HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_HARC_05.05.2011HARC Sign Subcommittee Special Meeting Page 1 of 2
May 5, 2011
City of Georgetown, Texas
Historic and Architectural Review Commission Sign Subcommittee
with possible attendance from the full HARC and Main Street Advisory Board
Minutes
Thursday, May 5, 2011, at 4:00 pm
Georgetown Municipal Complex
300-1 Industrial Avenue, Georgetown, Texas 78627
HARC Members in Attendance: Dee Rapp; Susan Firth & Sarah Blankenship. Also Will
Moore, David Paul, Nelia Schrum and Raymond Wahrenbrock.
From Downtown Georgetown Association: Don Marek and Chris Dixon
From Chamber of Commerce: Marcy Urban
From Main Street Advisory Board: Ki Browning
Staff in Attendance:: Robbie Wyler, Historic District Planner; Valerie Kreger, Principal Planner;
Avery Craft, Planning Specialist; Julie McCartney, Chief Code Enforcement Officer; Terri Sue
Kahabka, Code Enforcement Officer; and Karen Frost, Recording Secretary.
This is a special meeting of the Sign Subcommittee with possible attendance of the full HARC
and Main Street Advisory Board, for discussion on the following:
1. Discussion with Downtown groups and possible direction to City staff on Downtown
window sign regulations preceding the finalization of updates to the Downtown Design
Guidelines.
Robbie Wyler opened the meeting and explained why everyone had been invited to the
meeting. There has been concern by HARC Sign Subcommittee members that the
Guidelines were not being enforced and that extraneous and lighted signs were
“multiplying” and being allowed in store fronts on the Square. This is in direct conflict with
the Guidelines which specifically restricts any neon signs, but does not address lighted open
signs, lighted symbols in the windows, and posters and event fliers (temporary) in the
windows.
Susan Firth explained that she asked for the discussion with the other organizations to reach
a compromise to allow the businesses to promote their businesses in the manner they need,
while following the Guidelines and still maintaining the character of the Square. Firth
expressed that she wants some consistency to the allowed posters and open signs so that it
does not look “trashy”.
Sarah Blankenship expressed that she likes the look of the posters everywhere and that she
feels it gives the Square personality and vitality.
Chris Dixon and Marcy Urban expressed that the community needs the fliers that are part of
the vitality of the community and are a freedom of expression. They do not feel they should
be restricted. Dixon explained that as a business owner he can appreciate the need for the
business owners to have guidelines but that most of the store front owners do restrict the
HARC Sign Subcommittee Special Meeting Page 2 of 2
May 5, 2011
amount of posters in their windows because they need to promote their business more than
the events. He explained it is sometimes difficult to tell an organization that is promoting
their event that he will not put ano ther poster in his window. If there is a specific amount
allowed it would give business owners something to work with.
Julie McCartney explained that throughout the city, code enforcement officers use the 50%
rule, allowing 50% of the window to be covered by advertising. Any more and the business
owner is asked to remove something.
Wyler suggested that since the downtown area allows 30% of the window covered by
business signage that another 20% could be allowed for posters and fliers. The group
seemed to be in agreement with that idea. There was further discussion of educating
business owners, tenants and citizens of the HARC ordinances and what triggers a need for
a Certificate of Design Compliance, especially signage in the Downtown Overlay District.
McCartney asked for specific definitions of “open” signage that will be allowed. Firth
suggested even developing a standard open sign and hours of business signs that could be
used for all businesses on the Square, to decrease the different varieties that exist today, and
to eliminate the problem of the hours of operation not always being posted clearly.
Wyler agreed to work on language to address the ideas discussed in the meeting and asked
that other ideas, comments and suggestions be emailed to him. He appreciated everyone’s
attendance and participation. He also suggested there will be follow-up meetings and
drafts of the proposed Guideline language will be forwarded to the participants.
2. Adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at 5:12 p.m.
Certificate of Posting
I, Jessica Brettle, City Secretary for the City of Georgetown, Texas, do hereby certify that this
Notice of Meeting was posted at City Hall, 113 E. 8th Street, a place readily accessible to the
general public at all times, on the day of , 2011, at __ and remained so posted
for at least 72 continuous hours preceding the scheduled time of said meeting.
___________________________ ___
Jessica Brettle, City Secretary