Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Signs And Land Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Franklin City zoning board overturns staff, allows internally lit sign for Station Pizzeria
Summary
On Jan. 8, 2026, the Franklin City Board of Zoning Appeals voted 3-1 to overturn a zoning administrator's determination and allow Station Pizzeria at 7007 Moores Lane to install an internally illuminated band sign, despite staff's reading that the feature met the ordinance's definition of a canopy sign.
The Franklin City Board of Zoning Appeals voted 3-1 on Jan. 8, 2026, to overturn a zoning administrator's determination and allow Station Pizzeria at 7007 Moores Lane to install an internally illuminated band sign.
The decision reverses a zoning determination by Shanna McCoy, the city zoning administrator, who told the board the submitted elevations show a feature that "meets the definition of a canopy sign and as such is limited to external illumination only" under section 15.5 of the City of Franklin zoning ordinance. McCoy said the feature is attached, not completely enclosed and provides shelter over an outdoor dining area, which, by her reading, triggers the canopy-sign rules.
The applicant, Adam Sleight of Jarvis Signs, and the project's architectural designer, Stuart DeWarn of Powell, argued the element is integral to the building's façade and should be treated as a band sign instead. "It is literally part of the design to have this be a sign band," Sleight said, arguing internal illumination would produce a more refined appearance and "a little less light pollution." DeWarn told the board the sign is "located over the main entry" and is aligned with the primary façade, saying it does not fit the band-vs-canopy illustration staff cited.
Legal counsel reminded the board that this proceeding is a quasi-judicial appeal: the board's role is to "uphold or overturn" the zoning administrator's determination by applying ordinance definitions, not to consider variance criteria. Board members debated whether the ordinance text and illustrations more closely matched staff's interpretation or the applicant's design-based argument; several members said the sign's integration with the façade favored the applicant's position, while at least one member emphasized strict textual interpretation.
Board member Beams, Chair Jonathan Langley and Board member Smith voted to overturn the determination; Board member Flushauer voted to deny. The motion to overturn passed 3-1.
With the appeal decided, the board adjourned. The record does not show further administrative steps taken that evening; any permit issuance or conditions stemming from this decision must follow standard city permitting procedures.
