Commission approves electronic message sign for Love City Church with dimming and BOZA variance requirement

The Planning and Zoning Commission approved a special-use permit to allow an electronic message-center sign for Love City Church at 2349 Forest Hill Boulevard, with conditions discussed during the hearing.

Staff told the commission the proposed electronic message sign would be sited on a road that is not a state or U.S. highway and would be located closer than the zoning ordinance’s standard 300-foot separation from residential zone districts. Staff explained the Planning and Zoning Commission may grant exceptions down to 100 feet but that a variance from the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BOZA) would be required for the approximately 41-foot separation the applicant requested.

During the hearing the applicant’s representative indicated willingness to include a dimmer control on the electronic sign. When asked whether timers or dimmers would be used, the representative said the sign would comply with ordinance standards and agreed to install a dimming control. The commission voted to approve the special use permit and the motion was announced carried; staff recommended approval conditioned on BOZA action permitting the sign to be located less than 100 feet from a residential zone district.

The applicant was advised to proceed with the BOZA variance process and to follow any operating limitations spelled out by zoning conditions, including brightness controls and standard sign regulations.