The Decatur City Board of Zoning Adjustments on Tuesday approved variances for larger Speedway signage at 3523 Deer Road SE, allowing a 300.64-square-foot attached sign and an 80-square-foot directional sign that exceed limits in the city zoning code.

Colby Dodd, representing Dodd Signs & Service LLC, told the board the larger, lit signs are intended to improve visibility for truck drivers and reduce conflicts between trucks and cars. "They're Speedway's wanting to add the signs, and they're, wanting to go up a little bigger than than what y'all allowed," Dodd said during his presentation.

Board members asked detailed questions about placement, setback and lighting. The applicant estimated directional signs would likely be set back roughly 20 feet from the road and confirmed the proposed signs would be lit. Board members also asked whether the proposed signage would be larger than the posted speed-limit signs; the applicant indicated they would be.

A board member moved to "approve as submitted and provide any directional signage as a compliance with the zoning ordinance." The motion was seconded and a roll-call vote recorded affirmative votes from all members present; the board announced the variances were approved.

The approval references variances from Section 25-76 (attached sign area) and Section 25-732 (directional sign area) as stated in the application materials. The decision applies to the Speedway project at 3523 Deer Road SE in the M-1 Light Industry District.