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Design Review Board

Level 1: Sign

8-B-17-DT

This proposal is a revision to the previously approved projecting sign (see the attachment) that was 2'-0" wide by 13'-0" tall (26 sqft) and mounter higher on the building (Certificate 4-B-17-DT). The previous approval included neon illumination.

The new sign is a projecting sign that is approximately 4'-6" tall by 4'-6" wide (approximately 20.25 sqft) and has neon illumination. The sign is proposed to be located above the far right (south) storefront column and will hang from a copper or iron pole that is supported by a guide wire. The sign will have a 1'-6" separation from the building and will extend approximately 6'-0" from the building at its outer edge. The neon illumination will be located over (or outline) the cream colored text and design elements on the sign. The sign will have a clearance with the sidewalk of approximately 10'-0".

Location
418 S Gay St
Applicant Request
This proposal is a revision to the previously approved projecting sign (see the attachment) that was 2'-0" wide by 13'-0" tall (26 sqft) and mounter higher on the building (Certificate 4-B-17-DT). The previous approval included neon illumination.

The new sign is a projecting sign that is approximately 4'-6" tall by 4'-6" wide (approximately 20.25 sqft) and has neon illumination. The sign is proposed to be located above the far right (south) storefront column and will hang from a copper or iron pole that is supported by a guide wire. The sign will have a 1'-6" separation from the building and will extend approximately 6'-0" from the building at its outer edge. The neon illumination will be located over (or outline) the cream colored text and design elements on the sign. The sign will have a clearance with the sidewalk of approximately 10'-0".
Staff Comments
This building is located in the Gay Street Commercial (National Register) Historic District, so the Historic Resources section of the guidelines apply (Section 1.C). The Historic Resources guidelines recommend that signs not be internally illuminated. The board has approved internal illumination in the past but has consistently only approved it when light is able to penetrate only a portion of the sign face, such as the letters and decorative elements; or neon illumination.

The proposed location of the sign is near the right (south) side of the building which is close to the existing projecting sign for the Art Market. Staff is recommending that the sign be moved further to the left (north) to allow more separation between the two signs. As proposed the two signs would be approximately 16 feet apart. If the sign can be located in the middle of the building, it would be appropriate to consider attaching the support pole in the same location as the "Fowler Brothers" sign shown in the attached historical photograph. This would raise the sign up a few feet so it does not block visibility of adjacent signs and will provide an appropriate location to attach the guide wire to the building on the flat brick façade above.

Staff is recommending that the guide wires not be attached to the second and third story pilasters (columns) because the guidelines recommend not damaging historic architectural elements and the rounded pilasters would be more challenging to fix if damaged than the flat brick façade.

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

Sherrill

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