Historic preservation panel approves blade sign for 132 E. 6th St., requires final dimensions

The Michigan City Historic Preservation Commission on Feb. 23 approved a Certificate of Appropriateness for a blade sign to be mounted on the corner of 132 East 6th Street, with a condition that the applicant submit exact sign dimensions and shop drawings for staff review prior to final permitting.

Blake Swihart, who presented the application, described the request as “a pretty fairly straightforward request for a sign blade sign on the exterior of the structure located at 132 East 6th Street.” The commission packet describes the building as a Renaissance Revival masonry structure built about 1922–23, rated “outstanding” and originally constructed as a Masonic lodge.

Commissioners and staff discussed two practical checks before final approval: (1) submission of shop drawings and precise dimensions so staff can confirm proportionality and clearance, and (2) confirmation that the sign permit review will ensure compliance with city sign-height and placement requirements. Swihart recommended approval with the condition that final dimensions and drawings be submitted for staff validation; staff confirmed that permit review and ordinance checks provide a second layer of review.

A motion to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness for COA 2026-004 “contingent on the fact that they submit dimensions and shop drawings for validation by staff’’ passed by roll call; all commissioners present voted yes. Two commissioners (Mister Hurd and Mister Espar) were recorded as absent during roll call.

The commission’s decision now requires the applicant to file the required shop drawings and final measurements with staff as part of the sign-permit process. Staff will confirm dimensional conformity with the commission’s approval and the city signage ordinance before issuing final approval and permitting.