Heritage commission approves replacement double‑sided sign at 95 Market Street

The Harriot Commission on Aug. 26 approved a permit to replace an existing freestanding sign at 95 Market Street with a new, double‑faced sign, commission members said.

The applicant’s representative, Mike Mortimer, told the commission the proposed sign would match the current sign’s dimensions and design but would be double‑sided and constructed of PVC mounted on new metal posts and footings. “The sign is a sign already there that's, the same dimensions. It's in the same location. The metal poles that it's on are rotting out, and so, we wanted to replace it,” Mortimer said during the public presentation. He also told the commission the replacement faces will be bolted to the posts on both the east and west sides and that the work will remove the existing posts and concrete footing and install new footings.

Commissioners asked a small number of technical questions about materials and clearance; Mortimer confirmed the panels will be PVC and the posts will be black metal replacing corroded iron posts. No changes to height above the pavement were proposed. After closing public comment, a motion to approve the application was made and seconded; the commission approved the permit by voice vote.

Why it matters: The property sits in a historic district, so exterior changes to signs and sign supports are reviewed by the commission for compatibility with the district’s appearance. Replacing corroded posts and converting to durable PVC faces was presented as maintenance that preserves the sign’s historic size and design while improving longevity.

The commission did not reference any ordinance or statute during its action; the applicant provided sample photos and indicated the replacement would be installed in the same location as the existing sign.