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Shelby council affirms preservation commission denial of large illuminated sign at 30 West Main Street
Summary
The Shelby City Council voted 5-0 to affirm the Historic Preservation Commission’s denial of a certificate of appropriateness for a 38‑by‑11 foot illuminated sign proposed at 30 West Main Street, citing scale, illumination and district compatibility concerns.
The Shelby City Council on May 13 affirmed, by a 5‑0 vote, the Historic Preservation Commission’s denial of a certificate of appropriateness for a proposed 38‑by‑11 foot illuminated sign at 30 West Main Street.
Applicants’ representatives argued the application had been denied on procedural grounds and said the proposed sign would help restore an original façade appearance. “Originally, there were nice bay windows in that upper deck…one thing we’re able to do with the sign…is make it appear that those bay windows are actually there,” an applicant representative said. The preservation commission chair told council the denial rested on multiple grounds: the sign’s size would change the visual landscape of the historic district, it would be illuminated in a way that is not historically accurate, and the proposed materials were inconsistent with the building’s period of significance. “It’s a very large sign and it also is illuminated which would change the lighting and none of that is historically correct,” the chair said.
Councilors discussed safety concerns, pedestrian scale, and whether the commission applied its standards correctly. One council member said driving past the proposed sign location would require drivers to look up in a way that could be distracting. The applicant noted other Main Street signs and asked whether a revised, smaller design could be acceptable; the commission chair said the commission is willing to work with the applicant on a pedestrian‑scaled, non‑illuminated design.
A motion to affirm the commission’s ruling was made by Mr. Rob and seconded by Mr. Reese; the roll call vote recorded five yays and the denial was upheld. The council’s action leaves the commission’s determination in place while preserving the commission’s offer to work with the applicant on an alternate design.
The council’s decision was procedural and final for tonight; applicants may pursue further remedies provided under the city’s historic preservation ordinance.
