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Palatka Planning Board approves sign variance for Sonny’s Barbecue at 425 N. State Road 19
Summary
The Palatka Planning Board unanimously approved a variance allowing Sonny’s Barbecue to replace its existing sign with a smaller LED sign, after staff said trees and neighboring signs reduce visibility from State Road 19.
The Palatka Planning Board on an April agenda approved a variance that will allow Sonny’s Barbecue, at 425 North State Road 19, to remove existing marquee panels and install a smaller LED sign.
Staff told the board that large, existing trees and multiple pre‑existing signs along State Road 19 reduce the restaurant’s visibility. Staff said it conducted a site visit and recommended the board consider the visibility constraints when weighing the request. The applicant offered to reduce the proposed sign area from about 98 square feet to 36 square feet to meet code concerns.
Planning staff described the request as a sign alteration and relocation in a commercial corridor and noted the change would replace physical channel letters with a digital, LED display. The city attorney cautioned that questions about appeals and the jurisdiction of the zoning board of appeals exist, but advised the planning board to decide the application on its merits; any unhappy applicant could appeal the board’s decision to the appropriate appeals body.
Applicant Josh McCall identified himself at the lectern: "My name is Josh McCall, and I live at 503 Southeast 401st Avenue, Ocala, Florida," and said he had no further comments after staff presentation.
After discussion, a planning board member moved to approve the variance based on the facts presented; a second followed. The board voted unanimously to approve the variance.
The decision allows Sonny’s Barbecue to proceed with the revised sign plan subject to any final permitting and code compliance required by city staff.
