PHOTO FROM MEETING PACKET
Images included in a Historic District Commission meeting packet show signage examples for the Berlin Welcome Center.

By Josh Davis, Associate Editor

(Feb. 14, 2019) The follow items were discussed by the Berlin Historic District Commission last Wednesday at Town Hall:

Reelection

Carol Rose was unanimously selected to continue as commission chairwoman and Robert Poli was unanimously named to remain the vice chair. In both cases, there were no other nominations.

Welcome center signs

The commission unanimously approved new signs for the Berlin Welcome Center on 14 South Main Street.

Economic and Community Development Director Ivy Wells said two items were involved: a “Town of Berlin Economic Development” sign that would be moved from the planning and zoning office on William Street, and a “Berlin Welcome Center” sign on the side of the building to match one already on the other side.

Wells said the new sign would be paid for by a grant.

Commission member Laura Stearns said the decision was a no-brainer, because the signs look like the others already in use.

Shop sign no-show

The commissioners tabled a sign request for a new business on 11 South Main Street, because the applicant did not attend. Planning Director Dave Engelhart said she apparently forgot.

He said the new business would be a women’s clothing store called “Madison Avenue Boutique.”

Some commissioners worried the sign, shaped like an anchor and apparently made of mock brass, may be too light to be hung over the sidewalk in front of the shop entrance.

“If we approve this, we’re stuck with it,” Rose said. “I would rather … have her wait until the next meeting. And she’s gotta bring something, so we can see the heft of it and what it looks like.

“I like it, but it’s not what usually goes in front of these stores, uptown,” Rose continued. “I just want to make sure that it’s right.”

Shed and fence

Homeowner Matthew Amey was unanimously granted approval to expand his shed and reposition an existing fence. Amey previously made a request related to the shed, but was asked to return later with more information.

Stearns said previous renovations that Amey made to his 8 Jefferson Street home were well done.

“I think it’s going to be another nice improvement,” she said.

Rose thanked Amey for returning with the additional information and said the packet he submitted was “very, very well done.”

New pole building

Daniel and Naquelle Jacobs were unanimously given approval to replace a dilapidated garage for their 105 South Main Street home with a new, larger pole building.

While the historic district commission was in favor of the 24 by 24-foot structure, the homeowners later that evening faced a Berlin Board of Zoning Appeals hearing because the structure, as proposed, did not meet setback requirements for town code. That board tabled the matter after some discussion, citing the need for more information.

Work session follow-up

Poli asked if commission members needed to vote to adopt the new guidelines he developed that were discussed during a recent work session.

Engelhart said no ordinances had been changed and there were no discussions to do so, suggesting the guidelines instead be used informally as a reference.