Title
HLC#21-010: Public hearing to consider a request for new signage on the J.H. Alexander House at 103 Van Worth Street; Kim and Shawn Pratt, owners
Description/History
The applicant is requesting approval for new signs on the building. The signs will be placed as follows:
1. A wall sign mounted on the end of the building between the second story windows. The sign dimensions are 4 feet by 4 feet.
2. A hanging sign on the porch facing Van Worth Street. The sign dimensions are 2 feet by 4 feet.
3. A hanging sign on the porch facing the parking lot. The sign dimensions are 2 feet by 4 feet.
According to the quote, the signs will be made from aluminum panels with the business name and logo mounted to the panel in acrylic.
Excel Oil and Gas, the previous business, had larger signs hanging from the front and rear porches. These signs were in place prior to the Mansfield landmark designation and were not subject to the historic guidelines.
The property is zoned C-2, Community Business District. The City’s sign regulations for commercial properties allow one sign for each street frontage plus one sign on the wall. As a corner lot at Van Worth and N. Main Streets, this property is entitled to three signs. However, a sign may not be placed on any facade that is parallel or nearly parallel to the front facade of a building.
Although the house is being used for business purposes, it is still a residential structure. The sign guidelines for commercial buildings in the Downtown Guidelines should not be used. The new signage should be reviewed using the guidelines from the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties for signage on a residential landmark:
· New signs should respect the size, scale and design of the historic building. The wall sign will be 16 square feet flush mounted on the side wall. The hanging signs will be eight square feet, with one sign located on the north and south porches. Although there is one more s...
Click here for full text