University Impact District Review Board approves revised signage packages for State House properties with limits on branding signs

The University Impact District Review Board on its May meeting approved revised signage packages for multiple State House student housing properties, including the High Line on Ninth and the Varsity, after the applicant removed oversized illuminated wall signs and reduced projecting sign heights.

Board members and the applicant said the packages were revised in response to earlier board concerns about the overall amount of signage and the prominence of branding. Rebecca Green, an applicant representative, told the board: "These have been all 3 have been substantially modified from the first time you've seen them." She said the illuminated wall sign was removed and the awning sign now includes the building name, while the projecting (blade) signs were lowered.

The applicant argued the blade signs help pedestrians locate leasing offices tucked behind High Street. "We wanted to do that blue sign protruding off the building so people who are walking on High Street are able to see that State House High Line on Ninth is not too far away," said Haley, who identified herself as a representative of the property manager.

Board members said they still had reservations about blade signs that function primarily as company branding rather than wayfinding. "So the only point of it seems to be branding the properties, which to me seems unnecessary," said Board member Keoni (University Impact District Review Board). Multiple members urged limiting branding signs and prioritizing signs that identify the specific building and leasing entrances.

After discussion, the board approved the High Line on Ninth signage with conditions reflecting that guidance. For another State House package covering the Varsity and adjacent elevations, the board approved a motion that: 1) allowed an externally lit or roofline State House sign on the west elevation; 2) approved an awning and a leasing-office projecting sign on the north elevation but required the projecting sign to be non‑illuminated; 3) deleted one blade sign at the northwest corner; and 4) required the south/residential entrance sign to read either the address or the building name (to avoid a logo‑only plaque). The board also required that certain wall signs be mounted through mortar joints rather than directly into masonry where noted by staff.

Staff and several board members noted the University District Plan sign guidelines and the city graphics code as the basis for review; staff had recommended conditional approvals where elements exceeded plan guidance but were scaled for larger buildings. Atroll calls taken after motions showed the conditions carried.

The board asked applicants to return if they planned additional identical blade signs for the other two State House properties, advising the applicants to prioritize wayfinding and reduce repetitions of company logo signs. The applicants agreed to return with revised drawings for any further packages.

Members closed the item by instructing staff and the applicants to confirm final mounting details and illumination controls prior to permit review.