Politics & Government
Historic District Commission Approves Signs and Awnings, Home Improvements
Two businesses will revamp the exterior signage, and a new restaurant will cover outdoor diners with a retractable awning.
The Northville Historic District Commission took a number of actions at its regular Wednesday night meeting that paved the way for: a handful of businesses to update signage, a developer to proceed on a newly-renovated home and a restaurant to protect outdoor diners from a downpour, should one occur.
The commission voted unanimously to approve signage changes at three businesses – pending the submission of colors – under a sign improvement plan put into place by the Downtown Development Authority.
Baily & Shamoun Interiors, a home décor firm located at 191 Cady Street, will install new signage, along with , at 126 MainCentre. Sandy Mustonen, representing Graphic Visions in Northville, appeared before the commission to seek approval for the two businesses.
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Mustonen said the Bikram sign is designed to be more eye-catching from the street.
“The sign has the same colors as it does now,” she said.
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Though the five-color concept submitted by Mustonen technically doesn’t meet a two- to three-color requirement, Commissioner David Field said perhaps the requirement needs to be revised.
“It seems we're always skirting around this,” he said. “Maybe it’s time put down on paper that they can have more colors.”
Urban Optiques received approval for the removal of its present awning and the addition of two new signs but, because the DDA matching grant plan has limits on sandwich signs, it’s unclear if the firm will make the signage changes without the matching funds.
A restaurant due to open at 133 W. Main St. also received approval to add two retractable awnings to cover patrons enjoying its patio. The awnings will cover 48 seats in case of a storm.
The commission also approved the inclusion of a revised garage door on a home at 255 West Street. The home is part of the Greenstone Development, which is taking shape at West and Randolph Streets. The new door was devised because there was opposition to a singular door at the commission’s March meeting; the new door has hardware and decorative features to mimic two doors, said Architect Walt Coponen, who appeared on behalf of developer Mike Miller.
The Commission approved the measure, except for Jennifer Luikart, who opposed the single door in March.
