HDC approves facade renovation at 99 N. Center Street; applicant Bill Cox recuses

The Collierville Historic District Commission on July 24 approved a certificate of appropriateness for facade modifications at 99 North Center Street, after staff recommended approval subject to conditions and commissioners discussed awning type, siding and brick exposure.

Staff member (presenter) explained the one-story commercial building faces the square, is zoned central business and is not a contributing structure to Collierville’s National Register District based on surveys; staff said evidence exists of a previously installed flat metal canopy and that replacement siding should match existing materials where feasible. Staff described proposed new fiber-cement board-and-batten siding, a fabric awning supported by a powder-coated metal structure, and said a canvas-type awning rather than a PVC-coated fabric would better meet the guidelines. Staff noted a building permit and a design professional are required and warned contractors for both adjacent property owners should coordinate removal of the shared canopy to avoid compromising the neighboring structure’s stability.

Bill Cox, who identified himself and his address and then recused from the item, told the commission he and his team plan to expose and repair brick above the awning where possible and to select awning color to coordinate with the facade. “If it's been painted, we'll let my designer figure out what color it needs to be and to match the bronze that she selected for the awning,” Cox said. Cox recused before the commission’s vote.

Commissioners discussed whether a flat metal canopy would be most appropriate given historic evidence and examples elsewhere on the square, and whether fabric awnings could be used temporarily until a more permanent canopy was installed. Staff noted prior approvals on nearby properties that used standing-seam metal and flat metal canopies as precedent. After discussion a commissioner moved to approve the staff-recommended certificate of appropriateness; the motion passed with Brooks, Rosansky, Dean, Paul and Kelsey voting yes; Cox was recused.

The approval requires the applicant to meet the HDC conditions and obtain required permits before beginning work; staff will coordinate with the building official and contractors on canopy demolition and permit review.