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Board approves 5‑story South Central design but rejects faux‑wood panels
Summary
After extensive debate about materials, the Downtown Design Review Board approved a five‑story mixed‑use building at 802 South Central Street with conditions: no printed wood‑grain metal panels and a poured concrete base, and the applicant must return if zoning percentages change.
The Downtown Design Review Board on May 20 approved a conceptual design for a five‑story mixed‑use building at 802 South Central Street but imposed material and base‑treatment conditions after prolonged discussion about authenticity and durability.
Staff presented the project as a five‑story structure with four floors of office space and two small residential units on the top floor; the applicant’s team said they intend to relocate overhead utilities underground to meet clearance requirements. Logan Higgins, speaking for the applicant, described the proposed paneling and storefront treatments and emphasized constructability.
Several board members objected to the applicant’s proposed “wood‑look” metal panels. Board member Cameron Bolen said he “won’t approve a wood look metal” product and urged a more authentic treatment; another member said printed wood grain can look fake as it ages. The applicant stated the product uses a fine grain intended to provide texture rather than mimic wood from a distance and said samples would be provided during detailed design.
The board approved the project with conditions that the metal panel not present a printed wood grain (approval should be for a non‑wood textured metal in a warm color or a solid warm color) and that the base be poured concrete rather than exposed CMU with parge coat. The motion included that the applicant return if any required modifications to build‑to percentages or zoning standards are needed.
Board members said the conditions strike a balance between allowing durable modern materials and maintaining downtown character. Staff will check color and permanent material choices at permitting to ensure consistency with the board’s intent.
