Delaware City BZA considers Kroger’s request for 92-sq.-ft. pickup sign; staff recommended denial

The Delaware City Board of Zoning Appeals on April 9 considered a variance request from Sign Vision Company, on behalf of Kroger, to install a 92-square-foot illuminated wall sign at 1840 Columbus Pike to identify grocery pickup parking.

The request would increase the store’s total wall signage above the limits in the city’s sign regulations and add a wall sign beyond the three permitted for a traditional business unit. Planning staff recommended the board deny the variance, saying the applicant had not demonstrated a legal hardship that would justify the larger sign.

Staff planner Reed told the board the property is in a B-3 community business district and that the city’s sign rules (Chapter 1165 of the city zoning code) limit wall signage for a traditional business unit to a base of 125 square feet and no more than three wall signs. Reed said the site already has about 205 square feet of wall signage; adding the proposed 92-square-foot pickup sign would raise the total to roughly 297 square feet.

Rebecca Green, speaking for Sign Vision and Kroger, said the company is rolling out new branding and pickup operations first introduced during the COVID period and that the pickup sign is meant to direct customers to designated pickup parking and reduce vehicle-pedestrian contacts. "The idea is here to try to keep people separated from as many cars as possible," Green said, describing the sign’s role in safety and customer flow.

Board members questioned…