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Commission allows temporary construction signs at 910 Denison Avenue and offers guidance on proposed building name
Summary
The commission approved temporary construction signage at 910 Denison Avenue (limited to 25 sq ft and duration conditions) and provided conceptual feedback on a proposed building-name sign and a commemorative plaque; final design details must return for review.
The Victorian Village Commission approved temporary construction signage at 910 Denison Avenue and provided conceptual feedback on a proposed permanent building-name sign and a small commemorative plaque.
Kimberly Bernardchi, HBO staff, said the application sought two temporary 3-by-10-foot signs on the south and west elevations during construction (through June 2025 as requested) and a conceptual proposal to install the building name "Usher" on south and west elevations plus a small plaque by the front door. Staff recommended reducing temporary signs to the short-term guidelines’ maximum of 25 square feet and asked the commission to advise on duration and placement of the conceptual name sign under City Code 3.116.11 and Short North signage guidelines.
Heidi Bolliard of Simplified Living Architecture said the owners wished to name the building after Charles Usher and asked for conceptual feedback before contracting detailed design work. Commissioners favored permitting temporary signage subject to staff conditions and recommended a limited duration tied to construction or certificate of occupancy. The motion the commission adopted directed that temporary south- and west-facing signs be no larger than 25 square feet and be permitted for six months from approval, but that the signs must come down earlier if the building receives a certificate of occupancy before the six-month period expires.
On the conceptual naming, commissioners generally supported the idea of a building name but asked the applicant to return with multiple options showing scale, materials and placement — in particular how the name would relate visually to the band above the first and second floors, and how the letters and plaque would avoid obscuring architectural elements. Commissioners recommended the name be subtle and integrated (tone-on-tone or individual letters set into a recess) rather than appearing as a primary business sign; they also urged submission of mockups and fabrication details when the applicant returns for final approval.
The commission noted it had received letters of support for the proposal; staff asked the applicant to provide precedent images, fabrication notes, and final placement drawings at the next hearing for formal review of the permanent signage.
