Board of Adjustment approves sign variances to improve wayfinding at North Austin Medical Center

The City of Austin Board of Adjustment on Jan. 13 approved variances that allow Saint David’s Health Care to replace and illuminate three signs along the MoPac Expressway service road to improve wayfinding to North Austin Medical Center.

Board members said the request was narrowly drawn to address navigation to different emergency wings and would not give a blanket right to change other signs. Vice Chair Melissa Hawthorne and several board members emphasized that the variances were tied to the specific sign exhibits shown to the board.

Applicant representative Michael Whalen told the board the request focused on three signs on the MoPac service road “to improve wayfinding in these stressful situations, especially along the service road.” He said the main goal was to help people — including ambulance crews unfamiliar with the campus — find the correct ER…