HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_HARC_05.11.2011 SpecialCity of Georgetown, Texas
Historic and Architectural Review Commission Sign Subcommittee Meeting
Minutes
Wednesday, May 11, 2011, at 4:00 pm
Georgetown Municipal Complex
300-1 Industrial Avenue, Georgetown, Texas 78627
Members present: Dee. Rapp; Susan Firth; and :Sarah Blankenship
Members absent: none
Staff present: Robbie Wyler, Historic District Planner; Valerie Kreger, Principal Planner;_ and Avery
Craft, Recording Secretary
Dee Rapp called the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m.
The Historic and Architectural Review Commission Sign Subcommittee is responsible for hearing
and taking final action on sign applications, by issuing Certificates of Design Compliance based
upon the City Council adopted Downtown Design Guidelines. This is a regular scheduled meeting
of the Sign Subcommittee, for consideration and possible action on the following:
1. Review and possible approval of the minutes from the March 24, 2011 Sign Subcommittee
meeting-
2-
Motion by Firth to accept the minutes as presented. Second by Rapp. Approved 2 — O
(Approved; Rapp and Firth; Blankenship not present at this time).
Norninatiort and selection of Subcommittee Chair, Vice -Chair and Secretary.
Motion by Rapp to elect Firth as Chair of the Historic and Architectural Review
Commission Sign Subcommittee. Second by Firth. Approved 2 — O (Approved; Rapp and
Firth Blankenship not present at this time).
Motion by Rapp to elect self as Vice — Chair and Blankenship as Secretary of the Historic
and Architectural Review Commission Sign Subcommittee. Second by Firth. Approved
3 - o (Approved; Rapp, Firth and Blankenship).
3. Public Hearing and possible action on a Certificate of Design Compliance for new signage in
Glasscock Addition, Block 22 1/2, Lots 5 ea 6, also known as Simon 8c Sons Flooring, located at
1107 S. Main Street. (CDC-2011-008)
Wyler presented the staff report. "The applicant seeks Certificate of Design Compliance
approval from HARC to install a new business sign. The Moderate Density Overlay (MD(23)
wooden .sign will be installed just above the edge of the Main Street facing overhang and
attached using metal brackets, hidden from view from the street. The previous business had a
similar sized sign mounted directly onto the roofing but due to current sign regulations, the
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May 11. 2011
applicant cannot mount the sign in the same location and will need to mount it directly to the
overhang edge, similar to many canopy signs found around the square_ The sign will measure
3 feet tall by 8 feet wide, totaling 24 square feet and will read "Simon 8-c Sons Flooring" in three
colors_ The background will be ivory and the wording will consist of ivory and dark green
Times New Roman and italicized lettering with a tan / buck skin shadowing. The same green
.and tan / buck skin colors -will be used around the sign for a border_ The green used for the
lettering. will match the green currently on the building. At this time, the applicant does not
.propose any other signage or illumination.
Staff recommends approval of the Certificate of Design Compliance for the new sign as
proposed by the applicant with the condition that the mounting brackets .are painted to match
the green. on the building.
Firth stated that she likes the design of the sign but offers the following recommendations for
the applicant to consider: the mounting bracket of the sign should be painted black; the sign
should be positioned lower; the window sign should provide the hours of operation andphone
number to the business_ Applicant will have to meet again with staff to discuss these
recommendations.
The commissioners, applicant, and agent Ray Shawley from Affordable Signs discussed the
colors of the sign and how they are going to be used. Kay explained that the background color
in the sign is to be light beige. Commissioners agreed that the color should be slightly lighter
than what was presented. Commissioners also urged the applicant to come up with a
comprehensive .plan for what advertisements will be in the windows.
Rapp suggests that the color of the brackets should blend as closely as possible with the roof in
an effort to minimize the appearance of the brackets_
Motion by Blankenship to approve the Certificate of Design for the sign with the condition
that the background color of the sign be lighter than the color submitted, and the brackets be
painted to match as close as possible to the roof_ Second by Rapp. Approved 3 — O
(Approved; Rapp, Firth and Blankenship).
4. Public Hearing and possible action on a Certificate of Design Compliance for new signage in
City of Georgetown, Block 51, Lot 3 (Fit), also known as Scent Chips am More, located at 112 W.
8.1, Street. (C1=)C-2011-009)
Wyler presented the staff report. The applicant seeks Certificate of Design Compliance
approval from 1-1AR.0 for four (4) new business signs_ First, the applicant wishes to install a
flush -mounted wall sign above the Sih Street transom windows. The signwill be constructed
of Moderate Density Overlay (MDO) wood. Only two colors, black and white, are proposed.
The backdrop will be white and black vinyl lettering reading "Scer.tchips, the original
fragrance melt" will be applied on top. A black decorative pattern and border will be included
in the design. Measuring 3 feet tall by 5.3 feet wide, the sign has an area of just under 16
square feet.
Next, a two-sided projecting sign will be installed on an existing black metal bracket where the
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previous business' hanging sign was located, directly above the entrance door. Measuring 70
inches tall by 36 inches wide, the proposed sign has an area of 2.5 square feet and will consist
of a similar black and white design with black border.
An A -frame sign for the 8.. Street sidewalk is .also proposed. The sign will be an 8.8 square
foot wooden sign that will be painted black and white. Matching the design of the proposecl.
flush -mounted sign, the name of the business and the decorative design and border will be
incorporated into the A -frame sign but placed near the top. Below will. be the hours of
operation and contact information as well as some additional services the business offers. The
applicant also proposed placing colored pictures of miscellaneous items relating to the
business at the bottom of the sign.
Lastly; the same design proposed for the flush -mounted wall and A -frame signs will beplaced
on the 8.. Street windows above existing text that currently reads "Humidor, Gifts, Home
Accessories". Together, the total area of window signage will come to 3.1 square feet, just over
7% of the total window area..
Staff recommends approval of the Certificate of Design Compliance far the new sign as
proposed by the applicant with the condition that the colored figures at the bottom of the A -
frame sign be reduced in color to black outlines with either a white fill or another color
complementary to the building. Not knaysing the exact colors of the figures could result in an
appearance not appropriate for the sign.
Ray Shawley of Affordable Signs was present as the applicant's agent to answer any
questions.
Shawley is asked if the words in both of the windows: are the same and he states that they are
different. The window on the left hand side reads "Humidor, Gifts, and Home Accessories"
and the window on the right hand side is intended to read "Melting Pots, Lamps and Unique
Gifts." Commissioners advisedapplicant to address any open signage in the window and re-
visit with staff to determine what will be permitted.
Firth suggests that the A — Frame sign read out the words "Monday — Friday," as opposed to
the abbreviated "Mon — Fri." In addition, Firth would like to have the images at the bottom of
the sigrts omitted, as they are distracting and do not serve a purpose for the A -Frame. Lastly,
the letters on the sign need to be spaced out_
Blankenship asks why the sign is black and white.. Shawleystates that the black and white sign
is the existing logo for Scent Chips. Commissioners discuss how to incorporate color to the
sign and the following ideas were presented:
• Add a green edging around the existing black
▪ Make the existing black outline fatter
▪ Make the background color black with white lettering
▪ Change the existing black outline to a fatter green
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May 11. 2011
Motion by Rapp to approve the Certificate of Design Compliance with the following.
conditions: 1. The flush mounted wall sign needs to be up to four (4) square feet larger,
centered, and staff needs to review the following options for the coloring- of the sign: a)
additional green edging around the existing black b) a fatter black edging, c) black
background with white wording, or a fatter green edging; 2_ The vroie`-tirng sign should
match the mounted wall sign; 3_ The A — Frame sign should reflect the following: a) The
words Monday — Friday shall be spelled out, not abbreviated, b) lines shall be spaced out, c)
the word "gifts" shall be substituted, as it is used twice, d) color and material of the handle
should be reviewed by staff prior to final approval; 4) The window sign — staff and the.
applicant are to review the six (6) bullet points on the sign for verbiage and eliminate the
redundant word "gifts" and consider centering the logo that is .currently located in the
upper corners. (not a requirement but a suggestion). Second lay Firth_ Rapp amended her
original motion to change the proposed color for the flush mounted wall sign from a black
background with white lettering to a green background with white lettering. Second by
Firth. Approved 3 — O (Approved; Rapp, Firth and Blankenship). Original motion passed 3 —
O (Approved; Rapp, Firth and Blankenship).
5. Adjournment
Rapp adjourned the meeting at 4:59 p.m.
P.pprcv d, Dee I2a�l3' Chair Attest, Susan Firth�
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