HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 4229, Baxter Hotel Historical Significance sign Designation.pdf Commission Memorandum
REPORT TO: Honorable Mayor and City Commission
FROM: Allyson C. Bristor, Associate Planner
Chris Saunders, Interim Planning Director
Chris Kukulski, City Manager
SUBJECT: Baxter Hotel Historical Significance Sign Designation Findings and Resolution
#4229 Adoption
MEETING DATE: February 1, 2010
AGENDA ITEM TYPE: Consent Item
RECOMMENDATION: Approve findings and resolution for the historical significance designations of
the Baxter Hotel “Hotel Baxter” roof sign and the freestanding pole style sign.
BACKGROUND: At their public hearing on March 3, 2008, the City Commission approved the
historical significance sign designations of the Baxter Hotel “Hotel Baxter” roof sign and the freestanding
pole style sign by finding the signs have historical significance to the City of Bozeman, but do not
conform to the sign provisions of the B.M.C. In their motion, the Commission also directed City Staff to
create findings and a resolution for future adoption by the City Commission. The findings and resolution
of adoption are presented here for consideration.
FISCAL EFFECTS: None identified.
ALTERNATIVES: As suggested by the City Commission.
Attachments: Resolution #4229
Report compiled on: January 27, 2010
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COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 4229
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BOZEMAN, MONTANA,
DESIGNATING THE BAXTER HOTEL’S, LOCATED AT 105 WEST MAIN STREET,
BOZEMAN, MONTANA, “HOTEL BAXTER” ROOF SIGN AND THE FREESTANDING POLE
SIGN AS HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT FOR THE COMMUNITY OF BOZEMAN, AS
ALLOWED BY TITLE 18, CHAPTER 52, SECTION 160, BOZEMAN MUNICIPAL CODE
(BMC).
WHEREAS, the City of Bozeman wishes to recognize signs that have historical or cultural
significance to the City but do not conform to the City sign provisions, as provided for in Section 18-52-
160, BMC.; and
WHEREAS, once a sign is designated to have historical or cultural significance, it shall be
recognized by resolution of the Bozeman City Commission; and
WHEREAS, at their public hearing on March 3, 2008, the Bozeman City Commission
considered the Baxter Hotel’s “Hotel Baxter” roof sign, including the blue light, and the freestanding pole
sign as having historical significance to the City of Bozeman; and
WHEREAS, the “Hotel Baxter” roof sign and the freestanding pole sign do not meet the current
sign provisions of the BMC; and
WHEREAS, Planning Staff presented the criteria for historic and cultural sign designation; and
WHEREAS, the “Hotel Baxter” roof sign is unique because it is the sole example of neon
signage from the late 1920s in the City of Bozeman, and the freestanding pole sign is unique because it is
one of the few pole style signs of the 1940s remaining in the City of Bozeman and is the only free-
standing pole sign in the Main Street Historic District; and
WHEREAS, the “Hotel Baxter” roof sign was not massed produced or design but designed and
produced specifically for the purpose of the building’s hotel use; and
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WHEREAS, the “Hotel Baxter” roof sign is found as an integral component and a character-
defining feature to the historic Baxter Hotel building and specifically typifies Art Deco architecture, and
the freestanding pole sign location is integrally linked with the historic Baxter Hotel building design; a
WHEREAS, the “Hotel Baxter” roof sign exhibits a unique character that can easily be described
as one of the most significant visual icons in the Main Street Historic District and contributes to the entire
community, and the blue light on the sign’s structural supports also contributes to the community, and the
freestanding pole sign’s Victorian style contributes to the Italian Renaissance architecture of the building;
and
WHEREAS, Planning Staff answered questions for the Bozeman City Commission after which
the public was invited to give testimony; and
WHEREAS, no members of the public provided written and oral comments; and
WHEREAS, the Bozeman City Commission having received all public comment, closed the
public hearing; and
WHEREAS, the Bozeman City Commission found the Baxter Hotel’s “Hotel Baxter” roof sign,
including the blue light, and the freestanding pole sign as historically significant to the City of Bozeman,
and shall lawfully not conform to the sign provisions; and
WHEREAS, a motion was made to recommend approval of the Baxter Hotel’s “Hotel Baxter”
roof sign, including the blue light, and the freestanding pole sign historical sign designations and direct
Planning Staff to come back with a formal resolution; and
WHEREAS, the Bozeman City Commission on a vote of 5 to 0, hereby finds the Baxter Hotel’s
“Hotel Baxter” roof sign, including the blue light, and the freestanding pole sign as having historical
significance to the City of Bozeman, and do not conform to the provisions of the Bozeman Municipal
Code, and being fully informed and having considered all relevant matter and review criteria.
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Commission of the City of Bozeman,
Montana, that:
Section 1
That pursuant to Title 18, Chapter 52, Section 160 of the Bozeman Municipal Code the Baxter
Hotel’s “Hotel Baxter” roof sign, including the blue light, and the freestanding pole sign as having
historical significance to the City of Bozeman, and that they may lawfully not conform to the provisions
of the Bozeman Municipal Code. Demolition of the signs shall terminate their lawful noncompliance.
Section 2
Severability.
If any provision of this resolution or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is held
invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the other provisions of the City of Bozeman’s sign or land use
regulations which may be given effect without the invalid provision or application and, to this end, the
provisions of this resolution are declared to be severable.
Section 3
Effective Date.
These historical sign designations shall be in full force and effect upon passage.
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PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Commission of the City of Bozeman, Montana at a regular
session thereof held on the 1st day of February, 2010.
JEFFREY K. KRAUSS
Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________________
STACY ULMEN, CMC
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_______________________________________
GREG SULLIVAN
Bozeman City Attorney
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