Pentagon MMA sign proposal cleared for HLRB consent agenda; approval expected July 15

The Historic Landmarks Review Board (HLRB) reviewed a signage proposal for 932 South Drive and agreed to place the application on the consent agenda, with final stamped approval expected at the July 15 meeting if no party pulls it for discussion.

Alex Foster introduced PO226-10 for the address and noted the site is regulated under the Columbia platform-based code. Applicant James Byers said the owners will remove an existing large sign and install two contoured sign cabinets for Pentagon MMA on the second floor. "They're both of them are actually contoured," Byers said, describing low-profile 4-inch-deep sign cabinets.

Byers described the mounting method (masonry anchors into brick) and said the new signage will use the existing electric supply: "the LED power supplies are, like, about 4 amps," and the fixtures will be roughly 5,000K. Reviewers pressed for detail on how penetrations will be repaired; Byers and staff said the owner must infill and repair holes where the old sign mounts are removed.

Board members and the applicant discussed sign scale and alignment: the proposed signs are about 8 feet, with roughly 2 feet between them, while an existing upper sign measures about 10 feet. Staff recommended centering or aligning the new signs so they do not overwhelm architectural details; the applicant agreed to update the application to reflect final dimensions and centering.

Foster explained the process: if the HLRB places the item on the consent agenda and no one requests discussion, the board will vote on July 15 and, if approved, staff will provide stamped plans the applicant must include with the sign permit application. If sign-review staff later requires changes that conflict with HLRB approval, the applicant must return to the board.