Commission approves temporary City Hall signs at 626 Waddell and 539 E. Nelson

The commission unanimously approved two Entrance Corridor Certificate of Appropriateness (ECCOA) applications on Feb. 13 for temporary signage that will direct the public to interim city office locations while City Hall is renovated.

ECCOA 2025-01 (626 Waddell Street): Staff said the property is in the entrance corridor because of its C-2 zoning at the southern edge of the entrance corridor boundary. The sign is temporary while City Hall is occupied offsite; staff noted entrance-corridor guidance that signs should reflect a consistent style and be harmonious with the building. A commissioner raised a sightline concern that the proposed sign might block a speed-limit sign near a school building; staff said the city will revisit the design and coordinate with Public Works if necessary. The motion to approve the freestanding sign at 626 Waddell carried unanimously.

ECCOA 2025-02 (539 East Nelson Street): Staff described three proposed wall-mounted signs for a temporary city-office location at the LewisGale/Walker Street side of the building: two small signs near entrances and one 36-by-24 sign mounted perpendicular to Walker Street to be visible to passing traffic. Staff explained none of the proposed signs will face Nelson Street directly. Commissioners approved the three wall signs unanimously.

Both approvals are for temporary signage while City Hall renovation proceeds; staff indicated the temporary arrangements are expected to last roughly the duration of the renovation (the staff estimate discussed at the meeting was one to two years). Before installation the city will confirm that the signs do not obscure traffic-control devices and will coordinate placement with Public Works.