By Carl Helton, MPC/DRC Board member
During its monthly meeting Thursday (11.15.18) at City Hall, the MPC/DRC (Municipal Planning Commission/Design Review Commission) reviewed façade, lighting and landscaping submissions by Quantum Hotel (previously Motel 6, now Econo Lodge) and approved strict deadlines for work to be completed.
Agenda link: https://tn-lakeland.civicplus.com/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/803
The property at 9822 Huff N Puff Rd is owned by Hinesh Patel.
An overall building color of China white with accent color amaretto was selected from the Historic Paint Palette which meets the Lakeland ordinance. The applicant also submitted required landscaping and lighting plans.
The Board reviewed and approved unanimously the submissions with strict conditions including a time frame of landscape being completed by Feb. 1, 2019 and all painting, signage and lighting to be updated and completed by April 15, 2019.
If the weather hinders completion or material is not available during the required completion date, City staff has the authority to modify the completion date at a reasonable timeframe.
The hotel has had an ongoing issue with the façade that started in the summer of 2017. The building was painted and the color changed without proper review and approval by the city of Lakeland DRC.
The Lakeland Development Regulations clearly authorize DRC review of any modifications of existing non-single-family buildings and accessory structures. In Quantum’s case, its change in façade color resulted in a physical change in appearance of the building.
The owner was cited in August 2017 for “Unapproved and unauthorized exterior building modifications and on-site improvements in progress, without the city of Lakeland DRC review and approval.”
On Jan. 18, 2018 the Shelby County Division 14 General Session’s Court ordered the applicant to “submit appropriate plans for the design review and have approval by March 16, 2018.” On February 14, 2018 the applicant submitted an incomplete set of proposed design. The submittal was lacking the detailed landscape and lighting plans, including material samples. On June 21, 2018 the application submitted plans but as in previous submittals, the package was insufficient. It was explained to the applicant that the color must be from the Historic Paint Palette.
Oakwood Grove
The second item on the agenda was approval of subdivision entrance signs for Oakwood Grove.
Applicant Harry Todtman of Hallmark Builders, Inc. requested an approval of four subdivision entrance signs.
City staff review of the design was in accordance with the City ordinance and requested approval from the Board. The design was presented to the board showing painted brick columns including 1” x 9’-0” fencing between the columns.
A2H which represented the applicant fielded questions from the Board. Members had several questions about the painted columns instead of integral colors as well as the durability of the fencing.
Lakeland Commissioner Wesley Wright suggested the developer consider a more distinctive lettering design for the new subdivision signs, not to be confused with The Grove.
The Board approved the request unanimously.
