Member Absent: Michael Foster

Staff Member: Lorna Swisher

Mr. Oda called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

ITEM NO. 1: MEETING MINUTES

It was moved by Mr. Cecil Stewart to accept the July 24, 2007 meeting minutes. Mr. Brad Bubp Comer second the motion. With all members present in favor, the motion carried.

OLD BUSINESS

Lorna Swisher reported she had no update on the status of the area between Unity National Bank and Paul's Bar. Board Members expressed asked if the city had given Unity National Bank a timeline to complete the improvements on the vacant lot between the buildings and Mrs. Swisher reported she was not aware of a timeline. Board members asked to be notified of any changes or additional information from the City.

NEW BUSINESS

ITEM NO. 2: RESOLUTION DRB 15-07
A resolution requesting a certificate of appropriateness to install a window sign at 110 W. Ash Street.

Lorna Swisher gave the staff report. Mr. Lloyd Shoemaker had requested a black and gold contour cut vinyl sign be allowed to be placed on the window facing Ash Street. The request had been forwarded to the Board Members as Mr. Shoemaker had requested the sign be in place when he opened his doors for business. At the time there were four board members who approved the request.

Mrs. Ann DeBrosse Comer noted that the sign had been installed just a little higher than the diagram that had been submitted but that it actually looked better than the diagram.

Mr. Shoemaker was present and thanked the board for allowing him to proceed with his sign and for expediting the vote to meet the needs of his business.

Mr. Bubp moved to approve Resolution DRB 15-07 with a second by Mr. Cecil Stewart. Role Call AYE: Mr. Cecil Stewart, Mrs. Ann DeBrosse Comer, Mr. Brad Bubp, and Mr. Jim Oda.

ITEM NO. 3: RESOLUTION DRB 16-07
A resolution requesting a certificate of appropriateness to install sign on the hard awning on 529 N. Main Street.

Lorna Swisher gave the staff report. This request calls for a hard sign to be installed on the edge of the hard awning on 529 N. Main Street. The sign is made of a hard material that is surrounded by aluminum and the letters are laser cut acrylic letters. The words on the sign are the registered trademark of the company. The sign fits within the size allocation for the building.

Mr. Jim Oda said the storefront of this building had been remodeled and all historical accuracy and integrity had been completely removed.

Mr. Stewart moved to approve Resolution DRB 16-07 with a second by Mr. Brad Bubp. Role Call AYE: Mrs. DeBrosse Comer, Mr. Cecil Stewart, Mr. Brad Bubp, and Mr. Jim Oda.

OTHER BUSINESS

Mr. Brian Quinter requested permission to use the existing casing for the internally illuminated sign at 414 N. Main Street. This space was previously occupied by Linda's Sew 'n So but Homespun Treasures will be moving from their present Spring Street location to this storefront in October. Mr. Oda and Mr. Bubp said there were several instances when business owners had been allowed to put new faces on existing internally illuminated sign boards and that if Homespun were to do that it would be permitted. They noted however that the face would have to approved by the DDDRB as usual. Mr. Oda noted that if the sign were to be removed - other than for pure maintenance issues - a new internally illuminated sign would not be allowed to be put up in that location.
Mr. Quinter also asked if they would be permitted to take the middle stripe (with the words) off the bottom of the Main Street façade windows. The board agreed this would be a maintenance issue and would not need to be brought before the Board.

There were no code violations to be brought before the Board.

Mrs. Swisher and Mrs. Ann DeBrosse Comer attended the design training offered by Heritage Ohio last week in Columbus. They said it was a beneficial workshop but that there were a couple of important things to note.

The board cannot approve anything with conditions - rulings must be made on the item as presented. Each applicant has the right to have their submission acted on quickly.

The rulings made by DDDRB members carry the same weight as decisions made by the city commission or other elected officials. DDDRB board members rulings can be challenged and board members can be sued over their decisions.

The board should not table things for further information - if there is insufficient information they must turn down the applicant and they should then make a new submission.
We cannot drive good design - the board may want to take on additional educational responsibilities to guide the design but that is not their role at meetings.

There were a number of handouts that were given at the meeting and the board members said they would like to revisit the information on an ordinance that dealt with demolition by neglect. Mrs. Swisher said she would forward copies of the information to board members in the packet for the next meeting and put it on the agenda.

A motion to adjourn was made by Mrs. Ann DeBrosse Comer and second by Mr. Cecil Stewart. The motion passed.

James Oda, Chairman

Brad Bubp, Vice-Chairman