HTC Sign Advisory Committee approves most storefront signs, holds several for revision

The HTC Sign Advisory Committee voted April 1, 2025, to approve most sign applications reviewed at a remote meeting, approving projecting and wall signs for multiple businesses and holding a handful of proposals for redesign or clarification.

The committee, chaired by Chris Young, approved signs at 53 Main Street, two signs at 31 Easy Street (the EasyStreet and Broad Street facades), two signs at 2 Broad Street (Nantucket Crisps), and the 1 Hooper Farm Road signs for Nantucket Aesthetics (with a condition that the beveled edge be painted teal). The panel held the 5 Bayberry Court storefront sign for revision to better match the storefront scale and asked the applicants for the Dav Kim Lane (storage building) signs to submit revised placements, fonts and serif treatment. The committee also asked the 2 Broad Street applicant to confirm a reduced projecting‑sign dimension that fits the existing bracket arm before final permitting.

Why it matters: the sign committee is the town’s review body that vets exterior commercial signage against design guidelines intended to protect Nantucket’s historic streetscapes. Many of the decisions were routine approvals of previously used sign locations or replacements, but the committee consistently asked applicants to confirm materials, scale, and bracket dimensions to avoid later enforcement issues.

The committee opened its agenda with a revisit of 53 Main Street. Commissioners confirmed previous guidance on color, height and font and approved the sign in a black color scheme. Commissioner Paul Wolf moved to approve the sign as submitted in black; the motion passed on a roll call with all present voting aye.

At 5 Bayberry Court (the Yale/Marines Appliance location) commissioners said the submitted wall sign looked too vertical and “logo‑like” for the building’s storefront and asked the applicant to revise to a more horizontal, quarter‑board treatment that sits closer to the first‑floor proportion. The committee voted to hold that application for revision, with a motion to hold made by Mark Catone and passed by the panel.

At 8 Salros Road commissioners approved the application as submitted. Commissioners Ben (last name not specified), Kevin Koester, Mark Catone and others voted in favor.

Two projecting signs for a new EasyStreet location (listed in the packet as the EasyStreet and Broad Street facades) were approved as submitted with the condition that one of the two signs would not be lit (the application specified one illuminated and one not). The motions were moved and seconded and passed on roll call.

At 1 Hooper Farm Road (Nantucket Aesthetics) the committee approved both the 2'×2' hanging sign and a 1'×3' wall sign, conditional on the beveled edge being painted teal. Kevin Koester moved the approval and the motion passed.

At 2 Washington Street (Million Grace), commissioners approved an application to add a quarter‑board sign above the front window on Washington Street, and required the existing projecting blade sign to be relocated to the business’s main entrance (the committee discussed trimming ivy to accommodate the relocated bracket). The motion to approve the wall sign with the projecting sign relocated passed on roll call.

At Dav Kim Lane (a new storage facility), commissioners requested revisions: move or center signs closer to human scale over the building’s entrances, switch to a serif or a “micro‑serif” treatment rather than the fully lowercase sans proposed, and resubmit elevations. The committee held the application for revision.

At 2 Broad Street (Nantucket Crisps) the committee approved the wall sign by a 3–2 vote after discussion about color and scale; commissioners asked the applicant to submit a revised, scaled drawing for the projecting sign so it fits the existing bracket arm before a final permit is issued.

Enforcement follow‑up: commissioners asked staff to confirm that recently installed Cape Cod Five signs match the material condition placed on prior approvals (the committee had approved those signs subject to wood material). Staff said they would inspect and report back.

Votes at a glance (applications on April 1, 2025) - 53 Main Street — Approved (motion: approve as submitted in black; mover: Paul Wolf; vote: unanimous aye recorded) - 5 Bayberry Court — Held for revision (motion: hold for revision; mover: Mark Catone; vote: unanimous aye recorded) - 8 Salros Road — Approved (motion: approve; mover: Kevin Koester; vote: unanimous aye recorded) - 31 Easy Street (EasyStreet) — Approved (motion: approve as submitted, one sign unlit; mover: Mark Catone; vote: unanimous aye recorded) - 31 Easy Street (Broad Street facade) — Approved (motion: approve as submitted; vote: unanimous aye recorded) - 1 Hooper Farm Road (Nantucket Aesthetics) — Approved with condition: bevel painted teal (motion: approve as submitted with 2'×2' and painted beveled edge; mover: Kevin Koester; vote: unanimous aye recorded) - 2 Washington Street (Million Grace) — Approved with condition: relocate projecting sign to main entrance and trim ivy as necessary (motion: approve wall sign with projecting sign relocated; vote: unanimous aye recorded) - Dav Kim Lane — Held for revision (committee requested revised placement, fonts, serif treatment) - 2 Broad Street (Nantucket Crisps) — Wall sign approved (motion carried 3–2); projecting sign approved provided it is scaled to the existing bracket arm and applicant submits revised dimensions before final permit.

The committee repeatedly emphasized two recurring conditions: (1) confirm actual materials (several approvals were contingent on wooden material where the committee had previously required it) and (2) provide drawings or measurements showing projecting signs will not exceed existing bracket arm lengths before permits are finalized. Staff (Nikki Sheriff) was directed to request updated, scaled drawings and material samples when needed.

The meeting concluded with an enforcement update request: staff will verify Cape Cod Five sign materials and continue outreach about state‑owned sign locations. The committee scheduled follow‑up when applicants return with revised designs.

Taper: Approved permits move to the town sign review file once applicants submit any requested revisions or material confirmations; held applications will return to the committee after applicants supply the requested edits.