Planning commission OKs amended Kroger sign at Hunter's Ridge, limits height to 96 inches

The Gahanna Planning Commission on Feb. 26 approved a variance allowing a larger wall sign for Kroger at 300 S. Hamilton Road, contingent on reducing the sign height to 96 inches and placing the word “marketplace” to the right of the letter g.

The vote came after staff initially recommended denial, saying the installed and proposed signs exceeded the Hunter’s Ridge and Kroger master sign plan and standard zoning code limits. Planning Department staff told the commission that the sign installed in October was approved at 72 inches and that the new proposal exceeded both the master sign-plan height limit and standard zoning-area limits.

Kroger’s representative said the company is implementing a nationwide rebranding and requested a larger sign to improve visibility for a store set back from Hamilton Road. Rebecca Green of Sign Vision, the sign contractor, told commissioners the proposed design moves the “marketplace” portion behind or to the side of the g to reduce height while keeping the brand’s standard letterforms.

Planning staff noted two code points: the Hunter’s Ridge master sign plan limits the primary Kroger wall sign to a maximum height of 72 inches, and the city zoning code generally limits wall signs to 50 square feet. Staff also said new variance criteria adopted in January 2025 apply to this application and recommended disapproval because the sign “greatly exceeds master sign plan and standard code requirements” and the applicant had not shown the request was the minimum necessary.

Commissioners questioned technical options for reducing the sign height and whether moving the “marketplace” copy would be acceptable. The applicant presented an updated drawing on the meeting table showing a revised option that reduced the measured height from the top of the K to the bottom of the g to 96 inches and relocated “marketplace” to the right of the g.

Commissioner Greenberg moved approval with the amendment limiting the sign to 96 inches and locating “marketplace” to the right of the g; Commissioner Siriano seconded. Multiple commissioners said they preferred the amended design, calling it more legible and more in scale with the building.

Roll call on the motion recorded unanimous yes votes from the commissioners recorded on the motion. The motion carried with the condition that the sign be limited to 96 inches and that the word “marketplace” be placed to the right of the g.

The approved variance modifies only the Hunter’s Ridge and Kroger master sign plan allowance for the primary Kroger wall sign at 300 S. Hamilton Road; it does not change the master sign plan broadly. Planning staff said an amendment to the master sign plan would require a separate application by the property owner.

The commission took the action during its public hearing process; there were no members of the public who spoke against the application.

The decision allows the store to replace its current 72-inch sign with the amended Kroger branding at up to 96 inches and with the specified layout change.