Boerne landmark commission approves monument sign at 302 S. Main with dark‑sky lighting condition
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Summary
The Boerne Historic Landmark Commission on Jan. 7 approved a certificate of appropriateness for a 72-by-48-inch metal-letter monument sign at 302 South Main Street, contingent on lighting modifications to meet the city's dark‑sky rules.
The Boerne Historic Landmark Commission approved a certificate of appropriateness on Jan. 7, 2025, for a new monument sign at 302 South Main Street, with the condition that the sign's lighting comply with the city's dark‑sky ordinance.
The commission voted 4-0 to approve action item 2024-663, a proposal to use the existing stone monument base and attach laser-cut decorative metal letters and logo elements for the business identified in the applicant materials. Frankie Linder, planner with the City of Boerne planning department, told commissioners the proposed sign would be 72 by 48 inches, use two font types and three colors, and retain the current stucco color on the stone monument.
“The applicant has agreed to make those modifications to ensure there's no light trespass, as well as to change the LED bulb so it is dark sky compliant,” Frankie Linder said, adding that city staff will verify compliance before issuing a permit. Linder also said the proposal meets the Unified Development Code and the historic district guidelines on material and font limits, and that the stone monument and planter would remain.
Commissioners asked technical questions about fabrication: whether letters and logo elements would be individual cut pieces or grouped, and how the cut pieces would allow the stucco background to show through in places. Linder explained the floral logo is expected to be a single laser-cut metal piece attached at a few points, while some letters would be separate cut elements mounted to the stone.
The motion approved by the commission includes a requirement that the up-lighting be modified to prevent light trespass beyond the sign edge and that the LED bulbs be dark‑sky compliant. The commission noted the existing temporary sign at the site should be removed once the permanent sign is installed.
No public commenters addressed the item during the meeting. After the vote, the chair instructed the applicant to proceed with permitting once staff confirms the lighting changes.
Background: Linder stated the building at the site is a contributing structure in the historic district identified as the Henry A. Windler house and described as Texas German vernacular style. The commission's approval applies only to the sign design and lighting as presented and does not change the underlying historic designation.