HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_HARC_09.14.2011_Special SessionHistoric and Architectural Review Commission Sign Subcommittee Page 1 of 3
Minutes
September 14, 2011
City of Georgetown, Texas
Historic and Architectural Review Commission Sign Subcommittee Meeting
Minutes
Wednesday, September 14, 2011, at 4:00 pm
Georgetown Municipal Complex
300-1 Industrial Avenue, Georgetown, Texas 78627
Members present: Dee Rapp; Susan Firth
Members absent: Sarah Blankenship
Staff present: Robbie Wyler, Historic District Planner; and Karen Frost, Recording Secretary
Firth called the meeting to order at 4:00 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 August 10, 2011 Sign Subcommittee
meeting.
Rapp expressed that the item on 614 E. University was not as clear in the direction that was
given to the applicant and staff as they would like. In the discussion about the location of the
front door, page 2 of 3, Rapp recommended that the applicant work with staff to direct traffic to
the front door in a more clear way, using way finding signs, sandwich boards, etc. There were
also more suggestions on putting black edges around not just the windows, but the doors, better
designed poles, fascia, signs, and more cohesiveness amongst all the elements. Firth agreed that
the extra notes should be added to the minutes.
Motion by Rapp to approve the minutes with additional comments. Second by Firth.
Approved 2 – 0.
2. Public Hearing and possible action on a Certificate of Design Compliance for a new hanging
signage at City of Georgetown, Block 50, Lots 5 & 8 (e/pt), also known as Farney Daniels, LLP,
located at 800 S. Austin Avenue Ste. 200. (CDC-2011-027)
Wyler presented the staff report. The applicant seeks Certificate of Design Compliance
approval from HARC for a new hanging sign. An existing two-sided Moderate Density Overlay
(MDO) wood sign will be refaced with the Farney Daniels LLP design and mounted directly to
the existing brackets under the canopy. The sign measures 14.5 inches tall by 70 inches wide, or
around 7 square feet. Shown on the provided photo, several other businesses along this stretch
of S. Austin Avenue have similar sized hanging signs and the applicant would be replacing a
previous tenant’s sign space. No additional signage will be added to the canopy and no
additional signage for the business is proposed at this time.
Public Hearing was opened by Firth. There were no speakers and the Public Hearing was
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Minutes
September 14, 2011
closed.
Frost clarified that the applicant, Mr. Howe from Affordable Signs was available for comment.
Rapp started the questions by asking if there were other signs that should be considered. Mr.
Howe responded that there were no other signs requested at this time. Firth noted that there
were no other signs on the Square that listed the suite number on the sign. Howe explained that
since they were the only ones on the second floor they felt it was necessary. There was a
discussion of the front lobby situation, with the directory not at the front door but around the
corner from the stairs and elevator.
Rapp suggests letting the applicant know what the preference of the commission is. They feel it
would be a cleaner look without the suite number. Mr. Howe let them know that it was there
for the previous tenant.
Motion by Rapp to approve the CDC for the sign with the caveat that the preference is that the
words “Suite ___, Second floor” not be included for a consistency point of view, but to work
with staff so the applicant can be found, possibly by changing the location of the indoor
directory. Second by Firth. Approved 2 – 0.
3. Public Hearing and possible action on a Certificate of Design Compliance for a new monument
sign at City of Georgetown, Block 28, Lots 1 – 8, also known as the Monument Cafe, Market and
Biergarten site, located at 500 S. Austin Avenue. (CDC-2011-028)
Wyler presented the staff report. The sign will be installed directly in front the existing
biergarten fence and perpendicular to Austin Avenue as shown on the provided site layout. It
will be constructed of concrete blocks and then covered with stucco to match the exterior of the
Monument Cafe.
It will measure 7.5 feet high (including the 18 -inch footing) and 8 feet wide, totaling 60 square
feet. On the sign will be the names of the three businesses on the property; Monument Cafe in
black, Monument Market in black and red, and The Garden Biergarten in black and green.
Currently, there is a wall sign along 6th Street for the market, a projecting, neon sign for the cafe
and no sign for the biergarten. The applicant wishes to have a single sign advertising all three
businesses.
No additional signage or lighting is proposed at this time. Staff recommends reducing the base
of the footing so that the sign is not higher than six feet tall, which is the permitted height.
Rusty Winkstern, Monument owner, and Stratton _____, his intern, were available for
discussion. They discussed that they actually wanted to install the footing at ground level,
leaving the maximum height of the proposed sign at six feet tall as recommended by staff.
Firth opened the Public Hearing. There were no speakers and the Public Hearing was closed.
Rapp questioned the color of the rendering of the sign and whether it would match the white of
the café building stucco. Winkstern assured her it was the same but was printed slightly darker
on the color printer. Rapp questioned the location of the proposed orchard and fence in relation
to the sign. She and Firth are both concerned that the sign will not be seen behind the
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Minutes
September 14, 2011
previously approved fence with vines planted on it. Winkstern says this may just be temporary
but he wants to advertise the market and biergarten. They discussed several options of location
of the sign.
Rapp questioned the reason for the fence. Winkstern says the purpose of the fence to keep kids
in and going directly from the maze to the biergarten. Rapp and Firth like the sign but feel it is
too expensive to not be effective. Winkstern thinks the sign will perform its function in the next
months and then will look at it at that time. They all questioned the location of the fence and
whether it could be moved. Wyler will look into the original motion. Winkstern will work with
Wyler regarding the fence location.
Firth questions the need for a Master Sign Plan at this point. Wyler says one exists, but there
have been so many changes in the phasing and overall site plan that staff is working with the
applicant at this point to permit “temporary” signs. A Master Sign Plan will be redone when
the property is completely built out.
Firth asked if the sign would be illuminated. Winkstern said he would like to use the same type
of gooseneck type of lamps like on the building. Rapp suggested that could be a condition of
the motion, to work with staff on the lighting.
There was discussion of all the marketing events, happenings and opportunities regarding the
Monument.
Rapp questioned the color sample of the green to be used on the sign. One was not actually
provided. Winkstern suggested it was like a lawn, saint Augustine grass, green. There was a
further discussion and decided that the report colors are accurate.
Motion by Rapp to approve the CDC with the following conditions: that staff verify the
greens to be used on the sign, that the footing be buried and the sign be built to compliance of
six feet tall, and that the applicant work with staff on the lighting. Second by Firth. Approved
2 – 0.
4. Adjournment. The next sign subcommittee meeting will be September 22, 2011. Firth
adjourned the meeting at 4:36 p.m.
________________________________ _______________________________
Approved, Susan Firth, Chair Attest, Dee Rapp