Planning commission approves retroactive variance for JC's Family Market sign

The Jasper City Planning Commission approved a retroactive variance to allow a 32-square-foot wall sign at JC's Family Market to remain on the front tenant façade, with the condition that the wall signage not exceed 32 square feet.

The applicant's representative, Gary Bridal, told the commission the shopping center owner bought the property about two and a half years ago and that the sign was installed before he and the owner realized a permit process was required. "We... bought this shopping center about a little over 2 years ago," Bridal said, and described the sign as having been put up while the owner was trying to help the tenant open. Bridal asked the commission to “take into consideration” that the sign improves the appearance of the site and to allow the existing 32-square-foot sign to remain.

City planning staff explained the city's sign ordinance allows one square foot of signage per linear foot of tenant facade; staff measured JC's facade at 24.1 linear feet, which would allow 24.1 square feet of wall sign area. Staff reported the installed sign is 32 square feet—7.9 square feet larger than allowed—and recommended denial of the retroactive variance because the hardship criteria in the sign ordinance were not met. Staff also noted the shopping center benefits from a larger, legally nonconforming monument sign that provides tenant visibility along Burnt Mountain Road.

Commission discussion noted the sign had been in place for several months and that staff had not received public complaints. A commissioner said the location is tucked back in the center and the design is "very clean looking," and moved to approve the variance with the staff-recommended limit. The commission approved the motion with the stated condition that wall signage on the JC's tenant facade shall not exceed 32 square feet.

The action before the planning commission was a recommendation and the applicant must follow any additional permitting or compliance steps required by the city.

Details from the meeting: the applicant reported the sign had been installed "probably 2, 3 months" before the hearing; the applicant submitted the permit application in February; staff noted the center's monument sign contains a 50-square-foot tenant panel and that, under current code, the property as a whole would be limited to 64 square feet for all tenant signage if the monument sign were rebuilt to current standards.