Historic commission orders removal of unauthorized ‘Natchitoches’ sign at 123 Saint Denis

The Natchitoches Historic District Commission on an emergency call hearing ruled that a decorative installation attached to 123 Saint Denis Street was placed without the required commission approval or city permit and ordered its removal within 60 days.

The commission adopted a motion requiring the owners to remove the installation within 60 days and imposing the minimum code penalty of $50 per day thereafter until removal; if the sign is not removed, the motion directs the city attorney to pursue judicial removal. Commissioner Jared Donahue made the motion, which was seconded and carried by roll call.

At the meeting the commission chair read the city code definition that treats a painted or attached element as a wall sign: "a wall sign is any sign that has been painted upon...and attached to a building," and commissioners said the installation met the ordinance’s criteria because it contained letters and was attached to the building. The chair urged the property owners to file the required applications for this and other items on the site.

Property owner Deborah Taylor apologized during testimony. "I do want to apologize that we did not get permission," she said, adding the project was intended to “promote Natchitoches” and bring tourists. The artist, introduced in the hearing as Matthew Irby, described mounting concrete (hardy) boards to the brick with masonry screws and said he had tried to make a removable, preservation-ready panel: "I wrote Natchitoches," he said, describing the work as historical artwork rather than advertising.

The commission noted the owners can appeal the decision to the city council and that the council may overrule the commission. The 60-day removal window was framed by members as providing time for an appeal while the penalty timetable takes effect if the installation remains after that period.