Brentwood commission delays library site plan after debate over brick ‘Library’ lettering

The Brentwood Planning & Zoning Commission on Dec. 11 carried over consideration of the Brentwood Public Library’s site-development plan, lot consolidation, rezoning and comprehensive sign plan to the commission’s Jan. 8 meeting after a lengthy discussion over a large brick typographic treatment on the building’s south facade.

Architect Steven Kessel, speaking for the library design team, described the project as an adaptive reuse of the former Retina Institute at 221 (rendering also shows 2201) South Brentwood Boulevard into a new public library. Kessel said the proposal preserves much of the original masonry, adds a glass storefront entrance and uses a custom brick articulation to form the word “Library” in relief on the façade. He said the letterforms are about 11 feet 9½ inches tall and about 66 feet long, yielding roughly a…