Commission weighs allowing projecting signs downtown; takes no action

The commission discussed a proposed zoning text amendment to permit projecting signs in the Historic Preservation Overlay District, prompted by a request related to the Eugene Hotel sign. Staff presented draft text that would allow projecting signs in the historic district with Historic Preservation Commission design review and a conditional‑use permit, and suggested a maximum of 75 square feet subject to historic‑preservation approval.

Shannon explained the goal was to allow historically appropriate projecting signs while preventing proliferation of large, modern projecting signs. "We didn't necessarily wanna propose something that would ultimately result in a denial for that sign, but we want to be very thoughtful about how we might propose some text so that we don't have, you know, all sorts of crazy signs all over," she said.

Commissioners discussed grandfathering of existing projecting signs and blade signs (the transcript notes blade signs up to 36 inches are allowed now; projecting signs exceed that). Some commissioners worried that permitting one high‑visibility sign could open the door to similar requests for many buildings; others said the Historic Preservation Commission's design review and the conditional‑use process provide discretion. Several members preferred no action tonight while staff refines more restrictive language and criteria for design, size and block‑level coherence.

The commission did not vote to change the code and directed staff to return with clarified language and options that would allow limited projecting signs while minimizing unintended precedent.