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HRB tells Ashford Avenue sign applicant to reduce size and change lighting
Summary
Board members told the applicant for a proposed Ashford Avenue sign that the current design is excessively large and asked for alternative sizing and non‑backlit lighting options; the applicant agreed to provide nighttime renderings and revised drawings for the board and, if needed, the Zoning Board of Appeals.
The Architectural and Historic Review Board reviewed a proposal for a new sign at 64 Ashford Avenue that requires three variances. Several board members said the presented sign was disproportionately large for the building facade and out of character with the narrow Ashford Avenue streetscape.
One member summarized the concern: "It's very large... nothing else on that building facade is that large," and several members questioned the backlit letter approach, suggesting a "classier" look with downlighting or halo/channeled letters. The applicant offered to find examples and to provide nighttime renderings; the board asked for reduced dimensions and alternative lighting schemes that better suit the neighborhood.
The board suggested that a non‑lit sign with downlighting or traditionally mounted sconces would be more compatible and urged the applicant to return with a revised design. If the applicant pursues the originally proposed illuminated size, they will need relief from the Zoning Board of Appeals for dimensional variances.
