Germantown Design Review Commission Meeting - July 22, 2025

The Design Review Commission of Germantown, Tennessee, met on July 22, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting covered a consent agenda with two routine approvals, a public hearing and vote on a new bank building site plan, and liaison reports from city commissions. The meeting was chaired by Chairman Bronze, with all commissioners present.

Consent Calendar

• (25-005) First Watch – Approval of a sign package (2 wall signs) at 7820 Poplar Ave. (Germantown Collection). Approved unanimously.
• (15-560) Harvest Church – Approval of a revised final site plan for church expansion at 3645 Forest Hill-Irene Rd. Approved unanimously. (Commissioner Nishwitz recused himself on this item.)
• (25-004) West Tennessee Bank – This item was originally on the consent agenda but was removed at the request of a citizen (Mr. Sklar) and considered separately as a regular agenda item (6A). See Discussion Items below.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mr. Sklar (representing the pharmacy, plastic surgeon, and dentist on Cordova Cove) spoke in opposition to the West Tennessee Bank landscape plan. He requested additional screening – specifically, a row of Burford Holly and larger trees (crepe myrtles or willow oaks) – to hide employee parking from view, citing that all other buildings in the professional center have such screening. He argued the proposed perennials and junipers would not adequately shield car grills and radiators, and that the cost would be minimal.

Discussion Items

• West Tennessee Bank (25-004) – Proposed new bank building at 7707 Wolf River Circle (Wolf River Professional Center). The applicant (Mike Edwards, representing the bank) presented a 4,400-square-foot building on a one-acre site, with landscaping, lighting, and materials meeting city design guidelines. The site plan had been reviewed by the Wolf River Circle HOA, which approved it. Commission members discussed the adequacy of the landscape screening: staff noted that the gray owl juniper planted would reach 36 inches at maturity within 3–4 years, sufficient to cover most vehicle fronts. Concerns were raised about planting trees in the public easement, and the commission noted that the proposed plantings already comply with the Design Review Manual. The HOA of the adjacent Cordova Cove (represented by Mr. Sklar) was not part of the approval process. Chairman Bronze and Alderman Hicks acknowledged Mr. Sklar’s concerns but stated the proposed plan met standards and was consistent with the development.

Key Outcomes

• West Tennessee Bank – Motion to Approve: The commission voted unanimously (8–0) to approve the preliminary and final site plan as submitted, subject to staff comments and the documents on file. Commissioner White emphasized that the HOA had approved the plan, the plants meet city guidelines, and the maturity timeline is acceptable. Alderman Hicks added that planting at full height decreases survival rates. The motion passed with all commissioners voting yes.

Commission Liaison Reports

• Historic Commission (reported by Mr. White): Upcoming events: a parade of historic locations on September 26, 2025 (1–3 p.m.) featuring open houses at the train depot, John Gray House, chapel, Baptist Chapel, and Fort Germantown; and a Train Heritage Day on August 16, 2025 (10 a.m.–4 p.m.), aligned with Carville’s Heritage Day.
• Alderman Hicks reported on the Germantown Community Library (now offering the New York Times, Friends of the Library bookstore) and the Board of Mayor and Aldermen: the budget was approved, and discussions are underway with the Board of Education to fund high school renovations through traditional and creative methods (public-private partnerships, corporate funding, etc.).

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned after no further business.