Design Review Board not tickled pink over plans

By Staff
Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
Ronnie and Jennifer Woodward and daughter Jessie are making plans to relocate Polka Dots, a boutique and gift shop, from its present location at 113 Railroad Street to a building they own at the corner of Railroad and West Main Street. But before they make the move, they want to repaint the historic red brick building white and trim it out in black and pink. That’s not likely to happen unless the Central Business District’s Design and Review Board changes its mind.
The board reviewed the Woodwards' application for the color scheme change at a meeting Jan. 8 and turned it down, saying it does not conform to the exterior look of existing store buildings in the district. The color pink on window sash trim on the second story and pink shutters on lower floor windows was what made the application unacceptable.
Board Chairman Patrick Pettus said the board’s responsibility is to protect the historical integrity of the buildings in the Central Business District.
Jeff Johnson, director of the Department of Development, agreed the pink paint they used in 2005 was not something the board approved.
All three of the board members indicated they were never called on to go take a look.
The Woodwards have indicated they plan to resubmit their application with changes to the Review Board, according to City Planner Jeremy Griffith. The board is allowed to meet 24 hours after giving public notice to consider a request of an urgent nature.