The Sandusky Landmark Commission on Jan. 15 elected Alan Griffith as chair and Elliot Dyer as vice chair, and reviewed a series of administrative approvals staff granted for downtown property work including paint, signs, windows, storm windows and a mural.

The report covered applications that staff had approved between June and September 2024, which the commission customarily reviews at meetings so the public record reflects those administrative actions. Erin, chief planner for the City of Sandusky, told commissioners, “we don't have an agenda item for a vote this evening. We have a series of administrative approvals.” Alec, planning staff, presented details for each property and the dates staff approved the applications.

Why it matters: The administrative approvals cover work on multiple buildings in the downtown Sandusky Commercial Historic District and on properties listed individually on the National Register of Historic Places. The actions affect building exteriors, public-facing signage and murals, and work intended to stabilize and return vacant or condemned buildings to active use.

Staff-reported approvals

- 247 East Market Street — Paint color and exterior light fixtures on a noncontributing building in the downtown historic district. Staff determined the proposed sage primary color and secondary “grassland” trim and the lighting fixtures complied with the design guidelines; staff administratively approved the project on June 26, 2024, with the condition that required permits be obtained prior to alterations.

- 202 West Market Street — Paint touch-up on a contributing commercial building; applicant proposed a like-for-like blue to match existing faded paint. Staff administratively approved the repainting on July 29, 2024, with the requirement that permits be obtained and that no previously unpainted masonry or architectural features be painted without further review.

- 510 Columbus Avenue — Replacement of deteriorated wood storm windows with aluminum-frame storm windows, repair/replacement of entry steps and restoration of handrails (to be painted black) for a church individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Staff administratively approved the work on June 26, 2024; required permits must be obtained before work begins.

- 412–414 Columbus Avenue — Exterior work including windows, porch, handrails, doors and downspouts on a multiunit residential property that had been condemned and stabilized by a new owner. Alec said the project includes aluminum-clad wood windows and replacement or restoration of the front porch (previously a midcentury poured concrete alteration). Staff administratively approved the project on August 29, 2024. Commissioners discussed structural stabilization of the limestone facade and were told engineering work will be done so the facade can be affixed and preserved; interior renovations are not subject to the commission's design review.

- 149 East Water Street — Rear-facing exterior sign to direct patrons to a front entrance; staff approved an off-white/light-gray background and double-sided sign on August 29, 2024, with the usual permit condition.

- 121–205 West Water Street — Extensive window replacements on two contributing buildings that combine street-level commercial space with upper-floor residences. Staff approved historically appropriate wood windows (some aluminum-clad) and a brick-color finish; the applicant supplied a sample of an aluminum-clad wood window to the community development office for inspection.

- 125 East Water Street — ‘‘Shores on the Islands’’ mural on a secondary facade composed of mixed-age brick that staff classified as not historically significant; staff determined the mural appropriate under the permanent murals guidelines and administratively approved it on September 27, 2024, subject to permits. Alec clarified that coverage limits in the sign code apply only to facades that face a public right of way; this wall does not, so sign-code coverage limits were not applied.

- 120 Wayne Street — Paint and signage for the rear facade of an East Water Street building (the applicant plans a pizza vendor called Archie’s). Staff approved paint and a small rear-facing sign on September 27, 2024, with conditions that permits be obtained and that paint products be suitable for historic masonry and breathable.

Commission business and meeting schedule

At the start of the meeting Quinn called roll and noted a quorum. Commissioners nominated and confirmed officers: Alan Griffith as chair and Elliot Dyer as vice chair. A motion to approve minutes from the commission's prior meeting (June 17, 2024) passed by voice vote. Toward the end of the meeting commissioners discussed meeting frequency and agreed the commission should aim to meet at least quarterly (January, April, July, October), with meetings in the first month of each quarter to present administrative approvals; meetings may be moved within the quarter if necessary.

The commission did not take new votes on the staff administrative approvals during the Jan. 15 meeting because the projects had been approved by staff earlier in 2024; members framed the meeting as a reporting and oversight opportunity to ensure the public record reflected those approvals.

Ending note: Commissioners emphasized that the administrative approvals and the pending rehabilitation at 412–414 Columbus Avenue represent progress toward stabilizing and reusing downtown buildings, and they confirmed the commission's intent to meet regularly so applicants and the public can track design-review outcomes.