Member Absent: Brad Bubp

Staff Member: Lorna Swisher

Mr. Oda called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.

ITEM NO. 1: MEETING MINUTES

It was moved by Mr. Michael Foster to accept the October 23, 2007 meeting minutes as presented. Mr. Cecil Stewart second the motion. With all members present in favor, the motion carried.

OLD BUSINESS

ITEM NO. 2: 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. She reminded the board members that this item had been tabled at the last meeting. 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 logo wrapping over the vertical split in the windows.

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

Mr. Brian Quinter spoke on behalf of the issue and told them he had revised the sign so that they would wrap over the vertical aluminum strip in the window and therefore it would not split the logo.

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

ITEM NO. 3: RESOLUTION DRB 20-07
A resolution requesting a certificate of appropriateness for two signs on the rear of 327 N. Main Street.

Lorna Swisher gave the staff report. She reminded Board members that the issue had been tabled at the last meeting. The original request had requested that the signs be placed where existing signs are located but both of them were also obscuring architectural features (windows.) The new request calls for one large sign to be placed between the two windows. Mrs. Swisher said she had sent the request to Planning and Zoning supervisor Chris Schmiesing and he had approved the request as a primary sign.

The application also calls for a sign above the door. This smaller sign is less than 6 sq ft and is below the size requirement for a secondary sign. Mr. Steven Gall was there to speak on behalf of the resolution. He stated that he would remove both the existing signs when the new sign was approved.

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

NEW BUSINESS

ITEM NO. 4: RESOLUTION DRB 21-07
A resolution requesting a certificate of appropriateness to install a sign on the façade at 429 N. Main Street.

Lorna Swisher gave the staff report. This request calls for the reworking of an existing sign on the façade of 429 N. Main Street. The structure of the sign will remain the same but the old letters will be removed and and new laser cut acrylic letters will be adhered to the sign face. The logo will be a custom cut polymetal with digital print and laminate. The sign will be reinstalled on the existing brackets.

The window sign is a contour cut vinyl sign that meets the city's requirements for a secondary sign. Mr. Brian Quinter was there to speak on behalf of the resolution. He noted that the drawing showed the letters would be black with a white outline but amended his request to show all white lettering.

Mr. Foster moved to approve Resolution DRB 21-07 with a second by Mr. Cecil Stewart. Role Call AYE: Mrs. DeBrosse Comer, Mr. Michael Foster, Mr. Cecil Stewart, and Mr. Jim Oda.

ITEM NO. 5: RESOLUTION DRB 22-07
A resolution requesting a certificate of appropriateness to paint the building at 213 N. Main Street.

Lorna Swisher gave the staff report. Gary and Pat Wagner are requesting permission to paint the Main Street and Water Street facades of their building. The board was concerned about how the South facing façade would be treated before painting. Mrs. Swisher requested the issue be tabled until Mr. Wagner could appear before the board. A motion to table the item was made by Mr. Cecil Stewart and second by Mr. Michael Foster. The motion passed.

ITEM NO. 6: RESOLUTION DRB 23-07
A resolution requesting a certificate of appropriateness for two window signs at 101 E. High Street.

Lorna Swisher gave the staff report. Mrs. Swisher presented the Board with several photos of the building showing the signs that had been installed without Design Review approval. This request is to keep the primary signs on the Main Street façade and the High Street façade. The signs, again, have already been installed. The manager understands that the other signs are illegal and he will come back before the board with amended designs that fit the city's definition of secondary signs. Mr. Wagner noted that the other signs, other than the ones on the application, had all been removed. Mr. Foster expressed concern that this was another example of a sign being done without permission.

A motion was made by Mrs. DeBrosse Comer to approve the request. Mr. Cecil Stewart second the motion. Role Call AYE: Mrs. DeBrosse Comer, Mr. Cecil Stewart, and Mr. Jim Oda. NAY: Mr. Michael Foster. The motion passed.

ITEM NO. 7: RESOLUTION DRB 22-07
A resolution requesting a certificate of appropriateness to paint the building at 213 N. Main Street.

Mr. Wagner joined the meeting. The board agreed to bring Resolution 22-07 back before the Board. The Board members explained to Mr. Wagner that they were concerned about the south facing façade - saying that because that wall was originally an interior wall, and never meant to be exposed to the elements, that just simply painting the surface may be futile because it will simply peel off within a couple of months. They stated they had no problem with the color that was being proposed but it was his preparation methods that were a concern to them. Mr. Wagner agreed that he too was concerned and that he was considering getting the advice of Mr. Bill Meyer at Midwest Maintenance since he is the area expert on rehabilitation projects.

The board discussed the Main Street façade. Mr. Wagner stated that they only owned half of the building and thus their request was to paint from the edge of the building to the red metal piece that covered the façade of 215 N. Main Street. He noted that they would like to leave the grey cornice the same color. The board discussed various painting options and then, at Mr. Wagner's request, tabled the issue with the understanding that Mr. Wagner would discuss the issue with Mr. Meyer and bring his concrete plan before the board.

OTHER BUSINESS

ITEM NO. 8

The board asked Mrs. Lorna Swisher for an update on the hole next to Paul's Bar. Mrs. Swisher stated she had been given a copy of the property maintenance code by Mr. Schmiesing. She also felt that the city's legal request to close Paul's Bar may have further delayed the mitigation of the problem. Mr. Oda stated that the closing of the Bar had nothing to do with Unity National Bank's obligation to fix the hole they created next to the building. The board expressed frustration about the continued lack of progress on the fixing of the hole and restated their concern for the damage that is likely being done by exposing the foundation to the elements.

Mrs. Swisher stated she thought the Board could file a nuisance complaint themselves. A motion was made by Mrs. Ann Debrosse Comer and second by Mr. Cecil Stewart to investigate whether, as a board, they could file a complaint about the hole. The motion passed.

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