Historic Preservation Commission elects leaders, denies interior plastic window sign and approves three storefront items

Valerie Duncan was elected chair of the Historic Preservation Commission and Jason Wells was elected vice chair at the commission’s Monday meeting, Oct. 6, 2025. The commission also denied a certificate of appropriateness for a hanging, 3D‑printed plastic window sign proposed for a North Division Street storefront, approved a projecting sign and window lettering for Foundation Insurance, OK’d a paint plan for a West Harrison Avenue building and set a 30‑day follow‑up for a previously approved minimum maintenance plan for the Lens department store.

The commission convened at 5:30 p.m. and handled officer elections before taking up several storefront applications and maintenance updates. The actions affect storefront signage and exterior paint in the local historic district and follow the commission’s signage and minimum‑maintenance review processes.

On application 25‑027, the commission considered a request from Terry Parson, owner of Lokey Duck 3D Printing and More, for approval of a window‑hung decorative sign described as a “friendship bracelet” made with 3D‑printed plastic elements and small colored balls. Parson said the piece commemorates his daughter and that the business is transitioning “from 3D printing service into a toy store.” He told the commission the sign would be displayed inside the window, about an inch and a half from the glass, and that he would remove it if required.

Several commissioners and staff noted the commission’s written guidelines list plastic panels and plastic letters among sign types “not compatible with the historic architecture within the district.” Staff said the commission has historically distinguished between projecting/facade signs and temporary window signage but that this design—plastic, three‑dimensional and hanging—would be a different case.

After discussion of precedent and potential alternatives (staff and a commissioner suggested a vinyl window application rather than a 3D plastic piece), a commissioner moved to deny the certificate of appropriateness. The motion carried by a 5–1 vote. The applicant said he would remove the piece from the window and hang it inside the store instead.

The commission approved HPC application 25‑028 for Foundation Insurance, where staff reported the proposed window graphics would be white, not exceed one‑third of the window area and would use an existing projecting sign bracket. Ben Roberts, who identified himself as with Foundation Insurance, said the signs would help customers identify the storefront through tinted windows. A motion to approve passed unanimously.

On application 25‑023, the commission reviewed a paint plan for a building at 224 West Harrison Avenue. The applicant said he developed the palette after consulting the Territorial Museum and walking the district; he described using a metallic automotive paint sparingly to achieve a gold‑leaf effect on small decorative elements. Commissioners and staff discussed durability and historic appropriateness; a motion to approve the paint plan passed by voice vote.

Two maintenance‑plan items were on the agenda. For the Teal Fire Station at 111 South Second, staff provided an update on a previously approved minimum maintenance plan: the applicant reported securing broken glass and working on the tower; staff said the plan remains on track and no additional action was required that night.

For the Lens department store at 119 West Oklahoma Avenue (HPC application 25‑010), the applicant reported that roughly half of the replacement windows required by the maintenance plan had been rebuilt and that crews had prioritized the worst‑deteriorated areas. Commissioners said past extensions had already been granted, requested up‑to‑date photographs to document progress and noted the approved maintenance schedule had lapsed. The commission voted 5–1 to table the item and grant a 30‑day extension; staff told the applicant that the commission expects substantiating evidence of progress at the next meeting and that failure to meet the plan could trigger the city’s code‑enforcement process.

Votes at a glance - Minutes (regular meeting 09/08/2025): Approved (motion by Nathan Turner; second by Daryl Covington). Recorded unanimous approval among members present. - Election — Chair: Valerie Duncan elected (vote recorded in meeting). - Election — Vice Chair: Jason Wells elected (vote recorded in meeting). - HPC application 25‑027 (Lokey Duck 3D Printing and More, 112 North Division Street): Motion to deny certificate of appropriateness carried 5–1. - HPC application 25‑028 (Foundation Insurance): Motion to approve; unanimous approval. - HPC application 25‑023 (224 West Harrison Avenue paint plan): Motion to approve; passed by voice vote. - HPC application 25‑010 (Lens department store, 119 West Oklahoma Avenue): Item tabled with a 30‑day extension for progress documentation (vote 5–1).

The commission asked applicants to provide photographs and other documentary evidence when work is in progress and reminded applicants that the commission’s approvals are tied to the district’s guidelines and any conditions the commission attaches. The commission did not take enforcement action at the meeting; staff said code enforcement remains an option if required by an unmet maintenance plan.

Staff and commission members thanked applicants and closed the meeting; no hearing dates or additional public‑comment hearings were scheduled for these items within the meeting record.