Design Review Board

Level 1: Sign

2-B-19-DT

Applicant Request

Installation of three new signs for Strayer University at the First Tennessee Plaza.

Cumberland Avenue wall sign (over the parking entrance): This sign is located on the fourth floor above the adjacent sidewalk and is mounted to the concrete façade directly above the entrance to the parking garage. The sign is constructed of internally illuminated channel letters and logo that are mounted to a grey background. The total sign area, including the background, is 3'-6" tall by 13'-5.5" wide (approximately 47 square feet). The illuminated portion of the sign will be smaller, limited to the letters and logo only.

(NOT APPROVED) Gay Street directional sign (at sidewalk): This sign is non-illuminated and mounted to the retaining wall on the north side of the Gay Street frontage. The sign is constructed of metal with .5" thick acrylic letters and logo. NOTE: As of this publishing of this agenda, it has been determined that this sign is not permitted by the City of Knoxville Zoning Ordinance.

Entrance wall sign (above entrance doors): This wall sign is an internally illuminated box sign with a white acyrlic face and burgundy translucent vinyl for the letters and logo. The sign will be mounted above the entrance doors and will be 1'-1.75" tall by 5'-1.625" wide (approximately 6 square feet).

Site Info

The proposed directional sign attached to the retaining wall along the Gay Street sidewalk has been determined to be prohibited by the sign regulations of the zoning ordinance. Staff is recommending that if an alternative is proposed that meets the sign regulations and the design guidelines, that staff be able to administratively approve the sign.

Staff has reservations with approving the large illuminated wall sign on the Cumberland Avenue elevation, which is one reason this application is being considered by the board for approval. In addition, the guidelines do not address wall signs in this type of location which is another reason the board is reviewing this application.

Nearby wall signs (for reference):

Residence Inn: Internally illuminated channel letters, 2'-6" tall and a total of 21'-1" wide (approximately 53 square feet). Located on the 13th floor.

Sea Ray: Non-illuminated metal letters, 5'-0" tall by 30'-0" wide (approximately 150 square feet). Located on the State Street side of the First Tennessee Plaza parking garage, 5th floor.

Cook Lofts: Painted wall sign, 5'-0" tall by 12'-0" wide (approximately 60 square feet). Located on the rear elevation of the Cook Lofts building, 2nd story.

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.