SUBJECT
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Public hearing and consideration of a motion to consider the installation of an attached signage to the front façade of the building on Lot 5 and parts of Lots 3, 4, 6, 7 & 8, Block 1, Western Division, located at 1002 Grant Street. This property is within the San Agustin de Laredo Historic District.
HD-006-2025
District VIII
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BACKGROUND
Initiated by: ABO Holding Laredo, LLC, Owner; Michael Haynes, Applicant/Representative
Previous Action:
On October 25, 1994, in a 7 to 0 vote, the Historic District/Landmark Board approved signage subject to painting it a terra-cotta color and subject to the removal of the Panatronic sign facing San Agustin Avenue and the El Margo sign on the front of the building.
Current Proposed Scope of Work: The applicant is requesting new signage on existing façade. This includes 1 sign on the south elevation facing the San Agustin Plaza.
Building Type: As per the Historic Urban Design Assessment Report (1996):
- Most of the buildings facing Grant Street are of brick masonry construction with the exception of the building on the southeast corner of the block which a more recent concrete masonry unit.
Site: The property is an H-AE (Historic Arts and Entertainment District) zoning district.
Letters sent to the surrounding property owners: 21
For: 0
Against: 0
Granting or Denying an Application:
- As per the Laredo Land Development Code, Section 24.1.2.2(2), the Historic District Landmark Board shall utilize the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and Illustrated Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings; and the City of Laredo, Texas, Historic Urban Design Guidelines
Secretary of the Interior’s Standards:
1. A property will be used as it was historically or be given a new use that requires minimal change to its distinctive materials, features, spaces and spatial relationships.
2. The historic character of a property will be retained and preserved. The removal of distinctive materials or alteration of features, spaces and spatial relationships that characterize a property will be avoided.
3. Each property will be recognized as a physical record of its time, place and use. Changes that create a false sense of historical development, such as adding conjectural features or elements from other historic properties, will not be undertaken.
4. Changes to a property that have acquired historic significance in their own right will be retained and preserved.
5. Distinctive materials, features, finishes, and construction techniques or examples of craftsmanship that characterize a property will be preserved.
6. Deteriorated historic features will be repaired rather than replaced. Where the severity of deterioration requires replacement of a distinctive feature, the new feature will match the old in design, color, texture and, where possible, materials. Replacement of missing features will be substantiated by documentary and physical evidence.
7. Chemical or physical treatments, if appropriate, will be undertaken using the gentlest means possible. Treatments that cause damage to historic materials will not be used.
8. Archeological resources will be protected and preserved in place. If such resources must be disturbed, mitigation measures will be undertaken.
9. New additions, exterior alterations, or related new construction will not destroy historic materials, features, and spatial relationships that characterize the property. The new work will be differentiated from the old and will be compatible with the historic materials, features, size, scale and proportion, and massing to protect the integrity of the property and its environment.
10. New additions and adjacent or related new construction will be undertaken in such a manner that, if removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of the historic property and its environment would be unimpaired.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
*THE PURPOSE OF THIS APPLICATION REVIEW BEFORE THE HISTORIC DISTRICT/LANDMARK BOARD IS FOR HISTORIC COMPLIANCE ONLY. APPROVAL DOES NOT GUARANTEE APPROVAL OF A CONSTRUCTION PERMIT, OR ANY OTHER TYPE OF PERMIT THAT MIGHT BE REQUIRED FOR THIS PROJECT.
Staff supports the addition of proposed new signage on the existing façade, facing San Agustin Plaza as it is contingent on the sign’s size, materials, and placement being compatible with the historic character of the building.
A. Historic Urban Design Guidelines
1. The signage complies with the Historic Urban Design Guidelines by respecting the building’s scale, avoiding obstruction of architectural details, and maintaining compatibility with the streetscape.
- Appropriate Placement & Scale
The signage is appropriately scaled to the façade and positioned so that it does not obscure or damage any historic architectural features, aligning with the guidelines for maintaining the integrity of historic facades.
Reference: Chapter 5 - Signage
“New signs should be scaled to the building façade and placed so as not to obscure or damage historic architectural features. Signage should complement the building’s proportions and rhythm.”
- Location & Visibility
The sign’s placement on the south elevation facing San Agustin Plaza, enhances pedestrian interaction and contributes to the overall vitality and historic character of this prominent public space.
Reference: Chapter 5 - Signage
“Sign placement should enhance the pedestrian experience and contribute to the vitality of the streetscape, particularly on elevations facing public spaces.”
- Number of Signs
The proposed sign complies with the limit of signs per premises, ensuring consistency with signage density guidelines and maintaining visual clarity along the streetscape.
Reference: Chapter 5 - Signage
“Business signs in buildings shall be limited to one sign per premises for interior lots and two signs for corner lots.
B. Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation
1. The proposed sign does not obscure or remove historic materials or features and respects the scale and design of the façade.
Standard 2 - “The historic character of a property will be retained and preserved. The replacement of intact or repairable historic materials or alteration of features, spaces and spatial relationships that characterize a property will be avoided.”
2. The new sign is appropriately scaled and designed to complement the building’s historic storefront features, avoiding visual disruption.
Standard 9 - “New additions, exterior alterations, or related new construction will not destroy historic materials, features, and spatial relationships that characterize the property. The new work shall be differentiated from the old and shall be compatible with the historic materials, features, size, scale and proportion, and massing to protect the integrity of the property and its environment.
Staff General Comments:
1. Any improvements which are approved by the Historic District Landmark Board shall also comply with all Building Code requirements and other regulations as provided in the Laredo Land Development Code.
2. Approval by the Historic District Landmark Board does not guarantee approval of a building permit or any other permit which may be required.
3. It is recommended that all existed improvements utilize the following resources as a guide:
- The Secretary of the Interiors' Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings
- City of Laredo Historic Urban Design Guidelines
- City of Laredo Historic Preservation Plan
4. No other improvements, changes to the building, site or new construction on the property shall be permitted without prior review and approval by staff and/or Historic District Landmark Board, to meet compliance.
5. As per the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and Illustrated Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings, all proposed scope of work should be physically and visually compatible to the original materials and features of the historical structure.
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