Commission approves ground sign for church with landscaping conditions

The Italian Village Commission approved a ground-mounted sign application (COA2500587) for a property on East Second Avenue, permitting a 4-foot-tall ground sign with raised graphics on black posts, subject to a condition requiring additional landscaping and staff review of the final planting plan.

Staff's summary recounted the site’s signage history, noting prior directional signs installed in 2015 without commission approval and a 2015 COA for a larger wall sign. The applicant revised the current proposal after prior feedback and proposed a 4-foot ground sign in approximately the same location for visibility. Staff recommended the commission offer design feedback and forward the proposal to the next Administrative Board meeting with conditions consistent with the Italian Village guidelines for ground signs.

Commission discussion focused on visibility from Second Avenue, the sign’s proximity to the building, and buffering of mechanical equipment nearby. Commissioners supported landscaping around the base of the sign to make the sign feel appropriate for the streetscape. Commissioners suggested low-growing evergreen shrubs (for example, certain juniper cultivars) placed at the base and possibly some screening around mechanical equipment. One commissioner suggested painting the back of the sign black rather than leaving a blank white back.

The commission first moved the item from conceptual to action and then voted to approve COA2500587 with the condition that final landscape details (suggested: low evergreen shrubs such as C. green junipers) be submitted to staff for approval. The motion and second were recorded and the vote was taken by voice; the transcript does not record a roll-call tally.

The applicant accepted the landscape condition and agreed to coordinate final plant selection and height with staff. Staff will process the final planting specification under the condition placed by the commission prior to sign permitting.