BZA approves sign variances for proposed Taco Bell at Hunters Way; staff sets design review conditions

The Board of Zoning Appeals on Monday approved sign variances requested by the applicant for a proposed Taco Bell at Hunters Way, permitting one additional menu board and a taller, larger post-and-panel sign to make the site visible from Route 7.

Dan Andress of The Eads Group, civil engineering consultants for the applicant, told the board the site’s roadway elevation is approximately 10 feet higher than the proposed building pad, so a taller post-and-panel sign is needed for visibility from the state route. Andress also said the restaurant will include a double drive-through and needs an additional menu board so each drive-through lane has its own menu.

Planning staff advised the board that, as is customary for sign variance petitions, staff did not submit a recommendation for or against granting relief. If the board granted relief, staff said final approvals would be contingent on submission of an accurate sign design (showing the permitted 30-foot height and 100 square feet for the post-and-panel sign in the packet) and review by Development Services staff. The packet listed requested relief as: one additional menu board allowance, 24 feet additional height for the post-and-panel sign, and 68 square feet additional sign area.

Board members pressed the applicant on size and sight-line issues; the applicant and staff said engineering had checked vision triangles and found the proposed sign locations and heights would not interfere with sight-distance or traffic safety. The board voted to accept the findings of fact and moved to grant the variance with the two conditions referenced in the meeting packet: final, accurate sign designs showing the approved dimensions must be submitted for Development Services review, and any other modifications or changes to the site plan must comply with the city planning and zoning code or return to the BZA.

Planning staff reminded the applicant that written notice will be mailed within seven to 10 business days and that the decision may be appealed to the Circuit Court of Monongalia County within 30 days; work done during that appeal window would be at the applicant’s sole financial risk.

Clarifying details included: menu board height limit on site is 6 feet and the applicant requested an additional 2 inches for the second menu board; the post-and-panel sign request included an additional 24 feet of height to reach approximately 30 feet overall due to roadway elevation; the post-and-panel sign area request included an additional 68 square feet; the applicant said the drive‑through stacking and double-lane design were material to the request.