HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_HARC_03.24.2011_Special SessionHistoric and Architectural Review Commission Sign Subcommittee Page 1 of 2
March 24, 2011
City of Georgetown, Texas
Historic and Architectural Review Commission Sign Subcommittee Meeting
Minutes
Thursday, March 24, 2011, at 5:30 p.m.
City Council and Municipal Court Building, Georgetown, TX 78627
101 E. 7th Street, Georgetown, TX 78626
Members present: Susan Firth; and Dee Rapp
Members absent: none
Staff present: Robbie Wyler, Historic District Planner; and Karen Frost, Recording Secretary
Acting Chair Rapp called the meeting to order at 5:32 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 February 24, 2011 Sign Subcommittee
meeting.
Motion by Firth to approve the minutes as submitted. Second by Rapp. Approved 2 – 0.
2. Public hearing and possible action on a Certificate of Design Compliance for new signage at
City of Georgetown, Block 41, Lot 5 (pt), also known as Urban Homes and Land, located at 714
S. Austin Avenue, Suite 201. (CDC-2011-005)
Wyler presented the staff report. The applicant seeks CDC approval for five new business
signs; a canopy sign installed on the front face of the building, an under canopy sign, storefront
window white vinyl lettering, front door white vinyl lettering, and an A-frame sign for the front
sidewalk. The applicant asks for an increase in size allowance for the signage that will be
placed on the front façade.
Staff recommends approval of the Certificate of Design Compliance for the five signs as
proposed by the applicant with the following consideration:
1) For the canopy sign, HARC should take into consideration the purpose and placement of the
sign when making their decision on whether to approve the applicant’s preferred larger
canopy sign or the alternative, smaller flush -mounted wall sign. Although the size of the
canopy sign puts the total square footage for the building above what is allowed, it will also
be utilizing existing brackets and preserving the historic stone. While staff considers the
design and purpose of the canopy sign appropriate, there is some concern with the size and
overall square footage of signage on the building’s canopy.
Firth began the discussion. She suggests in the future that buildings with two or more tenants
be required to submit a Master Sign Plan so that the problem does not arise as to who gets
which spot and how much signage is left for the second tenant.
Rapp questions why the applicant did not request approval for painting the front door also.
Michael Cox, the applicant, suggested that they were considering painting the door black with
Historic and Architectural Review Commission Sign Subcommittee Page 2 of 2
March 24, 2011
gold accents around the window. It was decided that would need to come back to the
Committee for consideration of the door color changes.
Motion by Firth to approve the sign requests with the larger façade sign as proposed, and with
that consideration that all signs of the building be brought forward in the future, and the
option to come back to the committee for additional approval of changing the door color.
Second by Rapp. Approved 2 – 0.
3. Adjournment. Rapp adjourned the meeting at 5:53 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 March 24, 2011.
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Approved, Dee Rapp, Chair Attest, Susan Firth