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Commission approves Starbucks signage at 1014 North High Street with design caveats
Summary
The commission approved Certificate of Appropriateness application COA2400540 to permit a wall-mounted sign, a blade sign and halo-illuminated channel letters for a proposed Starbucks at 1014 North High Street, after discussion of illumination, stone penetrations and design alignment with adjacent storefronts.
The Town Building Commission approved Certificate of Appropriateness application COA2400540 allowing a new wall sign, blade sign and halo-illuminated channel letters for a proposed Starbucks at 1014 North High Street.
Staff had recommended continuing the application to allow the applicant time to revise the cabinet-style wall sign and reduce penetrations through the building’s stone facade, and noted that earlier drawings for the space had shown internally illuminated letters, which are not permitted. Staff reviewed revised November drawings and discussed permitted external illumination options, including open-face channel letters with exterior LED tubes and halo or backlighting, and recommended the commission continue the file to allow further refinements to align the proposal with the city’s signage guidelines.
The applicant’s representative described a design that places halo-illuminated channel letters on a painted aluminum raceway and a non-illuminated round cabinet blade sign at the storefront entrance, and said the channel letters will use a panel to reduce direct penetrations of the stone elevation. The applicant also said the blade sign was intentionally non-illuminated and had been lowered to avoid covering stone detailing between the first and second floors. Commissioners asked about how the LED distribution would appear in the channel letters and whether raceways and raceway color would blend with the stone; staff and the applicant said the letters would be designed to minimize visible penetrations and that the raceway would be painted to match the background.
A motion to approve COA2400540 “as submitted, in the drawings with the exception” was made and seconded; the motion carried with the commission voting “aye.” The transcript records that both the blade sign and the channel letters were approved. Staff said it will finalize the Certificate of Appropriateness and circulate the COA documents to the applicant; staff and the applicant also discussed the possibility of the applicant providing a photo of the installed signage for staff review prior to final issuance.
Why it matters: The commission’s decision balances storefront visibility for a new tenant with preservation of the building’s stone facade and the city’s illumination rules. The exchange highlights how the commission applies its signage guidelines to limit penetrations and internal illumination on historic masonry elevations.
Details: Staff referenced prior awning approval (COA IV 24 08002) for the tenant space and cited city signage guidance (staff noted “short order design guidelines. Signage page 3.37 and 3.41” during the presentation). The approved plan in the record shows halo-illuminated letters installed on a painted raceway and a non-illuminated round blade sign at the storefront entrance. The commission discussion also included direction that the applicant coordinate final details with staff and that staff would prepare the final COA paperwork.
Ending: The applicant was thanked and wished luck opening the space. The commission moved on to the next agenda item and staff said it would send the finalized COA when ready.
