Design Review Commission Meeting – April 28, 2026

The Germantown Design Review Commission met on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers, preceded by an executive session at 5:30 p.m. The commission approved a consent agenda of five items, heard one regular agenda application (Bain Barbecue exterior modifications), received commission liaison reports, and announced the launch of the Thrive Germantown 2050 comprehensive plan community open house.

Consent Calendar

• Case 26-008: Glenalden PUD – Approval of modification to subdivision entrance gates and fence. Approved unanimously.
• Case 26-009: The Vineyards PUD – Approval of subdivision fence. Approved unanimously.
• Case 26-007: Bain Barbecue – Approval of sign package (wall sign and menu board). Approved unanimously.
• Case 19-903: Target – Approval of additional parking lot signage. Approved unanimously after a brief discussion. Commissioner Schweiffhoffer inquired about Target’s safety policies regarding pedestrian crosswalk signs. Serena Howell, Target representative, confirmed that drive-up team members receive safety training upon onboarding and quarterly.
• Case 26-010: Mid-South Internal Medicine – Approval of wall sign (moved from regular agenda to consent after executive session). Approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke during citizen comments or during the public hearing for Bain Barbecue.

Discussion Items

• Case 26-007: Bain Barbecue – Exterior Modifications (Paint and Landscaping)
  • Staff presented two landscaping options: Option 1 used railing planters and galvanized containers; Option 2 (applicant’s preference) uses evergreen plantings along the patio perimeter, with a fence painted Appalachian brown and planter boxes near the entrance.
  • The applicant (Ryan Glosson, owner) provided updated renderings showing dark Appalachian brown mullions (including mirrored portions) and a two-tone building color: Cimarron on the upper half and Classic Brown on the lower half. The applicant addressed questions about color consistency with other locations, noting that this palette will be used in future locations.
  • The applicant expressed that the design represents the brand’s evolution and that the project is on an accelerated timeline (lease signed January 16, expected opening May 14).
• New Business: Thrive Germantown 2050 Comprehensive Plan
  • Ms. Goraleski announced the community open house on Thursday, May 7, 2026, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Germantown Library. The plan is the city’s first comprehensive update since 1978. Residents can provide input via poster boards, an online survey, and an interactive mapping tool.
  • Alderman Hicks added that the budget (in work session) will support the comprehensive plan and that the tax rate is expected to remain steady for at least five years.

Commission Liaison Reports

• Historic Commission – No report given.
• Parks and Recreation Commission – Reported that the park system is undergoing CAPRA re-accreditation; Riverdale Park is open; Will Drennan Field is lit and dedicated; facility rental policies updated; Farm Park rentals grew from 7 to 40 yearly.
• Public Art Commission – Reported that a poem was stamped into concrete for the Houston Levee Pedestrian Bridge; sculpture pads for the Greenway are moving forward; the Riverwood pedestrian tunnel installations begin in May with community paint days on May 2 and May 9, and artist workshops on May 9.
• Sketch Plan Committee – No meeting this month.
• Tree Board – Reported on the Living Legacy tree program (fee under consideration to increase from $150 to $300); tree mitigation phase two; Arbor Day success; visit from TN Dept. of Agriculture regarding grants.
• Board of Mayor & Aldermen (BMA) – Alderman Hicks provided a brief budget update.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda (Items 5A–5E): Approved unanimously by roll call vote (8-0).
• Bain Barbecue Exterior Modifications: Motion to approve with Option 2 landscaping, seconded, and approved unanimously by roll call (8-0).
• Comprehensive Plan: Next step is the community open house on May 7, 2026 at the library (5:30–7:30 p.m.).
• Meeting Schedule: No subcommittee meeting in May; regular meeting will be Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. (executive session time TBD).

Note: Agenda item 6C (City of Germantown Welcome Signs – revised lighting requirements) was not discussed during the meeting.