Planning Commission approves sign package for Sunrise Barbecue at 465 East Nelson Street

The Lexington Planning Commission on Feb. 27 approved ECCOA2025-03, a certificate of appropriateness permitting new signage for Sunrise Barbecue at 465 East Nelson Street.

Staff said the application corrects the published address (the parcel is 465 East Nelson) and described two components: a projecting sign mounted to the rear portion of the shopping center and two sign panels on the property's existing freestanding multi-tenant sign adjacent to East Nelson Street. The projecting sign is a digitally printed PVC panel with a black aluminum frame, approximately 3—2 by 3—2, mounted at an oblique angle (around 20 degrees from the wall) so it is more visible from the Walker Street approach. The freestanding sign panels are proposed as double-sided, internally illuminated panels approximately 6—2 inches by 1—2 feet.

Arnie (staff) told commissioners the parcel sits in the C-2 (Commercial/Shopping Center) zoning district and within the Entrance Corridor overlay; staff provided drawings showing the projecting sign bracket and a plan view of sightlines. Jamie Gooden, representing the applicant, said the two temporary signs currently on the storefront were placed during the business's transition and that the owner does not intend to keep the temporary signage once the approved sign is installed.

Commission discussion focused on a clerical correction in the staff report that mistakenly listed a "general office" use in the zoning summary; staff confirmed that the correct use classification is restaurant/retail and called the error a cut-and-paste oversight. No members of the public offered comment during the public-comment period for this item.

A commissioner moved to approve ECCOA2025-03 "for new signage for Sunrise Barbecue at 465 East Nelson Street as proposed by the applicant." A second was recorded; the commission voted in favor and the motion carried. The chair asked staff to notify the owner of the approval.

The approved permit allows the projecting sign as shown in the application materials and two panels on the existing multi-tenant freestanding sign; installers must comply with any building-permit and electrical-code requirements and with the Entrance Corridor overlay standards.