HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_HARC_02.24.2011_Special SessionHistoric and Architectural Review Commission Sign Subcommittee Page 1 of 3
February 24, 2011
City of Georgetown, Texas
Historic and Architectural Review Commission Sign Subcommittee Meeting
Minutes
Thursday, February 24, 2011, at 5:00 p.m.
City Council and Municipal Court Building, Georgetown, TX 78627
101 E. 7th Street, Georgetown, TX 78626
Members present: Ron Pergl; Susan Firth; and Dee Rapp
Members absent: none
Staff present: Robbie Wyler, Historic District Planner; Elizabeth Cook, Community Development
Director; and Karen Frost, Recording Secretary
Chair Pergl called the meeting to order at 5:07 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 both the January 12, 2010 and February 9,
2010 Sign Subcommittee meetings.
Motion by Firth to approve both sets of minutes as written. Second by Rapp. Approved 3 – 0.
2. Discussion and possible approval of a letter from the HARC Sign Subcommittee addressing
meeting with Downtown groups to discuss and receive input on Downtown window sign
regulations preceding the finalization of updates to the Downtown Design Guidelines.
Wyler presented the letter. Rapp suggested finishing the second sentence more completely,
with the addition of “for advertising and business owner’s desire.” Cook suggested adding to
the second paragraph, “and fosters a more economically viable downtown.” It was also
suggested that all the groups that were receiving the letter be listed as a cc: at the bottom of the
letter.
Motion by Rapp to accept the letter with changes as noted, and to present this letter to the
entire Commission at the March meeting to include the new members before presenting the
letter to the other downtown organizations. Second by Firth. Approved 3 – 0.
Pergl called a recess to wait until the following items could be considered as posted.
* The following items will begin no earlier than 5:30 p.m.
Pergl reconvened the meeting at 5:30 p.m.
3. Public hearing and possible action on a Certificate of Design Compliance for new signage at
City of Georgetown, Block 40, Lot 2 (s/pt), also known as All Things Kids, located at 703 S. Main
Street. (CDC-2011-002)
Wyler presented the staff report. The applicant seeks Certificate of Design Compliance from
HARC to install a flush-mounted wall sign, two window signs and a hanging sign for the new
business. Staff recommends approval of the Certificate of Design Compliance for the new flush-
mounted wall sign, hanging sign and two window signs with the following condition:
Historic and Architectural Review Commission Sign Subcommittee Page 2 of 3
February 24, 2011
1) The applicant should ensure the flush-mounted wall sign is installed at the same level as the
adjacent building’s flush-mounted wall sign as encouraged in the Guidelines. Both
buildings have the same parapet wall height so this should not be an issue.
Ray Shawley of Affordable Signs was present as the applicant’s agent to answer any questions.
Rapp confirmed that the gray background depicted on the application was indeed clear glass
color. Rapp questioned the plastic sign that is currently in the window. Mr. Shawley explained
that the customer wants to use the sign in the future, but that is not part of the application at
this time. He considers it a temporary sign.
Motion by Rapp to accept the application as submitted for a CDC but with the condition that
the flush mounted sign must be the same height as the others on that block of the square and
that the plastic sign must be eliminated. Second by Firth. Rapp amended her original motion
to include removal of all temporary signs when the permanent signs are installed. Second by
Pergl. Amendment approved 3 – 0. Original motion passed 3 – 0.
4. Public hearing and possible action on a Certificate of Design Compliance for new signage at
City of Georgetown, Block 10, Lots 6 & 7 (s/pt), also known as Brunner Law Firm and the Law
Offices of Kathryn Figueredo Fowler, located at 207 S. Austin Avenue. (CDC-2011-003)
Wyler presented the staff report. The applicant seeks Certificate of Design Compliance from
HARC to reface an existing monument sign for her new business. The sign, currently insta lled
in the front yard of the subject property, has an L-shape limestone base with wooden sign face.
The applicant proposes to change the name to include the two businesses located within the
building by removing the existing face, currently covered by a temporary banner, and replacing
it with the design shown on the provided rendering and in the sign details below.
Staff recommends approval of the Certificate of Design Compliance for the new face on the
existing monument sign with two conditions:
1) The applicant should paint the flag emblem on the vertical stone area to match the proposed
dark brown on the sign face.
2) No landscaping should be removed unless approved by staff to ensure compliance with the
site plan.
Mr. Brunner, the applicant, was available for questions or comments.
Firth stated she thought the fonts on the sign should match and be of consistent size. The
names should have the dropped cap style and the phone numbers of each office should be the
same size, along with the type of law firm. She also wants the emblem and the border of the
sign to match in color. The other commissioners were in agreement.
Motion by Firth to approve the CDC for signage with the condition that the fonts be matched
and brought back to staff for final confirmation, the emblem match the color of the border,
and a landscaping plan be submitted to staff for approval before any work is done. Second by
Rapp. Approved 3 – 0.
5. Adjournment. Chair Pergl adjourned the meeting at 5:50 p.m.
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 February 24, 2011.
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February 24, 2011
___________________________________ _________________________________
Approved, Ron Pergl, Chair Attest, Susan Firth