[{"_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":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6566463,"mediaKeyId","3204938-f0199c950e3733c72ec919478f12cb5b","parentId",3204938,"title","BZA OKs halo-illumination variance for Beacon Bluff at 200 Georgia Avenue","audioSeconds",3170,"startMs",1010000,"endMs",4180000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3204938-f0199c950e3733c72ec919478f12cb5b&start=1010&end=4180","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3204938-f0199c950e3733c72ec919478f12cb5b/thumbnail_1010000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6566463/North-Augusta/Aiken-County/South-Carolina/BZA-OKs-halo-illumination-variance-for-Beacon-Bluff-at-200-Georgia-Avenue","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6566463-150abfb7f43c384afeeb14c77ba3a994/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157611&Signature=K9y7DtpYMyp4UjuTbqkpoucop1ChwEEK2BomvKAQ-ALdabxtH4CmC7ANqZh8lX2gRk7zZ~QeIpvL07-Z3PUhY~eYY7oEcbnOdyO-pXqyaE90HlcxQEH1cvdGuvGtwNoE-w1dom7b0ICERvac5TrQuUdn8yIgbNB3p0jd7S486rLjnfzedWeiGxVtQk~76IclcD~4W6gKTZ~LBlsa4VWaECik7sCpEzZbBjBCzkAm~R2tj03oPk2Et14DDnSZENhY2-XwRfjV2jF1mtpr~48wtORXIPccVeCWjqlTu0R2zBi8PJhekxsmPyfybIO3g9cTwX-bF9nZtCtke7Q9BVOgzw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of North Augusta Public Information, SC","date","2025-05-07T11:41:10Z","article","The North Augusta Board of Zoning Appeals on May 6 approved a variance (ZV25-004) that allows halo-illuminated wall signage on a new mixed-use building at 200 Georgia Avenue. The board found in the affirmative on the 10 criteria required for a variance and voted unanimously to grant the request with one condition that any illuminated exterior wall signage use halo illumination and meet the North Augusta development code\u0000s square-footage requirements.

The applicant, represented at the meeting by Fletcher Dickard, said the 0.73-acre Gateway/Beacon Bluff site requires halo lighting so tenants and service providers can find the building at night. \"Numerous of our tenants have hours of operation after dark and a softly light design is the only method for general public to identify the location at night,\" the applicant\u0000s written statement said as read into the record. City planning staff acknowledged internal illumination is not generally allowed in the downtown mixed-use districts but noted the code permits externally illuminated signs and signs constructed with neon tubing.

Planning staff described the site as having four street frontages and noted nearby municipal and medical buildings limit visibility from some approaches. Tommy Paradise, speaking for city staff, said the applicant\u0000s requested total area for internally illuminated wall signage is 31.93 square feet and that staff had verified the calculations supplied by the applicant.

Board members discussed alternatives and code limits at length. Several members agreed external illumination or neon tubing could be used, but the applicant argued neon tubing would produce more front-facing glare than halo illumination. The board's motion listed a single condition: \"Any illuminated signage installed on exterior walls shall utilize halo illumination and meet square-footage requirements consistent with the North Augusta development code.\" The board also clarified the variance applies to the signage allowed by the development code\u0000s total area limits (the board referenced the code\u0000s 200-square-foot total-signage limit for the building).

After the vote, board members asked staff to pursue a text amendment: the board later moved to request that the Planning Commission consider allowing halo illumination in downtown mixed-use districts 1 and 2 to reduce the number of variance requests on similar projects.

The decision means the Beacon Bluff building may install halo-style backlit letters and logos where those signs meet the condition and the development code\u0000s square-footage limits. The variance does not change other sign-code provisions or district boundaries.

Details and next steps: staff will include the board\u0000s condition in permit approvals for signage at 200 Georgia Avenue, and the Planning Commission will be asked to review whether the downtown mixed-use code should be amended to specifically allow halo illumination.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of North Augusta BZA Meeting 5/6/25","oneSentenceSummary","The North Augusta Board of Zoning Appeals on May 6 approved a variance (ZV25-004) allowing halo-illuminated exterior wall signage for a new mixed-use building at 200 Georgia Avenue, voting unanimously and attaching a condition limiting illuminated signs to halo-style lighting and the code\u0000s square-footage limits.","taxTitle","North Augusta, Aiken County, South Carolina","taxId",56877,"location","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":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6566458,"BZA approves setback variance for proposed Dutch Bros outparcel off Edge Hill Road",1060,4070000,5130000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3204938-f0199c950e3733c72ec919478f12cb5b&start=4070&end=5130","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3204938-f0199c950e3733c72ec919478f12cb5b/thumbnail_4070000.jpg","/articles/6566458/North-Augusta/Aiken-County/South-Carolina/BZA-approves-setback-variance-for-proposed-Dutch-Bros-outparcel-off-Edge-Hill-Road","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6566458-cfd37195d280209ca4cbdf6e1bbe3469/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157611&Signature=YBh1eaVBJ0A4l8APPHIRHPWae0p7dqALcMmcxnDvklsyZ4Nt4oT0pAcPthw5qXto8MWSe284kdfrcRCzLt6McL~MMlbe~hUJrbpBPTCkYBNFFTO~wgjLTMl9RzupRWw3ArawMO8TCcOb1MchCd8ZQkzTBCzMjz~g2CKR9B4WuOtB55XIo9qRY-WMQBqy1zD7ne8zexvPIZYC~iNtlmn3bqxoDk5Bwxh8ko3fjKUbCWL~CyWImzmQ3CDg2Ivn4JteNvhTM4ux02WH9TkWgvmM2Y9FYd2IyKQVWeiKKa6Yphk35jB2fv7D2f~jHQh8aEnUEOh-A8bEKZr~HzqoNwIr4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The North Augusta Board of Zoning Appeals on May 6 granted a front-setback variance (ZB25-005) for a 1.13-acre outparcel off Edge Hill Road to allow a drive-through building associated with a Dutch Bros Coffee franchise. The variance modifies the maximum front setback in the General Commercial zoning district so the proposed building and drive-through can be constructed without redesigning an established stormwater detention pond that sits within the code\u0000s 80-foot maximum setback area.

City planning staff explained the parcel is an outparcel to an existing shopping center and that the detention pond occupies most of the required setback. \"The existing system takes up the majority of the 80 foot maximum setback area and prevents the applicant from laying out a plan that meets requirements as written,\" staff said during the meeting. The applicant, Steven Knudson of Urban Development, said the request is for an approximately 27-foot increase to the allowable front setback to preserve the detention area and retain the proposed drive-through and small building footprint.

The board reviewed the 10 variance criteria and found they were met, and staff recommended two conditions: that the variance apply only to this property and that the building footprint be constructed as conceptually shown in the exhibits provided to the board. Board members voted unanimously to approve the variance with those two conditions.

Meeting discussion noted the parcel was approved as an outparcel in a 2021 minor subdivision plat and that the detention pond predates the present proposal. Board members asked practical questions about long-term maintenance and ownership of the detention area; staff advised stormwater maintenance questions are handled by the stormwater department and that property ownership and tenant agreements typically address maintenance responsibilities.

The approved variance allows the developer to proceed with permitting for the proposed building and drive-through, subject to the two conditions recorded by the board. Staff will include the conditions in permit reviews and documentation.

","The North Augusta BZA on May 6 approved ZB25-005, granting a variance to the maximum front setback in the General Commercial district for a 1.13-acre outparcel so a drive-through building (Dutch Bros franchise) can be constructed without relocating an existing stormwater detention feature.","actionData","errors"]

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BZA OKs halo-illumination variance for Beacon Bluff at 200 Georgia Avenue

BZA approves setback variance for proposed Dutch Bros outparcel off Edge Hill Road