Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Signage topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission sends Villa Magna signage request to planning board amid broader sign-code review
Summary
The Highland Beach commission agreed to forward Villa Magna’s request for larger, illuminated monument signage to the planning board and asked staff to have the board evaluate permanent sign size, frontage-based limits, illumination, color, and an appeal process while considering Senate Bill 180 restrictions.
The Highland Beach Town Commission on Dec. 2 directed staff to send Villa Magna’s proposed replacement and enlarged monument signage on State Road A1A to the planning board for a full review.
Vice Mayor Stern, who initiated the request that the planning board examine the town’s overall permanent-sign standards, told the commission the questions are broader than a single application: “We ought to put that into and enforce what the correct standard is,” he said, urging a review of maximum sizes and whether existing larger signs should be treated as lawful nonconforming.
Town Manager Labadee summarized staff measurements showing Highland Beach’s permanent-sign limit is 10 square feet and that many nearby communities have larger signs. Labadee said planning-board review would examine yardage, frontage-based scaling, and processes for appeals or variances. He also noted legal constraints tied to state action: “Because of Senate Bill 180 we can’t make land use regulations more restrictive,” Labadee said, explaining that the town must be careful about any change that would reduce an existing floor established in the current ordinance.
Ellen Bonder, general manager of Villa Magna, told commissioners the association recently passed a material alteration and special assessment to fund the project and urged timely consideration so Villa Magna can proceed with planned improvements. “We are grateful that you’re taking up consideration of our project,” she said, and offered to host staff for a site visit.
Commissioners asked the planning board to use Villa Magna as a case example while reviewing the entire permanent-sign ordinance for Highland Beach, examining safety (visibility and sight lines), illumination, color, and whether a frontage or unit‑count scale would be appropriate. Staff said they will summarize the commission’s comments and return the planning board’s recommendation to the commission. No formal ordinance change was adopted at the meeting; members only approved sending the matter to the planning board for study and recommendations.
Next steps: staff will place the item on a planning-board agenda for in‑depth analysis and return a formal recommendation to the town commission.
