Community Appearance Board approves three downtown signs and awnings with conditions

The City of Conway Community Appearance Board on Wednesday approved three certificates of appropriateness for storefront signs and awnings in downtown Conway, saying the proposals complied with the city’s Unified Development Ordinance but adding a staff-verification condition for one door graphic.

Katie Dennis, planning staff, told the board the applications complied with the city’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) and described each submission. The applications approved were: sign and facade painting for Glam Studio Salon and Bridal Lounge at 1106 Third Avenue; a wall sign for Weston & Sampson on the Norman Alley facade at 911 Norman Alley (with a matching door graphic subject to staff verification); and a black metal awning at 910 Third Avenue.

Board members discussed materials, dimensions and placement before voting. For 1106 Third Avenue, Katie Dennis said the application included PVC cut, dimensional letters and window and door graphics; the applicant proposed repainting the brick facade black with gold window trim and replacing a storm-damaged awning. John Cassidy, the applicant representative, and tenant Chelsea McCracken were present; Dennis said the proposed wall sign’s actual coverage was about 7 square feet, well under the 75-square-foot allowance described in the application materials.

For 911 Norman Alley, Dennis said the Tyson Sign Company application proposed reverse-channel aluminum letters, painted white, and that the proposed sign’s coverage (about 14.7 square feet) was well under the UDO maximum. The board and the applicant discussed how the rendering showed a background only so white letters would be visible on paper; staff clarified the installed sign would be only the white lettering. The board added language to approve a same-logo door vinyl provided staff confirmed it met UDO limits for door/window graphics.

At 910 Third Avenue, Dennis presented a proposal from applicant Tyler Thomas for a black metal awning that matches other downtown awnings. The board approved the awning as presented.

Votes at a glance - 1106 Third Avenue (Glam Studio Salon and Bridal Lounge): motion to approve all presented elements (building paint, logo/trim, awning, and window graphics); passed by voice vote. Mover: unnamed board member; second: Coker. - 911 Norman Alley (Weston & Sampson): motion to approve the wall sign and to allow the same logo on the door conditional on staff verification of UDO compliance for door/window graphics; passed by voice vote. Mover: unnamed board member; second: recorded on the transcript as "I second." (no name given). - 910 Third Avenue (Tyler Thomas): motion to approve the black metal awning as presented; passed by voice vote. Mover: unnamed board member; second: recorded as "Second." (no name given).

Board members who spoke during the items asked about materials, existing building colors, and the reason for color choices. Chelsea McCracken explained the salon and bridal-lounge concept and said the color choices matched the tenant’s brand. Dennis and the board noted that door and window vinyl that only repeats an existing logo could be approved administratively if it met UDO coverage limits, which is why staff verification was added as a condition for the Weston & Sampson door graphic.

No formal numeric roll-call votes were recorded in the verbal transcript excerpts; each item passed following the board’s voice vote.

The actions allow the three businesses to proceed with the approved exterior work subject to any necessary building permits and the staff verification condition for the Weston & Sampson door graphic. Staff noted applicants must return for any elements not included in the current applications (for example, separate door or lighting fixtures not already covered).

The board moved on to other agenda items after approving the three certificates of appropriateness.