for Sapphire is 8'-0" tall by 2'-0" wide (or 16 square feet), 2 feet taller and 7 inches wider than the proposed sign, and is mounted 1 to 2 feet higher than the proposed sign.

While the proposed sign is mounted a little lower than other similar signs along Gay Street, the lower sign bracket will be mounted to an existing plate, which will minimize the number of new holes that must be drilled into the façade. Other similar projecting signs are mounted above cornice line of the storefront. However, since the lower mounting location already exists, minimizing damage to the façade, and the sign is smaller than other similar projecting signs on this block, it is staff's opinion that the proposed sign is appropriate as proposed.

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

Allen Sign Co.

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