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Board allows oversized hand-painted sign for Manus Bio at former Nutrisuite site
Summary
The Board approved a variance to allow a building-mounted sign up to 447.3 square feet for Manus Bio at 1762 Lovers Lane; the applicant clarified the sign will be hand-painted by a local artist and staff had recommended denial but provided conditional language adopted by the board.
The Augusta Board of Zoning Appeals approved a variance on Nov. 17 permitting Manus Bio to install a building-mounted sign at 1762 Lovers Lane that exceeds the standard industrial sign allowance.
Planning staff told the board the heavy industrial zoning limit would normally allow 156 square feet based on the ordinance formula, but the application showed a proposed sign area of 447.3 square feet. Staff recommended denial under section 33 of the comprehensive zoning ordinance but provided a condition the board could use if it chose to approve: limit the building-mounted sign to no more than 447.3 square feet and ensure it does not obstruct sightlines.
Mark Rozier, the company's appointed designee, said the proposed sign is a hand-painted mural by a local artist and that his measured dimensions translate to roughly 326.25 square feet (7.25 ft by 45 ft), which he described as closer to a 209% increase relative to the 156 sq ft limit. Rozier said Manus repurposed the former Nutrisuite manufacturing building into a biomanufacturing facility and has hired local workers.
The board discussed the discrepancy between the applicant’s on-site dimension and the permit exhibit and confirmed the applicant’s agreement to staff conditions before voting. A motion to approve subject to staff recommendations passed by show of hands; the chair thanked the applicant for the company’s local economic contributions.
Next steps: staff will limit approval to the dimensions recorded in the board’s action and the applicant must comply with any applicable permitting and sign-engineering requirements before installation.
