Zoning board denies 32.13 sq ft Tim Hortons wall sign at Romeo Plank shopping center

The Zoning Board of Appeals on Oct. 2 denied a sign-exception request for a wall sign that totals 32.13 square feet where the ordinance allows a maximum of 16 square feet.

Planning staff told the board the sign had already been installed after the applicant—s permit was denied in July. "The sign has already been installed," planner Mr. Box said, and staff noted multiple existing, compliant signs on the site including a front wall sign, a pylon sign and directional signage.

Mr. Box reviewed the sign details, saying the display is composed of two components: a leaf logo reported at 12.25 square feet and text measured at 19.88 square feet. Staff advised the board to evaluate the exception against the ordinance standards including obstruction, site features, scale and the intent of the sign regulations.

"Approving the sign exception may go beyond the intent of this chapter," Mr. Box said, noting staff believed the business was already visible from the road because of existing signage, though he also said the sign did not appear to create safety or visibility hazards.

With no petitioner or public speaker present, board member Mr. Piper moved to deny the sign exception "based on the fact that a conforming sign would achieve the intent of the ordinance as it relates to visibility and scale." Mr. Kamechia seconded. The roll call vote was Piper, Kamechia, Mazzara and DeCoster in favor of denial; the motion carried.

The transcript does not record any conditions or appeal language provided by the petitioner; no additional enforcement or follow-up steps were announced at the meeting.