After over a half century, Nevada City is going to allow signage on historically significant buildings in the downtown historic district. City Council electing to change an ordinance that drastically limited the size and appearance of a sign to avoid disturbing the historic look and feel of downtown. The ordinance recently came into question following the denial of a sign variance request by the National Hotel following a multi-million dollar renovation.
The approved change only allows businesses operating as the same entity for over 100 years be allowed to display a tasteful sign… and that is literally only be the National Hotel, the Masonic Building and a handful of churches.
There was additional discussion around allowing pre World War II building to also create signage that emulated a prior business. The Historical Society was against that additional change.

Council agreeing on the need for more information about how many buildings that could include before making an additional change.

It was decided that one change is enough and additional modification can occur once more data about the number of current buildings existed pre World War II.