Columbia Borough HARB Reviews Signage Proposal for New Hampton Hotel at February 11 Meeting
The Columbia Borough Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB) convened its monthly meeting on February 11, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. Chairperson Lutz called the session to order, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and a roll call that confirmed a quorum.
Approval of January Minutes
Board members confirmed they had reviewed the minutes from the January 14 meeting. With no corrections requested, the minutes were unanimously approved.
New Business: Signage Review for 12 North Second Street
The primary item on the agenda concerned a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) application for signage at 12 North Second Street—the site of the former Chip Factory, now undergoing redevelopment into a Hampton-branded hotel.
Representatives Ken Ballinger of the Ballinger Group and Don Murphy were present to explain the sign package submitted by Hilton’s approved vendor. Murphy noted some uncertainty as to whether this appearance before HARB was necessary, given that the project’s master plan had previously been reviewed, but the sign vendor required formal permitting to meet Hilton’s corporate compliance standards.
Signage Details and Board Discussion
Board members reviewed the materials, which depicted several proposed signs consistent with Hilton’s national design standards. Clarifications included:
- Lighting: All signage will use LED lighting. No neon, digital displays, or high‑intensity illumination will be used. Members confirmed the lighting would not flood Second Street.
- Blade Sign Placement: A discrepancy was noted in the documentation regarding the blade sign location. Murphy explained that Hilton required the sign to be moved from the building’s central elevation to the higher section toward Locust Street—a placement intended to ensure visibility for drivers approaching downhill.
- Restaurant Signage: The hotel will include a restaurant, for which additional signage reading simply “Restaurant” will appear at the front of the building.
The quantity of signs remains unchanged from earlier conceptual plans; only specific locations were updated per Hilton’s direction.
Board members described the overall proposal as straightforward and in line with the limited signage guidance available within the borough’s HARB regulations.
Motion and Approval
With no further questions, the board voted unanimously to approve the COA. The applicants were reminded that the next step is Borough Council review, anticipated for February 24 at 7 p.m. At least one representative was encouraged to attend to address potential questions.
Administrative Approvals
Borough staff also provided an update on projects administratively approved since the prior meeting:
- 446 Cherry Street: Replacement of the rear roof using matching shingles.
- 162 South Fifth Street: Interior renovations, including a new powder room, kitchen updates, and window work, none affecting the historical exterior.
- 114 Walnut Street: Removal and replacement of a rear sunroom.
- 349 Cherry Street: Kitchen renovation following a fire.
- 13 North Front Street: Installation of a kitchen ventilation hood for a new commercial setup.
Public Comment and Adjournment
No members of the public were present for comment. With no additional business, the board scheduled its next meeting for March 11, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. (corrected from an initial typographical error listing March 10). A motion to adjourn passed unanimously.
