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Planning commission approves historic-district sign and paint applications; staff notes unpermitted sign installation
Summary
At its Nov. 12 meeting the Detroit Planning Commission approved a historic-district signage application for 101 West Main Street and a certificate of appropriateness for paint colors at 18 North Market Street; staff said the 101 West Main sign had already been installed without commission approval.
The Detroit Planning Commission on Nov. 12 approved a historic-district signage application for 101 West Main Street and a certificate of appropriateness for paint colors at 18 North Market Street, and agreed there will be no meeting the week of Thanksgiving because no applications met the submission deadline.
Planning staff told the commission the sign application for 101 West Main Street covers a total of 28 square feet of building signage — two signs of about 14.3 square feet each — and that the design elements are three-dimensional, routed lettering. "It is important to note that they did install this without Planning Commission approval," planning staff said, describing staff's understanding that a contractor installed the sign earlier than the owner had expected. Commissioners asked whether there had been confusion about the approval process before voting to approve the application.
At the same item staff also urged the commission to work with applicants to bring signs into compliance; the mayor said the unpermitted installation "puts us in a difficult position" and asked staff to make sure applicants understand the required process.
On the paint application, staff recommended approval of the color palette proposed for 18 North Market Street under the design manual (section 2.6). The scheme described by staff calls for a deep warm matte burgundy (Sherwin-Williams "Rookwood Red") for the main body, a soft vintage cream (referred to as "antique white") for the trim and windows, and an accent trim in a darker beige called "accessible beige." Staff and commissioners clarified that the commission was only approving the paint colors, not any signage; staff noted the property's submitted sign did not meet the commission's guidelines as submitted.
Votes at a glance: - Approval of Oct. 22 minutes: approved by voice vote after a motion to approve the minutes was moved and seconded. - Historic-district application — 101 West Main Street (sign): motion to approve (moved and seconded on the record); roll-call votes recorded as Yes from Commissioners Wolke, Zirlik, Westmeyer, Titterington, McGarry and the Mayor; motion approved. - Certificate of appropriateness — 18 North Market Street (paint colors only): motion to approve (moved and seconded on the record); roll-call votes recorded as Yes from Mrs. Erlich (appears earlier in the record as "Missus Early"), Westmeyer, Titterington, Mayer, McGarry and Wolke; motion approved unanimously for the portion of the application submitted.
The commission noted there were no pending applications that met the two-week submission deadline for the meeting scheduled the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, and the group said there would be no meeting that week. The meeting concluded after a motion to adjourn was seconded and approved.
