Historic Preservation Commission Agenda and Packet 2017 11 20

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Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes October 16, 2017 Page 4 of 10 Louisville Historical Museum researched the sign and found that it was installed in 1955 and therefore eligible for landmarking. The Blue Parrot restaurant burned in 1988, but the owners were able to save the sign and so it is original. Ritchie stated that landmarked signs are subject to the Downtown Sign Manual. They may receive funds and may remain in place even if they differ from current design standards, which this one does. Staff finds that the sign has architectural significance as a representative of neon signs in the 1950s, an era significant to Louisville, and that it has social significance as a sign for a restaurant owned by the Colaccis, an Italian family. The applicant is requesting an alteration certificate if the sign is landmarked. The certificate will allow them to re -lamp existing yellow chaser bulbs, refinish and repaint the metal cabinet of the sign, and put in new exposed neon tubing. Ritchie stated that reasons to support the landmark designation and certificate include that the proposed sign maintained shape, location, and orientation as the existing sign; the perimeter bulbs maintain the same design and color; the new finish uses the same colors as the existing sign; and it uses the same exposed neon tubing for the lettering. Staff also supports the approval of the grant fund request for $13,244. Finally, staff recommends approval of the landmarking request. Staff proposes the following conditions of approval: • Sign remain in current location and the existing structure at 640 Main retain its current location, provided that the existing structure at 640 Main remains in its current form, not requiring another Alteration Certificate; • If the existing structure is ever demolished or undergoes a major renovation, the sign shall be reinstalled generally in its current location prominently displayed at the intersection of Main St. and Pine St. An applicant may propose an alternative location on an exterior wall fronting either Main Street or Pine Street as long as the sign is prominently oriented toward either Main Street or Pine Street and subject to approval by the Historic Preservation Commission through an Alteration Certificate. Koertje stated that this request was for a commercial landmark and therefore eligible for higher grants. Ritchie responded that staff is using the rehabilitation alteration certificate that does not require a landmark bonus or an owner match. The proposal from staff is to fund the entire work with no match. Zuccaro added that this application fell under flexible grants in Section 3 of Resolution 2, Series 2012, which provides that for a period of 18 months after landmarking the owner is eligible for commercial property grant of up to $65,000 for preservation and restoration with no owner match. Koertje asked why applicant was not eligible for the signing bonus. Zuccaro stated that it was because the request was limited to the sign and was not for the whole property, which is required for a signing bonus. Haley asked if staff recommends an HPC review if the sign is ever moved. Ritchie responded that staff was recommending that future changes to location would be reviewed by the Commission.