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Home My WebLink AboutARB201300138 Review Comments Miscellaneous Submittal 2013-10-25ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD STAFF REPORT Project #/Name ARB- 2013 -138: Brown Mercedes Amendment Review Type Amendment to an Approved Certificate of Appropriateness Parcel Identification 078000000014AO Location On the south side of Rt. 250 East, approximately 850' west of Hansen Road Zoned Highway Commercial (HC), Entrance Corridor (EC) Owner /Applicant S &B Realty Venture LLC/Daggett & Grigg (Clark Gathright) Magisterial District Rivanna Proposal To construct a new entry portal and canopy. Context The site is located on the south side of Route 250 East in the Pantops commercial area. This part of Pantops is characterized by a number of automobile dealerships, many of which predate the establishment of the EC. Visibility The front elevation of the existing building is readily visible from the Entrance Corridor, although it is set back approximately 100' from the road. Visibility of the side elevations is limited due to the proximity of buildings and trees; however, the roof of the Mercedes building is visible above the nearby development for greater distances along the corridor. ARB Meeting Date November 4, 2013 Staff Contact Margaret Maliszewski PROJECT HISTORY DATE APPLICATION RESULT 2/5/1999 ARB- 1998 -16 and ARB- 1998 -63 Certificate of Appropriateness issued for the Brown Mercedes building. 9/9/1999 ARB- 1999 -64 Wall and freestanding signs approved. 11/16/2010 ARB- 2010 -116 Wall signs approved. 12/3/2012 ARB- 2012 -141 Proposal to renovate the building to meet corporate branding standards denied by the ARB. PROJECT DETAILS The proposed renovation includes: Construct a new EIFS entry portal, painted blue, at the front entrance facing the Entrance Corridor. Over the new customer service lane on the side (west) elevation, construct a new canopy consisting of three 13' -tall metal columns painted "cobalt blue" supporting a horizontal steel structural member painted dark pewter metallic and a low- profile roof with ACM finish. Add a white aluminum curtain wall system (to match existing) at the customer service bay on the west elevation. ANALYSIS REF GUIDELINE ISSUE RECOMMENDATION 1 The goal of the regulation of the design of The forms of the proposed entry portal and service None. development within the designated Entrance canopy are modern interpretations of traditional Corridors is to insure that new development architectural elements, although the entry portal is within the corridors reflects the traditional a very streamlined one. The proposed features are architecture of the area. Therefore, it is the relatively small in comparison to the overall purpose of ARB review and of these building, which allows the forms and features of Guidelines, that proposed development within the original design to remain dominant. The the designated Entrance Corridors reflect canopy is composed of slender elements, has an elements of design characteristic of the open appearance, and would be located significant historical landmarks, buildings, approximately 160' from the EC, which limits and structures of the Charlottesville and noticeability. Given the scale and location of the Albemarle area, and to promote orderly and proposed features, it is anticipated that the attractive development within these corridors. development will still maintain an appropriate Applicants should note that replication of balance between the characters of the original historic structures is neither required nor building and the corridor and compatible historic desired. sites, and that orderly and attractive development 3 New structures and substantial additions to existing structures should respect the will be maintained. traditions of the architecture of historically significant buildings in the Charlottesville and The blue colors used for the entry portal and the Albemarle area. canopy have no particular connection to the original building design, and as such tend to 9 Building forms and features, including roofs, windows, doors, materials, colors and textures emphasize corporate identity, but accent colors should be compatible with the forms and have been used in auto dealership buildings in the ECs, and the relatively small amount used here features of the significant historic buildings in allows the traditional features to, again, remain the area, exemplified by (but not limited to) dominant. 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 guidelines. 5 It is also an important objective of the The entry portal is similar to features used in other None. Guidelines to establish a pattern of compatible auto dealership buildings in the ECs. Its color and architectural characteristics throughout the detailing have no particular connection to the Entrance Corridor in order to achieve unity existing building, but its scale is coordinated with and coherence. Building designs should that of the entrance elevation and it assumes a demonstrate sensitivity to other nearby simple shape, which helps minimize the impact of structures within the Entrance Corridor. the corporate icon. Where a designated corridor is substantially developed, these Guidelines require striking a The canopy column locations are not completely careful balance between harmonizing new coordinated with the architecture of the building development with the existing character of the (i.e. the southernmost column is aligned with a corridor and achieving compatibility with the window). However, given the setback of the significant historic sites in the area. canopy from the road and the trees and buildings 10 Buildings should relate to their site and the located west of the site that limit visibility, the surrounding context of buildings. alignment won't be evident from the EC and it is 12 Architecture proposed within the Entrance Corridor should use forms, shapes, scale, and not expected to have a negative impact. materials to create a cohesive whole. 15 Trademark buildings and related features The addition of the blue entrance portal and the None. should be modified to meet the requirements canopy with cobalt blue columns is prompted by of the Guidelines. Mercedes Benz' goal to have all Mercedes locations display the company's national branding scheme. As such, the design is about corporate identity and advertisement, not compatibility with the historic architecture of Albemarle County. However, with the scale and placement of the new SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Staff recommends the following as the primary points of discussion: 1. The entry portal: scale, material, color, compatibility with the original building and the EC 2. The canopy: scale, materials, colors, compatibility with the original building and the EC Staff recommends approval of the proposal with the following conditions: 1. Provide complete information on proposed building /canopy lights for review. If canopy lights are proposed, limit light levels to 20 footcandles maximum. 2. Eliminate the horizontal tracks from the sign proposal when it is submitted for formal review. Also note: The addition of the canopy and the changes to the sidewalk/curbing will require a minor amendment to SDP - 1999 -21. features, the overall building is expected to maintain an appropriate, coordinated appearance in the EC. Lighting The drawings do not include information on Provide complete building or canopy lights. Lighting could increase information on proposed the noticeability and impact of the new features. building /canopy lights for review. If canopy lights are proposed, limit light levels to 20 footcandles maximum. Signs A new sign will be proposed for the front It is recommended that the elevation, but it will be handled with a separate sign letters be reduced in sign application at a later date. The sign illustrated scale and the horizontal in the current drawings incorporates two tracks be eliminated from the horizontal tracks behind the sign panel. The tracks sign proposal when it is appear uncoordinated and out of place. The sign submitted for formal review. letters also appear somewhat overscaled for the sign panel. SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Staff recommends the following as the primary points of discussion: 1. The entry portal: scale, material, color, compatibility with the original building and the EC 2. The canopy: scale, materials, colors, compatibility with the original building and the EC Staff recommends approval of the proposal with the following conditions: 1. Provide complete information on proposed building /canopy lights for review. If canopy lights are proposed, limit light levels to 20 footcandles maximum. 2. Eliminate the horizontal tracks from the sign proposal when it is submitted for formal review. Also note: The addition of the canopy and the changes to the sidewalk/curbing will require a minor amendment to SDP - 1999 -21. TABLE A This report is based on the following submittal items: Sheet # Drawing Name Drawing/Revision Date A -1 Floor plan and west elevation 6 -28 -13 1 Cover sheet, description, compatibility 9 -23 -13 2 -4 Photos of existing building and surrounding conditions 9 -23 -13 5 -6 Proposed elevations, color renderings 9 -23 -13 7 -8 Proposed elevations, line drawings 9 -23 -13 9 First floor plan 9 -23 -13 10 Canopy detail 9 -23 -13 11 Site plan 9 -23 -13 12 Shrubs at service canopy location 9 -23 -13