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BOA grants sign‑placement variance for Navy Boulevard convenience site
Summary
The Board of Adjustment approved a variance allowing two monument signs to be located within the usual 10‑foot visual conflict placement requirement on Navy Boulevard and Barancas Avenue; staff found safety and visibility would not be impaired and recommended approval with standard county sign permits.
Escambia County’s Board of Adjustment on April 16 unanimously approved a variance to the county sign code that allows two proposed monument signs to be placed closer to the public right‑of‑way than normally permitted for a commercial development at the corner of North Navy Boulevard and Barancas Avenue.
County planner Caleb McCarthy presented the staff report and maps explaining the requested reduction from the typical 10‑foot visual‑conflict placement requirement to as little as 1 foot from the right‑of‑way for two proposed signs. Staff’s findings state special site conditions — a corner lot configuration, the site’s drive aisle and the location of stop bars — mean moving the signs farther onto the site would place them in drive aisles or otherwise interfere with circulation. Staff also provided renderings and concluded that proposed sign positions would not create a safety or visibility hazard given the existing stop bar locations and the right‑turn exit limitations shown on the approved site plan.
The request was for two 12‑foot‑high monument signs on a roughly 1.8‑acre site in the Warrington community redevelopment area (CRA). Staff noted the CRA rules permit one monument sign per development parcel and that this location consists of two development parcels; staff recommended approval on condition both signs receive county sign permits.
Board member Willie moved to approve based on staff findings; the motion was seconded by Randy and passed unanimously, 5-0. Staff noted that FDOT jurisdiction for Navy Boulevard and Barancas may require separate approvals and that county approval does not substitute for any state or utility permits.
