At its May 1 meeting, the Macomb Township Zoning Board of Appeals granted a sign exception to allow a multi-tenant ground sign at Castle Rock Plaza to be set 6 feet from the road right-of-way instead of the 10 feet required by ordinance.

Planning staff told the board the request concerns permanent parcel number 0836353039 and seeks permission to install a 7-foot-wide multi-tenant ground sign closer to Hall Road (M-59) to retain readable tenant panels. Planning staff member Mr. Box said, “this is, a request for a sign exception,” and summarized departmental reviews that raised no building- or engineering-code objections but noted a 15-inch trunk sanitary sewer in the right-of-way near the sidewalk.

The sign exception drew discussion around site constraints. Mr. Box told the board the parcel is only about 147 feet deep due to a prior M-59 right-of-way expansion and that locating the sign at the required 10-foot setback would push the sign into the site’s maneuvering lane and affect parking that had been prescribed in a site-specific consent agreement. Petitioner Donna Holke, who identified herself as representing Inner City Neon, said the proposed 7-foot width is the minimal size that will keep tenant lettering legible: “we want to make the each tenant panel large enough so that you can see what tenant is there.” Holke gave a business address of 33920 Amber, Warren, Michigan 48089 and noted two occupied tenant spaces and one vacancy at the plaza.

Board members pressed on whether the application should have been presented as a variance or an exception; the board confirmed they would be voting on a sign exception. After discussion about visibility and obstruction of agreed parking, board member Mr. DeBruin moved to grant the sign exception, citing “visibility” and “obstruction,” and Mr. Mazzara seconded the motion. The board carried the motion by voice vote and approved the exception. The board did not place additional conditions on the exception in the motion as recorded.

Staff advised that public works wanted the final sign installation to be clear of utilities and requested clarification about grounding depth. The planning department recommended approval, noting the intent of the ordinance would be met and that the narrower sign was consistent with other commercial signs on the corridor. The board’s action does not require an amendment to the property’s existing consent agreement, according to staff.

No members of the public spoke during public comment on the item. The board moved on to routine announcements and adjourned.