Arnie Glaser, planning staff, presented a proposed zoning text amendment to allow a new category of canopy signs—internally illuminated individual letters up to 10 inches high and up to 5 square feet total—primarily to accommodate a request from the Gin Hotel property owner. Glaser said the amendment would split existing definitions for awning and canopy signs and add limited allowance for canopy signage in the downtown historic (C-1) and C-2 districts.

Glaser told council the proposal grew from an applicant request and that the Planning Commission and the Architectural Review Board (ARB) had not supported the initial draft. "We did take this particular signed proposal that would impact clearly the downtown historic district, to the ARB for their review. And you'll see the minutes on page 15, they were not supportive," Glaser said.

Council members raised concerns about controlling brightness, allowable colors, hours of illumination, effects on dark-sky goals and compatibility within the historic district. Some asked whether a lumen limit or hours restriction should be added; others noted ARB review would still apply if the rule were adopted in the C-1 district.

Lee Taylor, speaking for Gin Hotel owner Frank Benacasa, said the owners prefer white light and that modern LED signs are dimmable. "I wouldn't think so. Most most of the guests are gonna be arriving, you know, in the early evening hours," Taylor said when asked whether it would be problematic to set a cutoff at midnight. Taylor also said the sign originally proposed would be about 3.85 square feet, smaller than earlier renderings that showed larger letters.

Councilmember discussion emphasized supporting downtown businesses while protecting historic character. The council voted unanimously to refer the zoning text amendment to the Planning Commission for further review and asked planning staff to seek a return to council by the second meeting in September. No final change to the ordinance was adopted at this meeting; council requested additional guidance on hours, color limits (with a suggestion to restrict to white light), and brightness controls.

The referral was approved by unanimous roll-call vote. The ARB and Planning Commission minutes and the applicant rendering will be considered during the next review.