The Prescott Preservation Commission voted unanimously to approve a new sign and exterior improvements for Doc's Barbecue and Whiskey at 202 South Montezuma Street during its Nov. 14 public hearing.

Tammy DeWitt, community planner, told the commission the proposed wall sign for HP25-007 is approximately 20.53 square feet with white letters and amber halo illumination and was reviewed against the Courthouse Plaza Historic District guidelines and the land development code (which allows up to 96 square feet on a building). "This was reviewed against that criteria and was found to be in compliance," DeWitt said.

The commission also approved HP25-008, a package of exterior changes that includes an 8x16 VersaLock block retaining wall to level the patio, 12x16 ADA-compliant pavers across the north and east patio areas, a new vertical metal-and-wood safety fence, relocation of a smoker to the west corner of the property, a new bar area and black standing-seam metal patio covers designed to match the building's black brick. The planner said the materials and colors are compatible with the Prescott Preservation Master Plan.

Applicant Cal Palguda described the outdoor layout, confirmed there will be sidewalk access into the patio similar to the prior Colt Grill configuration, and said the new smoker "is electric, but it does run on wood as well" and "burns a very clean smoke where you'll smell barbecue, but you won't have that dirty haze that lingers throughout the plaza." He told commissioners the covers would extend about 20 feet from the building, with roughly 24 feet to the sidewalk, and a lowest eave height of about 6'8" to 6'10".

Commissioners asked technical questions about the sign and covers (the installer said letters are about 2 inches deep with a roughly ½-inch standoff and that the lighting will be LED, not fluorescent). Tammy DeWitt said building-code snow-load requirements and the district design guidance supported the applicants' choice of metal standing-seam covers rather than fabric awnings.

The applicants asked to remove deteriorating concrete planters that border the plaza. DeWitt said parts of the planters are city property and would require a right-of-way permit for removal; the applicants requested commission permission so they would not need to return for a separate hearing if the city permits were granted. Commissioner Diane Travis asked whether planter removal could be included in the motion to avoid a return visit; Commissioner Michael King moved to approve the project with that condition. The motion passed 6-0.

The applicants said they hope to open in early December and invited commissioners to visit the site once operations begin.

Votes at a glance: HP25-007 (signage) — approved unanimously; HP25-008 (exterior improvements, including planter removal condition) — approved unanimously. No amendments were adopted.