Design Review Board approves sign for 612 South Gay Street with final shop drawings required

The Design Review Board on Dec. 17 approved a Certificate of Appropriateness for a projecting illuminated sign at 612 South Gay Street for the building associated with the Tennessee Theatre, subject to final shop drawings and staff review. Planner Samuel Hawk presented the application and recommended approval with one condition: submit final plans showing the name of the theater, number and spacing of exposed LED bulbs and acrylic letters for staff review before a permit is issued.

Applicant John Halford said the sign is intentionally smaller than the nearby Tennessee Theatre marquee and that internal illumination is limited to the acrylic logo and letters. "This sign is kind of a cute little baby cousin of the Tennessee theatre sign," Halford said, adding the contractor will run power concealed through the masonry.

Board members asked whether the mountings would align with mortar joints and whether new penetrations would be required. Halford confirmed new holes will be made in the limestone and noted some previous abandoned penetrations exist on the facade. Board member Cameron Bolen encouraged minimizing the number of facade penetrations if feasible.

The motion to approve per staff recommendation was made by Lisonbee Burnett and seconded by Tony Allen; the chair called the voice vote and the motion carried. The board's approval requires staff verification of the final shop drawings and LED spacing before a building permit is issued.

The next steps are submission of the required shop drawings to planning staff and permitting review.