Historic District Commission approves multiple signage and renovation applications

The New Shoreham Historic District Commission on April 28 approved a package of applications that included new and replacement signs, a rooftop and street-level sign program for the Eureka Hotel, a deck/porch modification for that same building, an application to add dormers at a Corn Neck Road house and an in-kind replacement of an outdoor shower.

The approvals affect properties across the town’s historic district and included one item driven by an outside safety requirement: replacement of windows with exterior doors at Blue Dory (per a State Fire Marshal directive). Commission members said most applications were “in kind” or proportionate to existing historic fabric.

The approvals mean several business signs and small-scale building changes can proceed without further Commission conditions; the door replacements at Blue Dory were approved with a trim/header condition and the Commission asked that remaining window replacement work be returned for separate review.

Offshore Trading (Plat 6, Lot 105): The Commission approved a new wall sign for the ice-cream shop after applicants and commissioners discussed size and placement. Applicant Leslie Helteron described the new logo-mounted sign as “a little taller” than the previous sign and said the new panel would be about five inches taller than the old one; commissioners noted the previous sign measured about 8 square feet and the replacement would measure roughly 14 square feet. The motion to approve was made and seconded and carried by voice vote; the record shows a voice “aye” but no numeric tally was included in the minutes.

Historical Society sign (Plat 6, Lot 1): Commissioners approved a replacement post-mounted sign for the historical society. The applicant said the replacement mirrors an earlier historic design; commissioners discussed mounting hardware and recommended wood rather than an ornate iron bracket. The motion carried; one member was noted as recused on the vote.

Eureka Hotel (Plat 7, Lot 37; Fire Number 405): The Commission approved two signs (a mounted roof sign and a street-level sign) and later approved an associated deck/porch modification and shutter details described by applicant Seth Draper. Commissioners discussed keeping shutters proportionate and having shutters sized so they would cover the full window if closed. The deck/porch work was described as balancing historic appearance and practical renovation; the Commission treated the deck submission as an appropriate alteration and approved it as presented.

Chapel Street / Aldo’s (Plat 6, Lot 809): The Commission approved replacing the existing “Chapel Suites” signs with signs for Aldo’s Mopeds and Bicycles and an information center panel. Commissioners emphasized that sign size and shape would not change and noted concern about unauthorized freestanding rental signs on the corner.

Tang with Tang LLC (Plat 5, Lot 3-1, 110 Corn Neck Road): The Commission approved the applicant’s plan to add four dormers and to alter several window openings so the house better matches local vernacular. The approval included an explicit condition that the new windows be installed as shown on the submitted drawings and that the installation “do not cut into the gable fascia boards.” Commissioners discussed proportions at length and said the dormers should be visually compatible with neighboring structures.

Dee Brown Property Management (Plat 8, Lot 67, Fire 461): The Commission approved an in-kind replacement of an outdoor shower using cedar, with the same footprint, height and width as the existing structure. The applicant/builder confirmed the new shower duplicates the footprint and materials of what stood previously; commissioners said the revised (simpler) design addressed earlier concerns.

Blue Dory Resorts (Plat 6, Lot 140, Fire 601): The Commission approved replacing several second-floor windows with exterior doors at the direction of the State Fire Marshal to provide required egress. Commissioners approved the doors as “in kind” to existing building doors but added a caveat that the exterior header/trim on both doors match the existing trim on the building. The Commission also requested that the applicant return with full details on the other proposed window replacements (the windows shown in some photos were vinyl and will require a separate submission). The file notes that some work was installed before final local approvals were complete and the Commission discussed permitting timing; the fire-safety directive itself came from the State Fire Marshal's office.

Discussion/direction and next steps: Commissioners requested that applicants include clear mount/fastening details on signage (for wind/bracket requirements), that applicants confirm whether site locations fall within the Commission’s jurisdiction before final applications are filed, and that applicants return when additional details (window specifications, final mounting hardware) are available. Several approvals were explicitly described as “in kind” or proportionate to surrounding context.

Votes at a glance (recorded motions/outcomes in meeting text): - Offshore Trading (Plat 6, Lot 105) — motion to approve sign; mover Mark Battle; second Elizabeth Moss; outcome: approved by voice vote (tally not specified in record). - Historical Society sign (Plat 6, Lot 1) — motion to approve; mover Arlene Chaney; second Bill Cook; outcome: approved by voice vote; one commissioner recused (name not specified in minutes excerpt). - Eureka Hotel (Plat 7, Lot 37) — two signs approved; separate motion approved deck/porch and shutter details; outcome: approved by voice vote. - Aldo’s / Chapel Street (Plat 6, Lot 809) — sign replacements approved; outcome: approved by voice vote. - Tang with Tang LLC (Plat 5, Lot 3-1) — four dormers and window alterations approved with installation condition; outcome: approved by voice vote. - Dee Brown Property Management (Plat 8, Lot 67) — in-kind outdoor shower replacement approved (cedar, same footprint); outcome: approved by voice vote. - Blue Dory Resorts (Plat 6, Lot 140) — doors replacing windows per State Fire Marshal approved with condition that exterior headers/trim match existing; remaining window replacements to be resubmitted for review.

The Commission did not record numeric roll-call tallies for most items in the minutes excerpt; outcomes were recorded as voice votes with some individual “aye”s noted. Several applicants were advised to provide additional details to staff and to return for final review where work exceeded “in-kind” or where windows were vinyl and not consistent with the Commission’s guidance.

The Commission’s next items on the agenda included a request to review application and materials checklists and a broader review of historic-district regulations (see separate item in the meeting record).