[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6102735,"mediaKeyId","2803520-3d0579dac2cb0caf95b66bd23e2d1ef8","parentId",2803520,"title","Planning commission recommends conditional approval for Chick‑fil‑A sign variance; staff had urged denial","audioSeconds",593,"startMs",902000,"endMs",1495000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2803520-3d0579dac2cb0caf95b66bd23e2d1ef8&start=902&end=1495","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2803520-3d0579dac2cb0caf95b66bd23e2d1ef8/thumbnail_902000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6102735/Georgia/Planning-commission-recommends-conditional-approval-for-ChickfilA-sign-variance-staff-had-urged-denial","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6102735-a268f9509067c8694e49a4bdef509bb8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448324&Signature=QneVDZvi0V~m4HEr4CpKUeSTMWQ522dWoOh6JO5DTWOuAKAEZ2heqhnszwY-ErIInp0j6xJiSE~zBqK1eUsAeY5XSlh3H-sQYC0Vyd~F8kRmomHCH8OPwbn5YJ1y4rS5x80Oj1DGoNOxUGdU~aWU-OcQ4oZArHXrQ-cddyfpdzlcxh48TEnzphhgD9uGWynjSA5Zr2eu6-neaXot9OFQYYgGdcjg-kX-UCGlHRAtr8vNeBtuBh887~arkY0RrHA1RUAWhB5FTsaeUbsu1FnZO9l2Y66dVoBST6TJOPDVvEvtOvbljXh-Qms~luM3F6TCVCsstBtECQVBjFSRfG~atA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-03-28T03:40:24.44Z","article","The Jasper City Planning Commission recommended City Council approval of a variance allowing the proposed Chick‑fil‑A at Gateway Crossing to place wall signage on four facades instead of the two permitted by the sign code, on the condition the total wall sign area not exceed 200 square feet.

Ben Holiday, the applicant's representative, presented the chain's sign plan and argued limited visibility and site elevation justify signage on all four sides. \"What we're looking for today is under the ordinance, you're allowed to have 2 wall signs on on 2 or 3 walls. And what we're seeking, of course, is 1 wall sign on all 4 or 4 walls of the building,\" Holiday said. He and his materials cited the site's elevation (approximately 1,471 feet) above adjacent roadways and the distance from Highway 515 as reasons more facades need signage for motorists to see the restaurant.

Planning staff recommended denial of the variance because the application did not meet the hardship criteria in section 95‑71 of the city's sign ordinance. Staff told the commission that the neighboring lots are not yet developed (so proximity to existing signs is not a present hardship), that the applicant could reduce the number of facades to comply with the code, and that the request would allow a greater number of signs than permitted by code.

Deputy City Manager Kim Goldner explained the legal framework for the hearing and the variance process. \"The city has its sign ordinances, which have been passed, but they also allow for a variance process,\" Goldner said. She told the commission that the variance process exists precisely because corporate design standards can conflict with municipal codes and that the commission may recommend approval or denial to the council.

Commission debate cited precedent: the commission noted the City Council had previously approved expanded signage for a nearby LongHorn Steakhouse. Several commissioners said that precedent and fairness to tenants in the same shopping center supported recommending approval. The commission also discussed the presence of a separate monument sign at the hard corner and staff's clarification that monument signage is permitted separately and is not counted toward the 200 square foot wall sign limit.

The parcel is roughly 1.8 acres in the Gateway Crossing Shopping Center at the northeast corner of Highway 515 and Camp Road, with about 225 feet of frontage on Camp Road and a narrow frontage on Highway 515. Staff noted site plan and building permits have been approved and construction is anticipated soon; the proposed wall signage plan keeps each façade's signs within the city's 200 square foot aggregate limit.

The commission moved, by recorded voice vote, to recommend approval of the variance with the explicit condition that the total building wall signage not exceed 200 square feet; commissioners voted in favor. The recommendation will be forwarded to City Council for final action; staff included in the record its analysis that the application failed the hardship tests in section 95‑71.

The commission asked staff to include context about the LongHorn precedent in the action transmittal so the council can see how prior decisions informed the recommendation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Jasper Planning Commission | March 25, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Jasper City Planning Commission recommended approval of a sign variance allowing wall signage on four facades for a proposed Chick‑fil‑A, conditioned on the total wall area not exceeding 200 square feet.","taxTitle","Jasper City Planning Commission, Jasper, Pickens County, Georgia","taxId",69259,"location","Georgia","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6102740,"Planning commission recommends annexation and rezoning for 1.46‑acre parcel near Highway 515 and Highway 108",406,110000,516000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2803520-3d0579dac2cb0caf95b66bd23e2d1ef8&start=110&end=516","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2803520-3d0579dac2cb0caf95b66bd23e2d1ef8/thumbnail_110000.jpg","/articles/6102740/Georgia/Planning-commission-recommends-annexation-and-rezoning-for-146acre-parcel-near-Highway-515-and-Highway-108","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6102740-5299e25c0d31b8d03588ed2b5cde64ea/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448324&Signature=k9KcuM1QN1V0eS2Db~fH0-Au7SfhJGwPrkbvX0S2NFx5HOp~Vf04usy3lLjF8LUoMe5f5x-44G5WvoSGNvDYwUTxYjJztXJTqf2yC-22dhxurb80HocTQNIMZyVQwUKxNSLMDU0GUn6wHVO5qQDD1T9MdngZuKEQmUh4QXfuiMztMZm3LJq~oCKMVq2OQOWm8SaR~1gVx7f4ZRDSbaZEHMX9tXNwXsRVguGP4p2Aw2FSr0BT2f8EU77teE30BUpG4KCJQGxapGdZKuFsumRqGiATB1ve9EXcgv4SvYmptElqHOWpmLhD2jWXOpJ2zJ9bUOoki4niILsiOONK7xd2Jw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Jasper City Planning Commission recommended that the City Council approve the annexation of approximately 1.46 acres and rezone the site to the city's C-2 general commercial district to allow redevelopment as a gas station, convenience store and truck stop.

City planning staff told the commission the subject property lies just southeast of the intersection of Highway 515 and Highway 108 and includes the southern third of a larger site that formerly contained Dunn's restaurant, gas station and truck stop. \"Clifford Petroleum is now proposing to redevelop the property to the north as well as the subject property with a new gas station convenience store and truck stop,\" planning staff said.

The change is intended to combine the annexation area with an existing incorporated parcel to create a single development parcel. \"Annexation area will be required to be legally combined with the remaining portion of the development prior to receiving site plan approval,\" staff said. Staff recommended approval of both the annexation and the rezoning subject to conditions that include completing the legal lot combination and an acknowledgement that approval does not itself guarantee future water or sewer capacity.

Applicant representative Danny Dangler told the commission he represents Jones Oil and Cutler Petroleum. \"I would actually, I guess, represent 2 people, Jones Oil and Cutler Petroleum,\" Dangler said, adding the firms intend to use the annexed area mainly for truck parking and one diesel pump and to regrade and landscape the site.

Staff said the site is served by existing city water and sewer lines that previously served the demolished Dunn's site, and that it is consistent with the Pickens County Joint Comprehensive Plan's designation for the Jasper arterial corridor, which promotes freight movement along Highway 515. \"Staff does not believe that there'll be any meaningful burden on public services or infrastructure with this development,\" the planning presentation said. Staff also noted the applicant has been in discussions with the Georgia Department of Transportation about intersection mitigation, including adding a southbound left‑turn lane on Highway 515.

Commissioners discussed the required lot combination and the condition that the annexation not be read as a commitment of utility capacity. The Pickens County Board of Commissioners had previously placed the item on their March 17 agenda and \"stated for the record that they did not intend to object,\" staff said.

The commission voted to recommend approval of the annexation and, separately, the rezoning to C-2 with the conditions noted. The recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council, which has the final decision on annexation and zoning.

Next steps: if the council approves the annexation ordinance, the applicant must legally combine the annexed portion with the incorporated parcel before site plan approval can be finalized.","The Jasper City Planning Commission recommended that the City Council approve annexation and rezoning of roughly 1.46 acres near the Highway 515/108 intersection to permit a new convenience store, diesel canopy and truck parking.","actionData","errors"]

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Planning commission recommends conditional approval for Chick‑fil‑A sign variance; staff had urged denial

Planning commission recommends annexation and rezoning for 1.46‑acre parcel near Highway 515 and Highway 108