Historic zoning panel defers decision on signage at 200 North Spring Street; approves minutes

The McMinnville Historic Zoning Commission approved the minutes from its Jan. 6 meeting and postponed consideration of a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) for signage at 200 North Spring Street after the applicant did not appear.

Michael (name appears in the transcript as "Michael Griffith" and later as "Michael Griffin"), who called the meeting to order, moved to approve the minutes; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote. "All in favor, say aye," he asked; "Aye" was recorded and the minutes were approved.

The commission then turned to the COA for 200 North Spring Street, a corner property at North Spring and Morford that formerly housed the office of Mr. Sellers. The presiding officer said the applicant — described in the packet as a chain financial company — was not present to show the appearance of the proposed signs. Commissioners agreed they could review only the proposed placement at this meeting and asked staff to obtain final renderings from the applicant's main office.

Commissioners described the proposals as consisting of up to three small station signs in front of the building, noting that the round, circular sign on the building façade (identified in the packet as the feature with the most historic character) would remain. One participant said the existing interior/window signs appeared to date from the late 1980s rather than from an earlier historic period.

Because the applicant was not available to present the finalized designs, the commission placed the COA on the agenda for its February meeting so commissioners can review the renderings and take formal action then. Staff reported no additional updates at the close of the meeting. The presiding officer then adjourned the session.

The commission did not take a formal vote on the COA at this meeting; action is scheduled for the next regular meeting pending submission of the requested renderings.