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Council allows illuminated sign for Allen Retail Center suite after applicant, neighbors back request
Summary
The council adopted an amendment to PD No. 53 to allow an illuminated sign within 50 feet of adjacent residential zoning for a Donatos Pizza tenant after Planning & Zoning recommended approval and neighbors submitted support letters.
The Allen City Council adopted Ordinance No. 4137-1-25 to amend Plan Development No. 53 (shopping center base zoning) to permit an illuminated sign for a retail suite that would otherwise be restricted by the city's land‑development code.
City planner Matt (last name Kerpencay/Planner) explained staff had recommended denial because the Land Development Code prohibits illuminated signs within 150 feet of residential zones, and the proposed sign area sits about "just shy of 94 feet" from nearby homes. Planning and Zoning, however, recommended approval, and the applicant and nearby property owners presented letters of support.
Applicant Shravan Bandari (spelling as in transcript) and Jeff Baldwin, a representative from Donatos Pizza, told council members they had performed outreach to neighbors and shared examples of how an illuminated sign helps customers identify an open store. Bandari said he and neighboring homeowners discussed lighting and offered mitigation measures such as light shields, landscaping or indirect lighting: "We are willing to do multiple things, like anything that we can do, have light shields or planting fast growing trees... or having an indirect lighted sign board." He added the immediate neighbors expressed enthusiasm for a pizza tenant at the center.
A nearby resident, Shokufe (Shakufe) Darvish (884 Grassy Shore), speaking during public comment, said she and other property owners supported the change and had submitted a letter for Planning & Zoning, saying a half‑lit shopping center would look poor and that neighborhood businesses backed the request.
Councilmembers noted the applicant's outreach. One councilmember who said they visited the homes praised the owners and residents for working together. After a motion to adopt the ordinance and a second, the council voted; the mayor announced the motion passed unanimously.
Staff noted that if the council approved the PD amendment, the tenant and property owner would still have to meet all other applicable requirements in the Land Development Code for signage and building permits. The ordinance adopted was listed as No. 4137-1-25.
