Fulshear ZBA approves directional-only sign for planned Shipley Donuts with size limits

The City of Fulshear Zoning Board of Adjustment on Feb. 20 approved a variance allowing a directional sign to point to a planned Shipley Donuts at 29907 Jordan Crossing Boulevard, with conditions that the sign contain no commercial advertising and be no larger than 4 feet by 2 feet.

The decision came after Connor Temple, representing applicant Michael Nabalock, told the board the building footprint is an awkward L shape and the restaurant’s drive‑through entrance is at the rear corner. Temple said the additional sign would "direct patrons to come in to our drive through lane" because another retail building to the east limits visibility from Texas Heritage Parkway.

Rodrigo Rodriguez, City of Fulshear planning staff, recommended approval, saying the adjacent retail shell and a dental office would make visibility from Texas Heritage difficult and that the primary monument sign for the shopping center would front Jordan Crossing, not Texas Heritage. "If they don't get this second sign, they're gonna have the 1 facing Jordan Crossing, which no one's really gonna see unless they're going down Jordan Crossing itself," Rodriguez said.

Board members discussed a recent precedent in which a Bank of America request for a sign on a non‑street facing elevation was denied. Ms. Kolick moved to deny the Shipley request, citing that precedent; the motion received no seconder. Several board members and city staff then pointed out an option under the code for private traffic control signs: ground‑mounted, directional signs that are exempt from permitting if they meet size and content limits and do not include advertising.

Mr. Lubberoff moved to approve the variance with the condition that the sign be directional only; Ms. Peters seconded. After an amendment to set dimensions, the board approved the variance unanimously, with the final condition that the sign be directional only (no commercial advertising) and not exceed 4 feet wide by 2 feet tall. The board did not grant permission for a wall‑mounted advertising sign; staff noted a wall sign would be governed by a separate wall‑sign standard (10% of the façade area maximum) and would not be exempt from permitting.

The board record includes the applicant's plan showing the proposed sign at the south end of the building's east face, pointing toward Texas Heritage Parkway. Staff and the board noted that if the applicant wants a different sign type in the future — for example, a wall sign with branding — that would either require compliance with the code or a separate variance.

Votes and motion details are in the board action record. The board chair closed the public hearing and moved to the next agenda item after the vote.

Ending: The applicant may proceed subject to the board's conditions; final permitting and any required plan revisions will follow the city's normal plan review process.