Graphics Commission approves banners, building signs and entry arches; tables one application

At its May meeting the Columbus Graphics Commission approved multiple signage and graphics-plan applications for properties across the city and tabled one application for further review.

The commission approved a proposal under the Legacy Lights program to install four 10-square-foot banners on light poles at 1160 Ann Street, adjacent to South High School. "This is part of our Legacy Lights, which is part of the 614 beautification, Columbus. So we have 4 banners to go up in front of high school," said Carissa Izzo, a representative of the Legacy Lights program, describing rotating banners the program will change as new school information becomes available. Staff recommended approval and the commission voted to adopt staff findings and approve application GC25-015.

The commission also approved a graphics plan for a five-story, 276-unit mixed-use building at 1355 Edge Hill Road to allow a larger projecting sign and two parapet-mounted signs. Alfred Development’s representative Joe Gavin and consultant David Perry presented the project; staff recommended approval, noting the proposed signage fits the scale of the larger building, and the commission approved the application (GC25-017).

An entry-arch sign for a new apartment community on Harlem Road won commission approval after the applicant argued a traditional ground sign would create clear-vision and setback conflicts. "A picture's worth a thousand words," said David Hodge, attorney for the applicant, asking the commission to find practical difficulty under existing graphics rules and approve the arch in lieu of a ground sign. Staff recommended approval and the commission adopted the findings and approved the application (GC25-018).

At Quarry Trails (case GC25-019), Thrive Companies sought and won permission for a larger, monument-style directional sign on Trev[iew] Road to identify tenant businesses and help drivers find the development. Consultant Dave Perry told the commission the site’s slope, a nearby guardrail and the speed and character of Trev[iew] Road reduce the effectiveness of lower monument signs recommended by the C2P2 design guidelines; staff recommended conditions but supported approval, and the commission approved the application.

The commission approved a signage variance for 1599 Oak Street (GC25-020), allowing an entrance sign larger than the standard area in order to place identification where it will be visible despite narrow lot geometry and site topography. Bob Lamb, presenting for the applicant, described the constrained building setback and pedestrian and vehicle sightlines that informed the request.

Commissioners tabled a request for 17 South White Avenue (case GC25-014) after a motion to table was made and seconded. The application will return for consideration at a later meeting.

Votes at a glance

- GC25-015 — 1160 Ann Street (Legacy Lights banners): Approved. Staff recommended approval; commission adopted findings and approved application GC25-015. - GC25-017 — 1355 Edge Hill Road (projecting sign, parapet signs for 5-story development): Approved. Staff recommended approval; commission adopted findings and approved application GC25-017. - GC25-018 — Harlem Road (entry arch sign for apartment community): Approved after discussion about alternative ground-sign impacts; commission adopted findings and approved application GC25-018. - GC25-019 — Quarry Trails / Fady/Tree View Road (off-premise/monument directional sign): Approved with conditions recommended by staff for placement and design; commission approved application GC25-019. - GC25-020 — 1599 Oak Street (residential entrance sign variance to 42 sq ft): Approved. Staff recommended approval; commission approved application GC25-020. - GC25-014 — 17 South White Avenue: Motion to table carried; the application was tabled for later review.

What this means

Commission approvals permit the proposed signage to move forward under the graphics code and local permitting processes; several projects noted dependencies — for example, the applicant for the Harlem Road arch said the arch sits behind private property lines and is set back roughly 18½ feet from the public right of way. Staff and applicants repeatedly referenced the city’s graphics code and the C2P2 sign guidelines during debate and recommended conditions intended to limit visual clutter and maintain pedestrian sightlines.

Several applicants and staff noted the commission is reviewing graphics rules broadly; at least one participant referenced the court decision Duncan v. Middlefield when discussing the practical-difficulty standard for variances. Commissioners also discussed logistics for future meetings: the commission will move some sessions to an alternate room across the street for June through October while construction and audio upgrades are completed in the regular hearing room.

The record here contains motions, staff findings and the commission’s roll-call approvals for the cases listed above. The commission did not adopt new citywide graphics rules at this meeting; agenda items focused on site-specific graphics plans and variances for individual properties.