The Upper Arlington Board of Zoning and Planning on Jan. 8 approved a graphics plan for 5th Third Bank at 1669 Fissinger Road that permits a new freestanding monument sign, a canopy-mounted sign facing Tremont Road and replacement of existing building-mounted signage with conditions on lighting.

The vote carried with the board conditioning approval on two items: all building-mounted signs must be halo lit, and the west-facing building sign — the one nearest a single-family house behind the bank — may be illuminated only during the bank’s business hours. The board made the decision by voice vote; the motion passed and the chair declared the motion carried.

The vote followed a staff presentation explaining the purpose of a graphics plan under the city’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). Planning staff said graphics plans are used in planned mixed-use districts to ensure signs on a site are coordinated in type, size and location and to ensure proposals align with sign-code standards and broader city policies. Staff noted the proposed monument sign as submitted met the city’s width-and-height requirements and that the applicant had moved it back from 15 feet of the public right-of-way to avoid potential conflict with a possible future roundabout at the 5 Points intersection.

Kevin McCord, the applicant’s representative, told the board the bank wanted uniform signage and that 5th Third is moving to new branding. “Our intention would be that all the signs be halo lit,” McCord said, and added the applicant could agree to the board’s decision to leave the west-facing sign unlit if the board preferred. McCord also said most existing branch signage is controlled remotely and could be put on a separate circuit to allow different timing for the west-facing sign.

Board members questioned sight lines and the sign’s effect on the neighboring house. One member said the sign sits roughly 150 feet from the residence and is partially screened by a fence, landscaping and nearby parking-lot lights; staff confirmed the west-facing sign is visible when traveling eastbound toward the 5 Points intersection but is less prominent than the signs facing the corner and Fissinger Road.

During discussion the board and staff referenced the UDO’s graphics-plan standards (staff cited Section 606 S1) and the city sign code as the basis for review, emphasizing public health, safety and welfare considerations and compatibility with city plans and policies. Staff recommended halo lighting for building signs and non-illumination of the west-facing sign, but the board instead approved limited illumination tied to business hours to balance neighbor concerns and the bank’s branding needs.

At the meeting staff said signed building permits had not yet been submitted; staff will email the applicant and the applicant’s assistant the meeting outcome and coordinate plan review and permit issuance.

Votes at a glance: The board approved Development Application 0424, 5th Third Bank, 1669 Fissinger Road — review of a graphics plan to add a freestanding sign, a canopy-mounted sign facing Tremont Road, and replace existing building-mounted signage — with conditions that (1) all building-mounted signs be halo lit and (2) the west-facing building-mounted sign be illuminated only during business hours. The motion passed by voice vote and was declared carried by the chair.

The board had no other development updates on the agenda and adjourned after the vote.