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Board approves Greenwood Shops sign variance, waives extended local-notice requirement
Summary
The Greenwood Board of Zoning Appeals approved a variance allowing replacement of an electronic message center with tenant panels on a multi-tenant sign, authorized written findings and granted a waiver shortening local newspaper notice to meet the state's 10-day requirement; the board voted 4-0.
The Greenwood Board of Zoning Appeals on Nov. 25 approved a variance for a sign at Greenwood Shops that will remove an existing electronic message center and replace it with tenant panels, and granted a waiver shortening the local newspaper notice requirement to the state's 10-day standard.
The petition, recorded as BZA2024-045, was presented by Regina Olsen, who said the property owner wants to "remove that existing electronic message center and just put tenant panels in" to provide panel space for multiple tenants. Olsen said the proposal would not alter the sign structure.
Planning staff told the board the department provided a favorable recommendation. Alyssa (planning staff) told the board the change "does qualify or encourage by development ordinance as a new sign" but that replacing the electronic message center with tenant panels moves the sign toward compliance and would avoid requiring a full rebuild. Kevin (property representative) noted the electronic panel had "some burnout panels" and said the tenant-panel replacement would be an improvement.
Board members admitted the application materials and staff report into the record and voted 4-0 to approve the variance with the staff-recommended condition that "the sign must substantially conform with the elevation depicted in Exhibit C." The board also approved a waiver so the local newspaper posting could meet the state's 10-day notice requirement rather than a longer local rule, and directed the corporation counsel to draft the written findings of fact for adoption at the next meeting. All motions carried by recorded voice and a 4-0 vote.
Why it matters: The decision allows Greenwood Shops to remove an electronic message center (EMC) and use static tenant panels so multiple businesses can be listed on a single freestanding sign. Board members and staff framed the change as a move toward compliance while avoiding the cost and disruption of a full sign replacement.
Next steps: Corporation counsel will prepare written findings of fact for BZA2024-045 for the board to adopt at a subsequent meeting; the petitioner may proceed with permitting once the written findings are finalized and required permits are obtained.
