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Lebanon planning board approves single replacement billboard at Birchwood Drive, requires removal of two existing signs
Summary
The Planning and Zoning Board approved a variance allowing a taller single-pole billboard with four sign faces at 203 Birchwood Drive in place of two deteriorating sign structures, limiting size and requiring removal of the existing signs; applicant says the new structure reduces total sign face and improves safety.
The Lebanon City Planning and Zoning Board approved a development-standards variance permitting a replacement billboard at 203 Birchwood Drive, conditioned on removing the two existing sign structures and limiting the new sign to a maximum overall height of 42 feet, 6 inches with four sign panels each no larger than 36 feet by 10 feet, 6 inches.
Planning staff told the board the property currently has two sign structures with a total of six panels and that the signs became legally existing nonconforming structures after the citys updated Unified Development Ordinance removed new billboards from permitted uses. The applicant proposed removing the southern single-panel structure and replacing the northern double-stack structure with a single-pole sign relocated slightly to improve clearance and site access. Staff recommended approval as a compromise because the proposal would reduce the number of structures from two to one, reduce the number of sign faces from six to four, and reduce total sign face area by about 400 square feet.
Kent Franzen, attorney for the applicant JR Promotions, said the existing signs have been in place for decades and that the proposal is a proactive replacement of aging structures. “If you really want fewer billboards, this is actually a step in the right direction,” Franzen told the board, noting the application reduces poles and face area compared with the current setup. Owner Richard Sprague said his company focuses on locally oriented outdoor advertising and that the proposed modern single-pole signs would be safer and more durable than existing structures. “We pride ourself in buying and building nice signs,” Sprague said.
Planning staff described the requested variance as relief from the UDOs prohibition on new billboards and from sign-height and size limits. Staff noted the replacement sign would be single-pole construction with four faces, each about 378 square feet, and that the applicant intends the sign to be lit. The board discussed setbacks and permitting required by INDOT for signs along the interstate; staff said INDOT will review setbacks during its permitting process.
The board added a formal condition to staffs recommendation requiring the removal of the two existing sign structures on the property as part of the approval. The final motion limited the proposed billboard to no more than 42 feet, 6 inches in overall height, and four sign panels limited to 36 feet wide and 10 feet, 6 inches tall. The board approved the variance and the added removal condition by voice vote.
What happens next: the applicant must obtain any necessary INDOT permits related to interstate setbacks and comply with the city conditions, including removal of the two existing structures and installation of the replacement single-pole sign to the approved height and face-size limits. The applicant stated the new sign will not be digital and will include conventional lighting.
