Design Review Committee reviews BMO bank sign

On May 1, the Niwot Design Review Committee held a virtual meeting to discuss the proposed new sign to be placed in front of the former Bank of the West at 97 2nd Avenue in Niwot. BMO, a subsidiary of Bank of Montreal, recently completed the acquisition of Bank of the West, and proposed new BMO signage. Andrea Vaughn, the staff liaison from Boulder County for the committee, opened the hearing and Denise Grimm of Boulder County Long Range Planning also attended.

The proposed colors for a sign permit were not on the pre-approved list of colors in the Niwot Rural Community District I per Article 4-116A.E.8 of the Land Use Code. Hence, the Committee held a hearing to review the colors proposed for the new sign.

The proposed design of the sign had a red logo and a blue background, with the letters of BMO in white. Committee member Will Hentschel noted that the blue and white colors were the opposite of the official logo of BMO bank. Sign designer and bank representative, Carissa Shafer, responded that she thought a blue background on the sign might be better than white, as it would match with the blue awning in front of the bank.

Niwot Historical Society committee representative Kathy Koehler feared that any slight changes made to the official BMO logo would cause issues with BMO. "I don't think it's wise to change the corporate logo, because that might conflict with the headquarters at BMO," she said. Koehler said it's important to remember "why we're going through all this is it's at the corner of the historic district, and this is historic downtown, it's not flashy."

Schafer wondered why the committee would approve the blue color on the letters but not on the whole sign. Chairman Bruce Larson responded, saying, "We're trying to be nice."

Denise Grimm of Boulder County interjected, "The board has the discretion to approve colors that are not pre-approved, but if they decide that it's too obtrusive to have that much massing of blue, they could decide that a little bit of bright blue is okay. This much bright blue is too much."

Larson summarized the thoughts of the committee, saying, "We'd like to request the white with the blue sign and we'd like the awnings to match the [gray] trim." Committee member Satir DeMarco agreed that it was important to stick with the original corporate logo: white background, blue letters, saying, "I like that better."

The Committee then required a change of color of the awning to match the dark gray trim of the building. Hentschel made the motion to approve, and Koehler supplied the second. The committee unanimously approved the motion.

Carissa Shafer of Greenline Signs, the BMO representative at the hearing, agreed to go back to the bank with the request, saying, "I think it's a great compromise." If the bank accepts the committee's approval, no further hearing would be required.

The Niwot Design Review Committee consists of Chairman Bruce Larsen - Niwot resident; Satir DeMarco - Niwot Business Association Representative; Kathy Koehler - Niwot Historical Society Representative; Will Hentschel - Niwot Community Association Representative; Jason Emery- Historic Preservation Advisory Board Representative.