Germantown Design Review Commission Meeting – February 25, 2025

The Germantown Design Review Commission met on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting began with an executive session at 5:30 p.m., followed by call to order, quorum establishment (all nine members present), approval of the January 28, 2025 meeting minutes (unanimous), and consideration of consent and regular agenda items.

Consent Calendar

• (15-542) Germantown Collection – Revised Landscape Plan: Approved as part of consent agenda. (2130 Exeter Rd./7850 Poplar Ave.)
• (24-020) The Grove at Germantown Apartments – Re-Faced Ground Sign: Approved as part of consent agenda, with the stipulation that the applicant will work with staff to have the sign base painted a different color. If the applicant wishes a different color than mutually agreed, they must return to the commission for approval.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No citizen comments were offered during the meeting. One audience member declined to speak.

Discussion Items

• (25-005) First Watch – Façade Modification (7810 Poplar Ave., Germantown Collection): The applicant, Ryan Chapel (Development Manager for First Watch), presented a proposal for the former Chili’s location. The project had been previously discussed at a DRC subcommittee meeting on February 13, 2025, where revisions were requested. Staff confirmed that the revised plans removed all proposed signage, decorative façade painting, and wood elements; updated lighting renderings to 3,000K with down-facing wall sconces; and provided paint swatches (Pavestone, Origami White, Smoky Blue, Iron Ore). The applicant acknowledged difficulties in matching the swatches on site but offered to provide a properly painted sample for commission approval or work toward a different acceptable color. Commissioners expressed satisfaction with the improvements and welcomed First Watch to Germantown. A motion to approve the façade modification subject to staff’s comments, conditions in the staff report, and submitted plans was seconded and passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes Approved: January 28, 2025 meeting minutes were approved by a roll call vote (9-0).
• Consent Agenda Approved: Items 5A and 5B were approved together with the condition on the sign base color for Item 5B.
• First Watch Façade Modification Approved: Unanimous vote (9-0) with conditions including final paint sample approval.
• Commission Liaison Reports:
  • Historic Commission: Did not meet; report to be given at next DRC meeting.
  • Parks and Recreation Commission: No report; next meeting scheduled for Thursday.
  • Public Art Commission: A proposed mural on the south side of Southern Social did not proceed; discussion is now focused on a portable mural for the Germantown Festival or similar events, with a questionnaire on public input options underway.
  • Sketch Plan Committee: Did not meet.
  • Tree Board: Reported proactive removal of Bradford pear trees on Farmington, replanting efforts (e.g., new trees near CO Franklin), Arbor Day tree bundling event on March 5 (9 a.m.–12 p.m. at Bobby Lanier Farm Park), and Arbor Day tree giveaway on March 7 at Huey’s for Germantown residents.
  • Board of Mayor & Aldermen (BMA): Alderman Hicks welcomed new commission member Melissa Kimbrough and praised the commission’s work. The BMA is entering budget season. The Streetscape Task Force will meet on February 26 to discuss a pilot project focusing on areas with the most damage to oak trees, aiming to redesign and create a case study.
• Adjournment: The meeting adjourned after liaison reports.