Level I: General Building Signs And Awnings
8-B-21-DT
Approve Subject To Conditions
APPROVE Certificate 8-B-21-DT, with the following conditions:1) meeting all relevant City sign code elements for total sign area; 2) installation of awning supports and new signs in limestone "joints," existing holes, or using methods that create as minor an effect on the limestone veneer elements as possible.
Recommendation
Staff recommends approval of Certificate 8-B-21-DT, with the following conditions:1) meeting all relevant City sign code elements for total sign area;
2) installation of awning supports and new signs in limestone "joints," existing holes, or using methods that create as minor an effect on the limestone veneer elements as possible.
Applicant Request
Level I: Sign, awnings- Proposed awnings and signs for new ground-level tenant at the General Building.
- Projecting sign: 3' wide by 8' tall (24 sq. ft.) internally illuminated steel sign. Sign to be surface mounted to existing stone corner (Market St. and Church Ave. corner, in location of historic clock) and extend outwards 45 degrees. Sign will be located 14' above sidewalk level. Illumination will be limited to letters and ribbon detail.
- Wall sign: 2' by 3' (6 sq. ft.) metal wall sign, to be installed on face of building between first and second doors. Layered metal sign will be installed at approximate height of existing bronze wall signs (adjacent to second and third doors) and non-illuminated.
- Awnings: new canvas awnings to extend from second-story windows, supported by 'spear' support rods mounted to the face of the building. Six awnings to be installed on the Market Street elevation, and six awnings on the Church street elevation. Black canvas awnings will extend approximately 3' out from the building and be 4' tall, supported by bronze 'spear' supports which are approximately 4' tall.
Property Notes / Work to be Completed
- 625 Market Street is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the General Building so the Historic Resources section of the design guidelines applies.
- Placement of the proposed projecting sign at the corner of Walnut and W. Church Ave meets the design guidelines. The sign exceeds the recommended 9 sq. ft proposed in the design guidelines; however, the sign is proportionate to the tall building and the overall storefront areas. While internal illumination is discouraged in the guidelines, internally illuminated signs on historic buildings have been previously approved by the Design Review Board in instances where illumination is limited to letters and small designs on the sign (instead of being fully backlit).
- Incorporating a projecting sign in the location of the historic clock is compatible with the character of the building. If possible, the sign's mounting bolts should be installed in the same location as the clock's bolts, to avoid additional modifications to the building's historic limestone veneer.
- The proposed metal wall sign is located in a unique location; however, there are existing wall signs in this location and the new sign will create symmetry with the existing wall signs.
- Guidelines recommend awnings in traditional shapes and materials, noting that canvas is usually the appropriate material for awnings. The guidelines recommend that the overall size, shape, and projection from the building must be in proper proportion and scale to the building and contained within the window they shelter. The proposed awnings, although using unique spear-shaped supports, meet these design guidelines. The limestone veneer is a character-defining feature of the historic building. Whenever possible, the spear support rods should be installed in the "joints" of the limestone detailing, use existing holes, or be installed in the wall in a manner so as to have as minor an effect on the limestone veneer as possible.
Applicable Guidelines
Downtown Design Guidelines
See Guidelines- C. Historic Resources
- 7. Recommended Signs
- 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.
- 8. Awnings
- Awnings are allowed on historic buildings when they are appropriate to the building and are designed with traditional shapes, forms, and materials. If awnings are used, their overall size, shape, and projection from the building must be in proper proportion and scale to the building and contained within the window or door they shelter, and not cover adjacent wall surfaces. Canvas is usually the appropriate material for awnings.
- 8a. Allow awnings in traditional shapes and materials.
- 8b. Contain signs or advertising only within the valance of the awning.
Meeting Date
August 18, 2021
General Building Signs and Awnings
625 Market St.
DK (Downtown Knoxville)
Applicant
Chris Woodcock
Owner John Trotter / Trotter & Co.
