Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commission approved a new sign for Mount Vernon United Methodist Church to be installed this spring.
Kim Schwiebert of MVUMC said the purpose of the sign is to reiterate the church’s inclusivity. Her son designed the artwork that is featured on the sign to reflect the inclusivity to BIPOC and LGQBTIA individuals. Rickard’s Sing and Design will be responsible for installing the sign, and it will be a permanent sign for the building.
Commission member Guy Booth said it would be a certificate of no material effect.
Schwiebert said the city had approved the sign previously, but had referred the item to MVHPC because it is in the Cornell College historic district.
Commission member Donnie Moore asked if there were concerns about vandalism to the sign.
Schwiebert said is a thought they had considered, but the proximity to the uptown on a very busy street with light posts in the immediate area made that not a huge concern.
Commission tables any action against banners.
The commission also tabled any action against the digital banners in the uptown.
Commission president Sue Astley said that the poles have been ordered at this point, and the city is moving ahead with installation. In an email in November, Nosbisch said light poles are in the city right of way and not under the jurisdiction of the commission.
Commission member Guy Booth said in his visits with other business owners, the vast majority wanted to see cloth banners remain. He noted there were questions that were still unanswered about what the light pollution of those banners may be to downtown citizens in the blocks with them, or if the city has certain hours those banners will be lit in evening hours.
The city has previously noted the ability of dimming the street lights is a possibility with these new lights after certain time periods.
Booth did remind the commission that the members had no problem with the light poles themselves, that many looked to fit with the historic nature of the district while modernizing infrastructure. It was a separate issue for the digital banners.