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Menomonie commission pauses approval of downtown sign color palette after concerns over fluorescents
Summary
The Historic Preservation Commission discussed proposed sign color palettes from Nova Color, Ronan and 1 Shot but took no final action after members raised concerns about fluorescent and cadmium pigments; staff will draft a narrower exclusion list for the next meeting.
The Menomonie Historic Preservation Commission discussed but did not adopt a proposed downtown sign color palette at its March 9 meeting, after commissioners and staff raised concerns about bright fluorescent shades and color longevity.
David Schofield introduced color palettes submitted by Nova Color, Ronan, and 1 Shot and warned about allowing certain fluorescent shades (he cited Ronan Glow Shock Pink as an example). Chair Ryland Erdman asked whether future sign painters would face conflicts if a strict approved palette were adopted; Wade Lambrigtsen said "these colors are the standard for the sign painting industry," noting that industry palettes often include fluorescent options.
Commissioners debated a blanket exclusion of colors with "fluorescent" in the name and flagged cadmium reds for fading or color change in sunlight. Schofield cautioned that a simple name-based exclusion can be tricky because some colors without "fluorescent" in the name may act similarly; he said the use of pre-approved colors "takes the comments of bias out of discussion when a COA is rejected due to color choice." Commissioner Melissa Kneeland recommended that staff and Lambrigtsen undertake a line-by-line review to remove problematic color entries.
Commissioner Tim Dotseth moved to approve the recommended palettes excluding Cadmium colors, 1 Shot Fluorescent, and Ronan Glow/Fluorescent palettes; the motion was withdrawn and no action taken. Schofield will work with Lambrigtsen to prepare a draft list of excluded colors and bring the matter back to the commission at a future meeting.
The commission did not change the Certificate of Appropriateness approvals on the agenda and will revisit the palette question at its next regular meeting on April 13, 2026.
