Historic commission approves projecting sign for 105 West Milwaukee Street

The Janesville Historic Commission voted to grant a certificate of appropriateness for a projecting sign at 105 West Milwaukee Street during its Feb. 4 meeting, finding the proposed sign largely matches a previously approved sign for the property.

The decision matters because the property sits in downtown Janesville’s commercial corridor where the commission reviews projecting signs for compatibility with historic streetscapes. Commission members said the new sign’s bracket, size and placement closely mirror a prior installation for the same storefront.

Mitch Goff, who led the presentation to the commission, said, “105 West Milwaukee Street, a commercial business downtown, is looking to put a sign over, the sidewalk area of their business,” and noted the bracket and overall structure closely resemble the earlier sign used when the business was Inspired Spaces. He told the commission that Signarama will produce the replacement and that, aside from the sign face, the design is “functionally identical” to the earlier installation.

Katie, who spoke for the applicant, clarified a small technical change: “it needed it needs to be within 6 to 12 inches from the building, so we had to add a spacer.” Commissioners said the spacer is the only substantive difference from the prior bracket installation.

After brief discussion, a motion to find that the proposed project met the criteria for granting a certificate of appropriateness was moved and seconded and carried without opposition.

The commission did not attach additional conditions to the approval. Brian (city staff) and commissioners present indicated the application materials were sufficient for review and that staff had checked that the proposed sign aligns with prior approvals on the property.

Votes at a glance - Motion: Find that the proposed project for 105 West Milwaukee Street meets the criteria for granting a certificate of appropriateness. Outcome: approved (unanimous).