Design board recommends sign for Attucks Theatre but opposes lighting historic marker

City staff presented a proposal for a new wall sign and the location of a Virginia historic highway marker at 1010 Church Street, the Attucks Theatre building constructed in 1919.

Staff said the sign’s typeface will match the theatre’s historic marquee and that the applicant proposed 10‑inch‑tall dimensional letters intended to be backlit. As a backup, the applicant proposed in‑ground lighting for the letters if backlighting proved infeasible; staff noted in‑ground lighting carries maintenance challenges.

The applicant also sought permission to externally illuminate a proposed Virginia historic highway marker that would sit on city property outside the public right of way. Staff said the marker itself is governed by state standards and is not subject to the same local design review, but the applicant proposed an attached solar‑powered picture‑frame style light to illuminate the marker.

The design review board recommended approval of the sign while explicitly restricting illumination of the historic marker. Board members said there was insufficient information to be confident in the longevity and durability of the proposed solar lighting. The recommendation included conditions that: the marker location be approved by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR); the marker not be lit; the wall lettering match the marquee typeface and be backlit where feasible; and final shop drawings return to staff prior to permit issuance. The board voted unanimously to forward the recommendation to the Planning Commission, according to staff.

A staff presenter said that if backlighting proved infeasible, ground lighting could be permitted as a fallback. The final decision on permits and any required state approvals will occur as the application advances through the city’s permit review process.