Planning commission approves plaza redesign and two ground signs at 8235 Forsyth

The Clayton City Planning Commission and Architectural Review Board on Jan. 18 approved a proposal to redesign the plaza and allow two ground signs at 8235 Forsyth after staff recommended approval and members voiced support.

The applicant proposed reconfiguring the front plaza to add planter beds, create wider pedestrian circulation, remove some stairways, relocate existing benches and sculptures, and add an accessible ramp to the main entrance. Materials for the redesign are planned to match existing on-site materials, with a dark-gray stained concrete base around the two signs to match the adjacent building at 8182 Maryland.

The applicant also requested a sign modification to permit two ground signs on the parcel. The city code cited in the staff report permits one ground sign per property; the applicant said each individual sign would meet ground-sign dimensional requirements, but the property owner sought approval for a second sign because of the building’s length and multiple parking entrances. The applicant described an intended tenant panel arrangement in which Energizer and a tenant identified as 1Digital would occupy prominent panels and there would be four additional open panels (two per sign), for a possible total of six named panels across both signs.

Staff concluded the plaza alterations and the two ground signs are compatible with the existing property and surrounding area and recommended approval as submitted. Commissioners raised no objections during review, noting the design improves pedestrian space and that the signs fit the building’s frontage. The board voted to approve the application and the sign modification request (motion and mover not specified in the transcript; vote recorded as unanimous in the meeting).

Construction and installation are expected to begin when weather permits, with materials matched to the existing building and adjacent property at 8182 Maryland.