Member Absent: None

Staff Member: Lorna Swisher

Mr. Oda called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and gave an overview of how the meeting will be conducted.

ITEM NO. 1: MEETING MINUTES

It was moved by Mr. Brad Bubp to accept the March 27, 2007 meeting minutes as presented. Mr. Cecil Stewart second the motion. With all members in favor, the motion carried.

OLD BUSINESS

Mr. Mike Foster asked if Mr. Zender had produced an example of the wrought iron that will be used for his enclosed patio dining area. Mrs. Swisher said she had not seen one.

Mr. Brad Bubp noted that many downtown businesses had not yet been before the Board to get approval for their sidewalk/sandwich board signs. Mrs. Swisher noted that a letter had been sent to all those business owners in November of last year asking them to get approval for the signs prior to the end of 2006. So far businesses that have sought approval include Quint Custom Sign, Mainstreet Piqua and The Javawocky Café. Other businesses who received the letter regarding their sidewalk signs include Apple Tree Gallery, Zenders, Lighthouse Café and Readmore's Hallmark.

The board also enquired to the status of the hole next to Paul's Bar. Mrs. Swisher noted that she had asked Chris Schmiesing about the issue and he informed the Board that the City would be following up with John Brown at Unity National Bank. The board noted the issue should have been dealt with a number of months ago. Lorna said she would report back to the board the status at the next meeting.

NEW BUSINESS

ITEM NO. 2: RESOLUTION DRB 05-07
A resolution requesting a certificate of appropriateness for the installation of sign at 320 N. Main Street.

Lorna Swisher gave the staff report. Jeff Katz, is requesting permission to place a sign above the hard awning, a window sign and place a sign on the rear of his building at 320 N. Main Street. Mrs. Swisher noted the sign permit had been approved by Planning and Zoning Supervisor Chris Schmiesing as it met all the requirements of the Zoning Code.

Mr. Oda noted the building was originally constructed in 1888 but had had a number of re-modelings through the years and as a result of the original decorative elements of the building have been removed.

Mrs. Debrosse Comer noted that the sign did partially cover one of the decorative elements of the upper façade area. The board agreed that it was not a significant detail and that in fact the sign enhanced the few elements that remained. It was noted that there is no middle of the façade as the door is off center, the hard awning is off center and the windows are not centered either. The board agreed the sign was being placed in the most logical place in relation to the rest of the building. It was also noted that the lights above the awning were pre-existing and already functional.

Mr. Cecil Stewart moved to approve Resolution DRB 05-07 with a second by Mr. Mike Foster. Role Call AYE: Mr. Mike Foster, Mr. Cecil Stewart, Mr. Brad Bubp, Mrs. Debrosse Comer and Mr. Jim Oda.

Mr. Katz asked the board about painting the cinder block addition to the rear of the building. The board noted that Mr. Katz would need to come back before the board at the time he would like to make that change. They also asked him to consider subdued colors that were compatible with the rest of the rear of the building.

OTHER BUSINESS

There were no code violations to be brought before the Board. Mr. Foster asked about the Terry's Cafeteria building and why the building came before the Design Review Board last year when changes were being made to the building but now that the church will be moving into the building it does not have to come before the Board. Mrs. Swisher said she did not know why the building came before the Board last time because it has never been in the Design Review District. Any changes that are made will only have to be compliant with the City's sign code.

James Oda, Chairman

Brad Bubp, Vice-Chairman