Historic Review Board

HISTORIC REVIEW BOARD MEETING 112 Confederate Street May 10th, 2022 4:30 PM AGENDA CALL TO ORDER NEW BUSINESS 1. Request for Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) [Pages 2-14] Applicant Name: Joe Brennard Owner Name: 215 N Main St, LLC Property Address: 215 Main Street Purpose: Certificate of Appropriateness request for proposed wall sign and projecting sign Property information: Town of Fort Mill Historic Preservation District LC, Local Commercial Zoning District ADJOURN The following press was notified of the meeting by email or fax in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act: The Herald; CN2; WRHI; Fort Mill Times, and WBTV. The agenda was also posted at the entrance to Town Hall the required length of time and on the Town website. The Town of Fort Mill is committed to assuring accessibility with reasonable accommodation, of Town services and facilities for all individuals, in compliance with federal law. Please contact the Town Manager’s Office at 803-547-2116 if you need assistance. 1  H I S T OR I C R E V I E W B OA R D Applicant: Joe Brennard with Seaboard Signs Subject Property: 215 Main Street Property Owner: 215 N Main St, LLC Tax Map # 020-02-01-006 Zoning District: Local Commercial, LC/Historic District Zoning Case: 2022-246 REQUEST The Planning Department has received an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) from Joe Brennard with Seaboard Signs to place one wall sign and one projecting sign at 215 Main Street. SITE DESCRIPTION AND GENERAL CONSTRUCTION PLAN This property is located within the downtown historic district and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). This building was constructed in 1911. The applicant requests a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) from the Historic Review Board (HRB) to install one wall sign and one projecting sign on the façade of the building. The Fort Mill Historic District Design Guidelines have schematic parameters for the implementation of signage. These guidelines are attached. Generally, the historic district signage guidelines indicate that there should be clear objectives established for the signage with limited impacts on defining features of a given building. If the subject building has discernable locations of original signage, such areas should be targeted for new or updated signs. The proposed signage should be compatible with the building and site. The impact on the overall area, including adjacent structures, should also be considered. Internal illumination of signage is not permitted within the Town of Fort Mill Historic District. Signage within the historic district may incorporate external lighting directed toward the sign from an external shielded lamp. Each sign as proposed will now be considered with respect to the town’s historic district and zoning guidelines. The applicant has provided color renderings of the planned signage which are included within the HRB packet. 2  WALL SIGN • The drawing as submitted for the wall sign indicates a clear objective in that discernable and appealing graphics are used. Importantly, the impacts upon the building’s character defining features are certainly limited. • Additionally, the historic district guidelines indicate that the proposed location of this wall sign is appropriate. Specifically, the illustrative drawing indicates that this wall sign would be placed within a recessed, framed area over the storefront area of the façade. Based on the design of the façade, the historic district guidelines indicate that this section was in fact likely intended as the signage location for this building. • The proposed wall sign does fit the architecture and scale of the building. As noted above, the submitted drawing indicates that this sign is in the appropriate location on the façade. • This wall sign, as designed, will be compatible with the building and surrounding businesses. • The respective zoning regulations for such wall signs shall also be considered. Downtown Fort Mill has the LC zoning designation. The town’s zoning ordinance indicates that a wall sign shall not exceed an area equal to 15% of the area of the wall to which it is affixed. Thus, the wall sign as proposed consists of approximately 3.1 square feet. This wall sign is within the parameters allowed. PROJECTING SIGN • The drawing as submitted for the projecting sign indicates a clear objective in that discernable and appealing graphics are used. Importantly, the impacts upon the building’s character defining features are certainly limited. • Additionally, the historic district guidelines indicate that the proposed location of this projecting sign on the façade is appropriate. Specifically, the illustrative drawing shows that this projecting sign would be placed near the entrance and to the side of it. • The proposed projecting sign does fit the architecture and scale of the building. As noted above, the submitted drawing indicates that this projecting sign is in the appropriate location on the façade. • This projecting sign, as designed, will be compatible with the building and surrounding businesses. • The respective zoning regulations for such wall signs shall also be considered. Downtown Fort Mill has the LC zoning designation. The town’s zoning ordinance indicates that a projecting sign shall not exceed an area of 12 square feet and may not extend more than three feet from the façade. The proposed projecting sign consists of 5.58 square feet, and it will extend three feet from the façade. 3  • Additionally, the town’s building code indicates that a projecting sign must be placed so that the bottom of the sign is located at least eight feet above the sidewalk. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Planning Staff recommends that the HRB grant APPROVAL for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the proposed wall sign and projecting sign as submitted with the stipulation that the bottom of the projecting sign be located at least eight feet above the sidewalk. 4  iÈ}˜Ո`iˆ˜iÃvœÀ iÜ>˜`œ`ˆwi`-ˆ}˜Ã Signs are used to identify the location of a business and attract customers. Signs should be both integral to a building’s design and noticeable to customers. When planning signage for a building: Establish objectives for signage Signage should provide clear, legible information about a business while also appealing to prospective customers. A signage plan should demonstrate forethought in the design, size, placement and graphic format of each sign to ensure an integrated signage strategy and design. Every proposed sign should have a purpose. Limit impacts on character-defining features 6LJQDJHVKRXOGSURYLGHFOHDU A building’s historic architecture, such as its pilasters and decorative OHJLEOHLQIRUPDWLRQDERXWDEXVLQHVV banding, is important to protect. These features may also be a major ZKLOHDOVRDSSHDOLQJWRSURVSHFWLYH draw to customers and provide a unique business identity. Plan signage FXVWRPHUV to highlight, rather than cover or physically impact, these elements. Find original sign locations on a building Step back and examine a building from across the street. Does it have a recessed or framed horizontal band over the storefront or below the roof parapet? Does the building have large shop windows? Many historic and even modern buildings are designed with sign bands. Similarly, large shop windows were intended for pedestrian-scale advertising. Use of these originally designed sign spaces will ensure that new signage $SSURSULDWHO\SODFHGDQGVL]HG is well integrated into a building’s architecture. VLJQDJHFUDIWHGRIGXUDEOH PDWHULDOVFDQUHLQIRUFHWKH DUFKLWHFWXUHRIDKLVWRULFEXLOGLQJ Ensure sign compatibility with building and site DQGLWVVXUURXQGLQJVDQGDWWUDFW Consider what type and size of signage would best fit the architecture FXVWRPHUV and scale of a historic building. What signage would best relate to a building’s original vertical and horizontal patterns? Are the proposed signs made of high quality materials that correspond with the building and its surroundings? Appropriately placed and sized signage, crafted of durable materials, can reinforce the architecture of a historic building and its surroundings, and attract customers. Conversely, maximizing signage may often lead to visual clutter that does not promote business activity. $SSURSULDWHO\SODFHGDQGVL]HG Consider impacts on the block VLJQDJHFUDIWHGRIGXUDEOH Is the building located in a historic district next to other historic PDWHULDOVFDQUHLQIRUFHWKH buildings? Is the building in a residential setting? Consider placing DUFKLWHFWXUHRIDKLVWRULFEXLOGLQJ DQGLWVVXUURXQGLQJVDQGDWWUDFW signs at the same height and similar façade locations as adjacent FXVWRPHUV commercial buildings to provide an integrated block appearance. When located next to residential uses, consider the visual impact, as well as the potential “light spray” impacts, of signage. Fort Mill Historic District Design Guidelines 5  Create graphic interest A generic sign box does little to acknowledge a business’ location in a unique historic district or on a historic landmark site. Ensure that any proposed signage lives up to its historic landmark or district location, and is distinctive. In most cases, this translates into signage that is creative and visually interesting, providing pedestrians with a sense of curiosity and delight. Sign Character A new sign should be in character with the materials, colors and details of the building. The integration of the sign with the building or building façade is important and should be a key factor in its design (QFRXUDJHVLJQDJHWKDWLVFUHDWLYH and installation. DQGYLVXDOO\LQWHUHVWLQJSURYLGLQJ SHGHVWULDQVZLWKDVHQVHRI FXULRVLW\DQGGHOLJKW 5.3 A sign should be subordinate to the overall building composition. ‡ Design a sign to be simple in character. ‡ Scale a sign to fit with the façade of the building. ‡ Locate a sign to emphasize design elements of the façade Itself. ‡ Mount a sign to fit within existing architectural features using the shape of the sign to help reinforce the horizontal lines of the building. ‡ Rooftop, animated and message board signs are inappropriate. Sign Content $VLPSOHVLJQGHVLJQLVSUHIHUUHG Sign content should be designed to be visually interesting and clearly legible. 5.4 A simple sign design is preferred. ‡ Typefaces that are in keeping with those seen in the area traditionally are encouraged. ‡ Avoid hard-to-read or overly intricate typeface styles. 6 Sign Lighting The sign illumination source should be shielded to minimize glare. Light intensity should not overpower the building or street edge. Small and discreet modern light fittings may provide an unobtrusive alternative to traditionally styled lamp units. 5.5 Use shielded lighting source on a sign. ‡ Directing lighting at signage from an external, shielded lamp is appropriate. ‡ A warm light, similar to daylight, is appropriate. ‡ Strobe lighting is not appropriate. ‡ Internal illumination is not appropriate. 8VHVKLHOGHGOLJKWLQJVRXUFHRQD VLJQ 5.6 Silhouette lighting may provide an effective and subtle form of lighting which can be used to accentuate both sign and building. ‡ This form of lighting can be used with either wall or sign panels or individual letters. ‡ The light source should not be visible. 7  Sign Installation The installation of a sign is an integral aspect in the retention of key architectural features and in minimizing damage to the building. 5.7 Avoid damaging or obscuring architectural details or features when installing signs. ‡ Minimize the number of anchor points on the wall when feasible. Sign Materials A sign should exhibit qualities of style, permanence and compatibility with the natural and built environment. 5.8 Use sign materials that are compatible with the building façade and site. ‡ Use colors, materials and details that are compatible with the overall character of the façade. ‡ Permanent, durable materials that reflect the Fort Mill context are encouraged. ‡ Avoid highly reflective materials. Sign Color Color should be used both to accentuate the sign design and message and also to integrate the sign or lettering with the building and its context. $YRLGGDPDJLQJRUREVFXULQJ 5.9 Use colors for the sign that are generally compatible DUFKLWHFWXUDOGHWDLOVRUIHDWXUHV with those of the building front. ZKHQLQVWDOOLQJVLJQV ‡ Limit the number of colors used on a sign. In general, no more than three colors should be used, although accent colors may also be appropriate. Use colors for the sign that are JHQHUDOO\FRPSDWLEOHZLWKWKRVHRI WKHEXLOGLQJIURQW 8  Wall Sign This is an attached sign painted on or attached to the wall or surface of a building or display surface which is parallel to the supporting surface. 5.12 Flush mounted wall signs may be considered. ‡ Place wall signs to align with nearby buildings. 'HVLJQDZDOOVLJQWRPLQLPL]HWKH ‡ Determine if decorative moldings exist that could define a sign GHSWKRIDVLJQSDQHORUOHWWHUV panel. If so, locate a flush-mounted wall sign to fit within a panel formed by moldings or transom panels. ‡ Do not obstruct character-defining features of a building with signage. 5.13 Design a wall sign to minimize the depth of a sign panel or letters. ‡ A wall sign should be relatively flush with the building façade. $ZDOOVLJQVKRXOGEHUHODWLYHO\ÀXVK ‡ Design a wall sign to sit within, rather than forward of, the fascia ZLWKWKHEXLOGLQJIDoDGH or other architectural details of the building. 9 Projecting Sign This is an attached sign which projects and has one end attached to a building, and which does not employ ground support. 5.14 Design a projecting sign to be similar in character to those seen traditionally. ‡ Design the sign bracket as a decorative or complementary element of the sign. The bracket should appear as part of the sign composition and design. 5.15 Projecting or blade signs may be considered. ‡ Locate small projecting signs near the business entrance, just above the door or to the side of it. ‡ Mount moderately sized projecting signs higher on the building, 'HVLJQWKHVLJQEUDFNHWDVD centered on the façade or positioned at the corner. GHFRUDWLYHRUFRPSOHPHQWDU\ ‡ Small hanging signs are appropriate under a canopy on commercial HOHPHQWRIWKHVLJQ building types or from the inside of a porch on residential building types. 10 11 12 14