Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Board approves larger wall signs for Gateway Lofts residential project at Renaissance Pointe
Loading...
Summary
The Board of Zoning Appeals granted an amended variance allowing four wall signs larger than the 30‑square‑foot standard for the Gateway Lofts at 3305 Atrium Boulevard, citing building architecture, planned mixed‑use context and visibility across adjacent streets.
The Middletown Board of Zoning Appeals on Aug. 6 approved an amended area and dimensional variance permitting four wall signs for the Gateway Lofts at 3305 Atrium Boulevard to exceed the 30‑square‑foot maximum normally allowed for residential signage. The approved signs range in proposed size, including two at 69.5 square feet and two at 52.5 square feet, per the application.
Planning staff explained that while the parcel is in the BCHP Business Center Hub Plan Development District, the parcel is dedicated 100% to residential use; the development code therefore applies the permanent sign allowances for residential parcels. The applicant, Hallmark Student Development Company, asked for the larger signs to keep the project identifiable and proportional to nearby commercial structures and planned uses.
Architect William Tucker, who spoke for the applicant, said the signs are intended to identify the apartment project and to “fit in with what’s gonna be happening around it,” referring to nearby proposed retail and an event center. Tucker said the letters will be individual backlit characters mounted on tower elements that are part of the building’s architecture, and that the proposed sign areas were recalculated since the previous meeting using the smallest rectangle encompassing each word per the code’s measurement rules.
Staff cited Middletown Development Code section 12.20.07(b)(1)(a) (permanent sign area for residential parcels) and the measurement rules in section 12.20.05. Board members discussed the architectural towers and the signs’ visibility from State Route 122 and Middletown Drive, with several saying the tower elements are part of the approved architecture and provide appropriate locations for larger identification signs.
A motion to approve the variance was made and seconded; the board approved the request by roll call vote with members present voting yes. The record notes the signs will be backlit (not internal halo‑lit through the letter face) and that applicant provided examples of similar signage from other projects. No additional conditions or timelines were recorded in the hearing transcript.
The approval allows the developer to proceed with the sign plan as presented; any changes to materials, placement or size beyond the approved documentation would be subject to further review under the development code and permitting process.
