| Millyard Signage Guidelines |
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Millyard Signage Guidelines - Preliminary Draft (2 February, 1999)
Preamble: In response to the increasing loss of architecturally notable buildings and historic structures in the Amoskeag Millyard, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, in the mid 1990’s, created the Millyard Design Committee “to provide for proper design control necessary to enhance the image and protect the interest in the Millyard” and specifically charged the Committee with the task of reviewing all proposals for major exterior property changes in the Millyard’s new MXU zoning district - including changes to exterior signage.
The Board of Mayor and Aldermen, at that time, also stated that:
“The preservation of structures and areas of historic and architectural value in the Millyard is hereby declared to be a public purpose. The purpose is not to prohibit demolition, new construction and alterations, but to insure that the unique character of Amoskeag Millyard is being preserved.”
It is in keeping with the spirit of this intent that the Millyard Design Committee has designed and issued these Millyard Signage Guidelines.
- Sign Package: When a second sign is proposed for a building, a “Sign Package” shall be provided to the Millyard Design Committee. This package will identify all anticipated signage on the property including the overall Sign Package design philosophy, the interrelationship of styles, as well as all shapes, sizes, illuminations and materials intended to be used in the signage displays. All Sign Package elements shall be developed in the spirit of the Millyard Signage Guidelines Preamble stated above.
- Sign Styles. Signs may reflect the historic nature of the Millyard, the industrial character of the area, or the design philosophy or logo of the business. Examples of each include: the original “Waumbec” sign as typified by gold lettering on black background with gold trim; the free-standing sign at 150 Dow Street reflecting an “Industrial Feeling”; and the Jillian’s neon sign as an example of a logo style.
- Illumination. Acceptable forms of lighting include:
- Backlit characters or logos that are opaque (e.g. the building identification numeral “3” at 200 Bedford Street);
- Custom neon signs (e.g. Jillian’s Restaurant – which wraps the “Jillian’s” lettering, as well as the corporate logo, around the perimeter of a circle);
- Externally lit signs provided the lighting does not produce or scatter glare to the adjacent property; and
- Individually lighted characters or logos with internally lit monochromatic faces (e.g. Pandora Sign).
- Number of Signs. Although the Zoning Ordinance does not specifically set a maximum number of signs attached to a building, excessive signs reduce the visual cohesiveness of the Millyard and reduce the effectiveness of individual signs. While each building is an individual case, five signs for each business should be adequate and fifteen signs for a multi-tenant building would border on excessive.
- Banners. Temporary “Festival” banners can add to the excitement of a mill building, however, banners for leasing or sale do not. Leasing and sale banners should be removed within six months of issue of permit.
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