Martinsville planning commission approves three downtown maintenance and sign applications

The Martinsville Planning Commission on Nov. 25 approved three separate downtown applications: exterior maintenance at 109 East Washington, a sign at 72 East Morgan, and a revised brick facade for the Red Brick Trading Company.

Nathan Richardson, representing property owner Kent Richardson, described planned maintenance at 109 East Washington — repainting historic windows, replacing rotten wood, tuckpointing and resetting decorative limestone — and said there would be no structural modifications or color changes. "Just wanted to do general maintenance of the building," Richardson said. A commissioner moved to approve the work and the motion carried by voice vote.

For 72 East Morgan, staff said a sign had been installed prematurely but was taken down; the packet listed dimensions of 35 inches by 35 inches and the applicant proposed small flood-style exterior lighting rather than an internally illuminated sign. Staff reported the business removed the sign when asked. A motion to accept the sign application passed.

Ron Stanhouse presented revisions to the Red Brick Trading Company facade that replace siding with a red-brick facing, reduce glazing compared with an earlier presentation, and add two potential tenant entrances. "We thought we'd better get back here and get approval for the brick," Stanhouse said. Commissioners asked about brick color and door/window details, then approved the revisions.

All three items were approved by motion and voice vote during the Nov. 25 meeting.