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HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report - N/APage 1 of 5 MEMORANDUM ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DEPARTMENT of PUBLIC SERVICES TO: The Historic Landmark Commission FROM: Julie Crookston, Deputy Director Public Services – Julie.crookston@slc.gov Jorge Chamorro, Department Director Public Services – Jorge.chamorro@slc.gov DATE: January 8, 2026 RE: Briefing: Historic District Street Signs ACTION REQUESTED: The Historic Landmark Commission be briefed on the historic district street sign program and provide input on street sign mock-ups. BACKGROUND: On June 10, 2025, the City Council enacted a legislative intent to explore available options for a historic street sign program. The Council’s legislative intent states the following desire to have a “discussion with the Administration about establishing a standard process and broadening the City’s ability to respond to requests for neighborhood-marking signs, including requests for historic district street signs.” Thus, we believe the Council will have great interest in this proposal and the Historic Landmark Commission’s feedback. In response to the Council’s legislative intent, Public Services is leading out on a city-wide historic district street sign program that aims to replace existing standard street signs with unique street signs for local historic districts city-wide. Public Services has closely coordinated with the Planning Division to determine what, if any policies already exist, and what else needs to be put in place to develop a formal process towards a sign program. Throughout the past few years there have been multiple requests from residents for street signage connected to historic districts. These requests have been varied in their scope and staff have been unsure on how best to respond to varying requests due to a lack of a formal process surrounding street signage for historic districts. Thus, Public Services is working on developing a historic district street sign program to provide a standardized option for the entire city, ensuring the goals are met and right of way clutter is minimized. Page 2 of 5 PROPOSAL: The proposal responds to the Council’s request, establishes a standard for historic district signage, follows adopted general plan policies and supports the city’s preservation program by providing district information and acknowledgement of the cultural importance of these areas. Standard street signs have a green background with white text and the words “Salt Lake City” in the corner. The proposal is for street signs in local historic districts to have a brown background and list the name of the district. Three different mockups have been attached to this memo, (Attachment A). During the briefing we request that the Historic Landmark Commission provide feedback on which sign they recommend as the standard for the city moving forward. Once a historic street sign template has been selected, it will become the standard for all local historic district street signs in the City. The Historic Landmark Commission’s feedback, deployment cost, and installation timelines will be transmitted to decision makers for their review and final decision. The signs will subsequently be installed and regularly maintained by Public Services’ Streets Division. PROPOSAL BENEFITS: We believe that this program will have many benefits for both residents and visitors. These signs will provide a sense of place, highlight cultural assets, and enhance the local identity of the historic district and these important neighborhoods. The presence of historic street signs will create a simple, visual indicator of the boundaries of historic districts, while providing property owners with confirmation that they live in a designated historic district limiting claims of unawareness during enforcement proceedings. This supports the city’s historic preservation program as it is general knowledge that the public is often unaware of where historic districts begin and end. Signs will be constructed using current standard street sign materials. This Diamond Grade material prevents fading in the sun and is highly durable. Utilizing this material will also ensure consistency of maintenance, as the sign shop in the Streets Division has the capability to replace any damaged signs. GENERAL PLAN COMPLIANCE: The creation of a historic district street sign program responds to multiple principles laid out in Plan Salt Lake, the City’s adopted vision plan, as well as goals found in The Community Preservation Plan, the City’s adopted historic preservation plan. The specific general plan principles and goals applicable to this proposal are outlined in Attachment B of this memorandum. Page 3 of 5 ATTACHMENT A Street Sign Mockups Standard Street Sign: Existing Historic District Street Sign Options: A, B, and C. Physical version will also be presented during the briefing A B C Page 4 of 5 ATTACHMENT B Applicable principles from Plan Salt Lake, the City’s Vision Plan: Principle 8--A Beautiful City 5. Support and encourage architecture, development, and infrastructure that: • Is people-focused; • Responds to its surrounding context and enhances the public realm; • Reflects our diverse cultural, ethnic, and religious heritage; and • Is sustainable, using high quality materials and building standards. 7. Reinforce and preserve neighborhood and district character and a strong sense of place. Integrate preservation into City regulation, policy, and decision making. Principle 9—Preservation 1. Preserve and enhance neighborhood and district character 2. Encourage the incorporation of historic elements into buildings, landscapes, public spaces, streetscapes, neighborhoods, and districts where appropriate. 6. Improve education and outreach about the value of historic preservation. Applicable principles from the Community Preservation Plan: Chapter 2. Foster a Unified City Commitment to Preservation 2.2a.1 Work with City Departments to provide education and ensure city funded projects meet policies of the Community Preservation Plan 2.2.d.1 Coordinate regularly with other City departments to ensure implementation of the Community Preservation Plan Chapter 4: Administer a Convenient and Consistent Historic Preservation Program 4.2.c.1 Create various informational tools relating to historic Chapter 5: Improve Education and Outreach Policy 5.1a: Increase public awareness of the historic preservation program and its benefits. Action 1: Ensure owners of properties within historic districts and Landmark Sites are notified of the designation. Page 5 of 5 5.1.d.5 Improve or increase the presence of signage denoting local historic districts and Landmark Sties throughout the City Chapter 6: Support a Sustainable City Policy 6.4a: Support historic tourism in Salt Lake City. 6.5.f.2 Coordinate with other divisions and agencies on programs that support affordable housing and historic preservation.