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Historic commission allows paint, limits sign size at 909 N. High St.
Summary
The Columbus Historic Preservation Commission approved exterior painting and updated signage for 909 North High Street, but required the masonry remain painted only after commissioners accepted staff’s finding that the façade is a panelized faux‑brick system and imposed size limits on new awning signs.
The Columbus Historic Preservation Commission on May 21 approved a request to repaint and update signage at 909 North High Street, allowing paint on the building’s exterior because staff found the façade to be a deteriorated panelized brick system but requiring the new awning signs to meet Short North guidelines on size.
Commissioners said the structure’s exterior appears to be a thin‑set or panelized concrete product, not traditional full‑depth brick, and accepted staff’s recommendation that painting was an appropriate treatment for the building’s material condition. "This is a unique condition where it's a panelized brick siding system that has deteriorated, and can't be salvaged in any other manner," a commissioner said when making the motion to approve.
The commission also reached a compromise on signage. Staff and commissioners agreed that the existing freestanding blade sign could be retained and updated, but the larger wall/awning sign must be reduced to conform to the Short North design guidelines’ square‑foot limits for wall signs. Commissioners said two awning signs are acceptable when they serve separate ground‑floor tenant spaces, but the larger of the two awning signs must be reduced in area before a certificate is issued.
Applicant Derek Millard told the panel the building contains a mix of thin veneer brick, painted CMU and other materials and that the proposals were intended as a short‑term refresh until a larger redevelopment occurs. “We're kinda just putting a little stake on the building, try to get another 5 years out of it,” Millard said.
Staff recommended approval on the basis of city code 31.16.11 (standards for alteration) and the Short North design guidelines; commissioners adopted the recommendation with the conditions described above. The commission instructed staff to accept the submitted supplemental photos and to verify sign dimensions and awning materials before issuing a certificate.
The commission’s approval is limited to the treatments and conditions it described; commissioners said painting of other unpainted masonry on nearby façades would still require separate review and that the applicant should submit any additional materials or clarifications if they return for final action on related elements.
