MINUTES
CITY OF GOOSE CREEK
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD MEETING
MONDAY, MAY 17, 2010, 6:30 p.m.
GOOSE CREEK MUNICIPAL CENTER
519 N. GOOSE CREEK BOULEVARD

I. Call To Order - Chairperson Sharon Clopton
Ms. Clopton called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
Present: Kristen Bowden, Sharon Clopton, Jeri Haga, Tom Risso
Absent: Michael Collins, Nancy Hellstrom, Fred Smith
Staff Present: Daniel Ben-Yisrael, Sarah Hanson

II. Review of Minutes - April 19, 2010

Motion: Mr. Risso made a motion to accept the minutes as submitted. Ms. Haga seconded.
Discussion: There was none.
Vote: All in favor.

III. New Business - Minor Applications

A. Hardees - Reroofing

There was no one present to represent the application. Ms. Clopton tabled the application until the end of the agenda.

Following the remainder of the agenda items, Ms. Clopton asked Mr. Ben-Yisrael what he suggested to do concerning Hardees. He summarized the status of their application, as at last month's meeting the applicant claimed the color had faded to some extent and asked the Board to approve the current color. The applicant was to come back to this meeting after allowing the Board to review the color. He said that he would follow up with the applicant and let them know they are to appear again.

B. Trident Baptist Church - Monument Sign

The church had received approval for the structure in March 2009 but had been requested to bring back before the Board the selected font and colors to be used for the lettering. Ms. Clopton asked what the background color was, and the representative responded it was white, the same color as the stucco. He presented a lettering sample. He stated all the lettering will be raised, but the cross will be indented.

Motion: Mr. Risso made a motion to accept the application as submitted. Ms. Bowden seconded.
Discussion: There was none.
Vote: All in favor.

C. Murphy Gas - Canopy Signs

There was no representative present, so the item was moved to the end of the agenda.

Following the remainder of the agenda items, the Board asked about the Murphy Gas application. Mr. Ben-Yisrael stated Murphy Gas initially contacted Staff about changing out some of their canopy signs but have since not responded to our calls for additional information.

D. Aarons - Wall Mounted Signs and Tenant Panel

Mr. Villanueva of B & C Sign Service presented the application. Ms. Clopton asked about how the number of signs was determined. Staff explained that because of the language of the ordinance the vendor agreed to mount the letters on two lexan, or plastic, boards; otherwise Staff would have had to consider them four individual signs. Ms. Bowden asked about the type of lettering used, and Mr. Villanueva showed her the sample of lettering.

Motion: Mr. Risso made a motion to approve the application as submitted. Ms. Haga seconded the motion.
Discussion: There was none.
Vote: All in favor.

E. All About Hair - Wall Mounted Sign and Tenant Panel

Mr. Matt Brooks with Fast Signs presented the application.

Motion: Mr. Risso made a motion to accept the application. Ms. Bowden seconded the motion.
Discussion: Ms. Bowden asked about having a landlord letter, as the other tenants' signs are all in red. Mr. Brooks said he has a letter, and the landlord is willing to allow the different signage. When asked why the different signage, Mr. Brooks stated the client wanted something different and had a very strong opinion as to what type of brand she wanted to convey.
Vote: Three voted in favor; one opposed.

F. Sprint - Wall Mounted Sign and Tenant Panel

Mr. Matt Brooks with Fast Signs presented the application. He presented a color sample for the yellow on the sign. Ms. Clopton asked what color "Sprint" was on the tenant panel, and Mr. Brooks responded that it was black.

Motion: Mr. Risso made a motion to accept the application. Ms. Haga seconded.
Discussion: There was none.
Vote: Three voted in favor; one opposed.

G. Q Nails - Wall Mounted Sign and Tenant Panel

A representative from Charleston Sign and Banner presented the application. Ms. Clopton asked for clarification as to whether the sign was to say "Q Nails" or "Q Nail", and it was stated it should be "Q Nails".

Motion: Mr. Risso made a motion to accept the application. Ms. Haga seconded.
Discussion: There was none.
Vote: All in favor.

Ms. Bowden asked for confirmation that the raceway would be painted to match the building, and the representative stated it would be.

IV. Major Application - Living Word Church: Site Plans, Elevation and Materials

Kevin Berry, civil engineer for the project, and Pastor Cutler of Living Word Church presented
the plans for the proposed project. Mr. Berry stated they were hoping to get preliminary approval. He explained that the new 7,000 s.f. building would be built at the back of the property, and then at some point the existing two buildings would be demolished. He explained that Staff had requested additional landscaping around the detention pond as well as at the front of the property, and he stated that could be done. There was brief discussion about the distance of the rear of the property from Carolina Avenue, and it was explained there was another parcel between the subject property and Carolina Avenue. There was brief discussion about the need for a fence around the detention pond. It was explained that in most cases that wasn't required depending upon the size of the pond.

There was discussion concerning the planned site meeting parking requirements, and Staff stated it did. When asked about the location for a dumpster, Pastor Cutler stated that rather than using a dumpster they have used roll carts. Mr. Berry stated they would review the need for locating a dumpster on the property.

Mr. Ben-Yisrael stated he had not had a chance to review the revised plans in terms of his Staff comments and suggested the Board to conduct an initial review of the project. He explained that Staff had received the plans just a week ago with the hope of including them on the agenda, then Staff prepared comments hoping the applicant would be able to address them for the meeting. Because there are still some outstanding issues that Staff hasn't been able to review again, Staff recommended that the Board continue the application until next month so that Staff had time to review the revised drawings and address the outstanding comments.

Pastor Cutler provided color samples and described the elevation of the building. He stated the windows would be recessed and trimmed in the darker color used for the building trim. He said in response to one of Staff's comments there would be a metal coping along the top of the building in the same trim color. He stated the columns would be painted the lighter color but trimmed in the darker color. Ms. Haga asked if there was a stripe along the dark band or trim at the foundation level, and he stated there would not be another stripe. Pastor Cutler mentioned Staff's request concerning a higher pitch to the gable above the portico. He stated he would like to get away from that, as he is trying to keep the building from looking like a church. Mr. Risso stated that in respect to the aesthetics of the building he felt some variation in height was needed. The Board discussed other options and requested that they bring revised options on paper to the Board at the next meeting. The Board requested that the revised plans include plans specific to HVAC placement and plans for screening. Mr. Ben-Yisrael stated Staff would meet with the applicant and review any modifications in response to Staff and Board comments.

Motion: Mr. Risso made a motion to continue the application until the June Board meeting. Ms. Haga seconded.
Discussion: There was none.
Vote: All in favor.

V. Comments from ARB

Ms. Clopton asked if Staff would be able to take any action on the appearance of the Plantation Square sign even though it is located outside the City. Mr. Ben-Yisrael said he would have to check to see if there is anything Staff could do. Ms. Clopton asked about the Jim Walters Home sign, and Mr. Ben-Yisrael reported that the agent for the property asked that the sign remain, as the prospective buyer for the property wished to keep the sign. She also asked for clarification about the Aaron's sign, and Staff explained the ordinance and how the signs had to be mounted to meet the ordinance. Ms. Bowden asked about work performed at the old Applegate location, asking why no improvements were made to the front. Mr. Ben-Yisrael answered that he would research what had been previously approved.

Mr. Ben-Yisrael mentioned that in regards to the Living Word application he had met with the architect and the applicant recently and had made comments to them during that meeting. Then when receiving the plans, those comments still had not been addressed. He then issued a Staff comment letter in response to the plans. Knowing that the time frame was so tight and that there were still various outstanding issues, he came prepared to request that they continue the application to the next meeting. He stated he felt the Board's feedback was valuable to the applicant, but typically he prefers to have the majority of the issues addressed prior to the Board's review.

Ms. Bowden asked about the property on Red Bank Road that was "The Pink House," and Mr. Ben-Yisrael stated he would ride by to see if it had been painted.

VI. Comments from Staff

Staff had no further comments.

VII. Adjournment

Mr. Risso made a motion to adjourn. Ms. Bowden seconded. All voted in favor. Meeting adjourned at or about 7:18 p.m.