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ARB delays final decision on striped awnings for 55 South High Street; clearance waiver approved
Summary
The Dublin Architectural Review Board granted a waiver to permit 7-foot awning clearance but postponed a final decision on the proposed striped awnings at 55 South High Street until the August 2025 meeting so staff and the applicant can agree on colors and patterns.
The Dublin Architectural Review Board on Wednesday approved a waiver allowing a reduced awning clearance of 7 feet for 55 South High Street but postponed a final decision on the awning design until the board's August 2025 hearing.
The board voted to grant the clearance waiver after staff said the building's low soffit would prevent an 8-foot clearance without compromising the awning's scale and the building's appearance. "A waiver is required for the reduced clearance and staff support this due to the building's low soffit height," planning staff member Ms. Molineux told the board.
The applicant, Jamie Malowitz, described business and visibility reasons for preferring a cream-and-charcoal vertical stripe fabric. "I chose this fabric because of the charcoal roof, and I chose the cream to go with the warmer [facade]," Malowitz said, adding that, because parked cars block her storefront, she needs an awning that will attract customers from the street.
Staff recommended a solid black awning instead, saying a solid color better aligns with surrounding landmark buildings and the recently approved black-and-white wall sign for the same tenant. "The striped awnings would set a precedent for the rest of the building ... and is just felt to be too busy on this building," Ms. Molineux said. Staff provided mock-ups that showed the proposed stripes across multiple storefronts and recommended a solid black design to meet the guidelines' intent.
Board members discussed trade-offs between preserving the district's visual consistency and helping a small business with low street visibility. Several members said black would "disappear" on this particular facade and expressed openness to other single or two-color solutions that would provide more visual prominence without becoming ornate.
Rather than require a specific color at tonight's hearing, the board voted to postpone the minor project review to the August 2025 ARB meeting so staff and the applicant can work toward a mutually acceptable color/pattern. A separate motion to table/postpone the application carried. The board's earlier motion to approve the 7-foot clearance waiver passed during the meeting.
Staff told the board that continuing discussions and returning a revised proposal next month would not require the applicant to reapply; staff estimated the typical minor project review timeline at about six weeks but said, because this case was already submitted, it could be returned at the next meeting sooner than a full new cycle.
The board also noted that any future applications on other buildings would be judged on their own merits; several members emphasized that allowing this design tonight would not automatically guarantee approval for similar designs elsewhere in the historic district.
The applicant agreed to meet with planning staff to explore alternate solid or two-color options and samples before the August hearing.
