Proposed Standards Now Go To Planners
Earlier this month, the Lexington Architecture Review Board offered feedback on a proposed amendment to the zoning ordinances that would allow internally illuminated canopy signs in Lexington’s commercial districts, including the downtown business district.
The general consensus from the Board was that such signs, while potentially attractive, didn’t fit with the character of Lexington.
The changes were prompted by a request from The Gin Hotel to put internally lit letters reading “The Gin” atop the canopy over the hotels entrance. The city planning office worked to draft design standards for such signs to be reviewed by the Planning Commission and City Council. Since the change will involve signs in the downtown business district, city planner Arne Glaeser brought them to the ARB for its review and input.
If allowed, the canopy sign would be limited in height to no more than 10 inches and could not take up more than 5 square feet. They would also not be permitted more than 20 feet above the ground. The city has a maximum sign allowance for downtown businesses of 1 square foot of signage for each foot of business frontage, with a maximum of 30 square feet of signage per building street frontage.
Canopy signs would be an additional type of sign that could be utilized, but the total calculation per business and per building are not being amended. Such signs would not be permitted on awnings – which have their own sign standards – marquees, vehicle fueling station canopies or a pitched roof structure.
Members of the ARB were presented with a mock-up of what the sign could look like on The Gin Hotel as well as examples of other canopies in the downtown district which could potentially utilize this type of sign, including the movie theater on Nelson Street and Niko’s Grille at the intersection of Main and Preston streets.
While members agreed that the sign was not unattractive and could be appropriate on some businesses, they expressed reservations about the impact it would have on downtown.
“I want to protect what we have and our future and I don’t see that this is necessary,” Barbra Crawford said. “I see it as maybe more trendy. It reminds me of someone that retired and moved to Lexington because they loved it and then they didn’t like the brick sidewalks. They were here when you moved here. This is who we are, and we know it’s working because it’s been working for a long time and it’s been effective for a long time. I don’t see the need for change.
“I think that’s attractive [but] that’s not what downtown Lexington is,” she added. “I think this would open up a door for more businesses to come in and say ‘bigger, flashier [and] more lighting’ and that’s what we’ve worked for 50 years not to have … I just see this as a shift back in time.”
Some members also expressed concern about potentially allowing it for some businesses but not others.
“It’s hard for me to say this doesn’t look right on this particular building,” Julie Goyette said. “I don’t think we need to go forward with it. I understand why it’s wanted. It’s not unattractive, but … I think we could have some battles ahead of us if we say ‘this is appropriate, but this isn’t.’” Glaeser informed the Board members that he would pass their feedback on to the Planning Commission and City Council as they review the ordinance. The Planning Commission will review it first at a future meeting and make their recommendation to City Council.
The amendment also includes standards for canopy signs in the C-2 zoning districts along the city’s entrance corridors on East Nelson and South Main streets. Canopy signs in those districts could have letters of up to 15 inches high and a maximum square footage of 10 feet. If the ordinance is adopted, any applications for those signs would be reviewed by the Planning Commission.
