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Design Review Board

Level 1: Sign

8-D-19-DT

This proposal is a revision to the previously approved Knox Mason and Embassy Rooftop Lounge signs at the Embassy Suites hotel (7-D-19-DT). The Knox Mason signs were previously approved with two 19.5 sqft signs attached to the glass handrail of the balcony and the Embassy Rooftop Lounge sign was 5 sqft and hung below the balcony.

Knox Mason: The new proposal is to install three signs that wrap the bottom edge of the balcony. Each sign will be 1'-4" tall and will have the yellow copy and lines routed out of the brown metal face. The signs will be internally illuminated with light penetrating only the yellow copy and lines. The width of the signs will be the same as the side of the balcony that it is attached. The front side (facing Gay Street) is approximately 51' long and the two sides are 9'-11". The total sign area is 94.44 sqft, however, most of this includes only two yellow stripes. The portion of the sign with text is approximately 5.7 sqft per sign (17.1 sqft total).

Embassy Rooftop Lounge: The new proposal is to install a hanging sign from the large canopy that is 1'- 4.25" tall by 9'-8.25" wide (13.11 sqft). The sign will be approximately 1' below the canopy and located above the left (south) side of the new balcony. This sign will be the same size and design as the Embassy Suites sign that was approved on Union Avenue(5-C-19-DT).

Location
505 S. Gay St.
Applicant Request
This proposal is a revision to the previously approved Knox Mason and Embassy Rooftop Lounge signs at the Embassy Suites hotel (7-D-19-DT). The Knox Mason signs were previously approved with two 19.5 sqft signs attached to the glass handrail of the balcony and the Embassy Rooftop Lounge sign was 5 sqft and hung below the balcony.

Knox Mason: The new proposal is to install three signs that wrap the bottom edge of the balcony. Each sign will be 1'-4" tall and will have the yellow copy and lines routed out of the brown metal face. The signs will be internally illuminated with light penetrating only the yellow copy and lines. The width of the signs will be the same as the side of the balcony that it is attached. The front side (facing Gay Street) is approximately 51' long and the two sides are 9'-11". The total sign area is 94.44 sqft, however, most of this includes only two yellow stripes. The portion of the sign with text is approximately 5.7 sqft per sign (17.1 sqft total).

Embassy Rooftop Lounge: The new proposal is to install a hanging sign from the large canopy that is 1'- 4.25" tall by 9'-8.25" wide (13.11 sqft). The sign will be approximately 1' below the canopy and located above the left (south) side of the new balcony. This sign will be the same size and design as the Embassy Suites sign that was approved on Union Avenue(5-C-19-DT).
Staff Comments
In reviewing the Knox Mason sign proposal, a discrepancy was found with the dimensions of the balcony as approved by the Downtown Design Review Board and as constructed. The board approved the balcony with a condition that there be a minimum 5' separation between it and the adjacent street light. The maximum depth of the balcony could therefore only be 9'-11". The balcony was installed with a depth of 12'.

------------------------- UPDATED STAFF COMMENTS BELOW 8/20/2019 ---------------------------------------
The building owner decided to reconstruct the new balcony so depth meets the requirements of the previous approval. The balcony also must be no wider than previously approved (approximately 51'), however, the contractor stated the balcony will most likely be arout 42' wide. The revised staff

recommendation is to approve with the condition that the sign parallel to Gay Street be scaled to fit the balcony as it is reconstructed and the "Knox Mason" text must not be any larger than proposed on the attached plans. The intent is to allow the sign to be reduced in width to match the balcony but not also require the size of the Knox Mason text to be reduced as well.

Applicable guidelines

Section 2.B.1. (RECOMMENDED SIGNS)
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

Sycamore Sign Service

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