Historic Zoning Commission

Emerald Academy - Former Moses School: Level II

11-F-15-HZ

Applicant Request

Level II. Installation of signage

Install two double-sided painted metal signs. Profile of sign to mimic historic parapet shape over main door. 15 s.f. per side, 2 sides, equal 30 s.f. per sign. Located at each end of new driveway -- one perpendicular to Carrick Street and one perpendicular to Arthur Street. Request to allow existing painted metal wall-mounted sign at 158.44 s.f. to remain within decorative brick framing on east elevation.

Site Info

Two-story seven-bay brick with raised basement. Flat roof with cast-stone trimmed raised parapet. Replacement aluminum clad windows that duplicate original window pane and transom configuration. (Original windows were removed from the building c. 1960.) One-story projecting front entry with parapet roof and duplicated entry on west elevation. Brick foundation. Irregular plan. (contributing)

1) The decorative brickwork on the east elevation was not intended to provide a location for a sign. There is no documentation of a sign historically being in that location.
2) The addition of a sign panel within the decorative brickwork partially obscures, and therefore alters, the appearance of a character-defining historic masonry feature.
3) A sign of this size (158.44 s.f.) is not compatible with the historic building in size, design, material or placement.
4) The sign is not compatible with the surrounding residential-use historic district.
5) The two identification signs at each end of the driveway are of appropriate scale, dimension, material and location for the historic site.