Planning commission approves historic‑style projecting sign for Deb's Spicy Pie
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Summary
The Morgan City Planning Commission unanimously approved a projecting sign for Deb's Spicy Pie at 113 Commercial Street; staff recommended approval but flagged an internal‑lighting policy discrepancy that staff will propose to resolve in a future code change.
The Morgan City Planning Commission on Dec. 17 approved a projecting, historically inspired sign for Deb's Spicy Pie at 113 Commercial Street, finding the design met the historic overlay dimensions and materials requirements.
Staff presented the application and said the proposed sign meets the historic overlays dimensional requirements for projecting signage (less than four feet projection, appropriate mounting clearance and overall height). Jake, planning staff, told the commission the aluminum sign and mounting meet the codes material and size requirements and "matches up just great with the code." He also noted a separate, city‑wide inconsistency in the historic overlay about whether internal illumination is allowed and recommended the commission approve the sign while asking staff to return with a code cleanup.
Applicant Jay Bingham, who represented the sign contractor, described the illumination plan as "a faux LED neon" and said the proposal uses a single tube LED that looks like authentic neon but uses LED technology. "It appears as if it was neon, but it's LED lighting," Bingham said, explaining the white letter cores will be lit while other colored vinyl elements will not be internally illuminated.
The commission voted unanimously to approve the sign as proposed. Commissioners and staff discussed notifying or consulting the local preservation society as an optional courtesy; staff advised the applicant could consult preservation groups but noted the sign closely references historic signage previously displayed on the building.
Lighting/code follow up
Staff highlighted an inconsistency in the historic overlay text: the overlay requires externally directed lighting but the code elsewhere permits neon and the commission has previously allowed internally lit signs in two recent cases. Staff recommended a minor ordinance revision to clarify lighting standards on the historic overlay and said they would return with draft language for the commission to consider.
Next steps
With approval from the planning commission, the applicant may proceed to obtain a sign permit and building permit as required. Staff will bring a proposed amendment to the historic overlay sign lighting language back to the commission for future review.