Historic preservation commission continues Bank of America sign permit, asks for code‑compliant renderings

The Sonoma City Historic Preservation Commission continued consideration of a sign permit for Bank of America’s building at 35 West Napa Street on Sept. 10, asking staff and the applicant to return with renderings that meet the city’s code for illuminated signs.

Staff presented the application and recommended approval of the sign permit and two variances, including an aggregate area variance and a variance for individual internally illuminated signs larger than 27 square feet. Permit technician Natalie Bursey told commissioners the parcel is in the downtown planning area across from Plaza Park and that the applicant proposes three channel‑letter signs; two of the signs would be roughly 43.7 square feet and one roughly 27.9 square feet under the proposed measurements. Bursey also said staff recommends approval of a categorical exemption under sections 15301 and 15311 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines.

Applicant Erin Kredick of Solano Sign Company described the materials as “top of the line 3M quality vinyl” with LED lighting and a manufacturer warranty; she cautioned that, “Eventually, they will fade,” when asked about longevity. Kredick said the signs would be individual stud‑mounted channel letters with acrylic faces and LED backlighting, and that the bank recently removed an older external light program at the same location.

Commissioners focused on two issues: (1) the city’s calculation counts the full sign box when evaluating the 27‑square‑foot limit for internally illuminated signs, which can make long, narrow channel‑letter layouts appear larger than the actual illuminated letter faces; and (2) whether adding internally illuminated signage at this particular plaza corner would create a visual or safety concern for drivers and pedestrians. Commissioners noted the proposed signs are slightly larger than the existing signs and observed the new corporate red is more vivid than prior signage. Several commissioners said the proposed materials and the updated, lower‑profile letterforms appear visually improved compared with the former box lighting.

Discussion included technical clarifications from staff that the code’s 27‑square‑foot limit applies to internally illuminated signs and that the property is also over the code’s aggregate allowance for a corner lot. Commissioners asked for renderings that show how the signs would appear if sized to meet code — both to compare existing vs. proposed and to assess legibility for drivers and pedestrians. Commissioner comments included concerns that illumination at the plaza corner could increase glare and driver confusion at an already awkward intersection; other commissioners said the signs may not be materially more distracting than existing lighting near the ATM and parking areas.

The commission did not vote to approve the permit. Instead, by roll call vote, the commission voted to continue the item to the next Historic Preservation Commission meeting and asked staff to work with the applicant to provide a compliance‑sized sign package and side‑by‑side renderings (current proposal vs. compliant option). The motion passed unanimously.

What the commission asked staff and the applicant to provide: renderings showing the proposed signs resized to comply with the city’s illuminated‑sign requirements, and a side‑by‑side comparison of current, proposed and code‑compliant options; details on letter height and the actual illuminated area of the channel letters; and clarification of how the aggregated sign area was calculated. The applicant indicated they will coordinate with corporate design (Make of America / Bank of America national account) to return with revised materials and dimensions.

Next steps: The item will return to the Historic Preservation Commission at the next regularly scheduled meeting with the requested renderings and staff analysis of whether the revised package meets municipal code.

Quotes in context

“Eventually, they will fade,” — Erin Kredick, Solano Sign Company, on vinyl sign longevity.

“If the historic preservation commission determines that the findings can be met … staff recommends approving the application,” — Natalie Bursey, permit technician, summarizing staff recommendation.

Ending

No formal denial or approval was made. The commission’s requested revisions preserve the applicant’s design direction while prioritizing compliance and clearer visual comparisons so commissioners can judge scale, legibility and nighttime impact during the next hearing.