HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 5397 Declaring the Royal 7 Motel Freestanding Sign as Historically and Culturally SignificantVersion April 2020
RESOLUTION 5397
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BOZEMAN,
MONTANA, DECLARING THE ROYAL 7 MOTEL FREESTANDING SIGN AT 310
NORTH 7TH AVENUE, BOZEMAN, MT AS HISTORICALLY AND CULTURALLY
SIGNIFICANT
WHEREAS, Section 38.560.170 of the Bozeman Municipal Code establishes a process
for designation of historic or culturally significant signs based upon adopted findings by the City
Commission; and
WHEREAS, a sign designated to have a historical or cultural significance must be
recognized by resolution of the Bozeman City Commission; and
WHEREAS, the property owner requested the freestanding sign be designated as
historically and culturally significant to the City of Bozeman with their comprehensive sign plan
application no. 21409; and
WHEREAS, the property at 310 North 7th Avenue is within the Neighborhood
Conservation Overlay District. The Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District was enacted to
“stimulate the restoration and rehabilitation of structures, and all other elements contributing to
the character and fabric of established residential neighborhoods and commercial or industrial
areas;” and
WHEREAS, the sign was constructed in approximately 1955 under the business name
Travelier Motel with the same sign base, structure, letter board, internal electric components, and
same neon “Motel” letters, and arrow feature. The sign was installed prior to the implementation
of the modern sign code; and
WHEREAS, the sign was constructed to emulate the mid-twentieth century “great” signs
made popular by Holiday Inn and other chain motels emerging in the 1950’s and 1960’s; and
WHEREAS, surviving elements of the sign have not changed since its original
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construction. The original neon lighting for the arrow and star elements of the sign contains a
blinking or flashing element that was used historically based on the presence of original internal
flasher components installed for that purpose within the sign; and
WHEREAS, the sign exhibits a unique mid-20th century character that is currently not well
preserved in Bozeman including the late 1950’s represented by the use of neon, and the neon star
that tops the sign typical of sign design during that era.
WHEREAS, the sign provides an opportunity for the community to preserve a window
into the post-war evolution of the north 7th commercial corridor, a unique period of growth in
Bozeman’s history; and
WHEREAS, the size of the existing freestanding sign exceeds the maximum square
footage and height permitted for freestanding signs in the B-2M zoning district. However, the sign
size does not exceed the maximum commercial sign area currently allowed for the property; and
WHEREAS, the property owner has proposed restoration and reuse of the sign to reflect
the new business name, repair broken neon tubes, restore the original star at the top of the sign,
and install new neon where it was removed.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Commission of the City of
Bozeman, Montana, that the Royal 7 Motel freestanding sign satisfies the criteria set forth in the
Bozeman Municipal Code Section 38.560.170 “Historic or Culturally Significant Signs” and shall
be declared as such to wit:
PASSED, ADOPTED, AND APPROVED by the City Commission of the City of
Bozeman, Montana, at a regular session thereof held on the 19th day of April, 2022.
___________________________________
CYNTHIA L. ANDRUS
Mayor
ATTEST:
___________________________________
MIKE MAAS
City Clerk
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APPROVED AS TO FORM:
___________________________________
GREG SULLIVAN
City Attorney
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