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Sign advisory holds application for The Vault after committee objects to ‘Nantucket’ on primary sign
Summary
The Nantucket Historic District Commission Sign Advisory Committee voted to hold the projecting-sign application for The Vault (5 Chestnut St.) and asked the applicant to remove or revise the word “Nantucket” from the primary sign and to eliminate window signage and a menu box unless they meet guidelines.
The Nantucket Historic District Commission Sign Advisory Committee on June 3 held the application for a projecting sign at 5 Chestnut Street for a business calling itself “The Vault Nantucket,” asking the applicant to remove the geographic word “Nantucket” from the primary sign and to eliminate window signs and a menu box that appear to be signage.
The committee said it has a standing policy against including “Nantucket” as a geographic marker on primary signs and described including the island name as a “slippery slope.” Commissioners also raised concerns about existing violations at the property that staff and members said they had observed; staff said they had not yet issued notice for every alleged violation.
Board members and staff agreed to hold the application to allow the applicant to revise the sign design. The committee conducted a roll-call vote to hold for revisions; the minutes record the motion and a unanimous aye tally among present members who voted on the motion. The committee advised staff to follow up with the applicant on removal of unauthorized window decals and the menu box.
Why it matters: primary sign text and window graphics are subject to HDC/SAC rules that aim to preserve the historic appearance of downtown streets. The committee’s decision preserves the committee’s precedent against geographic labels and signals that applicants must either justify exceptions or redesign to comply.
Background and next steps: staff will inform the applicant of the committee’s request to remove “Nantucket” from the principal sign, to remove unauthorized window signage, and to provide revised drawings if the applicant wants approval to proceed. The committee asked staff to report back in a future meeting after the applicant responds.
Speakers
[{"name":"Chris Young","role_title":"Chair","affiliation_type":"government"},{"name":"Ben Norman","role_title":"Commissioner","affiliation_type":"government"},{"name":"Kevin Koester","role_title":"Commissioner","affiliation_type":"government"},{"name":"Mark Gatone","role_title":"Commissioner","affiliation_type":"government"},{"name":"Paul Wolf","role_title":"Commissioner","affiliation_type":"government"},{"name":"Nikki Sheriff","role_title":"Staff member","affiliation_type":"government"},{"name":"Applicant (unnamed representative)","role_title":"Applicant","affiliation_type":"business"}]
