Those present to speak were:
Tamer Fashai
Mr. Fashai stated he is a small business owner in Baca Plaza and described how he had hand crafted a sign for his business using plywood. Three local artists contributed to the sign. Larry Bell contributed the electro plating on the arrow. Ed Sandoval painted the lettering. Tristan Garden painted the background.
Mr. Fashai stated the only complication on the sign is the iridescence on the arrow. He sanded it so the electro plating doesn't shine brightly, it is a very dull gleam. Mr. Fashai was concerned after talks with previous staff that the approval process for the sign would be lengthy and overly involved. Mr. Fashai is checking to see if he can use the sign in the Historic Overlay District.
Vice-Chairman Palacios asked for the address and location of the building.
Mr. Fashai stated it was next to La Cueva.
Mr. Fashai stated it is set back about thirty feet or twenty feet thirty feet from the road.
Vice-Chairman Palacios asked if there were any comments from staff and if they have been working with the applicant.
Ms. Perkins stated yes, he came to her and talked about this sign, how it was handmade and how previously he had been told that he needed to get a certificate of appropriateness from the Historic Preservation Commission. She said there is really nothing in the code that addresses this. The previous Commission supported signs that were non shiny metal or wood. Staff had actually brought in front of the Commission some text changes to the sign section of the Code for the Historic District and that was the recommendation of the Historic Preservation Commission. Ms. Perkins added that staff plans to meet with the merchants this Friday at nine o'clock in the morning to get their input on changes to the Code. The code isn't clear. She thinks the Commission sentiment, at least the earlier Commission sentiment, was they would like artistic handmade signs, including neon signs, that have been handmade and are of artistic interest versus the typical open neon sign.
Ms. Perkins had suggested that the applicant come before the Commission and ask how the Commission would like to make this decision. Do you want to have the applicant go through the certificate of appropriateness? Do you think that what he is proposing is okay? The Code says is that metal is allowed, only not shiny metal. It is up to the Commission as to how they want to proceed on this.
Vice-Chairman Palacios stated he feels just looking at it that Mr. Fashai has a well known Taos artist that put the accent on it, the lettering and so forth. It is not shiny metal so he does not have a problem with it at this time. The sign is not being brought to the Commission for a vote. Staff just wants the Commission's consensus on how to proceed. It is not on the agenda as an approval item.
Ms. Perkins agreed. This is a Citizen Forum question. She wasn't sure whether or not he needed to go through the certificate of appropriateness. She is willing to approve the sign as the code administrator but she thought it would be nice to obtain the Commission's input.
Commissioner Lukes stated he personally would support Ms. Perkins decision.
Vice-Chairman Palacios stated he would like to hear from the new members and welcomed them.
Commissioner Christmas stated he lived on the street where the sign would be placed and he has no issues with the sign.
There were questions about the materials and the maintenance of the sign. Mr. Fashai described the plywood material. He promised to repaint the sign as needed.
Vice-Chairman Palacios asked if anybody else on the board wishes to say anything, comment.
Commissioner Figueroa stated he was in favor of the proposal of not needing a certificate of appropriateness at this time.
Vice-Chairman Palacios stated so without taking a vote it seem like the Commissioners are all in agreement. Since it is a Citizens Forum, the Commission is just providing their input.
Pavel Lukes
Commissioner Lukes announced his resignation from the Historic Preservation Commission and voiced his displeasure with how appointments for the Historic Preservation Commission were discussed in a previous Town Council meeting.
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