DRC recommends Planning Commission approve Texas Tommies and address signs at 122 East Main

The Grass Valley Development Review Committee on March 25 recommended that the Planning Commission approve two sign installations at 122 East Main Street — a front sign honoring historical references to “Texas Tommy’s” and a rear address sign for Unit 4 — granting a sign-exception permit for height and with minor typographic adjustments to improve legibility.

Senior planner Lucy Rollins described the property as a historic building (built circa 1860) with commercial space at the lower level (Bicycle Thief) and three residential units above. The proposed front sign would occupy a rectangular space near the top of the parapet and is sited approximately 31 feet above the sidewalk; the total sign area is just under 12 square feet. Under Grass Valley Municipal Code section 17.28.0.04, signs on multistory buildings may not exceed the second-floor window-sill height or 20 feet above grade, whichever is less, which required the applicant to seek a sign-exception permit.

Amanda (the sign designer) explained her preference for an angled treatment of the lettering to fill the sign shape and reflect historic painterly sign practices. "Pulling it on an angle and in front of the border helped balance the sign," she said, noting the angled lettering better matched ornamental flourishes on the design. The Historic Commission had recommended a more rectilinear (straight baseline) treatment and asked that text remain within the border; the applicant submitted both options and asked the DRC to consider the package.

Committee members generally agreed with the Historic Commission’s recommendation to use rectilinear text on the primary East Main sign to better match other historic building signage in downtown Grass Valley, while expressing flexibility for the rear address sign. One committee member said the rear sign’s angled lettering was acceptable given that non-building or rear signage historically carried more flourish, and several members supported limited leeway for the applicant to slightly adjust spacing and stroke weight to improve legibility from the street.

The committee’s motion recommended that the Planning Commission approve the Texas Tommies sign as modified by the Historic Commission (straight baseline text kept within the border) while allowing modest adjustments — described during the hearing as additional letter spacing or slightly ‘fattening’ of letterforms — for legibility at the sign’s 31-foot mounting height. The committee also recommended approval of the rear address sign as presented by the applicant. The motion included a determination that the project is categorically exempt pursuant to section 15.301, Class 1, of the city’s CEQA procedures. The motion passed with four ayes.

A public voicemail comment left by Matthew Coulter objected to slanted lettering and urged consistency with historic town signage; the committee heard and discussed that comment during deliberations. Staff and committee members noted there appears to be lighting in the rear parking/stair area that will aid nighttime visibility of the address sign; the applicant said the rear sign was not intended to be illuminated but could be adjusted if necessary.

The DRC forwarded its recommendation to the Planning Commission with the Historic Commission’s preferred rectilinear treatment for the front sign and approval of the rear address sign as presented, with the license to tweak letter spacing and stroke weight for legibility. Planning staff will include the DRC and Historic Commission conditions in the Planning Commission package and verify final dimensions and mounting details at permit submittal.