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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_HARC_04.11.2012 SpecialCity of Georgetown., Texas Historic and Architectural Review Commission Sign Subcommittee Meeting Minutes Wednesday, April 11, 2012 Georgetown Municipal Complex, Nev., Planning Conference Room 300-1 Industrial Ave, Georgetown, Texas 78626 Members present: Susan Firth, Chair; and Tim Urban Members absent: Sarah Blankenship Staff present: Robbie Wyler, Historic District Planner; Valerie Kreger, Principal Planner; and Karen Frost, Recording Secretary Firth called the meeting to order at 4:01 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 action on the minutes from the March 14, 2012 Sign Subcommittee meeting_ Firth asked that Wyler's original staff recommendation be included. Motion by Firth to accept the minutes- with the amendment_ Second by Urban. Approved 2 - O. 2. Public Hearing and possible action on a Certificate of Design Compliance for new business sigrtage at City of Georgetown, Block 52, Lot 3 (s/pt), also known as Balance Wellness Center, located at 809 S. Main Street (CDC-2012-012) Wyler presented the staff report. The applicant seeks Certificate of Design Compliance approval from HARC for a new flush -mounted wall sign advertising his business. The sign will be constructed of Moderate Density Overlay (MDO) wood with a vinyl digital print and will be hung against the building where the previous "Kurt Tex 'CJ" sign was located_ The. 2-foot by 6-foot sign will read. -Balance Wellness Center" in light blue and black_ A thin black border will be placed around the sign. At this time, the applicant has stated he does not wish to place any additional signage on the building. Renderings and further details for the proposed sign are provided below and within the applicant's supporting application materials attached to the report. Staff recommends approval of the Certificate of Design Compliance for the flush -mounted sign as proposed by the applicant. Staff recommends that if in the future the applicant updates the awnings that they incorporate the blue and black of the sign and trim, similar to how the Salon next door incorporated their colors into the sign and awnings. A change in awning design would require approval from HARC prior to being completed. Ben Parker, the applicant, was present and stated that he intended to include a black border around the sign, as indicated on the application and unlike the current banner. Firth opened and closed the public hearing at 4:05 with no public comments. Historic and Architectural Kaviaw Commission Sign Subcommittee Page 1 of 3 Minutes April 11, 2012 Firth stated that in the future she felt his business needs pedestrian signagc on the window or door with contact information, hours of business, etc. and that he should revisit the Commission for approval of those as well. IJrbart questioned the size of the flush -mounted sign, asking about it blocking the brick frieze. VVyler explained that it was consistent with the other flush -mounted sign two -doors down, I ezmataz, and that since itwas not completely blocking the frieze, he felt it was okay_ Miotiort by -Urban to approve the sign as presented. Second by Firth_ Approved 2-0_ 3. Public Hearing and possible action on a Certificate of Design Compliance for new business sigrtage at City of Georgetown, Block 41, Lot 4 (pt), also known as A Premium Slend School of Performing Arts,. located at 708 S. Austin Avenue, Suite 201. (CDC-2012-013) Wyler presented thestaff report. The applicant seeks Certificate of Design Compliance approval from 7H1Al2C for three new signs. Pirst, a sign is proposed for the main facade of the building, above the existing "50/50" canopy sign. The applicant wishes to install a flush -mounted wall sign to complement the neighboring "Sweet Serendipity" sign but has been informed by the building owner to not puncture the historic building's facade in any way so asks for both HARC and staffs guidance in installing an appropriate sign for this location. The proposed, and preferred, sign measures 1.4 feet tall by 16 feet long, similar but slightly longer than the neighboring sign and reads "A Premium Blend School of Performing Arts in a decorative maroon, gold and cream script and border. The only other option is to hang it directly on the canopy tie rods. This is not the applicant's preferred method of installation and would push the sign out from the facade. Next, a hanging sign will be installed under the canopy and in front of the business' entrance, just to the south of the restaurant's entrance_ The design of the hanging .sign is similar to the primary sign but incorporates a more decorative shape. It measures 1 foot tall by three feet wide and provides the required 7-foot clearance. Lastly, vinyl window signage will be installed on the entrance door and street -facing window. The applicant has proposed three styles of window lettering and asks for HARC's guidance towards which will be more appropriate: The first and preferred option incorporates a more solid, printed design for the front window with cream lettering for the door. The second option applies a frosted backdrop on the window with cutout lettering. The language on the door will be presented in the same frosted vinyl. The third option calls for black and white cutout letters on both the window and door. Detailed renderings for all three options have been attached to this staff report_ With all three options, the window sign will read "A Premium Blend School of Performing Arts" with the website and contact number below. The door will also have the name of the busirtess but with the applicant's name, title, and "by Appointments Only" added below. All three options measure 30% of the glass areas surface_ The applicant, Jim Fain, was available for questions. Also Kim Wolfermart, his marketing assistant. Mr. Fain explained that he had spoken with the owner of the building, Eric Visser, and Mr. Visser was now okay with the flush mounted sign being installed directly to the building_ Historic and Arcnitectural Review Commission Sign Subcommittee Page 2 of 3 Minutas April 11. 2012 Firth opened and closed the public hearing at 4:19 p.m_ with nospeakers coming forth_ Firth and Urban discussed the signs. Urban was okay with the flush mounted sign, the colorsand the font_ Susan explained that she actually preferred the flush mounted type sign installed directly to the building, not standingout from the building in any way, but that she felt Mr. Visser should give written authorization for this. Motion by Urban to approve the flush mounted sign and the hanging sign from the canopy as presented, with an emailed approval needed from the owner fox. attaching the flush -mounted sign to the building. Second by Firth. Approved 2 - O. There was further discussion of the door and window signage_ Wolfermart explained that Me door is not frosted at this time, is clear, and prefers something that stands out and can be seen. She prefers the frosted glass look with the cut -out -lettering, or the vintage look with a burgundy font_ There was discussion of their options. There- was concern about the vintage look not relating to the other signage_ Ms. Wolferman explained that the door and window signage were designed to be consistent with their website, business cards and logo_ Firth suggested possibly using the frosted look with the notes showing through the background, to tie in with the theme. Mr. Fain .prefers to use just the lettering and to do away with the gray look_ Ms. Wolfe/man suggested. using a light beige background with burgundy colored lettering and scrolls_ They all agreed on tl-iat_ Motion by Firth to accept the third option of the proposed window signage, with the Premium Mend lettering and scrolls in burgundy on a cream colored background. The lettering. on the door will be the same burgundy color_ Second by Urban. Approved 2 - O_ 4. Discussion and possible action to set the days and times for HARC Sign Subcommittee meetings_ They decided to postpone this item until all three members were present_ 5. Adjournment Firth adjourned the meeting at 4:42 p.m. pjoroved, Susan Firth, Chair Attest, Tim iJrbart Historic an0 Architectural Review Commission Sign Subcommittee Minutas April 11, 2012 Page 3' of 3