Meeting Date: December 7, 2022
To: Members of the Heritage Preservation Commission
From: Revee Needham, Assistant City Planner
Title
Discussion on Signage Regulations within the Historic District.
Body
Action Requested:
The Heritage Preservation Commission is asked to discuss the signage regulations within the Historic District.
Summary Report:
At the November HPC meeting, the HPC discussed signage requests and the sign code. Two signs were approved that did not meet the regulations in the Land Development Code (LDC). With this in mind, the HPC should consider amending the LDC regulations to provide more flexibility and consistent application of those regulations for all future applicants. The HPC is asked to critically examine the best practices for sign regulations and how the LDC regulations upholds or fails to uphold those practices. Ultimately, the goal of HPC sign regulation is to provide a clear, fair process for all applicants. Inconsistent application of the ordinance criteria leads to confusion and equity issues.
In looking to the National Park Service (NPS) for guidance in best practices, see the attached Preservation Brief. For new signs in the historic district, NPS recommends flexible regulations that encourage diversity in signage stating:
Yet many efforts to control signage lead to bland sameness. For this reason the National Park Service discourages the adoption of local guidelines that are too restrictive, and that effectively dictate uniform signs within commercial districts. Instead, it encourages communities to promote diversity in signs - their sizes, types, colors, lighting, lettering and other qualities. It also encourages business owners to choose signs that reflect their own tastes, values, and personalities. (p. 11)
The following should be considered for signs:
* Size: The NPS brief states, "new signs should respect the size, scale and design of the historic building."
* Placement/Attachment Method: The NPS brief states...
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