The City of Opelika Historic Preservation Commission approved a Certificate of Appropriateness for cloth awnings at 117 South 8th Street and advanced near-final design guidelines at its December meeting, staff reported.

Staff presented the COA for the downtown storefront awnings and recommended approval of cloth awnings with metal frames above each window; the commission moved and approved the application. Staff noted that a hanging sign will be submitted later for review by staff, and that the property owner provided a written letter of approval for awning installation.

Staff also updated commissioners on work to finalize new design guidelines and said the sign portion of those guidelines remained under review. Staff said they had spent time reviewing enforcement language and penalties with the newly assigned city attorney (referred to in the transcript as Mr. Terese) and planned to refine enforcement letters and step-by-step procedures. Staff expected to present the final design guidelines to the commission for adoption in January after incorporating outstanding comments.

Commission business concluded with the chair announcing the next meeting date, Jan. 8, 2026, and a motion to adjourn. The motion to adjourn was approved and the meeting closed with a seasonal greeting.

What’s next: Staff will circulate final edits to the design guidelines and the sign section after attorney review, and the applicant for 117 South 8th will submit the hanging sign design for staff review.