Twice a month, the city of Birmingham’s Design Review Committee convenes to discuss plans to make alterations to structures that fall within one of the city’s many historic and commercial revitalization districts. This column summarizes recent DRC activity, with projects grouped by type and location. This edition of Design Review recaps the DRC meeting from Feb. 11, 2015.
Commercial Projects
East Lake
The owner of NQ Wireless in East Late (7316 First Avenue North) requested approval for an installation of a fence. The business has experienced a number of thefts and break-ins and the fence would be an additional security measure. Upon viewing images of the building, the site was found to have an excess of signage. The motion was made to hear the fence case after the signage is fixed, in addition to needing a traffic flow and parking site plan.
Status: Carried over.
Signage Projects
Avondale
The exterior renovations at Saturn and Satellite (200 41st Street South) were approved at the January committee meetings. The signage company presented the plan for each business’s signs. Satellite will have a 3D, illuminated black orb with channel letters along the equator line; Saturn will have aluminum letters lit by the existing sconces. The committee expressed concern that if the business arrangement ever changes, the site will need a master signage plan for multiple tenants.
Status: Approved.
Midtown
The renovation at The Stockyard at Railroad Park (1616 Second Avenue South) is mostly complete and the main tenant has moved in. The architect presented signage for two tenants, with a placeholder sign for the optional third tenant. The committee requested the signage plan include sign zones for potential future usage.
Status: Approved.
A master signage plan was presented for Southside Station (401 19th Street South). The mixed use site near UAB hospital currently has a number of restaurant tenants. The criteria for this plan was taken directly from the city’s signage criteria for the Midtown area.
Status: Approved.
The electronic sign project for the offsite parking lot at WorkPlay (500 23rd Street South) returned to the committee. Although the applicant was not present, the committee conducted a brief discussion on the project. Off-premises signs are not allowed. The owner has been advised of this and that the committee will consider an on-premises sign.
Status: No vote, applicant not present.
Residential Projects
Avondale
A total exterior renovation is being undertaken by a homeowner in Avondale (4005 Fourth Avenue South). The neighborhood association approved the plans with conditions on the window style, color suggestions, and requested the owner return with a detailed plan for the new porch. Concerns were expressed about the porch addition affecting the house’s status as a contributing structure to the historic district. The committee agreed with the neighborhood association’s conditions.
Status: Approved.
A duplex near Avondale Park (3927 Fourth Avenue South) is also getting an exterior renovation. The neighborhood association approved the plans with conditions on the window style. The renovation includes updating both sides of the duplex and the owners expressed how they plan to comply with the neighborhood association’s conditions.
Status: Approved.
Redmont Park
Plans for an addition at a Redmont Park residence (2811 Argyle Road) returned to the committee. The requested landscape plan was presented to the committee demonstrating screening along the road at the rear of the property. The best attempts were made not to disturb the existing landscape, with the exception of one of the magnolia trees on site. Concerns were again expressed about the committee overturning a neighborhood association decision for the front yard turn-around and then the owners opted to add a garage and extend the driveway. The motion was made to approve with the condition to remove the turn-around.
Status: Approved, one opposed.