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Pataskala board considers variance to refinish church sign to improve visibility
Summary
The Pataskala planning board reviewed variance application VA25-040 to refinish a nonconforming church sign, with the applicant saying the current sign is hard to read at posted speeds and the contractor saying the project is a visual refresh using existing supports; the board moved to approve the variance with a condition to obtain permits within one year.
At a Pataskala City planning board meeting, members considered variance application VA25-040, a request to refinish and relight an existing nonconforming sign on church property.
Kayla, zoning staff, told the board the proposal would reuse the existing sign supports and cabinets, install new LED illumination and new faces, and produce a double-faced sign with a total reported area of about 90.89 square feet and an overall height of about 17 feet 10 inches. Kayla cited local sign provisions, noting that signs in the Agricultural District are generally limited to smaller areas and that a replacement for a nonconforming sign must bring the sign into conformance within 20% of the code limit.
David Goodwin, who identified himself as the church pastor, said he moved to the area recently and that, driving at the posted 50 mph speed, he nearly missed the church turn because the existing sign is difficult to read. "You cannot read that sign, to know what church it is," Goodwin said, and he emphasized that the church serves as a polling location, runs a food pantry, hosts a homeschool co-op and provides other community uses that benefit from clearer wayfinding.
Steven Bosco, a sign contractor, said the work is intended as an aesthetic refresh rather than a structural change. "Overall size is gonna stay the same. Height's gonna stay the same," Bosco said, and he described replacing faces, repainting and installing new LEDs while using the current sign supports.
During board questioning, staff confirmed the replacement rule limiting nonconforming sign replacements to within 20% of code allowances. The Chair then read through the variance findings (A–K), moved to approve VA25-040 with the condition that the applicant obtain all necessary permits from the city within one year of approval, and the motion received a second and a roll call. The record shows the board moved to approve findings and facts for the application.
The board did not provide a detailed vote tally in the transcript excerpt; the action on VA25-040 moved forward with the stated condition that the applicant obtain permits within one year. The planning board then proceeded to the next agenda item.
Next steps: The applicant must secure the required sign permit from Pataskala's planning and zoning department before construction begins.
