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BAR updates administrative signage definitions to match city zoning; no policy changes
Summary
The Board adopted wording changes to the administrative approval standards for signage to align definitions with the recently revised signage ordinance; the update reclassifies projecting signs as a subset of wall signs and contains only definitional edits, not policy changes
The Board of Architectural Review voted to adopt wording-only updates to the administrative approval standards for signage used in the Old & Historic District, aligning the guidelines’ terminology with the recently adopted city signage ordinance.
Staff presented the amendments as editorial and definitional: no policy changes were proposed. The principal change moves “projecting sign” into the wall-sign category (so projecting signs will be measured and counted as wall signs under the administrative standards). Staff said this alignment is intended to avoid conflicts between the guidelines posted on the BAR website and the city’s zoning ordinance.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions about digital signs, awnings vs. canopies and projected lighting; staff confirmed that this item did not change policy on sign lighting or digital displays and that a forthcoming chapter on signage will address policy questions once the City Council finalizes the zoning ordinance language. The change passed on a voice vote.
Staff noted the amendments will make administrative enforcement and counting consistent (for example, a projecting sign will now consume a portion of the wall-sign area allocation). The board will review broader signage policies later when the design-guideline chapter on signs is ready for consideration.
