HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_HARC_01.12.2011_Special SessionHistoric and Architectural Review Commission Sign Subcommittee Page 1 of 3
January 12, 2011
City of Georgetown, Texas
Historic and Architectural Review Commission Sign Subcommittee Meeting
Minutes
Wednesday, January 12, 2011, at 4:00 pm
Georgetown Municipal Complex
300-1 Industrial Avenue, Georgetown, Texas 78627
Members present: Ron Pergl; Susan Firth; and Dee Rapp
Members absent: none
Staff present: Robbie Wyler, Historic District Planner; Valerie Kreger, Principal Planner; and Karen
Frost, Recording Secretary
Chair Pergl called the meeting to order at 4:02 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 December 9, 2010 Sign Subcommittee
meeting.
Motion by Firth to approve the minutes as written. Second by Rapp.
2. Discussion and possible action on a Certificate of Design Compliance for new signage at City of
Georgetown, Block 41, Lot 5 (pt), also known as Accents on the Square, located at 714 S. Austin
Avenue. (CDC-2010-031)
Wyler presented the staff report. The applicant seeks Certificate of Design Compliance
approval from HARC for four (4) new business signs. The first is a canopy mounted sign that
will read “Accents on the Square, Consigned & New” in the business’ font. The two-foot by
eight-foot Moderate Density Overlay (MDO) wood sign will be attached to an existing sign
bracket located on the canopy from a previous business. Colors for the sign, including the
backdrop, consist of spruce green, black and white.
The second sign will be installed under the Austin Avenue canopy, perpendicular to the
entrance door. This sign will use the same color and design as the canopy mounted sign and
will be hung with metal chains. The applicant has stated that there will be a seven (7) foot
clearance between the hanging sign and sidewalk, as required by the Design Guidelines. This
sign will also be constructed of MDO wood.
The third proposed sign will be installed on the Austin Avenue storefront window using vinyl
lettering. The proposed lettering will be the same as the previously mentioned signs, but the
colors will be limited to white and spruce green. The words “Accents on the Square” will be
white on this sign to provide better visibility to pedestrians.
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January 12, 2011
Lastly, the applicant wishes to place an A-frame sign along the Austin Avenue sidewalk. The
MDO wood sign, to be left out only during hours of operation, has been sized to meet all Design
Guideline requirements and will have the same design features as the other signs. The sign,
attached to the sidewalk using an I-bolt and steel wire, will have a metal handle and chain to
restrict the width when open.
Wyler recommends approval of the CDC with concern that the sign will mask the transom
windows found above the canopy and that attaching the sign to the canopy, via the tie rods, is
not traditional. HARC might consider talking to the applicant and agent to see if this is a
possible alternative location for the sign. If not, possibly the sign could be installed directly
onto the canopy like others found around the square.
The applicant, Navita Elwell, spoke and stated she prefers the canopy sign on the bracket
instead of on the façade as suggested. Rapp asked her about the window signage. Ms. Elwell
stated she wants to include the address, phone and email in small lettering. Firth suggests
putting that information on the door as others do.
Pergl suggests discussing each sign separately.
The hanging sign was discussed first. Pergl stated he agrees with the border suggestion from
staff, but to make the border either black or spruce green to match the other signs.
The A-frame sign was discussed. Firth wanted to insure the anchoring of the sign. The
commissioners wanted the black border to incorporate the entire sign and the dry erase portion
of the sign should be 13.5 inches by 31 inches. Firth suggested painting the handle black.
The canopy sign was discussed and the sign needs a black border and the board of the sign
needs to be large enough to cover the entire bracket, not leave any metal bracket visible from
the front.
The window sign was discussed. The commissioners explained that having the spruce colored
letters on a white background would block too much of the window. They suggested using
white lettering, in the same font and design, leaving the spruce colored bar with white lettering
inside the color bar. The additional information that Ms. Elwell was asking for could be placed
on the door. There was discussion of using a small interchangeable sign that the hours could be
changed on. Ms. Elwell suggested putting that in the window. The Commissioners did not
agree with that idea.
Motion by Rapp to approve the CDC for signage for 714 S. Austin with the following conditions:
the hanging sign must include a black or spruce colored border as proposed by the
commissioners, the A-frame sign would include a black or spruce border, with the handles
painted black and the method of attachment or reinforcement to the sidewalk be similar to
others on that side of the street, that the window sign be changed to white vinyl lettering
attached directly to the window with the spruce color bar and white lettering for the words
“consigned and new”, and that all additional information, hours open, website, etc., be
submitted to staff at a later date for administrative approval. Second by Firth. Approved 3 – 0.
3. Adjournment. Pergl adjourned the meeting at 4:45 p.m.
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January 12, 2011
The Subcommittee may forward these items to the next meeting of the Historic and Architectural
Review Commission for its consideration. That meeting is scheduled for January 27, 2011.
___________________________________ _________________________________
Approved, Ron Pergl, Chair Attest, Susan Firth