Downtown salon cleared to replace decaying storefront lumber, asked to delay banner pending permit

A downtown hair salon owner told the Design Review Board on Friday that she will replace decaying lumber above her windows and repaint the storefront, and the board approved the maintenance work while advising the applicant to obtain a banner permit before hanging temporary signage.

The application matters because the building is in the board's review area and the proposed exterior work and any banner could affect the downtown streetscape and historic character.

Alyssa Saint John, who identified herself as representing the business at 712 Broadway, said the project would “replace the lumber on the outside and paint it black with grays to match the interior of the shop.” She told the board that crews stopped work after a stop-work order and are seeking the board's approval to continue. Board members confirmed the two storefronts share the same material and that the top lumber was decaying and shedding pieces.

One board member said they did not see an issue with the proposal. The board moved and approved the applicant's request to replace and repaint the lumber; the motion carried with members responding “aye.”

Saint John also asked to hang a temporary banner with the shop name while paying for the work out of pocket. Staff told the applicant the banner is not on the agenda because the final sign application had not been filed; the board and staff directed the applicant to obtain the required sign permit and said she would receive a certificate of appropriateness after the meeting.

The board's action covered the maintenance and repainting only; the banner remains contingent on the separate sign-permit review and required certificates. No alterations to sign size or other storefront features were approved at this meeting.

The applicant was advised to follow up with staff after the meeting on banner and mural requirements.