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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/07/25 ARB Minutes/ Minutes Town of Pulaski Architectural Review Board November 7, 2025 Council Chambers Members Present: Braxton Cox, Kevin Meyer, Cathy Striping, John White Members Absent: Janet Hanks Town Staff: Olivia Hale, Clerk of Council, Nathan Smythers, Planning & Zoning Administrator, and Shannon Ainsley, Economic Developer Call to Order Ms. Striping called the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m. and asked for a roll call. Roll Call The roll was taken by Ms. Hale, and a quorum was determined with four members present. Adoption of Minutes June 17, 2025 The motion was made by Mr. Meyer and seconded by Mr. White to adopt the minutes as written. The motion passed unanimously. Sign & Flagpole Permit Application Tire Discounts Mr. Smythers reported revisions from a previous email concerning updates to the property project. The documents currently in hand are not the latest versions, and the biggest change is related to painting. The side of the building where customers enter will be painted brown to match the brick on the street-facing front. The trim and accent areas will feature “fire-seeking red” with white striping, which will continue around to the front façade. Additionally, the trim of the garage doors will also be painted in the same red. Ms. Striping raises concern about painting unpainted brick, preferring to preserve its natural state. Mr. Cox agreed, expressing dislike for trying to mimic the look of existing brick with paint. The discussion transitions to signage, noting that the new plan reduces the number of signs on the property, consolidating several smaller ones into one large sign. Mr. Smythers confirmed that Sign Systems will handle the work. Although the proposed sign exceeds current size regulations, Ms. Striping noted that exceptions have been made before for other large commercial buildings nearby, so there is general support for the new size. The committee discussed whether the new sign’s size is appropriate. Mr. Cox observed that the current sign is already out of compliance and suggests that the new one be limited to three feet tall to avoid increasing noncompliance. He noted that even large signs are not easily visible from Main Street, reducing the advantage of increasing size. However, Mr. Meyer argued that smaller signs make businesses harder to locate, especially at night, as seen in other downtown areas. He commented that overly small signage can harm visibility, but large signs on big buildings can look proportionate rather than intrusive. Consensus began to form that a moderately sized sign, around three feet tall, would be acceptable for both visibility and aesthetics. The board discussed maintaining the sign’s visual proportions if the height is limited to three feet. Ms. Striping worried that shrinking the sign would distort the logo, but Mr. Cox suggested that the business can adjust the design proportionally. A consensus forms around approving the sign at a maximum height of three feet, scaled proportionally to preserve the brand’s appearance. Ms. Striping addressed the painting plan. Mr. Cox expressed concern that painting unpainted brick would irreversibly alter the building’s historic character. While they support repainting areas that have previously been painted, they oppose painting the front brick façade. The committee discussed color preferences, agreeing that trying to imitate brick color with paint is unwise. Mr. Cox preferred the white stripe accent, but overall, they agree that if the building must be painted, the color should not attempt to mimic brick and should instead be clearly distinguishable. The board recognized the company’s need to stay within its established color scheme, mainly red and white, but acknowledged that those colors might not be ideal for the building’s historic aesthetic. They accepted the red trim around doors and agreed that repainting already-painted sections is permissible. However, they remained hesitant to dictate specific colors beyond recommending against brick-matching tones. The discussion turned to alternatives that would allow the business to achieve its desired visual design without permanently altering the building. One idea is to use removable PVC or trim pieces to create a white band across the front instead of paint. Members discussed whether friction-fit clips or other non-invasive attachments could be used to avoid drilling into masonry. They recalled similar cases where removable signage was approved, noting that a new request would be needed if such an approach were proposed. The possibility of using an applied or layered red background behind the sign, rather than painting the façade, is also raised as a potential compromise. Members acknowledged that the company’s branding relies on the red-and-white motif, but the commission must still protect the building’s historic integrity. The motion was made by Ms. Stripling and seconded by Mr. Cox to Accept the two white signs, Tire Discounts, being made by Sign Systems, but they need to be changed to not exceed three feet in height and have the proportions adjusted accordingly. Approve painting the trim red. Approve painting the side of the building facing the parking lot, but not trying to match the brick red color to make it look like brick. Do not approve painting the street side of the building other than the trim. The motion passed unanimously. Round the Mountain- Mural Grant Shannon Ainsley, Economic Developer for the Town, announced that the Town of Pulaski has been selected to receive a large-scale mural through Round the Mountain’s Community Mural Project. She explained that the new mural will be located on the side of the Fine Arts Center, a fitting site given the center’s 40-year history as a hub for arts and culture on Main Street. The mural’s placement will make it visible from both Washington Avenue and Main Street and allow it to overlook the nearby creek, enhancing its visual accessibility from multiple vantage points. She emphasized that this will be a high-caliber mural. The town has already issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for artists, with a submission deadline of December 1. Importantly, the application process did not require an initial mural concept. Instead, the artwork’s theme will be developed collaboratively between the selected artist and the community through workshops and public engagement, ensuring that the finished piece reflects local identity and values. Ms. Ainsley also provided context about existing public art in the Historic District, showing a map with yellow markers representing current installations, murals and the well-known “LOVE” sign, many of which were completed for educational or community purposes. The new mural will join this collection as an additional cultural and aesthetic enhancement to the area. To illustrate possibilities for the new project, Ms. Ainsley shared several examples of different mural-making methods. One prior mural was painted off-site on cardboard panels before being installed on location. Another was painted directly onto a wall by community volunteers. A third example was completed on a sidewalk surface. She highlighted two of her favorite approaches that she hopes potential muralists will consider: painting on canvas and using spray paint. Canvas murals, she explained, are created in controlled environments, resulting in sharper, cleaner finishes once mounted on the building. Spray paint murals, on the other hand, produce a unique, dynamic texture that gives the artwork a distinct modern appeal. She then detailed the project timeline. The RFP will close on December 1, after which a selection committee will choose approximately three finalists. Those finalists will be compensated for developing their specific mural proposals. Initial submissions will focus on portfolios and previous works, while the finalist stage will include conceptual designs created in consultation with the community and project committee. The final mural is expected to be completed by June 2026. A comprehensive maintenance and inspection plan has already been designed to ensure the mural’s long-term preservation and visual quality. Once the committee selects the winning proposal, Ms. Ainsley will return to present it to the group for official review and approval. In response to a question, she confirmed that artists can come from anywhere but emphasized that the program aims to prioritize local and regional talent within the Round the Mountain network, which encompasses Southwest Virginia. The town also expressed gratitude to the Fine Arts Center for allowing its building to serve as the mural’s canvas. Mr. Cox asked for clarification about the building’s surface, noting its uneven structure and multiple windows, which make it less like a flat canvas. Ms. Ainsley acknowledged this challenge, confirming that the design will take existing architectural features into account. Some signage will need to be moved, and the placement of the mural will extend from the creek-facing side up to roughly the midpoint of the building, specifically between two upper and lower sets of windows, covering an area approximately 13 feet high. She clarified that the upper windows are not part of the mural area and that the lower windows are currently filled in rather than with glass, meaning artists can either paint over them or incorporate them into the design. No immediate approvals are needed from the commission at this stage; Ms. Ainsley’s goal is to inform the members about the project’s progress and upcoming proposal. The board thanked her for the presentation, and Mr. White complimented a comment she made in a related news article. Adjournment With no further business, the motion was made by Mr. Meyer and seconded by Mr. Cox to adjourn the meeting at 4:30 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.