The Northampton Zoning Board of Appeals on June 12 unanimously approved a special permit allowing Hartford Sign and Design to install a rear wall sign for Jersey Mike's at 303 King Street, with the condition that illumination hours comply with city standards. The vote was 3–0 in favor and required a supermajority of the three members present.

The board's decision lets the applicant install a rear-mounted sign whose bottom sits at roughly 15 feet above grade; planning staff and the applicant said the sign's square footage stays below the city's 25-square-foot maximum for rear signs. The board attached a condition requiring sign timers so lighting will automatically turn off per city rules.

The proposal was presented by Jerian Williams, who identified himself as the permanent expediter for Darren Sena, owner of Hartford Sign and Design. Williams told the board the building architecture and a projecting awning force the sign to be mounted above the awning, which places the bottom of the sign around 15 feet. "That sign is a combination of front-lit letters ... and a little bit of halo lighting around the edge," Williams said. Planning staff reported no departmental objections and there were no written or in-person public comments opposing the application.

Board members said the sign is consistent with other approved signage on the same building and will aid customers in locating the entrance. "I don't have any problem with this. I think it's no different than everything that we've approved in the past and that I think it's going to help with directing traffic to the entrance," said Elizabeth Silver, presiding member of the Zoning Board of Appeals. Maureen Scanlon, a board member, asked that the board include the lighting-hours condition; the approved motion requires the sign's illumination to follow Northampton's timing standards.

Nathan (planning staff) confirmed the rear sign stays below the 25-square-foot rear-sign maximum and that earlier oversized signage on adjacent units had been reviewed and permitted. The board closed the public hearing and then voted to approve the special permit; Maureen Scanlon made the motion and Aaron seconded. By roll call the members voted yes: Elizabeth Silver, Maureen Scanlon and Erin Irvin.

Staff will follow up with the applicant about permitting details and implementation steps.