Argyle Town Council approved a sign‑variance request for the Shops at Gateway retail center (Gateway Business Park, FM 407), allowing two monument signs where the ordinance normally allows one sign per frontage. Planning & Zoning had recommended denial, citing Argyle’s Scenic City aesthetic standards and the town’s preference to limit signage frequency.

Why this matters: The request touched Scenic‑City objectives and site visibility for retail tenants along a high‑speed corridor (FM 407). Staff noted the proposed signs meet many code standards but exceed the “one monument sign per frontage” approach the town uses to limit visual clutter.

What council changed

Council and staff discussed the applicant’s rationale — they sought two signs so panels could be larger and easier to read at speed along FM 407 and to distribute signage across the long frontage. Concerns included potential sign visibility conflicts, proximity to a light pole and whether a single larger sign would be a better option.

Council ultimately approved the request with a specific condition added on the floor: the two monument signs must be placed symmetrically along the frontage (applicant and staff indicated they could accommodate that). The applicant agreed to revise the location to improve visibility and alignment with the entrance drives.

Technical details

- Proposed sign dimensions (per submitted rendering): about 10 feet tall and roughly 8.4 feet wide for each monument; applicant corrected an apparent data entry on thickness in the submittal.
- Planning & Zoning recommended denial (Aug. 6) primarily for Scenic City concerns; staff noted the sign panels would exceed the minimum panel area and be visible to east- and westbound traffic.

Council outcome

Council approved the signage request with the symmetry condition; the motion passed over a single dissent at the vote. The applicant must finalise exact placement with staff so signs meet the 5‑foot setback from property lines and other code requirements.

Ending

The condition aims to reduce visual clutter and provide a balanced presentation along the FM 407 frontage while allowing larger tenant panels to increase readability for motorists at speed.