Southlake sign board approves font variance but denies red-and-blue color for Forest Park tenant

The Southlake Sign Board on May 20 recommended approval of a tenant's request to use its branded letter style for a new sign at Forest Park Medical Center but denied a requested red-and-blue color, voting 5-2 to send the recommendation to City Council.

The matter involved a proposed sign for Ouch Ortho Pediatrics at 431 East State Highway 114, Suite 120. Board members said the sign meets area and placement rules in the applicable Forest Park Medical Center master sign plan but conflicts with that plan's requirement that tenant signage match the established sign color (dark bronze) and letter style used on the building.

The variance request sought exceptions for letter style (font and logo) and color. "I'm supportive of the master sign plan, particularly in this location along the freeway," Commissioner Dr. Springer said during discussion, adding that there was a reason the plan specified consistent treatments. Several board members said they were willing to allow the letter-style variance but were not comfortable with the proposed red-and-blue color. One board member said the red was the most problematic element for them.

Applicant representative Nick Karam told the board the sign had been part of his lease agreement and that the building owner had not realized the older master sign plan still applied to that side of the building. "This sign was actually part of the lease agreement for the building," Karam said, adding that the tenant had already signed a lease and planned to move in. Staff told the board the site defaults to the 2015 Forest Park Medical Center master sign plan for that tenant location because the revised plan tied to the hospital rebranding did not address signs on that side of the building.

Board members discussed alternatives including a one-off variance versus pursuing an amendment to the master sign plan for the building. Staff said either path would ultimately move to City Council; the board's recommendation is advisory. The board voted on a motion (agenda item SV2055, per the staff report dated May 16, 2025) that approved the letter-style variance but denied the color variance. The motion passed 5-2. The staff report and the board's recommendation will be considered by City Council at its June 3 meeting.

The board recorded that the proposed sign would meet sign area and placement limits and that the only deviations were the letter style and color. The board also noted a history of several tenant signs at the complex having been approved as variances over time, creating an inconsistent pattern across the building façades. Staff suggested a cohesive amendment to the master sign plan could address those broader inconsistencies.

No formal amendments to the motion were recorded. The recommendation from the Sign Board is advisory and will be forwarded to City Council for final action. The board adjourned after the vote.