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HDC Sign Advisory Committee denies freestanding sign at 10 Straight Wharf; staff to send enforcement notices for material violations
Summary
The committee denied a proposed freestanding projecting sign at 10 Straight Wharf as a new freestanding sign is not permitted and staff reported several existing signs installed with nonconforming materials (HDU) despite approvals for wood.
The Historic District Commission’s Sign Advisory Committee voted on April 15 to deny an application to place a projecting/freestanding sign on an armature at 10 Straight Wharf, citing the town sign guidelines and the loss of any grandfathered status for the armature.
Committee members reviewed a submitted application for a double‑sided projecting sign measuring approximately 2 feet by 4 feet 6 inches (about 9 square feet). Members concluded the structure functions as a freestanding signpost, which the committee said is not approvable as a new freestanding sign under the town sign guidelines. Members also reported the armature had been removed during prior construction and later reinstalled in a form that does not match earlier street‑view imagery; that alteration, members said, undermines any claim that the post retained grandfathered status.
The committee made a formal motion to deny the application “because it is a freestanding sign not permitted and the armature has not been maintained as required by the guidelines.” The motion passed by roll call.
During the enforcement discussion, staff reported field checks showing several signs installed in materials that differ from approved filings. Nikki Sherr told the committee that at least two businesses (Cape Cod 5 locations and a pharmacy sign in the file as Lex RxSign) had been approved for wood signs but appeared to have high‑density urethane (HDU) or other foam-based materials in place. Staff said it will prepare and send notices to property owners/operators asking for correction or further explanation; those enforcement steps were described but not formalized in separate votes.
Ending: The committee denied the 10 Straight Wharf application and asked staff to prepare enforcement notices and follow up with owners whose installed signs differ from approved materials; the applicant was offered the opportunity to remain on the line for staff to follow up.
