Collierville DRC backs staff recommendation on exterior materials for proposed Crash Champions building

The Collierville Design Review Commission on Feb. 13 voted to approve the staff motion on Case 24‑41‑77 for a new Crash Champions repair building on Highway 72, following a presentation by town staff and remarks from the applicant.

Staff presenter Maria (staff member) told commissioners the project proposes a new building of approximately 6,750 square feet on Lot 1 of the Green Highway 72 Commercial Subdivision adjacent to an existing Crash Champions building of about 8,270 square feet on Lot 2. Maria said the applicant requests two types of metal panels: Alucobond Plus aluminum composite material (ACM) panels for the front entry tower, covering about 400 square feet, and new core (ribbed) steel panels for the rear wall, covering roughly 1,100 square feet. Maria said the town adopted a new section of the zoning ordinance in 2021 that sets brick, stone and wood siding as the default exterior materials in commercial areas, and that high‑quality metal can be allowed only on a case‑by‑case basis. "This request is not a waiver," Maria said, and she described staff’s recommendation to allow flat ACM panels on a limited basis for the front elevation while not recommending the new core steel panels for the rear elevation.

Michael Walker of Walker Arc, speaking for the applicant, said the proposed rear metal is a superior product to traditional ribbed metal and that the rear space will be an employee service annex not open to customers. "We'd love to paint the back building, but we only want to do that if we can get the metal on the back of the new building," Walker said. He told the commission the applicant would install signage to restrict the rear parking area to employees if the DRC allows the rear panels.

Commissioners asked about visibility from adjacent lots, precedent and the town’s design guidelines. Chairman Doss and other commissioners noted the guidelines generally discourage visible metal facades in nonindustrial zones and questioned whether approving the rear metal would create a precedent. Commissioners also discussed that landscaping (upright evergreen shrubs along the southern property line) and site configuration reduce public visibility of the rear wall. Maria noted that if the DRC denies the request, the applicant may appeal to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen concurrent with their development agreement.

After discussion, the commission voted to approve the motion as presented by staff. The staff motion on the screen recommended limited use of Alucobond ACM for the front entry tower and advised against new core steel panels on the rear; the DRC voted to forward the staff recommendation to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen. The applicant was advised that an appeal to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen is available if they wish to contest the DRC decision.

Votes at a glance

- Election of vice chair: Commissioner John Lawhon was nominated and confirmed by the commission (motion and second; voice vote). - Minutes: The commission approved minutes of the Dec. 12 meeting by roll call; Alderman Robbins recorded an abstention, other members voted yes. - Agenda: The commission approved the Feb. 13 agenda by roll call. - Case 24‑41‑77 (Crash Champions, Green Highway 72 Commercial Subdivision): Motion presented by staff and approved by roll call. Commissioners recorded yes votes as follows: Commissioner Peeler (yes); Miss Donhart (yes); Commissioner Hefner (yes); Alderman Robbins (yes); Commissioner Larimore (yes); Chairman Doss (yes). The motion approved the staff recommendation as presented on the screen; the applicant may appeal to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen.

Next steps

Staff told the commission that if the applicant wishes to appeal the DRC’s recommendation on exterior materials, the next step is to appeal to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen concurrent with the development agreement filings. The applicant indicated willingness to paint or rework the existing building’s finishes to better match the new construction if the commission allowed the rear metal panels.