9-A-24-DT

Level II: 319 S. Gay St

Approve As Requested

Case File

Recommendation

Staff recommends approval of Certificate 9-A-24-DT as submitted.

Applicant Request

Level II: Revisions to previous COA

- Minor revisions to previously-issued COA (2-B-22-DT). Section of mechanical penthouse was previously proposed to be clad in the existing brick veneer; new mechanical penthouse/interior space will be constructed in similar footprint and location, and clad in concealed fastener metal panels. Removal of decorative metal ornament on Gay Street and Wall Avenue elevations. At the intersection of Gay Street and Wall Avenue, installation of new full-light operable window units (was previously proposed as an open area).

Property Notes / Work to be Completed

- 319 S. Gay Street, while zoned DK-H, is not located within the Gay Street Commercial National Register Historic District so the Historic Resources section of the design guidelines does not apply. The majority of work to be completed at the site was reviewed and approved by the DRB in February 2022 (2-B-22-DT); this application pertains specifically to the work in the "description of work," which include changes submitted for permitting which do not reflect the initial approval. Overall, the proposal meets the intent of the design guidelines. While sections of the original building were built prior to 1900, the building has had several exterior rehabilitation campaigns, most recently in 1984, so the proposal will not result in the modification or removal of any character-defining historic features.
- Installing operable window systems in the bays at the corner of Gay Street and Wall Avenue will continue to enhance pedestrian interest and engagement in the site, and will maintain a "largely consistent rhythm of entrances and windows" recommended by the guidelines. Removal of the decorative cast metal screening above the storefront windows does not detract from the building's overall character. No new blank wall sections are created by the exterior rehabilitation scopes.
- The revisions do not involve modifications to the mechanical enclosure's footprint. The brick veneer cladding the mechanical penthouse is described as deteriorated and subject to structural concerns; the applicant is proposing to remove it and replace with concealed fastener metal panels. The concealed fastener metal siding has already been approved for the rooftop addition massing, but will be visible from the parking lot and Strong St/alley elevations. Due to the visibility of the new material, the application has been referred to the Board for review and approval. In the opinion of staff, the additional metal panel siding is located on secondary elevations and will not detract from the overall character of the building.

Applicable Guidelines

Downtown Design Guidelines

- B. Private Realm
- 1. Building Mass, Scale, and Form
- 1c. Use building materials, cornice lines, signs, and awnings of a human scale in order to reduce the mass of buildings as experienced at the street level.
- 1d. Divide larger buildings into 'modules' that are similar in scale to traditional downtown buildings. Buildings should be designed with a recognizable base, middle, and top on all exposed elevations.
- 1e. Avoid blank walls along street-facing elevations.
- 3. Building Materials
- 3a. Use complimentary materials and elements, especially next to historic buildings.
- 4. Architectural Character
- 4a. Encourage first floor uses that draw walk-in traffic; businesses that do not require pedestrian traffic should be located on other floors.
- 4b. Enhance pedestrian interest in commercial and office buildings by creating a largely transparent and consistent rhythm of entrances and windows.
- 5. Ground Floor Doors and Windows
- 5a. Use consistent rhythm of openings, windows, doorways, and entries.
- 5b. Orient front entrances to the main street; secondary entrances should be clearly defined and oriented towards streets and alleys, as appropriate.
- 5c. Design entrances according to the proportions of the building's height and width.
- 5d. All windows at the pedestrian level should be clear.
- 7. Mechanical Equipment and Service Utilities
- 7a. Minimize the visual impact of mechanical equipment through screens or recessed/low-profile equipment.
- 7b. Do not locate units on a primary façade.
- 7c. Screen rooftop vents, heating/cooling units, and related utilities with parapet walls or other screens. Consider sound-buffering of the units as part of the design.
- 7f. Screen dumpsters from view.