Commission approves neon wall sign at 119 East 5th, continues North 4th wayfinding sign

The Italian Village Commission on April 14 approved a revised sign application for 119 East 5th Avenue and continued consideration of a wayfinding monument sign proposed for the northeast corner of Auden Avenue and North 4th Street.

Staff told the commission it had received late revisions for 119 East 5th and recommended approval provided the sign’s letter faces are opaque to meet the Short North design guidelines and city code (section 31.16.13). Sophie Vogel, speaking for staff, summarized the code constraints and the staff condition that opacity be required for approval.

Applicant representatives for 119 East 5th said the business prefers exposed neon to match the site’s previous sign and supplied mock-ups late the afternoon of the meeting. Commissioners discussed construction details — open-face channel letters, mounting structure, and the need to avoid internally illuminated faces. The chair moved to approve COA2600219 with the amendment that there be no clear covers and that the main letters be open-channel white; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

On the nearby proposal at 842 North 4th Street (COA2600236), staff recommended continued review to allow the applicant time to revise the design and provide a site plan showing right-of-way limits. Commissioners raised safety concerns about a ground monument sign’s effect on sight lines for cars turning from Auden onto 4th, and asked the applicant to consider building-mounted signage and the Short North Alliance parking sign guidelines.

The commission voted to continue COA2600236 to allow staff and the applicant to address right-of-way, visibility and code compliance issues. Staff noted ground signs in the Short North are rarely approved and that monument signs face size and location limitations under the Short North design guidelines.