Carrollton Bank seeks second monument sign; Olivette staff proposes narrow code fix

Staff told the commission a petition from Carrollton Bank requests permission for a second monument sign on its Light Industrial District parcel. Under current code the city allows one monument sign (up to 25 square feet and 6 feet tall) where a lot has at least 200 feet of continuous street frontage or lot area of three acres or more; Carrollton was seeking a second sign to increase visibility from multiple approaches within the industrial court.

Planning staff proposed allowing a second monument sign only for parcels with at least 300 feet of continuous street frontage, subject to site-plan review before the commission. Staff said any second monument sign would remain subject to the existing size (25 sq. ft.) and height (6 ft.) limits and recommended minimum separation between the two monument signs so they are not clustered. The second sign would also be reviewed for aesthetics and overall signage balance (for example, wall signs and tenant signage) as part of the site-plan review.

Commissioners discussed operational details — whether secondary signs should be limited to main entrances or corners, whether directional signage could supplement monument signs, and how the rule might apply to other districts. Staff said the change would initially be limited to the Light Industrial District and that a future comprehensive sign-code review or sign master plan would address broader signage questions.

Commissioners expressed support for allowing site-plan review to manage design and proximity concerns and asked staff to return with refined code language if Carrollton pursues the change.