Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Sign Permits 455 S Main topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Boerne commission approves three sign permits at 455 S. Main, refers two vertical-clearance variances to DRC
Summary
The Boerne Historical Landmark Commission voted Jan. 6 to grant certificates of appropriateness for three sign proposals at 455 South Main Street—Hance Realty, La Grama Fina and SL Permanent Jewelry—and recommended Design Review Committee review for requests that exceed the UDC 10-foot vertical-clearance minimum.
The Boerne Historical Landmark Commission on Jan. 6 approved certificates of appropriateness for three separate sign applications at 455 South Main Street and recommended Design Review Committee review for two requests that exceed the Unified Development Code(UDC) 10-foot vertical-clearance minimum.
Planner Ben Simmons told the commission the three requests were presented together for clarity because they concern different tenant spaces in the same building. "If you approve the certificate [of appropriateness] for the sign, the Design Review Committee will then consider the appropriateness of the clearance that exists," Simmons said, noting the DRC evaluates variance requests tied to vertical clearance.
Two of the proposals include hanging signs that fall below the UDCminimum. Commission discussion focused on visibility, pedestrian clearance and consistency with neighboring tenant signage. For Hance Realty the preferred design is a hanging sign approximately 6 square feet (an alternate 5-square-foot orientation was offered). Commissioners asked whether the proposed bottom-of-sign height (about 84 inches) would impede pedestrians; staff reiterated the 10-foot minimum in the UDC and that the DRC would consider a variance if the HLC approved the COA for design.
For La Grama Fina staff described a three-sign package: a circular wall sign of roughly 24.5 square feet, a small wall sign of about 5.33 square feet and a hanging sign (approximately 6 square feet) that requires a DRC variance for vertical clearance. Commissioner Nichols moved to accept staff findings and recommend the variance for consideration by the DRC; the motion was seconded and the commission approved the package.
SL Permanent Jewelry resubmitted a previously denied wall sign; staff reported the revised design is a 22-square-foot, non-illuminated wall-mounted sign made of metal and found it consistent with UDC and historic-district guidelines. Michael Parker, one of the business owners, told the commission, "It is window chalk right now. We have the intention of creating more clarity by putting an actual window decal on it, so that there's no confusion about where the actual entrance is." He added the business has private rear parking and said clearer signage would help customers find the entrance.
All three COAs for 455 South Main were approved by the commission. The HLCapprovals are for design/appropriateness only; the two hanging-sign proposals that fall below the 10-foot UDC clearance were forwarded to the Design Review Committee for separate consideration of a vertical-clearance variance. The commission did not read a roll-call tally aloud during the votes.
The next step for applicants requiring variances is a DRC hearing, where the committee will review safety, pedestrian impacts and UDC conformance. Applicants will submit any additional documentation requested by staff for the DRC review.
