Design Review Board approves signs, remodeling and signage plans [PREMIUM]

SOUTHWEST ELEVATION DRAWINGS for the planned Sellers Tile building.

By DOTTY NIST

In a brief meeting, the Walton County Scenic Corridor Design Review Board (DRB) recently approved signs for a number of businesses on the U.S. 98 Scenic Corridor along with signage deviations, a signage plan, and a remodeling plan for the McDonald’s north of U.S. 98 in Miramar Beach.

This was at the board’s July 5 regular meeting at the South Walton Annex.

The DRB is responsible for review and approval of aesthetics-related components of development and signage proposals along the U.S. 98/U.S. 331 South Scenic Corridor, among those architecture, landscaping, and site plans.

Tim Brown of Walton County Planning and Development services presented the McDonald’s remodeling and signage plans. He told the board members that the remodeling is to include a dual drive-through, architectural improvements, and ADA improvements. Jason Toole, an engineer representing McDonald’s, was present to comment on the requests and answer questions.

Brown explained that due to the building colors changing with the remodeling, the business wanted to change out the signs to match. Colors for the remodel include cream, tan, oak, gray, charcoal, and white, with some accents in gold.

EAST ELEVATION DRAWINGS for the planned remodeling of the Miramar Beach McDonald’s.

The board members approved McDonald’s arches, which are considered a sign, for the east side of the building. As an additional building sign, this was considered a deviation from the corridor standards. Plans for the arches showed their dimensions, 42 inches tall by 48 inches wide. They are to be gold in color and illuminated by LED.

Also approved was a deviation to allow directional signs in the scenic corridor buffer at the McDonald’s. These are to replace existing signs, and the deviation was required due to the scenic corridor standards not otherwise allowing directional signs in this buffer area.

In order to allow for approval of the directional signs, McDonald’s had submitted a master signage plan which included signs already in place that would remain, along with those previously discussed that were on the DRB agenda. The board members approved the master signage plan with all aye votes.

The remodeling plan was approved as well, on the condition of the lighting plan being revised to make the lighting more natural and less blue in color. The remodeling plans are continuing to undergo technical review by the Walton County Technical Review Committee.

Civil, landscape, architectural, and photometic Plans for a Sellers Tile Distributors 20,600-square-foot commercial building on a 2.01-acre site at 2800 U.S. 98 West in Santa Rosa Beach were reviewed. This is to be an alabaster-color, stucco-finish building that may possibly house other businesses as tenants in addition to the tile distribution company.

Applicant’s representative Zach Carroll indicated that the plans had been modified in response to the board members’ comments when they were reviewed at a previous meeting. He said the 30 Avenue development (in Inlet Beach) was an inspiration for the look of the proposed Sellers building.

Although the signage plans for the building were not being presented yet, a discussion arose about the possible need for signage for any tenant businesses. Board member Leigh Moore was concerned that it appeared there would be no place for tenant signage other than where building canopies were shown on the drawings. Carroll responded that there would be lettering for the tenants on windows. This presented a problem, as Brown noted that window signage would not be allowed to be permanent. He also commented that signage on the canopies would not be allowed either. Moore said the only place she could see for signage was above the building canopies or to one side of the doors.

There was discussion that a monument sign could be proposed as part of the signage plans and that it could feature changeable copy for tenants businesses.

With all aspects of the plans, as presented, deemed in compliance with the corridor requirements, the plans were approved, with signage to be addressed later and a signage deviation to possibly be requested at that time.

Approved, as well were building signs for the Community Bank and the BOTE building, both in Miramar Beach. The former is to measure 18.19 square feet and be a terra cotta-colored aluminum cabinet sign with white reverse-illuminated channel letters. The latter is to be 25.9 square feet in size with black aluminum channel letters and a paddle logo below the letters. Both signs were deemed to meet requirements and were approved with all aye votes.

A public workshop to discuss possible changes to corridor signage and lighting requirements was continued to the next DRB meeting, and two agenda items, building signs for Carrabba’s Italian Grill, were not heard, as applications for those building signs had been withdrawn.