Design Review Committee approves One Day in July wall sign

The Montpelier Design Review Committee at its April 2025 meeting approved a proposal by One Day in July to install a flat wall sign in an existing sign band on downtown Main Street.

Committee members said the proposed sign’s size, design and placement were compatible with surrounding signs and the building’s sign band. Meredith Crandall, planning staff, read the applicable design criteria: “The size, location, design, color, texture, lighting, and material of all exterior signs within this design review … shall be compatible with the buildings and structures of the site and surrounding properties,” and the committee marked the application acceptable under those standards.

Applicant Carolyn Russell described the sign as a navy-blue, wood-composite panel about 11 feet long with a thin gold border and slightly off-white raised letters. Russell said the letters will project about 1½ inches and that the background finish will be satin to avoid glare. Crandall and other members recommended a satin rather than high-gloss background because the sign faces south and is exposed to direct sun.

Committee members voted verbally in favor of the application. Martha, Eric, Steven and Rebecca were recorded saying “yes” during the roll-call vote and the application was approved. Staff told the applicant the permit would be issued within a day or two and that the permit carries a 15-day appeal period; planning staff also confirmed the city permit is valid for a minimum of two years.

The applicant and staff were given instructions for picking up signature pages and for next steps in the permitting process. No changes to the submitted sign design were required as a condition of approval, though staff and members suggested the applicant confirm exact paint samples with the sign fabricator before fabrication.