Collierville DRC backs ACM for Crash Champions entry while commissioners debate rear metal panels

The Collierville Development Review Commission on Feb. 13 recommended approval of aluminum composite material (ACM) panels for the front entry tower of a proposed Crash Champions building at Lot 1 of the Green Highway 72 Commercial Subdivision, while commissioners debated whether to allow new core steel panels on the rear elevation.

The matter reached the DRC after planning staff presented the applicant’s design and the town’s exterior-materials guidance. Maria, town planning staff, told commissioners the new building would be about 6,750 square feet on Lot 1 while the existing building on Lot 2 is about 8,270 square feet. The applicant proposed Alucobond Plus ACM panels on the front entry tower (approximately 400 square feet) and recessed-fastener “new core” steel panels on the rear wall (about 1,100 square feet). Maria said the town’s 2021 zoning ordinance updates set brick, stone and wood siding as the default material in commercial areas and that “high quality metal” may be allowed on a case-by-case basis by the DRC.

Why it matters: commissioners said the case raised precedent concerns because the property is not zoned industrial and the DRC’s material standards emphasize masonry on visible facades. Staff recommended limited use of ACM on the front elevation but did not recommend the new core steel panels for the rear elevation. Maria also noted a prior approval for corrugated metal on the existing rear facade dated 02/2009 and said the applicant has proposed painting the existing building to better match the new building if the DRC allows the rear metal.

Applicant response: Michael Walker, of Walker Arc, said the proposed rear panels are “a superior metal product than your traditional rib standing seam” and that the company would paint the existing annex to match the new building and install signage to restrict customer access to the rear service area. “We’re fine with [painting the rear building], but we only want to do that if we can get the metal on the back of the new building,” Walker said.

Commission discussion focused on visibility and precedent. Some commissioners noted the rear elevation is largely not visible from the public realm and pointed to landscaping (upright evergreen shrubs) proposed along the southern property line as screening for future adjacent development. Others asked how the DRC would defend allowing metal on non-industrial commercial properties without creating a precedent that would encourage more metal facades.

Outcome: A motion presented by staff was moved, seconded and approved by roll call. The DRC’s action is a recommendation to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen (BMA); Maria told commissioners the applicant may appeal the DRC decision to the BMA concurrent with the development agreement. The DRC did not adopt additional conditions on record beyond the motion on the screen.

Details and context: The proposed front entry uses Alucobond Plus ACM panels, described by staff as 4 millimeters thick with two bonded aluminum sheets; the rear wall would use recessed-fastener steel panels in a charcoal paint. Staff’s material summary showed the rear elevation would have the least percentage of masonry (about 8%). Staff noted the Crash Champions corporate prototype includes flat metal panels for an entry tower and ribbed panels at the rear for the service area.

Next steps: The DRC recommendation will go to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen; the applicant may also choose to resubmit or appeal, per the procedure described by staff.