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Dawsonville HPC approves patio, refrigeration enclosure and lighting for 61 Bill Elliott St.
Summary
The Dawsonville Historic Preservation Commission approved a certificate of appropriateness allowing a small ADA restroom addition, a covered patio, a refrigerated equipment enclosure with a privacy fence and a sign light at 61 Bill Elliott Street South, with conditions on lighting and fence height.
The Dawsonville Historic Preservation Commission on April 28 approved a certificate of appropriateness for alterations at 61 Bill Elliott Street South, including a small ADA-compliant restroom addition, a covered patio for on-site dining, relocation of refrigeration equipment to the rear with an enclosed privacy fence, a dumpster enclosure and exterior sign lighting.
Applicant Chris Sheets described the project as “putting on a patio onto the side of the building, so we can have a place for community, to go along with the coffee,” and said the restroom bump-out is needed to meet ADA requirements. Sheets provided measurements for elements of the plan, saying the restroom addition would be about 7 feet 3 inches by 2 feet 6 inches and that a rear concrete slab of roughly 10 by 15 feet would support refrigeration equipment moved out of the interior.
City planner Sarah McQuaid, of consultant CPL, summarized the staff review and recommended approval. McQuaid said the building was not identified as a historic or “contributing” building because it is not more than 50 years old and therefore staff recommended straight approval, but noted the commission could add modifications under the HPC guidelines.
Commission discussion focused on three principal conditions: the style of sign illumination, the height and placement of the fence shielding the refrigeration equipment, and the dumpster enclosure location and screening. Commissioners and the applicant discussed using a decorative gooseneck fixture or a similar downward-facing light for the sign rather than an upward-facing or industrial-style fixture. Sheets agreed that a gooseneck option would be acceptable.
On the refrigeration enclosure, the applicant said outdoor refrigeration equipment was expected to be roughly 7½ to 8 feet tall including the condenser; the rear roofline at the building’s back is about 10 feet 9 inches above grade. Commissioners requested the fence be tall enough to screen the equipment from Academy Street; the maker of the motion and the applicant agreed the fence could be higher than 8 feet if necessary but must not exceed the height of the building.
The commission also discussed the dumpster enclosure’s siting and screening. The applicant and the property owner, John Costly, said alternative locations were considered but rejected due to pavement thickness and vehicle access; Costly said trucks accessing a relocated dumpster would cross thinner pavement and the drive-through lane. The applicant committed to landscaping, perennials and small trees to help screen the bank and enclosure.
A motion by Commissioner William Turner, amended on the floor, to approve the COA as presented carried unanimously. The motion, seconded by Commissioner Heather Allen, included the stipulations that gooseneck (or similar) lighting be installed at the front sign and that the fence around the refrigeration units be not less than 8 feet tall and not higher than the building’s rooftop. Chair Angie Smith cast the aye along with Commissioners Turner, Allen and Sarah Carte.
The commission approved the COA with those conditions and closed the item. No appeals, variances or formal references to state statutes were raised during the hearing.
