190 s orange

S U M M A R Y

Staf f Report

H I S T O R I C P R E S E RVAT I O N B OA R D

Location Map Subject Property

Project Description

The applicant is proposing to add a new vertical

blade sign at the corner of the building, modify-

ing the previously approved sign; add three (3)

bracketed canopies; add signage to proposed

canopies; add blade signage along façades; add

retail tenant signage over Orange Avenue en-

trance.

Background

Building designed by Howard Reynolds and

constructed in 1929

Landmarked by ordinance in 1977

Contributing structure in the Downtown

Historic District created in 1980

Certificates of Appropriateness have been

issued for roofing, window replacement,

restoration and signage.

The HPB approved changes to the building

including a corner sign at the February

2015 meeting.

Outstanding Issues

The signage as proposed exceeds the allow-

able sign area for this structure.

Public Comment

Courtesy notices were mailed to nearby prop-

erty owners on December 16, 2015. As of

December 23, 2015, staff had received no

comments from the public.

J A N U A R Y 6 , 2 0 1 6

Case Number

HPB2015-00233

Applicant

We Featherston, Architect

Property Location

190 South Orange Avenue,

Landmark and Downtown

Historic District (District 5)

Requested Action

The applicant is requesting a

Major Certificate of Appropri-

ateness to add a new vertical

blade sign at the corner of the

building, modifying the previ-

ously approved sign; add

three (3) bracketed canopies;

add signage to proposed

canopies; add blade signage

along façades; add retail ten-

ant signage over Orange Ave-

nue entrance.

Recommendation

Approval of request above,

subject to the conditions

listed on page 2 of this report.

Project Planner

Richard Forbes, AIA, LEED AP

Updated: December 23, 2015

A G E N DA I T E M 3 190 S O U T H O R A N G E A V E N U E

AC-3A/T/HP

N

P R O J E C T O V E RV I E W A N D D E S C R I P T I O N

Case Number HPB2015 -00233 January 6 , 2016

C O N D I T I O N S O F

A P P R O V A L

Subject to the following

conditions, the proposal is

consistent with the requirements

for approval contained in

Sections 62.201 and 62.704 of

the Land Development Code

(LDC):

1. All changes to this proposal

shall be reviewed and

approved by HPB Minor

Review Committee prior to

permitting.

2. A structural assessment of

how the proposed sign and

proposed canopies will

affect the structure and

specifically the decorative

terra cotta units shall be

provided and if it is shown

that harm will be done to

the building or terra cotta

then that work shall not be

attempted.

3. All sign and canopy

materials and colors shall

undergo additional minor

review for compatibility.

4. New Tenant signage and

heritage images shall

require additional Minor

Review.

5. Blade sign material shall be

durable and not fabric.

6. Windows on the ground floor

may not be blocked by

shelving units and must be

left clear of obstructions.

7. Recommend reducing the

overall height of the corner

sign so that the upper round

portion is located similarly

to the historic sign.

The subject property is located on the northwest corner of South Orange Avenue and West Church

Street. The site is zoned AC-3A/T/HP and the lot is 79 feet wide and 87 feet deep comprising ap-

proximately 7828 square feet. The structure was constructed in 1929, landmarked in 1977 and is

considered a contributing structure in the Downtown Historic District which was created in 1980.

The First National Bank is a classically inspired Art Deco building with Egyptian motifs designed by

architect Howard M. Reynolds. Reynolds designed a number of notable buildings in Orlando includ-

ing Princeton Elementary, Grand Avenue Elementary and Marks Street School.

The four story terra cotta clad building is rectangular in plan and has a flat roof. The building sits on

a substantial grey granite base with a middle comprising the upper floors which contain monumental

pilasters and capitals and an undulating parapet for the top. The architect employed Egyptian mo-

tifs such as the winged griffons and pilasters that resemble bundles of stalks tied together by the

main entrance, the flared capitals and the foliate and vase forms which decorate the frieze and the

panels above the second story windows. The building is one of the most architecturally significant

and rare buildings in the City of Orlando and in the region. The State Historic Preservation Office

notes this building as one of the most impressive examples of Egyptian and classically inspired Art

Deco buildings in the state.

The First National Bank and Trust Company failed in the early 1930s and was reorganized in 1934

as the First National Bank at Orlando. Early photographs show two different angled corner signs on

the building. The first sign was generally oval in shape and the second sign was much taller. Later

after the bank moved in 1960, the building housed Whitehouse Cafeteria, a drugstore, and from

1981 to 2014, Valencia Community College. At one point during the period when the building was a

bank there was an additional storefront and entrance at the north end of the Orange Avenue façade.

Later photos show that the storefront was removed while the building still functioned as a bank.

1960 era photos show the drugstore and a full canopy on the Orange Avenue façade.

Certificates of Appropriateness have been issued for repairs to the building, re-roof, signage, re-

placement of the windows and entry doors, and removal of the non-original canopy.

The HPB approved substantial modifications to the south and east facades along with a new sign at

the corner at the February 2015 meeting and that proposal is not moving forward. The current pro-

posal is to add a sign to the corner similar to the previously approved sign and to add additional

signage and canopies over the existing windows. This proposal does not alter the window openings

or add additional openings.

General View of the First National Bank Landmark building

S A N B O R N F I R E I N S U R A N C E M A P C I RC A 1960-61


First National Bank Building

S I T E P H O T O S


South Façade facing West Church Street

Existing Entry Storefront Entry Detail

Detail of Existing Church Street Facade Corner Details Showing Rust Stains from Sign Supports

East Façade facing South Orange Avenue

S I T E P H O T O S


Corner Pilaster Detail

Original Carved Building Name Details on East Façade Parapet

Stepped Entry Detail Showing Existing Modern Storefront

H I S T O R I C S I G N P H O T O C I RC A 1935


H I S T O R I C S I G N P H O T O S


Circa 1934 Circa 1960

H I S T O R I C PH O T O S


East Façade Showing Storefront in Northern Bay Circa late 1940’s

East Façade Showing Storefront Removed in Northern Bay Circa mid 1950’s

H I S T O R I C RE N D E R I N G S H OW I N G TA L L E R B U I L D I N G


P RO J E C T A N A LY S I S


Secretary of the Interior’s “Standards for Rehabilitation”

Considering an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness

pursuant to this Chapter, the Historic Preservation Board shall

adhere to and seek compatibility of structures in the district in

terms of size, texture, scale and site plan, and in so doing, the fol-

lowing U.S. Secretary of the Interior’s “Standards for Rehabilita-

tion” found in Section 62.201 of the City’s Land Development

Code, shall be considered by the Board in passing upon such appli-

cations:

“Every reasonable effort shall be made to provide a compati-

ble use for a property which requires minimal alteration of the

building, structure, or site and its environment, or to use a

property for its originally intended purpose.”

The structure was built as a bank and has been used as a number

of different business or commercial uses. The property will remain

in commercial use. The proposal adds canopies to the two win-

dows on Orange Avenue and the window on Church Street. A new

large sign is proposed for the corner. It shall be determined if the

building is capable of supporting the new sign with minimal dam-

age to the terra cotta exterior of the building.

“The distinguishing original qualities or character of a build-

ing, structure, or site and its environment shall not be de-

stroyed. The removal or alteration of any historic material or

distinctive architectural features shall be avoided when possi-

ble.”

The proposed sign may affect some historic material and the pro-

posed canopies may alter the façade minimally.

“All buildings, structures, and sites shall be recognized as

products of their own time. Alterations that have no historic

basis and which seek to create an earlier appearance shall be

discouraged.”

The proposals do not create an earlier appearance.

“Changes which may have taken place in the course of time

are evidence of the history and development of a building,

structure, or site and its environment. These changes may

have acquired significance in their own right, and this signifi-

cance shall be recognized and respected.”

Much effort has been made over the years to remove unsympa-

thetic additions and return the building closer to the original ap-

pearance.

“Distinctive stylistic features or examples of skilled craftsman-

ship which characterize a building, structure, or site shall be

treated with sensitivity.”

The proposed signs and canopies will leave all the distinctive fea-

tures untouched. The proposed corner sign may obscure a small

amount of the decorative fluted pilasters.

“Deteriorated architectural features shall be repaired rather

than replaced, wherever possible. In the event replacement is

necessary, the new material shall match the material being

replaced in composition, design, color, texture, and other vis-

ual qualities. Repair or replacement of missing architectural

features shall be based on accurate duplications of features,

substantiated by historic, physical, or pictorial evidence rather

than on conjectural designs or the availability of different ar-

chitectural elements from other buildings or structures.”

Any repairs to the terra cotta shall be with a matching material.

“The surface cleaning of structures shall be undertaken with

the gentlest means possible. Sandblasting and other cleaning

methods that could damage the historic building materials

shall be discouraged.”

Any cleaning shall follow this standard.

“Every reasonable effort shall be made to protect and pre-

serve archeological resources affected by, or adjacent to any

project.”

There are no known archeological resources affected by this work.

“Contemporary design for alterations and additions to existing

properties shall not be discouraged when such alterations

and additions do not destroy significant historical, architec-

tural or cultural materials, and such design is compatible with

the size, scale, color, material, and character of the property,

neighborhood or immediate environment.”

The proposed alterations are contemporary in nature. Generally

the proposed alterations are compatible with the property.

“Contemporary design for new construction shall not be dis-

couraged when such new construction is compatible with the

size, scale, color, material, and character of the property,

neighborhood or immediate environment.”

Not applicable

“Whenever possible, new additions or alterations to structures

shall be done in such a manner that if such additions or al-

terations were to be removed in the future, the essential form

and integrity of the structure would be unimpaired.”

The proposed alterations could easily be removed leaving the es-

sential form and details of the building unchanged.

Sec. 62.704. Facades.

a. Wood. Existing wood siding, trim and details in good condition

or repairable shall be retained. Deteriorated wood shall be re-

placed with wood to match the existing wood in size, shape and

texture. No aluminum, vinyl or other man-made type siding materi-

als shall be used to replace or cover wood siding, trim or details.

Sandblasting wood siding, trim or detailing or the use of any abra-

sive, corrosive or damaging technique, is prohibited. Not applica-

ble.

b. Masonry. Existing masonry in good condition or repairable shall

be retained. Repair or replacement shall be made with materials

duplicating the existing masonry in color, composition and texture.

No aluminum, vinyl or other man-made type siding materials shall

be used to replace or cover masonry, trim or details. Sandblasting

masonry, trim or detailing or the use of any abrasive, corrosive or

damaging technique such as blasting with pulverized materials,

glass beads or other solids, with or without water, is prohibited.

Mortar joints shall be repointed only where there are obvious signs

of deterioration such as disintegrating mortar, cracks in the mortar

joints, loose bricks, damp walls or damaged plaster work. Repoint-

ing shall duplicate the existing mortar joints in size, composition,

texture, color and structural strength. No work is proposed for the

masonry.

(Ord. of 9-16-1991, Doc. #25099; Ord. of 2-22-1993, Doc.

#26392)

1. Roofs. The original roof shape of principal and accessory build-


ings shall be retained. Original roofing material that is in good

condition or repairable shall be retained. Deteriorated roofing

material shall be replaced with new material that is similar to the

original roof in composition, size, shape, color and texture, ex-

cept in the case of asbestos shingles. Asbestos shingles may be

replaced with new materials, such as fiberglass shingles, cement

fiber tiles or shingles, or clay tiles, that are similar to the original

roofing in size, shape, color and texture. Architectural features

that give the roof its character, such as dormers, cornices, tow-

ers, decorative brackets, eaves, chimneys, parapets and exposed

rafter ends shall be retained or replicated. New features, such as

skylights, shall be flush with the roof and shall not be installed on

roofs visible from a public right-of-way. No changes are currently

proposed for the roof.

2. Windows. Windows, frames, glass, muntins, mullions, sills,

lintels and pediments in good condition or repairable and in char-

acter with the style and period of the building shall be retained.

If windows or window details are determined to be unrepairable,

they shall be replaced, on principal facades, with new windows

matching the original in material, size and muntin and mullion

proportion and configuration.

If aluminum windows are used, they shall match the size and

have similar muntin and mullion proportions and configuration of

the original windows. New aluminum windows shall be anodized

or enameled.

When replacing existing windows that are inappropriate to the

style and period of the building, they shall be replaced with new

windows that are appropriate to the style and period of the build-

ing. Windows shall be relocated, enlarged, reduced or intro-

duced into a facade only when the alteration is appropriate to

the style of the building. The windows are not being altered with

this proposal. Tinted glass and stained glass shall not be in-

stalled on the principal facades of any residential building. For

buildings originally constructed for commercial use, clear glass

(88% light transmission) shall be installed on the first floor.

Tinted glass allowing a minimum of 50% light transmission shall

be considered only for use on second floor windows and above

and shall be considered on a case-by-case basis. The use of

reflective glass is prohibited on all buildings. Window glass shall

remain clear and shall not be covered by interior casework or

shelving units.

3. Shutters. Shutters in good condition or repairable and in

character with the style and period of the building shall be re-

tained. Missing shutters shall be replaced with wood shutters to

match the existing. All replacement shutters shall be similar to

the original in size, configuration and style, shall fit the window

openings and shall not overlap on the surface of the wall. There

are no shutters on this building.

4. Awnings. Awning shapes, material, proportions, design, color,

lettering and hardware shall be in character with the style of the

building. Awnings shall reflect the architectural forms of the door

and window openings of the buildings to which they are attached

and shall not damage or obscure any architectural details. The

minimum height of awnings on non-residential buildings shall be

8'0" from the lowest point to the sidewalk and they shall not ex-

tend more than 6'0" from the face of the structure. The highest

point of a first floor awning on a non-residential building shall not

be higher than the midpoint of the space between the second

story window sills and the top of the first floor storefront window

sills. The original form of the building did not include canopies

except over the east facing northern bay which had a storefront and

entry. Later photos from the 1950s show an inappropriate mar-

quee style canopy covering the entire east façade and over the

entry on the west façade. The proposal includes metal canopy awn-

ings over the existing window areas. The installation of the awnings

will cause some damage to the building and it is unclear how they

will be anchored to the structure through the delicate terra cotta

units. The awnings will obscure some details and will be a new

and not historic element on the building.

5. Marquees. Marquees shall be retained where they are an his-

toric element of the building. The design, materials, color, lettering

and hardware of a marquee shall reflect the style and period of the

building. The highest point of a marquee or its superstructure shall

not be higher than the midpoint of the space between the second

story window sills and the top of the first floor storefront window or

transom. Marquees on non-residential buildings shall span the

entire facade or entrance. One marquee shall be permitted on a

facade. The minimum height of a marquee on a non-residential

building shall be 8'0" from the lowest point to the sidewalk. Not

applicable.

6. Doors. Doors and door details, frames, lintels, fan lights, side-

lights, pediments and transoms, in good condition or repairable that

are in character with the style and period of the building shall be

retained. If doors or door details are found to be unrepairable, they

shall be replaced, on principal facades, with new doors and door

details in character with the structure in material, size and configu-

ration. Only when the change is appropriate to the style and period

of the building, shall doors be relocated, enlarged, reduced or intro-

duced. Doors with modern designs, flush or sliding glass doors, or

any type of door which is inappropriate to the style or period of the

structure shall be prohibited. No new doors are being proposed.

7. Porches. Porches and porch features that are in good condition

or repairable and are in character with the style and period of the

building shall be retained. Porches and porch features shall be

repaired so they match the existing in materials, size and configura-

tion. Not applicable.

8. Signs. Existing signs that are in good condition or repairable, in

character with the style and period of the building and in confor-

mance with the Code shall be retained, unless a new business re-

quires the removal of the sign. New signs shall be compatible with

the style and period of the building. In the Downtown Development

District, the requirements of the Facade Design Guidelines shall

also be met. The building is allowed to have 245 square feet of

signage. The proposed corner sign is similar in scale and size to

the sign that was on the building for a time after 1934. The pro-

posed sign has three pieces, a round top sign, a center rectangular

portion and another rectangular portion with the address at the

bottom. The proposed corner sign (including round top portion)

represents approximately 147 square feet of signage. The top

portion of the sign is above 30 feet and may be considered a High

Rise Sign. The signs shall be installed with minimal damage to the

existing historic terra cotta façade. It is not clear at this time if the

supports from the previous signs may be reused or if they are struc-

turally sound. A structural assessment as to whether the sign can

be supported with out damage to the existing building must be com-

pleted.

9. Site Improvements. Chain link fences visible from a public right-

P RO J E C T AN A LY S I S

P RO J E C T AN A LY S I S


of-way or park shall be prohibited. Not applicable.

10. Other. Any other request requiring a building permit deter-

mined by the Planning Official or his designee to have an impact

on an historic landmark or the exterior of a structure in an HP

Overlay district shall be reviewed by the Historic Preservation

Board using the most closely analogous standards of this Chap-

ter. The building is a landmark and interior review of major

spaces may be under the purview of the board. Staff feels that

the proposed changes are not dissimilar from previously ap-

proved interior work as the two story bank lobby space was al-

tered previously. Additionally, certain Downtown Design Guide-

lines apply as well.

(Ord. of 9-16-1991, Doc. #25099; Ord. of 2-22-1993, Doc.

#26392)

Downtown Design Guidelines Part IV, Signs

Section B

3. Sign Architectural Compatibility

a. Signs should make a positive contribution to the gen-

eral appearance of the street and neighborhood in

which they are located. The proposed sign is similar in

size to a sign that was in place after 1935 and does

have an interesting character.

b. Sign size should be proportionate. The size and shape

of a sign should be proportionate with the scale of the

structure. The size of the proposed sign is large and is

at an angle at the corner. The proposed sign is also

similar to a large sign that previously existed. The pro-

posed sign might be more proportionate if it stopped at

the top of the pilasters and did not extend further up

the parapet. The 1934 sign was smaller and did not

extend as high.

c. Signs should be an appropriate scale with the building

on which they are placed and should not overwhelm the

architecture of the building and the character of the

neighborhood. The size of the proposed sign is large yet

is similar in size to the circa 1935 sign. The proposed

sign does obscure some of the detail of the fluting of

the corner pilasters.

d. Place wall signs to establish facade rhythm, scale, and

proportion where facade rhythm doesn't exist. In many

buildings that have a monolithic or plain facade, signs

can establish or continue appropriate design rhythm,

scale, and proportion. The building has a very strong

presence and the sign will anchor the corner. The

proposed blade signs create a rhythm on the building.

The blade signs should be limited to either side of the

entry doors on Church and Orange so as to avoid con-

flict and confusion.

e. As an alternative to an attached sign, lettering may be

painted directly on the building facade. This method

resembles a wooden or metal band but does not re-

quire the introduction of another material. Not applica-

ble.

Summary

Based on the above analysis and subject to the conditions listed on

page 2, staff recommends approval of the requested signage and

alterations to the building.

E X I S T I N G S I T E S U RV E Y


PROP O SED S I TE PL AN A N D GROUN D FLO OR PL A N


P RO P O S E D S I G N AG E P L A N


P RO P O S E D S I T E P L A N


E X I S T I N G A N D P RO P O S E D F L O O R PL A N S


P RO P O S E D C A N O P Y D E TA I L S


C O R N E R S I G N A N D B R AC K E T D E TA I L S


A D D I T I O N A L P H O T O S FRO M AP P L I C AT I O N


190 s orange

Engineering