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Historic Landmark Commission approves sign permit for 1849 building at 170 S. Main Street
Summary
The commission approved a certificate of appropriateness for a 33-square-foot halo-lit metal sign for the 1849 building at 170 South Main Street; commissioners debated whether the sign design should be painted onto the building instead.
The Boerne Historic Landmark Commission on Aug. 5 approved a certificate of appropriateness for a 33-square-foot halo-lit sign for the building branded "1849" at 170 South Main Street, after discussion about material, lighting and the building's contribution status.
Foster Simonson, a planning intern, told the commission the property is inside the local historic district but is classified as a noncontributing structure that was constructed circa 2005. The proposed sign design is a black, sans-serif metal sign with halo (reverse) illumination, about 33 square feet in area; staff found it met the historic-district sign guidelines cited in the Unified Development Code and recommended approval.
James Schubalk, the building owner, told the commission he and the design team sought a cleaner, less-cluttered presentation for the multi-tenant property and said the sign and associated removal of multiple existing small signs and lights would create a more cohesive look for the site. He said the project aims to reference the town's 1849 founding and reduce the visual clutter of numerous business signs on the same building.
Several commissioners asked whether the sign could be painted onto the building instead of installed as a metal, halo-lit element. One commissioner said they preferred the historic-painted look used on nearby facades and indicated they would vote against the permit if the painted treatment were discarded. Planning staff and the applicant said painting could be pursued under a separate permit and that the current application was for the metal, halo-lit sign; staff noted the existing down lights and some facade signage would be removed if the new sign is installed.
A motion to approve the certificate of appropriateness for the sign at 170 South Main Street was made and seconded; the meeting record states the motion passed. The transcript does not include a roll-call tally of individual votes.
Staff described the proposed sign as powder-coated metal, meeting the district standard of fewer than four colors and fewer than two fonts, and noted the sign's illumination complies with historic-district guidelines. The applicant said several existing facade lights and legacy painted signage would be removed or painted over as part of the broader site cleanup.
The commission's approval allows the applicant to proceed with sign permitting under the city's normal permit process; staff reminded the group that repainting an existing approved painted sign or removal of signs may require separate permits depending on the work.
