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Georgetown Board of Adjustments approves variance to reinstall town-branded message board at Shore Auto Sales
Summary
The Board of Adjustments granted Shore Auto Sales a variance to place a custom "Welcome to Georgetown" message board on its property, citing no public opposition and the sign's community-use history; the applicant said the board will serve both business and local nonprofit notices.
The Georgetown Board of Adjustments voted to grant a variance allowing Shore Auto Sales (owned by Preston Automotive Group/DHW Holdings) to reinstall a custom "Welcome to Georgetown" message board on its property.
At a public hearing, Chris Schaffner, representing DHW Holdings and Preston Automotive Group, said the request "is because of the sign, not because wanting another sign." He told the board the message board was custom-built for Georgetown, was removed after the state acquired a previous site by eminent domain, and the owners want to keep the town-branded sign in Georgetown rather than discard it.
Brian Fitzgerald of Ryle Incorporated, the project's consultant, described plans for a service facility on the east side of the dealership and said the proposed sign will comply with the zoning rules for H-C districts, including a 25-foot setback. "We're currently going through ... obtaining all approvals for the project," Fitzgerald said.
John Pardee, counsel for the board, explained the legal standard the panel must apply: "It's the same test that you're familiar with for an area variance. It's not a use variance because the use that they're proposing is permitted. The legal test is whether or not the harm to the applicant, if the variance is denied, is greater than the probable effect on neighboring properties if the variance is granted." Pardee noted the property fronts on multiple roadways and that one existing sign is already a "Welcome to Georgetown" board on the site.
Board members asked whether staff had received any written complaints; Brian Olszak, community development director, said staff had "received no correspondence from the public on this, and no public is present." The applicant also said the message board has historically hosted community notices — from local nonprofits and agencies — and that the owners intend to continue allowing such postings.
Tom Baker moved to approve the variance, describing it as appropriate for the town-branded sign; a board member seconded and members signaled their agreement. Chair Jane Hovington said there had been no vocal opposition and that the sign would enhance the community. "The motion has been granted, and we look forward to seeing the sign back up," she said.
The board's action allows the applicant to proceed with the town and county approvals needed to install the message board; the transcript records no conditions attached beyond standard permitting and zoning compliance.
