Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Signage topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Andover denies Jump Start request for 25-foot pole sign; board keeps 20-foot limit
Summary
The Board of Zoning Appeals denied a variance that would have allowed a 25-foot pole sign for Jump Start, concluding the applicant did not demonstrate the unique hardship required to exceed the district's 20-foot standard.
The Andover Board of Zoning Appeals voted to deny a request for a variance that would have allowed a 25-foot pole sign for the Jump Start convenience/store at the corner of West 21st/20th Street and North Andover Road. Staff recommended denial and the board concluded the applicant had not demonstrated the unique conditions required for a height variance.
City staff told the board the district permits pole signs up to 20 feet and "staff does feel that the 5 additional feet doesn't seem to be supported by that much that sets this property apart from the others around it." The zoning administrator noted there were no topographic or surrounding development features that would make a 20-foot sign insufficient.
Anders Herplesheimer, representing Ron Sign Company and the Jump Start owner, said the brand standard "for the jump starts is the 25 foot tall pole sign with the double pole," and argued that higher clearance under the sign improves sight lines and legibility of price digits. He said that, at 20 feet, the sign can appear "squatty" and the bottom digits sit closer to the ground.
Commissioners pressed the applicant on alternatives and visibility. One commissioner observed that "you could scale this to 20 feet" and still achieve legibility and competitive visibility with nearby signs; staff and commissioners noted a monument sign across the street (Casey's) is readable at close distances and that no nearby signs approach 25 feet. The board reviewed the variance criteria and found the request was based substantially on the applicant's desire for greater visibility and revenue rather than a property-specific hardship.
Commissioner David Foley moved that the chairperson be authorized to sign a resolution not granting the variance for case number BZA-V25-0009; the motion was seconded and approved. The chair said a resolution denying the variance will be prepared and made available to the applicant within 45 days; the hearing record also referenced appeal rights to district court (appeal timing as stated at the hearing).
