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The moving of landmarks is discouraged, however, moving is preferred to demolition. When moving is necessary, the owner of • the landmark must apply to the Commission for a Certificate of Appropriateness. F. Signs No neon or flashing signs will be permitted unless they are original to the structure. Billboards and supergraphics will also be disallowed. Only one appropriate identifying sign will be permitted per business. G. Building Site and Landscaping (These standards apply to both A and B) 1. Required Major landscaping items, trees, fencing, walkways, private yard lights, signs (house numbers) and benches which reflect the property's history and development shall be retained. Dominant land contours shall be retained. Structures such as: gazebos, patio decks, fixed barbecue pits, swimming pools, tennis courts, green houses, new walls, fountains, fixed garden furniture, trellises, and other similar structures shall be compatible to the historic character of the site and neighborhood and inconspicuous when viewed from a public way. 2. Recommended New site work should be based upon actual knowledge of the past appearance of the property found in photographs, drawings, and newspapers. Plant materials and trees in close proximity to the building that are causing deterioration to the buildings historic fabric should be removed. However, trees and plant materials that must be removed should be immediately replaced by suitable flora. Front yard areas should not be fenced except in cases where historic documentation would indicate such fencing appropriate. Fencing should be in character with the buildings style, materials, and scale. 3. Prohibited No changes may be made to the appearance of the site by removing major landscaping items, trees, fencing, walkways, outbuildings, and other elements before evaluating their importance to the property's history and development. Front yard areas shall not be transformed into parking lots nor paved nor blacktopped. The installation of unsightly devices such as TV reception dishes and solar collectors shall not be permitted in areas where they can be viewed from public thoroughfares. • STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff is cognizant of recent precedent regarding the proposed installation of multiple signs on other downtown commercial buildings (see the J.M.S. Building). Bearing that in mind, staff approves the format and appearance of the proposed signs — as they are historic and complimentary to the building's character — but would encourage debate regarding the number to be installed. It is also worth noting, however, that only the "The LaSalle" blade sign above the east entrance was approved by the Commission. All other window signs appear to have been installed un -reviewed. They are not, however, part of this application and need not be scrutinized as a part of it. As to specific recommendations per the number of installations, Historic Preservation Administrator Feasel advocates for the installation of half the number of window signs (one each on the North and East faces). Historic Preservation Specialist Toering believes the wording of the Standards and Guidelines to be unintentionally ambiguous, and that further revision of those standards may be in order to better accommodate the various kinds of signage that can be found on historic commercial buildings. With regards to this particular application, Specialist Toering would advocate for the allowance of all four of the requested window signs. Written by Adam Toering Historic Preservation Specialist Approved by Elicia Feasel Historic Preservation Administrator 0