MONROE - During a meeting Tuesday, the City of Monroe Historic Preservation Commission:
• Held a public hearing regarding an amendment to downtown historic district preservation plan sign guidelines. The change modifies (B)(13) in the inappropriate sign section of the plan, to read "permanent commercial advertising signs located off premises." The original wording included the additional words "in rest areas or parklands." The amendment was scheduled for council approval at its meeting later Tuesday.
• Discussed and denied Certificate of Application (COA) for Kirk Genthe (Genthe Appliance), because of lack of documentation and a second no appearance at commission meetings in two months.
• Discussed a COA and facade grant application for Steve Hedeman (Hedeman Real Estate Co.), and requested a change in facade design. Hedeman is scheduled to return with options at the next commission meeting, July 21.
• Discussed and took no action regarding removal of Fireside Books' off premise sign. Chairman David Riese said the sign was hung prior to the commission's guidelines.
• Heard from city building inspector Rex Henke regarding signs that are not in compliance or were hung without a permit. Signs mounted without a permit are "easy to take care of," Henke said. Signs that are legal but non-conforming eventually will be eliminated as repairs or replacements become needed, he added.
• Identified four signs in the historic district that need to be removed. Three of the stores have been closed for more than 30 days. One building has a window that is covered too much. Henke was directed to contact the building owners about removal or changes of signage.
• Set a date of July 21 for the next regular meeting.
Absent were Secretary Sue Disch, Dennis Dalton and Rudolph Regez.
- Tere Dunlap
• Held a public hearing regarding an amendment to downtown historic district preservation plan sign guidelines. The change modifies (B)(13) in the inappropriate sign section of the plan, to read "permanent commercial advertising signs located off premises." The original wording included the additional words "in rest areas or parklands." The amendment was scheduled for council approval at its meeting later Tuesday.
• Discussed and denied Certificate of Application (COA) for Kirk Genthe (Genthe Appliance), because of lack of documentation and a second no appearance at commission meetings in two months.
• Discussed a COA and facade grant application for Steve Hedeman (Hedeman Real Estate Co.), and requested a change in facade design. Hedeman is scheduled to return with options at the next commission meeting, July 21.
• Discussed and took no action regarding removal of Fireside Books' off premise sign. Chairman David Riese said the sign was hung prior to the commission's guidelines.
• Heard from city building inspector Rex Henke regarding signs that are not in compliance or were hung without a permit. Signs mounted without a permit are "easy to take care of," Henke said. Signs that are legal but non-conforming eventually will be eliminated as repairs or replacements become needed, he added.
• Identified four signs in the historic district that need to be removed. Three of the stores have been closed for more than 30 days. One building has a window that is covered too much. Henke was directed to contact the building owners about removal or changes of signage.
• Set a date of July 21 for the next regular meeting.
Absent were Secretary Sue Disch, Dennis Dalton and Rudolph Regez.
- Tere Dunlap