The City of Alpharetta Design Review Board on May 16 approved a monument sign for 55 Roswell Street with conditions requiring applied letters rather than vinyl, a black inset panel on the street-facing side and foundation plantings around the base.

Why it matters: The motion clarifies construction expectations for a prominent downtown sign and sets standards intended to keep signage durable and visually compatible with the streetscape.

Applicant Tony Dietz of Tax Signs presented the monument design and materials, describing the base as “full out masonry, a brick to match the building” with aluminum panels and base-mounted, floating letters. Board members and staff discussed tenant panels changing over time and asked the applicant to make those panels interchangeable rather than vinyl.

There was also discussion about a county-owned vault near the proposed sign pad; staff said Fulton County clearance may be needed for footing depth and location but that the county’s decision did not block the board from approving the sign. The board added a condition to allow staff flexibility to approve minor adjustments if the county required relocation or alternative mounting details.

The board motion specified: applicant will use applied letters versus vinyl with a minimum 8-inch thickness (scaled up for larger letters); the street-facing side of the monument will include a black panel to create a “picture frame” effect; and evergreen foundation plantings will be installed around the sign. The motion passed unanimously, 7–0.

Next steps: Applicant to coordinate with Fulton County as needed for vault setbacks while proceeding with city permit submittal under the board conditions. Staff will work with the applicant to finalize tenant panel details and final sign permit materials.