The City of Monroe Historic Preservation Commission met on August 12, 2026, at 1:00 PM in Council Chambers. Four members were present (Jordan Norby, Tom Mitchell, Corrine Wartenweiler, Mary Soddy); three were absent (Aaron Holverson, Donna Bahler, Jeff Maliszewski). The commission approved multiple facade grant applications and certificates of appropriateness, tabled a lighting proposal for further guideline development, denied a lighting component for one grant, and discussed member vacancies and sign code concerns.
Scott Thompson and lighting specialist Nick Judge proposed installing permanent programmable LED lights on the building exterior (Thompson Tower). The lights could change colors for holidays, events, or causes. Commissioner Shannon (staff) noted that awning lighting is not permitted per code and that decorative lighting must be consistent with downtown character, not flashing, and not create glare. Discussion centered on establishing guidelines for color use, duration, and coordination with other properties. Thompson requested flexibility, offering a one-year trial period. The commission expressed concerns about precedent and enforcement. A motion to table the discussion until the next meeting (September 2026) to allow staff to develop a more formal plan and guidelines was made by Mary Soddy, seconded by Corrine Wartenweiler, and passed unanimously.
The applicant sought to add landscape lighting to a previously approved facade grant. Commissioner Shannon stated lighting is not an eligible improvement under the grant program (exterior visible improvements like roof, windows, tuck pointing). The commission voted unanimously to deny the lighting component while the rest of the grant remains approved. Motion by Mary Soddy, seconded by Corrine Wartenweiler.
The meeting adjourned at 1:50 PM via unanimous voice vote (motion by Tom Mitchell, seconded by Mary Soddy).
All right, we'll call the City of Monroe Historic Preservation Commission meeting to order. Um did you say roll call? I got rolling. Okay, perfect. Any correction uh for the July 8th meeting minutes as presented? All right. Uh item C business, review and possible approval of Patrick Doyle and Green County House uh historic facade grant application. Um has everybody looked at the materials so okay. Pretty pretty straightforward, hopefully. Um went through our design committee, really with uh no no questions on on this grant. So I'll move to approve. Second. All right, all in favor. Aye. Aye. Perfect, passes, and then C2 approval of certificate of appropriateness for the same project. Um, so it goes with the facade grant, um, just the certificate of appropriateness that we always review and approve. I'll move to approve. I'll second. All right, all in favor? Aye, passes. Wonderful. Um C3 uh review and possible approval of Crayon Enterprises uh facade grants. So this is another one. Um this is for 1606 11th Street. Whose building is that? Remind me. That is crayon. Who's building is that? Um, sorry, sorry, art gallery, yes. Oh, okay. Yep. I'll move to approve second. All in favor? Aye. Aye. All right. Motion passes. C4, uh, same thing, certificate of appropriateness for that same building, 1606 11th Street. I'll move to approve. Second. All right. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Aye. Passes perfect. Um C5 review and possible approval of Joe Hillary Tenfold Properties, uh, facade grant application. This is the building that was Eileen's hair care. Um just just north of the square.