Jonesboro approves 35-foot sign variance after staff says city maps overstated overlay exclusion
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Summary
Developers at 3225 South Kerway Road received a variance to keep a 35-foot pylon sign after staff acknowledged the city's overlay map did not show the full 300-foot interstate buffer stated in the ordinance and committed to updating maps.
Rob Hester, of Stonebridge Construction, told the panel he represents owners of the property at 3225 South Kerway Road and that the project team had purchased and planned a pylon (on-premise) sign based on the city's online map, which showed the site outside the interstate overlay. "When we actually went to apply for the permit... the verbiage reads a little different from where this side is as far as where the Overlay District from the interstate," Hester said, describing a discrepancy between the map and ordinance language.
Staff acknowledged the discrepancy, explaining the ordinance defines the overlay as 300 feet from the edge of I-555's right-of-way but the online map visually had been drawn using the interstate centerline and therefore omitted the full buffer. Staff said they are updating the maps to reflect the ordinance and accepted responsibility for the confusion.
Representatives said the development will use one pylon sign for the entire parcel — serving a gas station and an adjacent Golden Chick restaurant — and that the installed pylon is 35 feet tall. The applicant requested a sign-height variance only; staff and members confirmed all other site elements were in compliance.
A member moved to accept the sign variance; the motion was seconded and the roll-call vote recorded affirmative responses. The panel approved the 35-foot sign variance while staff emphasized the property remains in the overlay district and only sign height was being varied; staff said the overlay boundary itself will not be altered by this action.
