Questions about signs that will mark Carrboro’s first hotel dominated the Carrboro Board of Alderman meeting Tuesday evening.
Carrboro’s sign ordinance prevents the Hampton Inn & Suites — currently being built at 300 E. Main St. — from constructing signs totaling more than 148 square feet, but the owners of the development requested 502 square feet of space to adequately mark parking.
“It does present some special considerations,” said Carrboro Mayor Mark Chilton.
The development would consist of three parking signs on the parking deck, including two with inn logos, one generic parking sign, one parking direction and logo sign on Lloyd Street and one direction sign on Boyd Street.
It would also include signs for tenant businesses totaling up to 288 square feet and one blade style sign with the Hampton Inn logo totaling 84 square feet.
Chilton said because the sign ordinance hadn’t been updated to include taller structures now allowed like the inn, the development might deserve an exception — following review of the blade sign by the Appearance Commission.
Woody Farmer, one of three owners of the hotel, said the signs were necessary so out-of-town visitors don’t get confused.
“We’ve tried to listen to everyone and do as well as we can,” he said. “We’re trying to make sure we have adequate identification.”
But Damon Seils, vice chair of the planning board, said he did not believe the blade sign was consistent with Carrboro’s signing theme.
“We were all adamantly opposed to the use of the blade sign,” he said.
The board voted unanimously to refer the matter to the appearance commission and town staff.
Earlier at the meeting, the Board of Aldermen also approved a zoning change for several parcels of land on Alabama Avenue.
The board unanimously voted to rezone 100, 101 and 105 Alabama Avenue and a small L-shaped tract located along the southeast corner of Alabama Avenue and Jones Ferry Road from neighborhood business to residential.
This means that most businesses would not be able to operate on the property, though day cares and elder care facilities would still be allowed.
Phyllis Bland, a resident whose house abuts the rezoned property, welcomed the change.
“Please understand that all we want to do is be able to maintain our neighborhood,” she said. “I would like to thank all the boards that listened to us and took under consideration Carrboro 2020.”
“I’m just happy to say thank you for giving our land back, giving us our neighborhood back,” Bland said.
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