Historic District Commission
Minutes
Land Use Meeting Room
March 4, 2008
Members present: ~ Acting Chair Jason Berger, JS; Elaine Steinert, ES; Kate McNulty-Vaughn, KM-V; Jim Harwood, JH
Absent with notification: Ken Fowler, KF
Dry Goods, 4 Housatonic St., Map 43 Parcel 172, sign: Making the presentation was Amy Hagerty-dufault and Tracy DelSignore, the owners of the business. The applicants wish to place decals of their business sign, sized 21” by 27”, in white matte lettering in each of the three windows. The retail establishment is located in the former location of Toole (Insurance) Agency and is a corner location, and Mr. Toole’s signage included signs on each of the three windows as well as two larger signs, wooden and mounted above the entrances on both Main and Housatonic Streets. The applicants wish to do the same, but this application deals only with the three window decals.
The applicants stated that they have not done anything about the Toole Agency signs, currently existing and located above the entrances because they did not want to risk losing any grandfathered rights if any. (Underneath these mounted signs are other signs, for a previous business, riveted to the brick siding.) For the time being they would like to take the Toole signs and turn them over and paint with no affixed signage. Then, at a future date, they plan to return to the Commission to ask for approval to have Dry Goods signs placed in this location. This would bring the number of signs for Dry Goods to five, which is the same number the Toole Agency had. JH stated that he felt that this total signage would be historically appropriate as there has been a history of this approach at this location.
KM-V made a motion to grant the applicant’s request for a Certificate of Appropriateness for a decal on each of the three windows. JB seconded the motion and the Commission voted to approve 4-0.
Violations:
1. Lucky Nails-ES supplied photographs of numerous signs and a neon “Open” sign. When Jimmy Tran came before the HDC for his sign request on February 5, 2008, (26 Housatonic St., Map 43 Parcel 170), his request was for one sign that would be on a community sign for the Housatonic Shops. He was told at that time that he was entitled to a second sign because his business was located on the corner, but before he could put a second sign in place he would have to come before the Commission. He agreed. The Building Commissioner, Bill Thornton, has been informed by ES of this violation and Mr. Thornton is in the process of seeking compliance.
2. Xavier Edward Home Remodeling-26 Housatonic St., Map 43 Parcel 170. It was noted that on a photograph supplied by ES for the Lucky Nails violation, an additional sign has been installed on the community sign for the Housatonic Shops after the Lucky Nails sign was installed. A permit has not been granted by the HDC for the Xavier Edward sign. The Building Commissioner will be advised of this violation.
3. Gabel Real Estate, 69 Church Street, Map 43 Parcel 180-It was noted that two signs for this location and business were approved by the HDC on December 18, 2007. The number of signs installed exceeds the permit. The Building Commissioner will be advised of this violation.
Minutes of February 5, 2008: JH made a motion to accept the minutes with one edit and JB seconded the motion. The Commission voted to approve 4-0.
Minutes of February 19, 2008- Tabled until the next meeting as there was not a quorum.
New applications presented to Commissioners:
Stage and Story, scheduled for March 18, 2008
Shelly Williams, Haven Café and Bakery, scheduled for March 18, 2008
Memo, regarding Historic District records, of February 25, 2008 from PA distributed to Commissioners. This memo has been sent to the Chair of the Historical Commission and to Jim Biancolo. PA gave a summary of the memo. The memo outlines the projects undertaken over the last five years to organize the HDC records and explains the necessity.
Meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Peggy Ammendola
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