Title
HPC11-01 689 Atlanta St., Chevron, James Dugger
Body
Item Summary:
Applicant needs Certificate of Appropriateness for the re-imaging of the existing canopy to the new Chevron canopy
Staff Report:
Background
The structure located at 689 Atlanta Street was constructed in 1986 according to building permit records. The property is classified as an Intrusion on the Historic Properties Map.
In 1985, a variance was approved for the gas canopy by the Board of Zoning Appeals. The variance was for the allowance of the pump islands to remain in their present location, within 25 feet of the property and right-of-way lines, and for the waiver of the 10 landscaping strip required.
An application was made to the Design Review Board in 1985 for a renovation of the site and building. No elevations were found in the file for this project but the DRB minutes from December 2, 1986, suggest that the applicant had worked to blend the elevations with the architectural character of the corridor. The proposal was for a pre-engineered building done in steel and glass with stone pebble on the exterior. The applicant proposed using window inserts to give the building a residential appearance and the color of brick was chosen to compliment the Presbyterian Church. The Board asked the applicant to use brick all of the way around the building and landscaping was proposed. The application was approved at the December 2, 1986, meeting.
An application was made to the Historic Preservation Commission in 1992 for another renovation of the gas station. This application was approved at the February 13, 1992, meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission with the following conditions:
1. Existing brick on the building to remain.
2. Mullions to be placed in plate glass window facing Atlanta Street.
3. Trim of the building to be dark gray.
4. Mansard to be gray.
5. A sign over the entrance to be white and to read Food Store.
6. Canopy on the pump island to be gray mansard.
7. The spanner between the support beams on the canopy to be white and no advertising except for requirements of the Federal Government.
8. Fence to be repainted dark gray.
9. Existing light poles be painted gray.
10. Installation of two period type lights from Main Street Lamp to be Main Street #L520 with clear glass, 150 watt high pressure sodium bulb. Pole to be Main Streets AF802 (116 high). These fixtures to be placed on the north and south sides of the landscape area, fronting Atlanta Street.
The building was repainted in 2008.
Proposal
The applicants proposal is for the replacement of the fascia of the existing gas station canopy. The proposed fascia is metal with one set of non-illuminated Chevron letters and 2 hallmark signs. The applicant has proposed 65 lineal feet of Bristol Blue LED down lighting on the Atlanta Street (west) side of the canopy or if down lighting is not permitted, the applicant has proposed a simulated hood decal.
New gas pumps have been installed at the station but the applicant, Shady Vent, was not responsible for this work.
Zoning
The property is zoned H-R/H-R (Historic Roswell / Historic Roswell).
North: C-1/H-R (Central Commercial / Historic Roswell)
South: C-2/H-R (Neighborhood Commercial/Historic Roswell)
East: C-1 (Central Commercial)
West: C-1H-R (Central Commercial / Historic Roswell)
Historic District Design Guidelines
The Design Guidelines do not specifically address a canopy of this nature but encourage the theme of compatibility throughout.
Two historic service stations exist in the Historic District, both constructed in the mid-twentieth century of the Art Moderne style. (846 Atlanta Street and 994 Alpharetta Street) Of these, one has a canopy which matches the principal building of which it serves. The other historic service station has no canopy.
One contemporary gas station exists in the District at the intersection of Alpharetta and Magnolia Streets. (890 Atlanta Street) This station, also classified as an Intrusion on the Historic Properties Map, is not a historically significant building but does feature a building and canopy that match in material and character. Materials, complimentary to the District, are utilized at this service station along with muted tones and indirect lighting.
Staff Recommendation
Though this property is classified as Intrusive and there is no historic significance to the building, it is apparent that compatibility with surrounding structures has been carefully considered in previous applications for this site. The present application is for the replacement of the canopy which will result in a contemporary look that no longer compliments the building it serves or the District.
The staff encourages improvements on the site but recommends deferral of the application on February 9, 2011, until the applicant presents a comprehensive plan showing consideration of the whole site and compatibility with adjacent structures.
Should the application be approved by the HPC, the staff recommends the following:
1. All lighting shall be indirect in nature.
2. The Chevron letters on the canopy shall be considered as one of the wall signs for the property.
Materials
Letter of Intent
Elevation
Survey
Rendering
Presented by:
Cherith Marshall, Planner II