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Commission approves downtown façade remodel but requires separate signage review
Summary
The Martinsville City Planning Commission approved a façade restoration at 154–160 Morgan Street but excluded signage from the approval. Applicant David Ricks must return with sign dimensions and pay required permits before installation.
The Martinsville City Planning Commission on June 23 approved a remodel in the historic downtown district at 154 and 160 Morgan Street but required that all signage be reviewed and approved in a separate application.
Owner and applicant David Ricks told the commission the project does not change the building footprint but restores historic elements: "We're putting in a window on the 160 east side ... the material on this job will be fiber cement board," he said, adding that the design will "bring back a little bit of the history" and that some vinyl siding will be replaced. Ricks described replacing one storefront opening and adding a new 72-by-72 window and brushed-gold lettering elements on the façade.
During review, staff and commissioners agreed the façade work could proceed but that sign dimensions, placement and the sign permit fee must be reviewed separately. A tenant who identified herself as Molly Gre, owner of Morgan County Herbal Code, asked whether she would need to apply separately for her window sign; staff confirmed each window sign requires a permit and that fees apply (staff noted a $150 charge per sign in the discussion).
The commission's motion approved the submitted façade work with the exception of signage; the applicant is to return with exact sign dimensions and placement for commissioners to review before installation. The decision allows the owner to begin façade work while preserving the commission’s review role over signage in the historic district.
