Historic zoning commission approves up to seven matching wall signs for West Main storefronts

The Mendel Historic Zoning Commission on Thursday approved a certificate of appropriateness to allow up to seven matching wall signs on a West Main Street storefront, after applicants said hanging signs had previously been denied.

Chair Michael Griffin called the item and opened discussion after a representative for several businesses explained they were seeking visibility. “We’re just trying to get signs to where we’re visible,” the representative said, noting that Brandon Wingate had initially told them no to hanging signs and directed them to the commission for relief.

Staff and commissioners discussed scale and placement. Sean urged a consistent approach and recommended signs be similar in size and proportion to preserve the building’s appearance; commissioners cited a 36-by-36-inch (3-by-3-foot) size as an appropriate scale. Commissioners also considered how many signs along the long storefront would be visually acceptable and whether larger signage for a single tenant would crowd others.

The commission moved to approve wall signs limited to no more than seven equal-sized signs, to avoid privileging one tenant over others on the same facade. The motion carried unanimously.

The approval covers the principle of wall-mounted, equally scaled signage; staff will communicate the board’s direction to Brandon Wingate and the applicants, and any change in sign design or a request for additional or different signs would require a return to the commission.