2026-01-05 City Council Meeting Summary

The City Council convened on January 5, 2026, to review signage applications for two business locations at 31 Mill Street and 29 West Park Square. The meeting focused on the aesthetic details of proposed signage, requests for variances regarding sign quantities, and logistical questions regarding outdoor installations such as televisions and string lights.

Consent Calendar

• Routine approvals were not explicitly listed as a separate agenda item; items were treated as Discussion Items.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Andrew Wehrenberg (representing Vaughn Wharton, owner of Nail Culture Salon):
  • Presented a proposal for a flat-faced painted sign and a replacing blade sign for a nail salon.
  • Inquired about the allowance of a freestanding sign within the square, noting it likely requires a separate application on private property.
  • Stated the proposed signs would use existing holes and feature an aluminum substrate.
• Alexis (representing Q Concepts/West Park Sports Club, Architect Andrew Omore):
  • Explained the renaming of the venue from "Table and Tap" due to survey results indicating patrons wanted to clarify the "sports" focus.
  • Presented updated renderings for 29 West Park Square, detailing wall signs, a circular blade sign, and the installation of two TV monitors.
  • Discussed a recent coordination with the City Manager's office regarding string lights, moving lamp posts to create an alleyway entrance, and a potential archway proposal to activate the outdoor space.
  • Noted that public access in the right-of-way would be confined to the wall of the neighboring building to maximize seating area for the tenant.

Discussion Items

• 31 Mill Street (Nail Culture Salon):
  • Sign Design: Councillor Jim expressed concern that the proposed black and white design with white reverse print on a black background would appear too "stark" or "stand out" excessively. He suggested a base black with white reverse print letters would be more in tune with the square.
  • Variance: Clarification was made that a variance is required to install two signs on the same elevation, as the application involves two distinct signs (wall and blade) rather than a single banner.
  • Freestanding Sign: Discussed that a freestanding sign is not permissible on the square unless on private property and approved separately.
  • TV Proposals: Councillor Jim suggested using projectors instead of mounted TVs to avoid weather damage and vandalism, though the sponsor preferred mounted TVs. It was noted that projecting onto buildings is a common practice elsewhere.
  • String Lights & Canopy: The Council inquired about the string lights and canopy extending into the right-of-way. The architect confirmed these require landlord approval and further city navigation for the canopy and lamp post relocation.
• 29 West Park Square (West Park Sports Club):
  • Signage Compliance: Andrew Omore presented data showing the proposed wall sign (45.3 sq. ft.) and blade sign (7.8 sq. ft.) total 5.2% of the facade area, well below the 15% ordinance limit. He noted that the TVs (17.7 sq. ft. each) were included in the area calculation but acknowledged the ordinance does not explicitly address mounted TVs.
  • Lighting and Aesthetics: Discussed the use of individual cut-out PVC letters and a logo in a bluish-green historic color to ensure contrast.
  • Alleyway Activation: The Council discussed the goal of working with planners to improve the alley's appearance, including the string lights and potential archway, to draw foot traffic.

Key Outcomes

• Approval of 31 Mill Street Signage: The Council approved the signage application for the nail salon with a motion to approve the signs with reverse print (black background, white letters) for both the wall sign and the blade sign, contingent on the applicant's agreement.
• Variance for Sign Quantity: A variance was required and approved in the context of the motion to permit two signs on the same elevation.
• Approval of 29 West Park Square Signage: The Council approved the signage action for the West Park Sports Club, including the two TVs and wall signs, acknowledging that while a variance for two signs was discussed, the specific guideline issue was not confirmed as a requirement or was deemed acceptable under the current footprint calculations.
• Next Steps for 29 West Park Square: The tenant is required to secure landlord approval for the string lights and canopy, and further coordination is needed with the City Manager's office regarding the placement of lamp posts and the right-of-way usage for the alleyway project.
• Procedural Note: The Council confirmed that meetings are now being streamed on the city website and advised members to maintain appropriate conduct.