The Pontiac Historic District Commission on an evening meeting approved a series of exterior projects across the downtown and nearby historic districts.

Staff recommended and commissioners approved a proposed 3.3-foot-by-11-foot ACM panel sign for 81 North Saginaw, noting the law department reviewed coordination issues related to marijuana uses; staff said the sign must not exceed roughly 39 square feet and cannot be installed until a certificate of occupancy is issued. Paul, the planning staff member, summarized the recommendation and described the size and material of the panel. "The sign on the building shall not exceed roughly 39 square feet in size," Paul said during his presentation.

The commission also cleared repairs at 86 Cherokee, allowing one rear second-story vinyl window to be replaced with a Fibrex simulated-divided-light unit and permitting glass block in basement windows where not visible from the right of way, subject to landscaping to conceal visible basement units. Paul told commissioners the request "is consistent with the National Park Service standards," and the body approved the staff motion by voice vote.

At Casa Del Rey, a 1928 Mediterranean-style apartment building at 111 Oneida, the commission approved proposed wall and veranda lighting and up to five shielded teardrop-style pole lights for the rear parking lot. Renita, the building owner, told the commission the project is about 45% complete and that the finished project will have 54 units. The motion approved staff recommendations and left the final choice between two fixture options to the applicant.

Finally, the commission approved construction of a 616-square-foot accessory structure at 403 North Saginaw sited to the rear of an 1850s house, with staff conditions to follow the approved facade drawings and comply with zoning standards.

Each of the approvals was a standard certificate of appropriateness vote: motions were moved, seconded, and approved by voice vote. Paul said that after HDC approval applicants must obtain the HDC certificate of appropriateness before applying for building permits and, where applicable, certificate of occupancy.

What comes next: Staff will issue the written certificates and the applicants will take those documents to the building department to secure permits. The approvals include conditions (for example, the 81 North Saginaw sign cannot be installed before the building department issues a certificate of occupancy), and the Casa Del Rey work must conform to the approved lighting photometrics and fixture styles.