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Design Review Commission approves First Watch facade modification at Germantown Collection
Summary
The Germantown Design Review Commission approved a facade modification for a First Watch restaurant at 7810 Poplar Avenue with conditions that the applicant provide satisfactory paint swatches and adhere to staff recommendations.
The Germantown Design Review Commission on Feb. 25 approved a facade modification for First Watch at 7810 Poplar Avenue, the former Chili's location in the Germantown Collection, subject to staff conditions and further review if the applicant chooses a different paint color.
The approval followed a staff presentation that described revisions requested at a Feb. 13 subcommittee meeting: removal of proposed signage from renderings, removal of decorative facade painting, changes to exterior materials to remove some wood elements, and updated exterior lighting specified at 3,000 K. Planning staff said the applicant provided on-site paint swatches and committed to provide a painted sample that better reflects the intended finish. "The applicant is open to that," planning staff told the commission.
Ryan Chapel, development manager for the project, told the commission First Watch, a breakfast and lunch restaurant chain established in 1986, is proposing the Germantown site as it expands into the Memphis area. "We are proposing to come into Memphis with this Germantown location and are excited to be part of your town," Chapel said. He said the applicant would provide an additional painted swatch and work with city staff if the swatch does not match the commission's expectations.
A motion to approve the facade modification was made, seconded and carried on a roll-call vote. The motion approved the facade changes "subject to commission's discussion, staff's comments and conditions of approval in the staff report and the documents and plans submitted with this application," per the motion text recorded in the meeting.
Commission discussion focused on paint-swatch accuracy and avoiding signage or mural treatments that would conflict with the commission's guidance. One commissioner suggested exploring an artistic metal or espalier-style treatment similar to nearby storefront features as an option if the applicant does not use wall areas for signage.
Next steps: the applicant will supply a painted wall sample that reflects the intended finish; if the sample and final color choice differ from what the commission approves, the applicant must return to the commission for further review.
Votes at a glance: the motion to approve the First Watch facade modification passed on a unanimous roll-call vote.
