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Commission briefed on staff approval for 57-sq.-ft. Acme Barbershop sign in historic district
Summary
Planning staff administratively approved a replacement 57-square-foot sign for Acme Barbershop at 114 Columbus Ave. Staff said the white background matches the surrounding facade and that the sign is compliant; a commissioner noted the sign already appears installed and staff confirmed specified quarter-inch aluminum.
At its Aug. 20 meeting the Landmark Commission was briefed on a staff administrative approval for replacement signage at 114 Columbus Ave, the street-level unit that houses Acme Barbershop.
Adam, a planning staff member, said the unit is within the North Central area of the local historic district and within the former Moss Building. He said the proposed sign will be approximately 57 square feet, with a slightly raised logo and a white background intended to match the surrounding building facade. “Normally, we do talk about sign backgrounds. We want them to avoid being white. However, in this case, it will result in it matching with the building surrounding facade area,” Adam told the commission. Staff granted an administratively approved certificate of appropriateness on 2025-06-27.
A commissioner asked whether the sign that appears to be on site was the permanent installation. Another commissioner asked about materials; staff confirmed the scope specified quarter-inch-thick aluminum for the sign.
Why it matters: The unit is inside the historic district, so signage decisions affect the visual character of the district. Staff said the design preserves pedestrian scale, will not add illumination, and follows the design guidelines for non-detrimental alterations.
Details: Adam showed building elevations and a scope of work describing the sign band, raised logo, and pedestrian-scale proportions. He said the applicant had not yet completed installation at the time staff reviewed the application but that the materials and design matched guidance. Commission members requested staff to verify the on-site condition.
