Board grants sign‑illumination variance for 376 High Street, requires timer to shut off an hour after close

The City of Morgantown Board of Zoning Appeals granted a variance allowing internal illumination of a proposed sign at 376 High Street while imposing a timer condition that the sign go dark one hour after the business closes.

Planning staff told the board the applicant, Zakaria Issa, sought relief from section 13.69.08 of the city's planning and zoning code regarding illumination standards; staff said the sign's size and dimensions comply but internal illumination is not permitted by right in the downtown B‑4 district. Staff reported no objections to the variance request and recommended the board apply its standard planning condition if the variance were granted.

An applicant representative (identified in the record as Ayesha) told the board the franchise's signage requires internal illumination but said the sign could be placed on a timer. Board members discussed examples of other internally illuminated signs downtown and debated nighttime impacts on nearby residents. One board member proposed, and the board accepted, an amended motion to require the illuminated signage be set on a timer to turn off one hour after the business closes.

The board first voted to accept the findings of fact in the staff packet and then moved and seconded the amended motion to grant the variance subject to the standard condition and the added timer provision. The motion carried by recorded voice vote. Planning staff will issue written notification to the applicant within 7–10 business days; the decision may be appealed to the Circuit Court within 30 days and any work during the appeal period would be at the applicant's financial risk.