Nashville BZA approves variance for second monument sign at Royal Parkway; vote 4-0

The Metro Nashville Board of Zoning Appeals approved a variance on a 4-0 vote to allow a second ground (monument) sign at 810 Royal Parkway, the board said during its public hearing. The board attached a condition that the new sign be set back the same distance from the street as the existing monument sign.

The variance was requested after zoning staff denied a sign permit. Applicant representatives said the property already has one monument sign that cannot accommodate names for two additional tenants and that an on-site electrical box limits locations where a second sign could meet the current setback rules.

“My name is Kaylee. I work at FASTSIGNS Downtown Nashville,” the applicant’s representative said during the hearing, explaining the request and adding, “All we want is another monument sign on the other side where it makes sense.” Daniel Sohn, who identified his address as 810 Royal Parkway, said the additional monument would allow listing names of businesses that newly occupy the property: “we'll put our names of the additional company that moved in to that building.”

Board members debated whether the problem was a legitimate hardship or a marketing convenience. One board member said the electrical box presented a practical obstruction and described the situation as a hardship; another member argued the applicant could instead modify the existing monument sign to add names. After discussion, a motion to grant the variance with the setback condition passed 4-0.

Zoning staff told the board that the property is allowed two ground signs and that the total permitted sign area for a similarly situated lot under current rules is 384 square feet. Staff also said the existing monument sign was legally permitted when constructed under older, more restrictive office (OP) zoning rules and sits roughly 10 feet from the back of the sidewalk. A staff measurement during a site visit found the proposed location would encroach about five feet into the current front setback requirement without a variance.

The board made a placement condition: the new sign must be set back equidistant from the street as the existing monument sign. Staff said the state roadway authority will review the final permit to verify visibility and roadway safety as part of the permit process.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda: cases 2025-92 (2896 Landcrest Drive), 2025-98 (Saint Mary Villas / Catholic Diocese of Nashville, 2800 McGavick Pike), 2025-99 (3422 Hampton Avenue), 2025-102 (2129 Belmont Boulevard), and 2025-103 (1724 Fifteenth Avenue South) were recommended by the chair and approved as a group (motion to approve consent agenda recorded in transcript; outcome: approved). The transcript records the motion to approve the consent agenda but does not include a roll-call tally for those items.

- Case 2025-100 (810 Royal Parkway): variance to allow a second monument sign approved with condition that it be set back the same distance as the existing ground sign; vote recorded 4-0.

- Rehearing request: a rehearing request was filed by Lamar Advertising related to a previously approved case at 2975 Elm Hill Pike; the board indicated the rehearing will be scheduled for the first available December docket (December 4). The transcript records the scheduling statement; a formal motion to set the rehearing is not verbatim in the record excerpt.

Why it matters

The board’s decision allows the property owner to add tenant identification near the entrance while directing staff and the state roadway authority to confirm final placement for sight-lines and compliance. The discussion highlighted how older, legally permitted signs can remain in locations that do not meet current setback rules and how applicants and the board weigh marketing needs against zoning standards.

The board adjourned after the final case and the items listed above. For more information, the BZA posts agendas and minutes on the Metro Nashville website.