Commission approves LED wall sign at 8899 Alameda; staff to update guidelines for LED signage

The El Paso Historic Landmark Commission approved a certificate of appropriateness for a vinyl LED wall sign at 8899 Alameda Avenue, a noncontributing commercial property in the Ysleta Historic District, and directed staff to work on updating the district signage guidance for LED displays.

Preservation staff explained that the shopping-center building (constructed in 2007 and zoned C-1-H) is not historic in itself but falls within the historic district, which requires signage to meet design guidelines. Staff said the proposed sign fits within the size and clearance limits in the guidelines but that the guidelines do not currently address LED signage because they were written before LED signs were common.

Staff summarized applicable standards from the Ysleta design guidelines, noting limits such as a maximum sign area of 30 square feet for commercial districts, that lettering should not exceed 40% of the sign area, and that signs should not conceal architectural features or exceed height and clearance restrictions. The staff recommendation was approval based on those criteria.

A commissioner asked whether the landlord or each tenant must submit an application; staff replied that each tenant will need to submit an application under current rules and that staff will pursue updating the LED guidance so similar applications may be handled administratively in the future.

A commissioner moved to approve the proposed LED wall sign as shown; another commissioner seconded. The commission voted in favor and approved the sign for the specific tenant. Staff said future tenant signs for the center must still be submitted individually until the guidelines are updated.