DRC tells Zulu & Matt to pare back painted wall sign after members note guideline exceedance

The Design Review Committee on Tuesday reviewed an after‑the‑fact signage installation at 301 Lewisburg Avenue for Zulu and Matt, a home‑furnishings and women’s boutique.

Applicant James Flowers said the painted wall sign and a matching metal sign on the smaller building were installed before the DRC review and asked the committee for guidance. “What we're trying to do is match the signs…we've already painted a sign on on the wall of the big building,” Flowers said during his presentation. Staff reported the painted wall sign measures about 49.5 square feet and the front metal sign about 29.5 square feet. By contrast, the district’s wall‑sign guideline reads 4.5 square feet for pitched‑roof (residential form) wall signs and 9 square feet for commercial parapet wall signs; staff also noted both signs meet the city’s zoning ordinance size limits.

Commissioners generally said the signs are visually contextual but urged the applicant to reduce the painted side so it reads more compactly from a passing car and to leave descriptive words (for example “home furnishings and boutique”) visible to help customers identify the business. One commissioner suggested removing the painted frame and leaving only the brand name and descriptor to get closer to guideline scale. Staff asked the applicant to bring measurable comparisons and photos to the upcoming voting meeting; the DRC does not vote at this advisory session.

The DRC encouraged the applicant to return with a revised painted‑sign treatment and physical samples so the full historic zoning commission can consider a formal COA. No formal action was taken at the DRC meeting.