BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Birmingham's

Design Review Committee

didn't waffle this morning in its approval of sign and building modifications for a planned

restaurant in Five Points South.

But the panel did warn the company that it would be watching to make sure nothing other than what was approved is added to the historic neighborhood.

Waffle House won approval for the chain's traditional yellow-letter sign for space it is leasing at 1928 11th Ave. South in the Studio Arts Building -- the space formerly occupied by the

Johnny Rockets

hamburger joint.

Walter Barineau

, the Waffle House representative who sought the approval at this morning's meeting, said the restaurant could be open by year's end, but more likely will not open until early 2012.

The committee approved the Waffle House sign with the reminder that no other window signs or displays are permitted in Five Points South without prior approval.

"This is a place where we're going to be paying attention," warned committee member

Cheryl Morgan

.

Barineau acknowledged he knows how seriously the committee treats the approval process.

"I was here for the inflatable cow meeting," he said, referring to a meeting last month when Chick-fil-A requested and

to mark the grand opening of its new Five Points South restaurant.

Barineau was at that meeting where he sought and won approval for signage at another Waffle House location a few blocks away at 1801 Fourth Ave. South, Suite 105, near UAB.

The two restaurants replace one near the intersection of University Boulevard and Interstate 65 that Waffle House closed to make way for UAB's expansion plans.