HomeMy WebLinkAboutARB200900081 Review Comments Miscellaneous Submittal 2009-10-12ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD STAFF REPORT
Project #: Name
ARB- 2009 -81: Verizon Wireless Remodel
Review Type
Preliminary Review of a Building Permit
Parcel Identification
Tax Map 61, Parcel 124C
Location
874 Rio East Court, at the northwest corner of the intersection of Rio East
Court and Rio Road East (Rt. 63 1)
Zoned
Planned Development Mixed Commercial (PDMC), Entrance Corridor
(EC)
Owner
O &G Enterprise LLC, Geraldine Enterprise LLC & George Richard
Enterprise LLC
Applicant
Verizon Wireless
Magisterial District
Rio
Proposal
To remodel an existing Verizon Wireless store.
ARB Meeting Date
October 19, 2009
Staff Contact
Margaret Maliszewski
SITE/PROJECT HISTORY
This building was constructed prior to Rio Road being designated an Entrance Corridor. In June, new wall
signs and a refacing for the freestanding sign at this site were approved for Verizon (ARB- 09 -37). The new
signs have been installed.
CONTEXT
This building is situated on the north/east side of Rio Road East, just west of Rio East Court. The building
is set back approximately 100' from the Entrance Corridor. A mix of residential and commercial properties
exists in the surrounding area. Most buildings in the immediate area use brick as a primary material. The
veterinary office across Rio East Court was recently reviewed and approved by the ARB. The Verizon
building is approximately 20' tall and is contemporary in design with an EIFS face. It features a rounded
front, an over - scaled sign band/fascia, and windows that step up the fagade.
PROJECT DETAILS /CHANGES
The applicant proposes to renovate the building by installing new storefront from sill to soffit along the Rio
Road frontage and repainting the building in shades of white, buff and gray. The new storefront would be a
butt - glazed system with a clear anodized aluminum frame and a low ceramic tile base.
VISIBILITY
The front and two side elevations of the existing building are readily visible from the EC.
ARB 10/19/2009 Verizon Wireless Renovations - Page 1
ANALYSIS (based on plans S1 and Al -A4 with issue date of 9/03/09)
Issue: Storefront design
Comments:
• General character: The proposed alterations are contemporary in character and they are intended for a
contemporary style building. As such the building currently does not, and after renovation still will
not, have a strong connection to the historic architecture of the County.
• Amount of glass: One of the features of the existing building that identifies it as contemporary in
character is the strong geometric, stepped window layout. The proposed renovations will eliminate a
large portion of these windows, which can be considered a positive change. However, the windows
would be replaced with a larger area of storefront windows, with the storefront stretching from soffit
nearly to the floor.
Base of storefront: A very low ceramic tile base is proposed at the new storefront windows.
Historically, a storefront base would have been more substantial and in many cases the ARB has not
approved glass that extends to the floor without a masonry water table. In this case, maintaining the
lowest band of EIFS across the base of the storefront might be a possibility. But, that would emphasize
the banding of the EIFS, which is not a positive feature of the existing design, the resulting proportions
would likely have an awkward appearance, and it wouldn't really enhance the historic compatibility of
the building with the surroundings.
Non - historic character: Although the proposed storefront (with soffit to floor glass) does not represent
a historic design, it is a more traditional storefront representation than the existing geometric window
layout.
Recommendations: None.
Issue: Paint color
Comments: The proposed alterations include repainting the fagade of the building, which is currently
bright white. The EIFS walls would be painted "Functional Gray" (Sherwin Williams #7024). The upper
portion of the building would be painted "Believable Buff' (Sherwin Williams #6120), with the two
curved bands painted "Alabaster" (Sherwin Williams #7008). The ceramic tile base is proposed in
"Platinum" (Crossville Ceramic Tile, Cross Colors C810, 12" x 12 "). The buff and gray colors are muted
earth tones and the alabaster is off - white. These colors are expected to help moderate the overall
appearance of the building and help it blend better with the surroundings.
Recommendations: None.
Issue: Wall Signs
Comments: The proposed renovation drawings show a wall sign on the front elevation that includes a
"check mark" graphic. That graphic is not a part of the approved wall signs for this building.
Recommendations: None; this item is provided for information and clarification.
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends the following as the primary points of discussion:
1. The amount of additional window glass
Staff recommends approval of the proposal as presented.
ARB 10/19/2009 Verizon Wireless Renovations - Page 2