Nantucket Historical Association's freestanding wayfinding signs draw split vote; committee orders view and temporary removal of existing markers

The HDC Sign Advisory Committee on May 6 held a prolonged debate over a set of freestanding wayfinding signposts proposed by the Nantucket Historical Association and ultimately voted to hold the application for a site visit and to require removal of existing freestanding markers until the matter is resolved.

Ashley Santos, representing the Nantucket Historical Association, told the committee the signs were intended as low‑profile wayfinding markers modeled on similar posts used by other conservation and nonprofit organizations around the island. "We wanted to create a similar signpost that the Land Bank has," Santos said, describing the design as discrete navy posts intended to help visitors locate NHA properties.

Commissioners raised multiple objections. Commissioner Kevin Kuester said the committee's guidelines disfavor new freestanding signs in the historic downtown and warned of a slippery slope if corporate brands and nonprofits began placing freestanding markers without review. "If we start letting individual corporate brands... put up a little square sign in front of each of the buildings," Kuester said, "obviously it's inappropriate." Commissioner Ben Normans and others emphasized the need to review each proposed location on a case‑by‑case basis so the panels could balance wayfinding value against impacts on architecture and historic landscapes.

The committee first considered a motion to deny the application on the grounds that the proposed freestanding signs conflicted with the HDC's guidelines. That denial motion failed on a split vote. The committee then approved a motion by Commissioner Ben Normans to hold the application for a site viewing and to require the NHA to remove existing ground‑mounted signs until they receive formal approval; that motion passed on roll call with Ben Normans, Paul Wolf and Kevin Kuester voting in favor.

Why it matters: The decision highlights tension between nonprofits seeking to improve visitor wayfinding and a preservation review board that tightly limits freestanding signage to protect historic streetscapes. Committee members said many similar signposts had either been reviewed previously or warranted closer look at their specific locations.

The committee asked NHA to coordinate site visits with staff so the panel could evaluate each candidate location in person and to return with a revised consolidated application if the organization wished to pursue a smaller set of signs or mounted alternatives. Ashley Santos said the organization would work with staff to schedule viewings. The committee clarified that the HDC full board has the final authority and that the advisory committee's recommendation would go with the application to the full board when necessary.