Plain Board of Zoning Appeals Hears Appeal, Defers Decision on Guitar-Shaped Sign at 138 West Main

The Plain Board of Zoning Appeals on April 9 heard an appeal of a zoning administrator’s denial of a sign permit for 138 West Main Street and a related request for three variances, but did not decide the case and moved to private deliberations. The board scheduled a public vote on the appeal and the variance applications for its May 14 meeting.

The appeal seeks reversal of a February 27, 2025 denial of sign permit 24-38 and approval of three variances to allow a projecting, guitar-shaped sign larger than the Uptown Overlay limit and projecting farther from the building than the code permits. Nathan Painter, attorney for Tim Dawson Holdings LLC, presented the appeal and told the board the proposed sign would be “black and white, backlit” and that the applicant plans to remove an existing round sign if the new sign is approved.

Painter argued the proposal complies with the intent of the Uptown Commercial Overlay District and noted historical projecting and symbolic signs in Plain City’s past. He said the sign “was rejected, because the projecting sign is…