REGULAR MEETING OF THE HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION OPERATIONS COMMITTEE Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 11 a.m. Permitting and Development Center, Room 1203 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the committee may be participating by videoconference. Public comment will be allowed in person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, contact Cara Bertron at (512) 974-1446 or cara.bertron@austintexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS Judah Rice, Chair Jeffrey Acton AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order or, for remote participation, no later than noon the day before the meeting, will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Operations Committee regular meeting on April 30, 2026. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Potential projects to inform Operations Committee workplan. PUBLIC HEARINGS/DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. Discussion and possible action on Historic Sign Standards. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance, please contact the Liaison or TTY users’ route through 711. A person may request language access accommodations no later than 48 hours before the scheduled meeting. Please call or email Cara Bertron at Austin Planning at (512) 974-1446 or cara.bertron@austintexas.gov to request service or for additional information. For more information on the Operations Committee, please contact Cara Bertron at (512) 974-1446 or cara.bertron@austintexas.gov.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION OPERATIONS COMMITTEE Thursday, April 30, 2026, at 11 a.m. Permitting and Development Center, Room 1203 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the committee may be participating by videoconference. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS _X_ Judah Rice, Chair _X_ Jeffrey Acton _X_ Trey McWhorter DRAFT MEETING MINUTES CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL No public communication. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Operations Committee regular meeting on March 18, 2026. MOTION: Approve the minutes from March 18, 2026 on a motion by Commissioner Acton, Commissioner Rice seconding. Vote: 2-0. Commissioner McWhorter off the dais. Commissioner McWhorter left the meeting. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Operations Committee workplan. • No updates on this item. PUBLIC HEARINGS/DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. Discussion and possible action on eligible expenses for the historic district tax abatement. • Commissioners added hazardous materials abatement and permanent air quality improvement measure to the list of eligible work, in addition to work to improve accessibility. • MOTION: Recommend the modified list of eligible expenses for the historic district tax abatement to the full Commission for adoption on a motion by Commissioner Acton, Commissioner Rice seconding. Vote: 2-0. 4. Discussion and possible action on Historic Sign Standards. • Commissioners discussed focusing standards on the pedestrian-scale streetscape. • Commissioners discussed the need to better understand internal sign review processes and fees. • Commissioners discussed adding sign review to the Historic Review application and clarifying on the Development Services sign application that sign removal requires historic review. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT: 12:18 p.m. The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance, please contact the Liaison or TTY users’ route through 711. A person may request language access accommodations no later than 48 hours before the scheduled meeting. Please call or email Cara Bertron at Austin Planning at (512) 974-1446 or cara.bertron@austintexas.gov to request service or for additional information. For more information on the Operations Committee, please contact Cara Bertron at (512) 974-1446 or cara.bertron@austintexas.gov.
GUIDELINES FOR SIGNS IN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICTS OR AT A CITY HISTORIC LANDMARKHISTORIC SIGN STANDARDS These standards apply to City of Austin historic landmarks, local historic districts, and National Register districts. The Historic Landmark Commission and City Historic Preservation Office consider the following guidelines these standards in reviewing new sign applications for signage and changes to existing signage, per City of Austin Land Development Code § 25- 10-81. Purpose These standards explain requirements for new signage and preservation and maintenance of existing signage. They apply to all types of exterior signage. All signs must comply with applicable standards in the Land Development Code. Historic Preservation Office staff may refer any sign application to the Historic Landmark Commission. What Is a Sign? The Land Development Code § 25-10-4 (18) defines a sign as “a display surface, structure, light device, banner, plaque, poster, billboard, pennant, figure, painting, drawing, flag, or other thing, whether mounted on land, air, or water, that is designed, intended, or used to display or draw attention to a communicative visual or graphic image, whether or not the image includes lettering, and that is visible from any portion of the public right-of-way open to vehicular or pedestrian traffic. A sign includes both on- and off-premise signs, including billboards, and any moving part, lighting, sound equipment, framework, background material, structural support, or other part thereof.” STANDARDS FOR NEW SIGNS Number of Signs: The Commission Each building is allowspermitted one sign per building, unless the building has multiple tenants;. iIn thise case of ultiple tenants, the Commission may allow one sign per façade module is permitted, provided thatif the façade modules correspond to tenant spaces. The Commission may also allow oOne sign for each street frontage is permitted if the building is at an intersectionlocated at a street corner or faces multiple street frontages. A single directory sign is appropriate for a larger buildings with multiple tenantsthe size of the directory sign not exceeding these requirements. Sign Types: The Commission may allow window signs, awning signs, projecting signs, and flush mounted signs for most commercial buildings. Freestanding signs are allowed for office and retail uses in historic residential buildings. City codes prohibit the Commission from approving the following sign types: (1) rotating, (2) off-premise, (3) roof signs, (4) portable, or (5) signs which flash or blink at intervals. City code also prohibits handbills, posters, or placards on a structure except …
