Projecting blade sign at 45 Main Street held for construction and material details

The advisory committee voted Wednesday to hold a proposed projecting blade sign for 45 Main Street while the applicant provides additional construction details clarifying material and fabrication methods.

A representative for the applicant explained the design: a 22-by-17.5-inch projecting blade using a handcrafted appearance in green and gold enamel, with an indicated thickness of 3/4 inch. Committee members raised concerns about the proposed material and thickness. Chair Mark Catone and committee member Kevin Kuester questioned whether 3/4-inch material and the specified MDO/MDF-type panel met HDC standards for a true wood, hand-carved blade; the committee prefers genuine hardwood or a routed, hand-representative fabrication with sufficient thickness for durability.

The committee asked the applicant to revise the application to specify the exact wood species or fabrication approach (e.g., hand carved vs. machine routed and the resulting thickness), confirm whether the lettering is carved or painted, and note whether gold enamel or gold leaf is proposed. The committee also asked for confirmation that no lighting is proposed; the applicant stated the sign would have no lighting and that lettering would be painted acrylic.

Committee member Kevin Kuester moved to hold the application for revisions specifying construction method and material; the motion passed on a 3-0 vote. The advisory committee emphasized that approved signs in the historic district must meet material and construction standards in the HDC sign guidance before an advisory recommendation is sent to the HDC.