The Historic and Design Review Commission considered a string of digital-signage and large-sign applications tied to a downtown pilot and took mixed actions: several were approved conceptually with staff stipulations, one was denied because it is visible from the Riverwalk, and others were sent back for more design refinement.

The cases considered included proposals for vertical and freestanding digital displays at West Market and South Flores, a two-panel LED proposal facing I-37, and multiple digital panels proposed for structures along Market and Commerce streets (agenda items grouped by staff for review). Staff recommended approvals for several locations with architectural stipulations but recommended relocation for a sign the staff determined to be visible from the Riverwalk.

Commissioners repeatedly asked for additional design detail, profile and mounting information, and for field verification of Riverwalk sightlines. Commissioner comments stressed consistency with the pilot standards and called for site visits to assess actual visibility from pedestrian viewpoints.

Notable outcomes recorded in the meeting transcript:
- Item (applicant Fermon) – a corner-mounted vertical sign at West Market/South Flores: motion for conceptual approval passed after commissioners asked for profile drawings and a site visit from the commission or staff to confirm visibility and installation details.
- Item (applicant Agtor/Adfrommedia) – a pair of signs at 400 Commerce (two locations) was split: staff recommended approval of the southwest location and recommended denying or relocating the northeast location because staff determined it was visible from the Riverwalk; the commission adopted that recommendation (the transcript records a motion to deny the northeast sign and approve the corner/southwest sign with architectural corrections).
- Multiple other proposals (421 West Market, 452 Soledad, and 305 Soledad variants) were reviewed; some were approved conceptually with staff stipulations (design integration, inset mounting, column framing) and others were referred back to the Design Review Committee for additional detailing.

Commissioners also discussed the pilot’s broader implications: whether a sequence of digital signs could gradually change the central-city appearance and where the design standards should require higher thresholds for artistic integration. “We are not trying to make this Times Square,” a commissioner said, urging caution. Staff and applicants agreed that the pilot is limited in number and will be reviewed for outcomes.

Votes “at a glance” (as recorded in the meeting transcript): See Actions below for each item’s recorded vote and the staff direction.

What this means: Several digital signage installations may proceed to permit submittals after follow-up materials are provided and staff confirms that the design meets the pilot standards and the commission’s stipulations; at least one location visible from the Riverwalk was denied or must be relocated.