Subject:
Title
Request for Approval of Proposed Update to Approved Master Sign Plan for 111 Church St., NW
Body
In 2006, the existing building at 111 Church St., NW, was developed under the Church Street vision incentive overlay, which is intended to enhance the appearance of businesses within the historic Church Street corridor, including building signage. Accordingly, 111 Church St. has a master sign plan that dictates certain elements of building signage, including sign locations, shapes, and fonts. However, this master sign plan is, perhaps counter-intuitively, both overly narrow and overly broad. It specifies particular signs and businesses, based on the original tenants, while providing no guidance regarding appropriate sign colors, material, and alternate locations where signs may be acceptable. The applicant proposes revising the approved master sign plan to provide more guidance for tenants while also allowing for greater flexibility for design choices, within the constraints of the Church Street vision. In turn, the revised master sign plan would enable Town staff to perform administrative reviews for all proposed signage that fits within the plan, rather than requiring Town Council approval for each new application. If a tenant wishes to deviate from the master sign plan, that tenant would need Town Council approval.
DATE(S) OF PRIOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION OF THIS ISSUE:
EXPLANATION AND SUMMARY:
A discussion of the application and the site is provided in Attachment 1, which is the staff report. The staff report also describes Attachments 2-12. Attachment 13 is the presentation document.
Staff Recommendation:
Staff has worked with the applicant to develop the proposed update to the master sign plan for this property. The dual purposes of this collaboration has been to ensure consistency with the framework of the Church Street vision, and to provide flexibility to the property owner and tenants within that framework. Staff therefore supports this proposed update.
Town Attorney Recommendation: Pursuant to Town Code Section 18-236, modifications the master sign plan for a Church Street Vision incentive property must be approved by the Town Council.
Town Manager's Recommendation: I recommend the Town Council approve the proposed update to the approved master sign plan for 111 Church Street, N.W., as presented.
PROPOSED/SUGGESTED MOTION
Recommended Action
"I move to approve the proposed update to the approved master sign plan for 111 Church St., NW."
Or
Other action deemed necessary by Council.