Planning commission approves move of school sign at 1155 Bell Road to school property

The South Russell Planning Commission on Oct. 16 approved an application to move an existing sign at 1155 Bell Road back onto the school property.

Sam Gustwick of Signorama, who presented the application on behalf of the school, told the commission the sign will not be altered aside from the relocation. “The current sign is gonna remain the same. It's simply being moved to a location that is, on school properties where where it sits right now,” Gustwick said.

Commissioners were told the relocation restores the sign to a previous location on the school parcel to improve visibility. Gustwick said there would be “no alterations” to the site and “there will be no light.” A commissioner asked whether any setback requirement applies; staff indicated the sign is being returned to its former position and will meet the setbacks that applied previously.

After brief discussion, a motion to approve was made and seconded and the commission voted to approve the relocation. The meeting record shows the vote was recorded in the affirmative by a staff roll call (recorded name: Ruth). The application packet and presentation described the applicant as acting on behalf of the school and indicated no changes to the sign face or illumination.

The relocation allows the sign to sit on the school-owned parcel rather than the adjacent lot where it currently stands. The commission did not impose additional conditions in the motion, and staff did not indicate further site alterations will be required.