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Six in favor, none opposed. Vote: 6 — 0 Motion to approve COA #2018-0828A is passed. • 4. 237 N Michigan COA# 2018-0904A #8652-1996 Local Landmark Representation: Shad Annis, 1247 Mishawaka Avenue STAFF REPORT CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS Date: September 10, 2018 Application Number: 2018-0904A Property Location: 237 N. Michigan Street Architectural Style/Date/Architect or Builder: Renaissance Revival/Chicago School blend/1921/ Nicol, Schuler and Hoffman Property Owner: LaSalle Apartments, LLC Landmark or District Designation: Local Landmark (Ordinance #8652-1996) and Multiple Resource National Register Rating: Outstanding DESCRIPTION OF STRUCTURE/ SITE: The LaSalle Hotel is located on the southwest corner of LaSalle and Michigan Streets; it is a nine storey hotel constructed of stretcher bond laid brick with decorative and plain -cut stone string course. The first and second floors on the east and north facades are treated as one floor. The windows and doorways are flanked by spiral columns and surmounted by round -arched windows with tracery, voussoirs and keystones. A projecting string course separates the second floor from the third floor which has limestone window surrounds, as do the single end bay windows and the ninth floor windows. A projecting string course separates the eighth and ninth floors and the building is surmounted by a wide overhanging cornice. The windows on the first floor are large, fixed sash plates with multi -light side lights. Other windows are double hung sash in pairs. ALTERATIONS: All of the single light double hung windows on all of the facades were vinyl replacement windows from the 1980s -1990s when the Charismatic Renewal Services owned the building. COA 2015-0326B approved repair and repointing of brick and masonry, replacement of existing vinyl replacement windows with new aluminum clad wood replacement windows, • replacement of doors and awnings, and restoration of existing wood storefront windows. APPLICATION ITEMS: "Per enclosed drawings requesting approval of window graphics on each window and one (1) corner mounted illuminated sign." DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROJECT: Applicant seeks a Certificate of Appropriateness for improvements on the structure, including: The application of vinyl window signs for Ancon Construction, the tenant of the corner unit. a. Vinyl appliques four windows of the office at the northeast corner of the building, two on the east face and two on the north face. b. Overall dimensions: approximately 32" x 48" c. Description of sign design: arched "ANCON CONSTRUCTION" text over the company logo and the text, "SINCE 1975", with smaller text stating "100% Employee Owned". All text in gold with black border. The applicant had originally intended to request a corner mounted illuminated sign, but conversations with the staff at the Area Plan Commission resulted in dropping that element from the application. The proposed four window design complies with Area Plan Commission requirements. The Group B Standards and Guidelines state that "only one appropriate identifying sign will be permitted per business." Staff believes this stipulation came about as a reaction to an over -abundance of signage on commercial buildings, specifically hanging or projecting signs. Signage on historic buildings remains contentious — ensuring the businesses that occupy and bring people to the structure are properly identified in a tasteful and complimentary way is paramount to the long-term preservation of the structure itself. Michael J. Auer wrote the following for the National Park Service in Preservation Brief #25, The Preservation of Historic Signs: The following points should be considered when designing and constructing new signs for historic buildings: • signs should be viewed as part of an overall graphics system for the building. They do not have to do all the "work" by themselves. The building's form, name and outstanding features, both decorative and functional, also support the • advertising function of a sign. Signs should work with the building, rather than against it. • new signs should respect the size, scale and design of the historic building. Often features or details of the building will suggest a motif for new signs. 7