The DeKalb County Board of Zoning Appeals voted to approve petition 25-14 on a request to install a gateway sign at Rotondo Estates that exceeds size limits in the county's Unified Development Ordinance.

Staff told the board the applicant, Westrick LLC, proposes a sign of 331.2 square feet; the ordinance allows a gateway sign of up to 40 square feet for subdivisions with fewer than 20 lots, and Rotondo Estates has 14 lots. Staff said the County Highway Department approved the proposed location, which is outside the right-of-way and set back roughly 30–35 feet from the road.

Applicant Brian Rothgeb, who identified himself as a San Giovanni Estates resident and developer and said he assisted in developing Rotondo Estates, said the sign is intended to "look nice, for the classness of the subdivision" and to reflect the development's character. He told the board he and the designer reviewed sight lines with the highway department and believed the sign would not create a safety concern.

In presenting findings, staff recommended approval after answering the three required variance questions: staff reported no objections from county departments on public welfare grounds, stated the sign would not adversely affect adjacent property values and agreed the strict application of the ordinance imposed practical difficulties given the adjacent development's larger entrance features. Staff read conditions that must be met before a certificate of occupancy or completion is issued, including compliance with applicable environmental standards cited in the Unified Development Ordinance (Article 5.11 EN-1) and written evidence of compliance with the DeKalb County Board of Health, Highway Department, Drainage Board, Surveyor, Soil and Water Conservation District or other applicable agencies.

A board member moved to approve petition 25-14 "for both the ability to put a sign out there as well as an increase in size of the sign." The board recorded affirmative votes and the motion passed. Recorded vocal affirmations included Roy Walker, Andrew Provines, Jason Carnahan and Frank Pulver. The board retained continuing jurisdiction to impose additional conditions if necessary.

The board closed the item by reminding the applicant that written evidence of agency compliance must be filed before any certificate of occupancy or completion will be issued. The meeting continued with administrative scheduling for the 2026 calendar.