AGENDA #5h
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Historic District Entranceway Sign Poles
DATE: May 10, 2004
INTRODUCTION
This report provides a response to a Council discussion from February 11 at the Council budget hearing on the Capital Improvements Program. At the budget hearing for Town advisory boards, the Historic District Commission made a recommendation to the Council for new support poles for identification signs at entrances to the Historic Districts. This memorandum provides follow-up information.
BACKGROUND
Currently there are a total of twelve Historic District identification signs located at various entranceways into the three Chapel Hill Historic Districts. The locations of these signs for each of the Historic Districts are:
Gimghoul Historic District
1. Corner of Country Club Road and Gimghoul Road
Franklin-Rosemary Historic District
2. Corner of Henderson Street and North Street
3. Corner of Henderson Street and E. Rosemary Street
4. E. Franklin Street and Henderson Street (across from the Post Office)
5. Hillsborough Street (past Bolinwood Drive)
6. Raleigh Road (UNC campus)
7. E. Franklin Street (near Boundary Street)
Cameron –McCauley Historic District
8. Kenan Street
9. Mallette Street
10. Cameron Avenue (near Cameron Court)
11. Corner of S. Columbia Street and Cameron Avenue
12. Corner of Vance Street and Pittsboro Street
RECOMMENDATION
Historic District Commission’s Recommendation: On April 8, 2004, the Historic District Commission voted 10 – 0 to recommend new replacement support poles (see attachment). Currently, sign poles for the Historic District identification signs are the common poles associated with Department of Transportation right-of-way signs such as Stop, No Parking, or Speed Limit signs. Currently, all the Historic District identification signs are supported by these generic poles. The Commission does not believe these poles to be indicative of the unique character of the Chapel Hill Historic Districts.
The Historic District Commission has selected a sign post they believe to be more appropriate when used in conjunction with Historic District identification signs. This type of post has been used by the Town previously and can be currently viewed near 725 Airport Road at the University of North Carolina Building. These poles are 2” x 2” square and made of heavy gauge steel. The Public Works Department has used these poles in the past, however none have been used for some time. They are no longer in use. It is estimated that they would cost approximately double the cost of the poles currently used.
SUMMARY
We believe that this is a reasonable proposal and will initiate the process to install the new posts. All future Historic District identification signs will use the square posts.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Memo from Historic District Commission (p. 3).
2. Photograph (p. 4).
SUMMARY OF HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL
Subject: Replacement Sign Poles for Identification of Historic District Entranceway Signs
Meeting Date: April 8, 2004
Recommendations: The Commission approved the post selection provided by Terri Swanson. They are constructed of heavy gauge steel and are a plain 2-inch post.
Vote: 10 - 0
Prepared by Chris Belcher, Chair of Historic
Kay Pearlstein, Staff Liaison
