Commission approves conditional signage for Orlando Health emergency room; asks city name be used on campus signs
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Summary
The commission granted a conditional sign permit for the new Orlando Health emergency room, approving deviations for sign area, setback and height; commissioners requested the signs reference 'Eustis' rather than neighboring municipalities.
EUSTIS — The commission approved a conditional sign permit and several deviations for a standalone Orlando Health emergency room proposed at 15719 U.S. Highway 441, including larger freestanding signs, a reduced setback and one taller pedestal sign.
Planner Wilkes (staff) explained the applicant requested conditional approval because the suburban corridor design district permits a limited amount of wall and ground sign copy. The Orlando Health plan shows several campus signs and branded elements that exceed the code’s copy-area limit if the corporate logo and identifying marks are counted as sign copy. Staff noted that directional wayfinding that does not use a corporate logo may be treated differently.
Representatives from GAI Consultants and Orlando Health presented examples of signage from other Orlando Health campuses and said the larger campus sign area and additional freestanding signs are intended to aid wayfinding for emergency and ambulatory traffic. Andrew McCown of GAI said the sign elevations in the permit materials include the word “Eustis” on the primary corner sign, and the commission sought an explicit assurance that the signage would not advertise another city’s name on signs visible from the highway.
Vice Mayor Ashcraft and other commissioners asked staff to make approval contingent on a written representation that the primary campus signs will include the City of Eustis name. McCown said Orlando Health’s submitted elevations show “Eustis” on the corner sign and indicated the applicant will honor that representation.
Staff recommended approval and the commission advanced Ordinance 25-19 on first reading with the condition the applicant confirm the Eustis designation on the signage. No members of the public spoke in opposition at the hearing.
Ending: The permit clears a key municipal land-use step for the new emergency facility; the applicant must still finalize construction plans and any required permits and return for second reading where applicable.