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Board allows 7-foot leasing sign at Milford Plaza, waives setback and limits sign to management/leasing
Summary
Milford's Board of Adjustment approved two variances to permit a 7-foot illuminated freestanding sign for Milford Plaza that will advertise the management and leasing company; the board conditioned the approval to limit the sign's use to leasing/management identification.
The Milford Board of Adjustment approved two variances allowing a 7-foot-tall, four-sided freestanding sign at the Milford Plaza shopping center and granted a 10-foot setback variance that places the sign at the property line. The approvals were conditioned to restrict the sign's use to identification of the shopping center's management and leasing company.
Planning staff described the application (BOA-97-2025) and identified two code sections from which the applicant sought relief: Milford City Code chapter 230-24.16(B)(1)(a) (limits on freestanding signs per street frontage and pad sites) and chapter 230-24.16(B)(1)(c) (minimum sign setbacks). The proposed sign would be sited at the north side of the Route 113 entrance, replace a 24-square-foot temporary post-and-panel sign and be illuminated.
Applicant presentation and rationale
Lindsay Milligan of Hess Sign Services said the new 25-square-foot illuminated sign would improve visibility from DuPont Boulevard (Route 13/Route 113) and provide contact information for leasing because the existing multi-tenant pylon is full and cannot show the leasing company. John Wirk, identified as general counsel for Sionis Management and Milford Plaza SPE LLC, said there is no leasing office on site and the sign would allow prospective tenants and vendors to identify management and contact information.
Board discussion, condition and vote
Board members discussed whether the sign could later be used to advertise tenants. The board placed a condition on the approval limiting the sign's content to the leasing and management company (the condition can be enforced through the variance), and members noted the proposed sign is a substantial, internally illuminated unit that is not easily re-panelized for tenant advertising. Mr. Rizzo, Ms. White, Mr. Mascola, Mr. Riley and Chair Warfel all voted to approve the two variances; the votes were recorded as approvals based on statements about visibility and the practical need to advertise management/leasing contact information. Planning staff said a permit had already been submitted for the sign.
Next steps
Planning staff will process the building/sign permit in line with the board's action and the stated condition restricting sign content. The board recorded no additional limitations on illumination or size beyond the approved design.
