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Home My WebLink AboutARB201200130 Review Comments Minor Amendment 2012-11-13ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD STAFF REPORT Project # /Name ARB- 2012 -130: Stonefield Town Center Building C1 -2 Awning Amendment Review Type Minor Amendment to a building design Parcel Identification Tax Map 61W, Section 3, Parcel 19A Location Building C1 -2 in the Stonefield Town Center, at the southwest corner of Swanson Drive and Bond Street Zoned Neighborhood Model District (NMD), Entrance Corridor (EC) Owner /Applicant Albemarle Realty E &A LLC/Edens (Chris Haine) Magisterial District Jack Jouett Proposal To install three multiple - colored, striped awnings of varying designs not previously approved for the town center. Context The awnings are proposed for Building C1 -2, situated approximately 230' north of the Hydraulic Road EC in the Stonefield Town Center. The building is located to the northeast of the Regal Cinema. Visibility The awnings will be visible from the Hydraulic Road Entrance Corridor. Eventually, landscaping will obscure some of the view of the awnings. The level of vehicular and pedestrian activity in the general area may serve to reduce noticeability of the awnings. ARB Meeting Date November 19, 2012 Staff Contact Margaret Maliszewski PROJECT HISTORY DATE APP/REVIEW TYPE RESULT 8/6/2012 ARB- 2012 -28: Stonefield ARB approval of the Comprehensive Sign Plan for the Stonefield Town Center included Town Center approval of six awning colors: Sunbrella Black 08, Natural 04, Charcoal Gray 44, Navy Comprehensive Sign Plan Blue 26, Forest Green 37, Panorama Taupe 48 DETAILS OF THE PROPOSAL • The proposed awning fabric is Weathertyte, a digitally printed, textured composite vinyl. The manufacturer's web site indicates that the material is waterproof, weather resistant, stain resistant, easy to clean, durable, and it resists sagging. • Three striped awnings are proposed: one for the east end of the south elevation and two at the southernmost bays of the east elevation. The three bays near the middle of the east elevation have awnings in the approved shade of blue. • The awning proposed for the east end of the south elevation has a wide red stripe separated by bands composed of narrow blue and tan stripes. The storefront in this location is 12' wide. • The awning proposed for the southernmost location on the east elevation has wide green and blue stripes separated by narrow red and gold stripes. The storefront in this location is 17' wide. • The awning proposed for the location just north of the one described in the previous bullet has wide blue stripes separated by bands composed of narrow light blue and tan stripes. The storefront in this location is 17' wide. • The applicant has indicated that the striped patterns can be switched among the striped awning locations, but not switched with the solid locations. ANALYSIS REF GUIDELINE ISSUE RECOMMENDATION 1 The goal of the regulation of the design of Awnings gained popularity in the nineteenth Limit the striped awnings development within the designated Entrance century for climate control and weather as follows: Corridors is to insure that new development within protection. Historically, awnings with colors 1. Choose a single stripe the corridors reflects the traditional architecture of and stripes were often chosen to enhance the pattern. the area. Therefore, it is the purpose of ARB review decorative scheme of a building and 2. The stripe pattern and of these Guidelines, that proposed development sometimes awnings served as a building's shall incorporate within the designated Entrance Corridors reflect primary decorative feature. Letters and navy blue as its elements of design characteristic of the significant graphics were also sometimes incorporated primary color. historical landmarks, buildings, and structures of the on the awning for business identification. Charlottesville and Albemarle area, and to promote orderly and attractive development within these Angled stripes, like those that are the subject corridors. Applicants should note that replication of of this proposal, were not typical of historic historic structures is neither required nor desired. awnings. Similarly, the use of a variety of 5 It is also an important objective of the Guidelines to awning colors and patterns for a single establish a pattern of compatible architectural business was not typical. characteristics throughout the Entrance Corridor in order to achieve unity and coherence. Building designs should demonstrate sensitivity to other The use of three different awning patterns 12 10 nearby structures within the Entrance Corridor Where a designated corridor is substantially developed, these Guidelines require striking a careful balance between harmonizing new development with the existing character of the corridor and achieving compatibility with the significant historic sites in the area. Building forms and features, including roofs, windows, doors, materials, colors and textures should be compatible with the forms and features of the significant historic buildings in the area, exemplified by (but not limited to) the buildings described in Appendix A [of the design guidelines]. The standard of compatibility can be met through scale, materials, and forms which may be embodied in architecture which is contemporary as well as traditional. The replication of important historic sites in Albemarle County is not the objective of these Architecture proposed within the Entrance Corridor should use forms, shapes, scale, and materials to create a cohesive whole. Buildings should relate to their site and the surrounding context of buildings. incorporating six colors, in addition to the awnings in the approved shade of blue, is not expected to promote an orderly, unified or coherent development. Limiting awning design to the solid colors already approved would provide for the most unity. Placing limits on the stripes could sufficiently minimize impacts such that striped awnings could be an acceptable addition in the town center. Limits could include: limiting the number of stripe colors, limiting the stripe colors to the awning colors already approved, and limiting the number of patterns used on a single tenant space, or on an entire building, or throughout the center. Switching the locations of the striped awnings might also reduce impacts. The red awning is the most noticeable pattern and it is proposed in the most visible location (facing the Hydraulic EC). Switching the red striped awning with the blue and green striped awning could reduce Limiting the available awning colors to the If additional colors and six solid shades previously approved patterns are approved, provides some variety for tenants within the additional criteria should town center while maintaining a level of be established to guide compatibility throughout the center. The mix the review of future of additional colors and patterns in the requests for additional striped awnings doesn't contribute to a awning colors and coordinated relationship in this context. 13 Any appearance of "blankness" resulting from Colored awnings on the buildings tends to None. building design should be relieved using design enliven the neutral color scheme of the detail or vegetation, or both. overall town center. 15 Trademark buildings and related features should be The proposed striped patterns can be viewed See recommendations SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Staff recommends the following as the primary points of discussion: 1. The addition of striped awnings of multiple colors in the town center 2. Anticipated visibility of the awnings from the EC, and the resulting impact 3. Potential for reduced impact by using one striped pattern for three awnings 4. Direction regarding future additional colors, stripes and patterns proposed for awnings in the town center Staff recommends approval of the proposal with the following condition: 1. Limit the striped awnings as follows: a. Choose a single stripe pattern. b. The stripe pattern shall incorporate navy blue as its primary color. Staff further recommends that the ARB establish additional criteria to guide the review /approval of future requests for additional awning colors and patterns. TABLE A This report is based on the following submittal items: Sheet # modified to meet the requirements of the Guidelines. as a form of branding. As such, limiting above. Elevation sheet showing C1 -2 elevations with proposed awnings September 11, 2012 awnings to the previously approved solid Color rendering of proposed awnings with Pantone color identification - - colors would be appropriate. - SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Staff recommends the following as the primary points of discussion: 1. The addition of striped awnings of multiple colors in the town center 2. Anticipated visibility of the awnings from the EC, and the resulting impact 3. Potential for reduced impact by using one striped pattern for three awnings 4. Direction regarding future additional colors, stripes and patterns proposed for awnings in the town center Staff recommends approval of the proposal with the following condition: 1. Limit the striped awnings as follows: a. Choose a single stripe pattern. b. The stripe pattern shall incorporate navy blue as its primary color. Staff further recommends that the ARB establish additional criteria to guide the review /approval of future requests for additional awning colors and patterns. TABLE A This report is based on the following submittal items: Sheet # Drawing Name Drawing Date/Revision Date - Elevation sheet showing C1 -2 elevations with proposed awnings September 11, 2012 - Color rendering of proposed awnings with Pantone color identification - - Awning samples -