Council approves Kroger signage amendment; applicant sought three variances for updated branding

The Worthington City Council on May 19 approved Resolution No. 20-2025 to amend the development plan for Kroger at 60 W. Wilson Bridge Road to permit updated signage tied to Kroger’s new branding.

Planning staff said Kroger’s application requires three variances from the city’s sign code, including an increase in permitted wall sign area and permission for one additional wall sign. "Anytime you have a development plan that needs variances, it does require Planning Commission to make a recommendation and then ultimately go on to City Council for approval," Mr. Brown said. He noted the Municipal Planning Commission recommended approval on April 10.

Rebecca Green, who identified herself as representing Sign Vision and Kroger, described the proposed signs as part of a national update to Kroger’s branding that adds a Fresh Cart logo and pickup signage to support online grocery service. She said the requested allowances stem in part from how the city measures sign area: "Worthington, like most cities in Central Ohio, use the rectangle method of sign measurement which leaves all kinds of space that is actually just wall space, but is considered sign area under their code," Green said. She said the applicant seeks to remove some window signage on slider doors and to minimize, but not fully eliminate, visible raceways needed for the channel letters.

Council members asked questions about the Fresh Cart logo and timeline for installation. Green said manufacturing is not done locally and estimated replacement work would likely occur within the next four to six months, weather permitting.

A motion to adopt the resolution was moved by Councilmember Herman and seconded by Council Pro Tem Kowalski; council voted in favor and the resolution was adopted.

Why it matters: The change allows Kroger to update storefront branding and to add pickup signage that reflects an expanding online grocery business model. The approval includes variances from the city’s updated sign code and will affect signage visible in Worthington’s commercial district.

Details and limits: Planning staff described three variances from the updated sign code; the transcript does not record final, precise square-foot totals as a clear single figure for each variance. Staff and the applicant described one variance that increases allowed wall sign area beyond the current permitted size and a second request for an additional wall sign; a third variance would allow exposed raceways where the sign code generally restricts them. The Planning Commission recommended approval prior to council action.