Villa Magna seeks larger entrance signs; Highland Beach to study sign‑code change

Edward Atamian, president of the Villa Magna board of trustees, presented the commission on Nov. 4 with a plan to replace and enlarge entrance monument signs at the complex to improve visibility and reduce dangerous U‑turns and driveway confusion.

Atamian said Villa Magna has spent more than $22 million on building renovations over seven years and that the proposed new, backlit monument signs would be a donation to the town—s visual environment while improving safety for vehicles entering and leaving the complex. "We really feel we can reduce our congestion and our potential accidents with larger, more visible, more modern— signs," Atamian said.

Town staff response and code constraints Town staff explained the town—s sign code limits monument or standalone sign faces to 10 square feet and smaller directional or entry signs to three square feet. Under the existing code the proposed monument dimensions exceed the size limit and there is no administrative variance process for sign size in the town—s Section 23; the only administrative avenue described in the code is an appeals review for interpretation errors. "They're just bigger than our ordinance allows," staff said.

Staff and commissioners discussed options for moving forward: amendment of the sign ordinance (which requires drafting, public notice and planning‑board review) or redesign of the signs to meet the existing 10‑square‑foot limit. Staff also flagged a state legislative issue that local speakers referenced as potentially constraining changes to local sign rules: litigation surrounding Senate/House Bill 180 and questions about whether changes are "more restrictive" under state law. Town manager Marshall Labadee said staff would return with a properly noticed agenda item and additional information at the commission—s Dec. 2 meeting.

Public input and next steps Multiple residents and board members attended and provided photographs and mockups of the proposed monuments. Commissioners said they were generally supportive of Villa Magna—s improvements but stressed the process must follow code and public‑notice requirements. The manager said staff will prepare formal information and options for the Dec. 2 meeting so the commission can determine whether to pursue an ordinance amendment or require a redesign that complies with the current sign code.