ZBA approves larger wall sign and oversized logo for Excelsior Avenue hardware store despite board concerns

The Saratoga Springs Zoning Board of Appeals on June 2 granted area variances to Saratoga Quality Hardware allowing new wall-lettering at 24 inches (6 inches over the 18-inch district limit) and a circular logo 84 inches tall (68 inches over the 18-inch limit) for the store at 110–112 Excelsior Avenue.

Louise Eddie, identified in the hearing as the owner and applicant representative, told the board the store has been at the location about 50 years and needs clearer street-facing signage because the building is set back behind a large parking area. "We've been very fortunate to serve the community for the last 50 years in that location," Eddie said, arguing the new signage would act both as a wall sign and a replacement for a monument sign that was removed after being struck by a vehicle.

The board asked for and received measurements and renderings comparing proposed lettering heights. The zoning administrator provided calculations showing the existing wall sign area is about 49 square feet and the new total sign area would be about 100 square feet; the UDO maximum cumulative wall signage for the facade is 150 square feet. Board members discussed two vendor signs already on the building — Benjamin Moore and PPG — and whether the applicant should replace or reduce those to reduce overall visual clutter. Eddie said she was willing to reduce the PPG sign and update the Benjamin Moore sign to a sleeker, smaller option but preferred to retain some brand signage because of vendor requirements.

Board members debated compromises on lettering height (suggestions ranged from 18 to 24 inches and informal midpoints such as 21–22 inches). Because the applicant's formal request was for 24 inches and an 84-inch logo, the board's draft motion presented those figures and set findings under the five variance standards. The motion noted comparable 24-inch lettering on an adjacent commercial property and said the new logo's area would be smaller than the existing large Quality Hardware panel.

After discussion the board voted to approve the variances as requested. Individual votes called on the record included: Jay McCasston — opposed; Otis Maxwell — in favor; Amanda Dema — opposed; Paige Simpson — in favor. Several members voted verbally in favor without a name called in the transcript at that moment; the chair announced the motion carried. The draft motion dated 06/02/2025 recorded the requested relief as: lettering height district requirement 18 inches, proposed 24 inches (relief 6 inches or 33.3%); logo height district requirement 18 inches, proposed 84 inches (relief 68 inches or 377.8%).

The board conditioned no additional written requirements on replacement of the freestanding monument sign, though members discussed whether a monument sign could be reinstated in the future. Staff provided the board with follow-up tasks to finalize square-foot computations and to reflect the board’s findings in the written resolution.