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Graphics Commission approves Chick‑fil‑A sign permit after applicant drops height variance
Summary
The Graphics Commission approved a revised sign permit for a proposed Chick‑fil‑A at 4015 South Hampton Road after the applicant withdrew a request for an 85‑foot ground sign and agreed to a 60‑foot maximum; the commission also approved an enlarged north‑elevation wall sign.
The Graphics Commission voted to approve a revised sign permit for a proposed Chick‑fil‑A at 4015 South Hampton Road (application GC24‑0434015) after the applicant withdrew a portion of its variance request and agreed to limit the ground sign’s visible height to 60 feet.
City planning staff had recommended against the application as originally presented, saying local guidance discourages excessively large signs and that monument‑style signs are preferred in suburban areas. Staff’s report noted the proposal sought to increase a north‑elevation wall sign from the allowed 16 square feet to 58.75 square feet and requested a ground sign height variance up to 85 feet.
The applicant argued the larger north‑elevation wall sign was needed for legibility. “If you put a 16 square foot sign on that elevation, the Chick‑fil‑A wouldn't be legible. It wouldn't be readable. It'd be ineffective,” said Tracy Diehl, the applicant’s representative. Diehl also said the proposed 85‑foot pole sign would sit 22 feet below road grade, which the applicant said would make it effectively about 63 feet above the roadway when viewed from State Route 33.
Commissioners pressed on visibility, precedent and consistency with local sign standards. After discussion, the applicant amended the submittal to withdraw the variance request to section 3377.16(b) and accept a condition limiting the ground sign’s visible height to 60 feet. The commission then approved the application as amended.
The approval permits the enlarged north‑elevation wall sign (58.75 square feet on the north face) and the ground sign at the amended height limit. The commission’s action was recorded as an approval of the application as amended; the vote was announced in the meeting as unanimous for the motion to approve.
Next steps: the approved, amended permit will proceed per the commission’s direction and any required building or sign permits must still be obtained.
