Ithaca preservation commission approves smaller sign for Modern Living Rentals at 200 Highland Avenue

The Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission approved a certificate of appropriateness for a sign at 200 Highland Avenue, allowing Modern Living Rentals to install a single, smaller identification sign on that property with conditions on size, material and placement.

The decision matters because the property is a contributing resource within the Cornell Heights Historic District; the commission concluded the specific sign, as conditioned, would not substantially adversely affect the district’s architectural character.

Greg Tomarello, a representative of Modern Living Rentals, told the commission the signage is intended to help market the company’s rental properties and that the applicant would prefer a consistent sign design for multiple properties: "having our name on the exterior of the building is really good for, our business in terms of, you know, the marketing that it brings us in terms of our our tenants." He said the applicant originally proposed a 3-by-4-foot brushed-aluminum sign but was open to a smaller version to fit particular locations on individual buildings.

Commission members discussed material, scale and placement on a building-by-building basis. Several commissioners said the commission’s design guidelines allow them to require a smaller sign than what the sign ordinance would permit in order to preserve compatibility with neighborhood character. The commission and applicant agreed the approval would apply only to the 200 Highland property; any similar signs on other properties would need separate permits and likely adjustments to size or attachment method depending on each building’s conditions.

The commission’s approvals included a condition limiting the sign for 200 Highland to a 3-by-2-foot (36-by-24-inch) size (or rotated 2-by-3 orientation) and a preference for brushed aluminum material over the PVC alternative noted in the application. The commission also recommended placement at the location identified as "location 1" in the application, near the entry door, and noted that the applicant should remove previously installed unpermitted signs on the property when the approved sign is installed.

The commission read its findings referencing the Cornell Heights Historic District period of significance and the municipal code standard the commission follows in reviewing exterior work in historic districts. The resolution was seconded by Commissioner Caitlin and the commission moved forward with approval; the applicant was told staff would monitor installation and that future individual applications may be handled at staff level if consistent with the approved style and limited in size.

The commission emphasized that this action is for the single property on tonight’s agenda and that approving a style does not guarantee identical approval on other buildings, which may need smaller or different mounting to avoid damaging historic materials.