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Gahanna planning commission approves larger illuminated sign for Orthopedic 1 near I‑270
Summary
The Gahanna Planning Commission approved a variance allowing a 126‑square‑foot wall sign on the north elevation of Orthopedic 1 at 605 Crescent Place, increasing the north frontage signage to about 175 square feet while keeping total site signage under the current 400‑square‑foot limit.
The Gahanna Planning Commission on June 25 approved a sign variance for Orthopedic 1 at 605 Crescent Place that allows one new 126‑square‑foot illuminated wall sign on the building’s north elevation facing I‑270.
The variance, filed as VDash0018‑2025, was approved after a motion by Commissioner Markham and a second by Commissioner Shepaca. The roll call showed Commissioners Tamarkin, Shepaca, Mako, Polier and Greenberg voting yes; two commissioners were absent. The motion carried.
Staff presentation said the application requests one variance to exceed the 50‑square‑foot maximum for a single wall sign per street frontage; the new sign would add 76 square feet beyond that limit. The site already has a 49‑square‑foot sign on the same north elevation, bringing the north‑facing total to about 175 square feet. Staff noted that under the current Gahanna code the total signage allowed for the site is 400 square feet and that the site’s total signage with the new sign would be approximately 323 square feet, below that threshold.
Michael Bliefer, director of planning for the City of Gahanna, said previous approvals in May 2023 and sign variances in June 2024 led to the current mix of signs on the property and that the current request is a single additional wall sign on the north elevation. Bliefer said a master sign plan for the broader Crescent property had been discussed in the past but was never submitted by the master developer, so he anticipated the city would continue to see individual, one‑off variance requests for lots in that area.
Applicant Stephanie Rasheva, market development director for Orthopedic 1, told the commission she had “nothing to add to the application itself” but was available to answer questions. Rasheva said the new element would display the practice name beneath the existing logo icon to improve wayfinding for patients; she said the letters would be internally illuminated with a warm white LED module and that SignComm is the vendor handling installation.
Commission discussion focused on visibility and illumination. Commissioner Mako asked whether the proposed illumination could create a hazard for freeway drivers; Rasheva said she was not aware of any such concern raised by the architect, developer or sign vendor. Commissioner Greenberg asked whether there is a sign plan for the Crescent area; Bliefer said a comprehensive master sign plan was discussed previously but never submitted, and that he expected more individual variance requests.
Staff recommended no objection to the variance but noted the change is not strictly the minimum necessary because prior sign variances for the site had already increased allowable signage. The commission’s approval grants the single variance requested for the larger wall sign; no additional conditions or follow‑up tasks were recorded in the hearing.
The property is listed in the application as 605 Crescent Place, Parcel ID 025‑014177, currently zoned GC (General Commercial). The record indicates design review, final development plan and prior variance approvals for the Orthopedic 1 project in May 2023 and a sign variance in June 2024.
