ThisWeek CW 12/05/2012

http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/canalwinchester/news/2012/12/04/untitled-story.html

All properties in Canal Winchester’s historic and preservation districts will find notices hanging on their doorknobs by the end of the year, telling them which district the properties are in, according to city officials.

The Landmarks Commission worked with Planning and Zoning Administrator Andrew Dutton to design and distribute the notices, which will also direct owners to the appropriate guidelines they need to follow when making changes to the properties.

“We’ve distributed almost all of these over the past few weeks,” Dutton said. “They aim to make property owners, residents and business owners aware that they are in one of the Old Town districts. The door hanger also indicates that the Old Town guidelines apply to the property and exterior changes require approval of the Landmarks Commission,” he said.

The Old Town guidelines are available at the municipal building or on the city website at canalwinchesterohio. gov.

Those guidelines have been under review for the past year by the Landmarks Commission; during its Nov. 26 meeting, members voted unanimously to forward their changes to the Old Town Committee for review and possible amendments. From there, Canal Winchester City Council will have to vote to adopt them.

Commission Chair Patrick Lynch thanked the members for their efforts to update the regulations.

“This document makes it much clearer for what the requirements are for the districts and that’s really good for the applicants,” Lynch said. “I’d say the biggest change we’re making is for business signage.”

The new guidelines allow signs that use up to five colors instead of just three; larger lettering; and more square footage.

“More square footage for freestanding signs will help a lot of businesses,” Lynch said.

“Overall, I think this document will go a long way to preserving what we have here.”