Design Review: May 9, 2018

Twice a month, the city of Birmingham’s Design Review Committee convenes at the Auburn Urban Studio to discuss and possibly approve 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 May 9, 2018.

Commercial Projects

Avondale Park

The Texaco in Avondale (3800 Clairmont Ave.) will be changing to a BP. The renovations include removing exterior restroom doors, painting the exterior light brown, and demolition of a screen wall near the restroom doors. The sign package will return to the committee. The neighborhood association previously approved the project.

Status: Approved

The Texaco gas station on Clairmont Avenue will become a BP. Photo courtesy of Google Earth.

Birmingham Green

A presentation of renovations for series of buildings (212-218 20th St. N.) returned to the committee. The project includes replacing the second floor windows for office space and adding a wood-clad storefront to the Iron Age Building to match the neighboring facades for Bistro 218 and Brick & Tin. Clear glass will be added to the transoms.

Status: Approved

Midtown

Childrens Hospital is adding a new office building and parking deck (1620 Fourth Ave. S.) and presented plans for a final design approval. The six story office building and 12-level parking deck will be attached to the existing Childrens campus via a pedestrian bridge. The project will also include a new surface lot with landscaping conforming to the current Parkside guidelines. Metal panels with color accents will be installed to match the other buildings on the campus. Signage will return to the committee at a later date.

Status: Approved

Signage Projects

Midtown

The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel (808 20th St. S.) presented plans to relocate the existing monument sign from the corner to the driveway. The internally lit sign will be smaller than original corner sign.

Status: Approved

The Design Review Committee approved a signage change for the DoubleTree Hotel on University Boulevard. Photo courtesy of Google Earth. 

Representatives for the new Buffalo Wild Wings (1416 Fourth Ave. S.) presented their signage package to the committee. The request was made to add a pole sign to the property. The applicant was informed that the design guidelines do not allow for pole signs in this area and was instructed to work with staff to find signage options that are allowed.

Status: Rejected

Morris Avenue

A multi-tenant building (2121 First Ave. N.) signage plan was presented to the committee. The metal sign will include a tenant directory with property management contact information between the set of exterior entrance doors.

Status: Approved

Residential Projects

Avondale Park

A presentation to replace existing wood windows with Fibrex windows (3838 Sixth Ave. S.) was approved by the neighborhood association with conditions. The committee was informed the conditions included maintaining the existing trim profile, but the neighborhood agreed to replace the 2:1 windows with 1:1, which differs from the original windows.

Status: Approved

Highland Park

A porch demolition project (1026 32nd St. S.) was presented to the committee. The plan is to rebuild the porch with a larger structure made of cedar and metal railing. The existing siding will be reused in the gable of the new roof. The neighborhood association has already approved the project as presented.

Status: Approved