North Ridgeville board tables urgent-care sign variance after concerns over size and placement

The Board of Zoning and Building Appeals in North Ridgeville on Feb. (date not specified) voted unanimously to table an application for a sign package at a new urgent-care facility on Center Ridge Road, after board members and residents questioned the amount and placement of requested signage.

The applicant sought variances for three wall signs totaling 431.58 square feet where the code allows 120 square feet (citing North Ridgeville Codified Ordinance section 1286.11A1A) and for a second ground monument sign on a lot that does not meet the code’s frontage or acreage exceptions (section 1286.11C1). Planning and Development Director Kim Lieber told the board the revised measurements showed the building frontage at 66.3 feet, producing an allocation of 132.6 square feet, but the applicant’s combined wall signage would total 431 square feet.

The board pressed the applicants on placement and practical difficulty. Board member Toth questioned locating the largest wall sign over what the applicants described as the building’s primary entrance — a north elevation that most drivers pass before turning into the parking lot — and called the requested variance “a bit much,” noting that customers already would be directed by site layout after parking. Board Chair Linda Masterson asked the applicant to demonstrate a practical difficulty beyond the business being an urgent care; Assistant Law Director Morgan cautioned the board against deciding based on business type, saying sign rules must remain content-neutral.

Applicant representatives who spoke at the meeting included Marie Sabolotta and Mickey Mann, and an agent identified as Eric Placek. They said visibility for patients and use of a rear lot entrance (used for parking) motivated the placement of a larger north elevation sign and a second monument sign so future tenants at the former Scooter’s Coffee location could retain signage. Nearby resident Michael Pahudich, who said he lives off Jaycox, urged the board to locate more significant signage facing Center Ridge Road rather than the rear/main entrance facing residences.

The board discussed whether it could approve the monument sign while requiring removal of the existing Scooter’s sign; the law director advised that was not an appropriate handling for this application and recommended the applicants return with revised drawings. The board moved to table the application to allow the applicants time to revise and resubmit; the clerk confirmed the item was tabled to the board’s next meeting on March 27 (date announced at the hearing). The roll call on the motion to table recorded unanimous support (Grotman: Yes; Weaver: Yes; Toth: Yes; Masterson: Yes). The board advised the applicant that they must resubmit the application materials for re-review.

The board did not vote on approval of any variance during this session. The applicant was told to revise the plans and return with updated drawings and that resubmission would be required prior to consideration at the next scheduled meeting.