Holly Springs Downtown Authority approves Walton Communities flats pending architect color sign-off

The Downtown Development Authority of Holly Springs City voted unanimously to approve a certificate of appropriateness for Walton Communities’ market-rate flats, with the approval contingent on the city architect signing off on the project’s exterior color palette.

Staff member (speaker 1) introduced the project, noting the packet submitted by Walton Communities includes the primary building with courtyard and an L-shaped rear building beside the parking deck. Staff corrected a typo in the agenda’s certificate number and said the correct certificate number appears in the materials handed out to the board. “Walton Communities has submitted their packet for their certificate of appropriateness for their building,” staff said.

The board’s discussion focused on the color palette, not the building massing. Staff reported the city architect, Caldwell Klein, reviewed the plans and “said that the color palette was too contemporary based on the, historic precedent that we've used in the town center.” Staff said the architect will recommend colors drawn from “the Sherwin Williams historic palette that we go by,” and that a materials board requested from the developer was not available at the meeting.

Chair (speaker 3) moved to approve the certificate of appropriateness for the flats “assuming that the approval of the color palette by the city architect,” so that Walton would not need to return to the board for the same item. The motion was seconded and the board voted in favor; staff reported the motion passed 5-0. Staff explained that Nancy (staff) will not issue the permit until the architect signs off on the colors.

The action allows Walton Communities to proceed with plan revisions subject to the architect’s color recommendation; staff said they will meet with Walton and notify the DDA of the architect’s decision at the next meeting.