Council grants historic-sign exception, asks for depth and dark-sky-compliant lighting

The Midway City Council voted to grandfather an existing historic pole sign and approved a design exception that will allow the applicant to repaint and restore the sign with a hand-painted historic look, subject to conditions on physical depth and dark-sky-compliant lighting.

Gavin, the applicant, described the proposed design and the artist they hired. "We enlisted an artist, Dylan Lanthrope, to design this sign... We have enlisted a sign painter named Austin Grama who is well regarded in Salt Lake," he said, and added that the painting could begin pending council approval.

Council discussion focused on avoiding a flat, vinyl appearance and ensuring the final sign retains physical depth and a vintage light temperature if lit. One council member suggested giving the artist flexibility to refine the design so the finished sign does not look like a sticker. Another emphasized dark-sky-compliant lighting that does not trespass on neighboring properties; the council noted small historic fixtures had existed in the past and that any new lighting must meet current ordinance standards.

A councilmember moved to grant the grandfathering exception for the sign pole, require the installed sign to include physical depth (not be a flat sticker), and to permit lighting only if it is dark-sky-compliant and designed to direct light downward. The motion passed on a voice vote with affirmative responses recorded from council members in attendance.

The applicant said the artist could begin work immediately, and council members asked for a final design to be provided for staff records. The restoration will proceed with the condition that the final product comply with the council's direction on depth and lighting.