HTC Sign Advisory Committee approves multiple Main Street and Federal Street signs, conditions changes for one business

The HTC Sign Advisory Committee voted on March 4, 2025, to approve new storefront signage for four businesses and to relocate the Artists Association sign as part of a remote meeting convened under Governor Baker’s March 12, 2020 executive order allowing public bodies to meet remotely.

The committee approved ASHA’s carved, double-sided hanging sign for 18 Federal Street, and approved two signs for 32 Main Street (a 12-by-18 projecting sign and an 8-by-36 wall/quarterboard replacement for the former Black Dog location). The committee gave conditional approval for a projecting sign for an upstairs Pilates and yoga business at 53 Main Street (the Hothouse proposal) and approved relocating the Artists Association quarter-board from 19 Washington Street to 8 Federal Street with conditions to remove two existing menu boxes and window signage.

Committee members said most applications met the size and mounting guidelines but pressed applicants on design and consistency with Main Street character. Paul Wolf and Mark Catone repeatedly urged applicants to align bracket heights and color palettes with adjacent signs; Kevin Kuster raised objections to adding an additional projecting sign at one Main Street entrance before ultimately supporting a revised application after applicants agreed to changes.

ASHA (18 Federal Street) The committee voted to approve ASHA’s 22-by-22…