DATE: October 11, 2018
TO: Members of the Northfield Heritage Preservation Commission
FROM: Scott Tempel, City Planner
Title
Sign Permit - Minnesota Soulstice - 300 Division St. S.
Body
ACTION REQUESTED:
Request for the HPC to approve signage at 300 Division St.
SUMMARY:
Another new retail business is opening downtown. Elizabeth Spaulding came to the HPC meeting in September with a request for building colors. The HPC requested the applicant apply for a Certificate of Appropriateness for a sign plan. The applicant has hired Jim Bonhoff to create signage from the Minnesota Soulstice trademark.
ANALYSIS:
The applicable sections of the Downtown Historic District regulations in the sign ordinance include the following (Staff response is shown in bold):
1. Placement: Signs shall be positioned so they are an integral design feature of the building; signs shall complement and enhance the architectural features of the building. They shall be placed so that they do not destroy architectural details such as stone arches, glass transom panels, or decorative brickwork. Unless other placement is specifically approved by the Heritage Preservation Commission for reasons stated in the certificate of appropriateness by the Commission, signs may be placed only as follows:
a. At or above the horizontal lintel, cornice, or beltcourse, or above the storefront windows;
b. Projecting from the building;
c. Applied to or painted on canvas awnings;
d. In areas where signs were historically attached.
Staff response: The signs meet placement requirements. The signs will be located above the storefront windows and projecting from the building.
3. Sign Shape: Signs shall be designed to match the historical time period elements and regional location of the City, which primarily exclude such features as cut corners and non-rectangular shapes. In most cases, the edges of signs shall include a raised border that sets the sign apart from the building surface or hanging s...
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