Zoning board debates sign‑height variances for Arborland and Boardwalk properties; members split on visibility versus ordinance compliance

The Ann Arbor City Zoning Board of Appeals on March 26 considered two variance requests to install wall signs above the 20‑foot height limit set by the city’s 2019 sign ordinance.

Petitions reviewed: a request by a tenant at 3755 Washtenaw Avenue (Arborland shopping center, tenant: Skechers) for a 7‑foot variance to install a new wall sign at a maximum 27 feet, and a request at 2915 Boardwalk Drive (tenant: Granger) for a 9‑foot variance to install two wall signs at a maximum 29 feet. Planning staff described both properties as located in the TC‑1 Transit Corridor District and said the buildings were under the 45‑foot threshold that triggers the ordinance’s wall‑sign placement rule.

Why it matters: The sign ordinance adopted in 2019 requires wall signs on buildings under 45 feet tall to be located in the lowest 20 feet of façade. Applicants said the existing signs are nonconforming and that corporate rebranding or visibility from Washtenaw/Eisenhower and vegetation along the corridor justify replacement at the same, higher…