Historic Preservation Commission asks for resubmitted signage plan after Clementina sign placement changed

The Montclair Historic Preservation Commission on July 16 asked the owner of Clementina, a new restaurant at 627 Valley Road, to resubmit a complete signage plan after commissioners discovered the installed sign had been moved from the location previously approved by the panel.

At the meeting, Fawzi Abdulgani of Excellent Printing presented a revision to application 2026-5 and described the installed sign and a small light fixture intended to mark the restaurant entrance. Abdulgani said the building has two tenants and two front doors; the plan submitted to the commission showed the restaurant’s letters centered on the façade, while the installed sign sits over the restaurant door to reduce customer confusion. "The idea behind it is to clarify which doors for the restaurant," Abdulgani said.

Commissioners pressed why the sign’s placement changed after permit approval. A commissioner said the shift deviated from the commission’s earlier resolution directing the applicant to "revise the signage plan to include all proposed signage on the building" so the panel could review overall placement and proportions. Abdulgani told the commission the change followed the client’s instruction and that the sign company had followed the building owner’s directions.

Building owner Michael Veil said he asked the sign installer to move the letters "probably less than a foot over to the right" to balance two address signs he plans for the building. "I have a lot of consideration for what the committee is doing," Veil said, but asked the commission to view the full signage proposal before making a determination.

Commissioners said they could not make a final determination on the new sign without seeing a dated, written submission that shows all proposed signage for the building together. Staff said the applicant can either submit a new full application to the commission or route materials through the zoning office and email the planner (Sanab) to clarify whether the subcommittee or the full commission should review it. The commission suggested an expedited review by a three-person subcommittee if the applicant wants faster feedback.

The commission noted that the property sits within a local historic district and that signage and lighting are subjects under its purview. The applicant said he will resubmit a full, dated signage plan to this board and to zoning; staff said the building department will confirm compliance with any conditions and process the permit once a resolution is generated.

Next steps: the applicant agreed to resubmit a complete signage application showing all signs and placement; the commission will generate a new resolution once a formal submission is received.