The Sign Advisory Committee on Oct. 21 approved a carved, beveled projecting sign for 44 Center Street (General Store) with a condition on thickness, after a split vote in which one member voted no and another abstained.

Applicant representative (Tory) described the replacement projecting sign as wood, beveled-edge, carved and painted, 24 inches wide by 20 inches high. "That, I don't know. But I unless you scroll down, I think there's a detail page if he included the thickness here. He did not. I'm happy to get that information for you," the applicant said when asked about depth. Committee members proposed a condition of approximately 1.5 inches thickness; Ben Norman suggested "inch and a half plus or minus quarter inch." Paul Wolf abstained and explained he would "pass" on the vote rather than support the motion.

Motion and vote: A motion to approve as submitted with a thickness condition (1.5 inches ± 0.25) carried. Recorded votes: Paul Wolf — abstain; Kevin Koester — no; Mark Catone — yes; Ben Norman — yes; Chris Young — yes. Tally: yes 3; no 1; abstain 1. Outcome: approved with thickness condition.

Why this matters: The decision allows a new projecting sign at a central downtown location while setting a precise dimensional condition to ensure the sign complies with the committee's intent to keep projecting signs proportionate to the building façade.

Speakers on the item included the applicant (Tory), Ben Norman, Kevin Koester, Mark Catone, Paul Wolf and Chris Young.