Historic commission authorizes administrative approval for routine downtown hanging signs; approves two sign applications

The Natchitoches Historic District Commission voted to allow staff to grant administrative approval for routine downtown hanging business signs that meet historic-district standards and approved two sign applications at the meeting.

Commissioners said routine items such as repainting a house the same color or replacing a roof with the same architectural shingle can be handled administratively. One commissioner described the recurring downtown hanging signs as ‘‘almost like a cookie cutter’’ and urged a streamlined process so homeowners and businesses do not have to wait a month for a commission meeting.

Under the approved approach staff (identified in the meeting as Chantrell/Chantra) will review applications and ‘‘send an email to me and 1 to Steve, both of us being chair and vice chair,’’ so that the chair and vice chair can vet routine approvals; if a proposed sign or alteration is ‘‘so crazy’’ the staff will refer it to the full commission. Commissioners cited the Rolling Hill Ministries sign as an example of a large project that should come before the commission rather than be handled administratively.

A motion ‘‘that we give administrative approval for signage for the traditional downtown hanging signs only, and, that they can approve it if it meets their standards. If not, it would need to come before the commission’’ was moved and approved by voice vote.

Separately, the commission voted to approve application 3.2 for Brooke White, doing business as Freckled Fox, at 502 Front Street. Commissioners found the application ‘‘completely within guidelines for signage’’ and approved it by voice vote.

Application 3.1 for Donna Rainey (Family Affair, 1182 Line) initially proceeded with the applicant absent after staff reported the applicant’s niece was en route following an emergency; commissioners ultimately approved the application when the applicant appeared. One commissioner noted the sign was ‘‘the same sign that we always approve’’ and that it could have been approved administratively under the new process.

These actions were recorded as voice votes with commissioners responding ‘‘aye’’; no roll-call tallies were recorded in the meeting transcript. No statutes, ordinances or written amendments were presented at the meeting; the commission framed this as an internal procedural change to reduce delay for routine approvals.