HARB approves Suite Life Studios and Razor Bar signs over one dissent

The council reviewed two Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB/HAARP) applications for signs at Bridge Street on May 12 and approved them with a 7–1 vote after a lengthy discussion about materials and precedent.

Councilmember Dugan (speaker 3), the lone dissenting vote, said she was concerned that the proposed signs erode the downtown’s historic character and noted that PVC lettering is flagged in local guidelines as not recommended. "We're losing the historical character of the downtown," Dugan said during the discussion.

Applicant and property owner Ed Tell (speaker 13) described the Suite Life Studios sign as a simple, non‑illuminated canopy‑mounted sign intended to sit over the main entrance; he said the choice of materials aimed to be unobtrusive. Sign fabricator Greg Feld (speaker 15) said the signs use painted backer panels (aluminum/composite) with router‑cut PVC letters that will be painted to match, and argued that from street distance the finish will read as a single, unified material rather than visibly PVC.

Council and staff discussed precedent concerns in the historic district, noting that every HARB decision contributes to precedent and that design guidelines should govern. The solicitor explained that the zoning ordinance controls sign size and location while HARB reviews design. After debate, the council approved the HARB recommendations by voice vote recorded as 7–1 (Dugan opposed).

The council instructed staff that future signage decisions should be grounded in the published HARB design guidelines to minimize unintended precedent while recognizing cases where unique site constraints limit options.

Next steps: the approved signs proceed subject to the approvals already granted and applicable building/zoning requirements.