Member Absent: Cecil Stewart

Staff Member: Lorna Swisher

Mr. Oda called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m.

ITEM NO. 1: MEETING MINUTES

It was moved by Mrs. Ann DeBrosse Comer to accept the September 25, 2007 meeting minutes as presented. Mr. Brad Bubp second the motion. With all members present in favor, the motion carried.

ITEM NO. 2: OLD BUSINESS

Lorna Swisher reported she had no update on the status of the area between Unity National Bank and Paul's Bar.

NEW BUSINESS

ITEM NO. 3: RESOLUTION DRB 17-07
A resolution requesting a certificate of appropriateness to install a sign on the façade at 414 N. Main Street.

Lorna Swisher gave the staff report. Mrs. Angie Koons requested permission to install a sign in an existing lighted sign holder. The sign is made of polycarbonate with contour cut vinyl letters depicting the business' logo. The sign will have a flat face and will be 24 sq ft. The request had been forwarded to the Board Members as an email and at the time there were three board members who approved the request.

Mr. Foster noted that the lights in the light try now work and the sign is illuminated.

Mr. Bubp moved to approve Resolution DRB 17-07 with a second by Mrs. Ann DeBrosse Comer. Role Call AYE: Mr. Michael Foster, Mrs. Ann DeBrosse Comer, Mr. Brad Bubp, and Mr. Jim Oda.

ITEM NO. 4: RESOLUTION DRB 18-07
A resolution requesting a certificate of appropriateness for two window signs to be installed at 414 N. Main Street.

Lorna Swisher gave the staff report. This request calls for two contour cut vinyl signs to be installed on the windows at 414 N. Main Street. The signs will be split over two windows with the window support splitting the design in two.

The signs are the appropriate size for secondary signs and will be in addition to the façade sign.

The board members discussed where the split in the design would fall since the design of the logo does not lend itself to being split. They wondered if the applicant would consider moving the sign to fit on one of the windows. Board members agreed there is insufficient information to know the appearance of the sign if the logo is split.

Mr. Foster moved to table Resolution DRB 18-07 with a second by Mr. Brad Bubp. Role Call AYE: Mrs. DeBrosse Comer, Mr. Michael Foster, Mr. Brad Bubp, and Mr. Jim Oda.

ITEM NO. 5: RESOLUTION DRB 19-07
A resolution requesting a certificate of appropriateness for several signs to be installed at 327 N. Main Street.

Lorna Swisher gave the staff report. This request calls for the projecting sign above the awning to receive two new face panels, a sign below the hard awning and vinyl signs on the bottom of the Main Street window. The request also calls for signage on the rear of the building in places where there are existing signs.

A motion was made by Mr. Brad Bubp to split the request and allow for the front signage requests to be split from the rear signage requests. Mr. Michael Foster second the motion and the motion passed. The front façade signage requests shall now be Resolution 19-07. The rear signage request shall be Resolution 20-07.

Board members discussed the new polycarbonate sign face in the existing sign holder and the polycarbonate sign below the hard awning. Both of these signs will be placed in existing sign holders. They also discussed the vinyl graphics on the bottom of the windows. A motion was made by Mr. Brad Bubp to approve amended Resolution 19-07. Mrs. DeBrosse Comer second the motion. Role Call AYE: Mrs. DeBrosse Comer, Mr. Michael Foster, Mr. Brad Bubp, and Mr. Jim Oda.

ITEM NO. 5: RESOLUTION DRB 20-07
A resolution requesting a certificate of appropriateness for two signs on the rear of 327 N. Main Street.

Both of the sign requests on the rear of the building are in places where there are existing signs but both are also obscuring architectural features (windows.) The upper sign is an existing lighted sign (which the board does not have a problem with) but they do not wish for any architectural details to be obscured by signage. The lower sign is now a metal sign that is fastened to a shuttered window.

The application also calls for two signs above the door. Board members agreed that those signs were replacing an existing sign and were acceptable. Board members suggested that both signs be placed between the windows on the rear. They could be stacked or incorporated into one sign. Lorna Swished was instructed to talk to Planning and Zoning Supervisor Chris Schmiesing about the legality of the rear signs.

Mr. Foster moved to deny Resolution DRB 20-07 with a second by Mr. Brad Bubp. Role Call AYE: Mrs. DeBrosse Comer, Mr. Michael Foster, Mr. Brad Bubp, and Mr. Jim Oda.

OTHER BUSINESS

Lorna Swisher reported that Ernst Sporting Goods has installed various window signs on the Main Street and High Street windows of their building. A letter has been sent to them from the Planning and Zoning department informing them they need to come before the DDDRB for approval of the signs. So far the manager has not made contact with Mrs. Swisher regarding the signs.

Demolition by Neglect

Mrs. Swisher read portions of an email she received from Mr. Chris Schmiesing regarding the demolition by neglect ordinance in the DDDRB packet. Mr. Schmiesing informed the board the city already has a Property Maintenance Code in the city code and that an additional piece of legislation at the DDDRB level was probably not appropriate or beneficial.

The Board members discussed this information in light of the hole next to the foundation of Paul's Bar. Board members expressed concern about the damage that will likely be done to the foundation due to the oncoming winter. They noted that the foundation is not intended to be exposed to the weather and that freezing and thawing will probably do considerable damage. Mr. Bubp noted that filling in the hole is more than just putting gravel into the area but that it must be appropriately compacted.

Board members requested that Lorna Swisher contact Mr. Schmiesing to request an executive summary of the existing property maintenance code and an explanation of how the board should move forward with initiating some action on behalf of Paul's Bar to fix the problem. Mrs. Swisher said she would contact Mr. Schmiesing.

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

James Oda, Chairman

Brad Bubp, Vice-Chairman