Summary
The BZA granted City Neon a variance to install an internally illuminated wall sign at 228 Prospect Street in the B-1 district, subject to standard conditions; applicant said lights will be turned off when the business is closed.
The City of Morgantown Board of Zoning Appeals granted a variance allowing an internally illuminated exterior wall sign for City Neon at 228 Prospect Street in the B‑1 Neighborhood Business District. Planning staff recommended approval and listed the standard conditions that any site changes comply with the city code or require further variance relief.
A representative from City Neon described the sign as an internally illuminated channel-letter wall sign measuring about 18 inches by 132 5/8 inches. The designer said illumination could be controlled by timer or photocell; the business owner, Jeffrey Bailey, told the board the sign will be turned off when the business is closed. “We will turn off the moment when we close,” Bailey said.
Board members asked about illumination schedules and luminance standards; planning staff said the city does not have a specific numeric lumen limit in the packet but that the board has applied prior precedent in other cases. The applicant said the installation will use UL‑certified materials and industry-standard electrical practices.
No members of the public registered to speak. The board voted unanimously to accept findings of fact and to grant the variance, subject to the standard staff condition that any future modifications comply with the City Planning and Zoning Code or return to the board for relief. The applicant was reminded the decision may be appealed to the Circuit Court of Monongalia County within 30 days and that any work during the appeal period is at the applicant’s financial risk.
