Historic commission approves signage for 22 West Pearl, with zoning condition

The Coldwater Historic District Commission on May 13 approved a certificate of appropriateness for new signage at 22 West Pearl Street, property owners Noah and Grace Roberts, after hearing a presentation on materials and historic compatibility.

The commission’s staff reported that the building is a contributing structure in the C-2 Historic District, built circa 1909. The applicants requested two types of mounted aluminum signage: affixed aluminum letters totaling about 21.3 square feet on the front and a larger sidewall sign of about 57.99 square feet. Staff raised no fundamental objections to the signage design but noted that any zoning variance required for size or placement would need to be obtained through the city’s zoning process.

Ron, who said he was assisting owner Grace Roberts with the sign project, described the proposed materials and attachment method: “we're hoping to go with a 3 inch thickened platinum aluminum that we painted ... flush that mounts, they have these bolts essentially over the back letter and then silicone in them,” and said the cast-aluminum letters should require little maintenance and be covered by a warranty.

A commissioner moved to approve the certificate of appropriateness as presented, “subject to compliance with applicable zoning ordinances or obtaining a variance of the same,” and the motion carried with all in favor.

The approval allows the applicants to proceed with the historic-design review portion of the signage work; if a zoning variance is required for size or placement the applicants must obtain that approval before installation. The commission did not specify a separate enforcement or inspection schedule; applicants were advised to coordinate with city zoning staff for next steps.