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Zoning board allows taller, zero‑setback sign at State Road 2 gas station
Summary
After debate about visibility, underground tanks and alternatives, the board approved a request to modify a longstanding pole sign at State Road 2 in Quince — granting variances for 28‑foot height and a 0‑foot front setback.
The Area Board of Zoning Appeals voted Jan. 14 to grant variances allowing a 28‑foot pole sign with a zero‑foot front setback at a State Road 2 gas station in Quince, after the petitioner said rebranding and site constraints made relocation impractical.
Staff (Ariel/Fariel Sharif, Area Planning Commission) recommended denial, saying a structural change to a legal nonconforming sign ordinarily requires bringing the sign into full compliance and that other sign types (for example, a monument sign with a 10‑foot setback) could meet visibility needs. Staff noted prior permit records showing the sign had been permitted at 30 feet in the past.
Petitioner representatives said they planned only to replace the sign faces and not alter the poles. Sarah Mahison of Basel Construction, the contractor, said, “We don't wanna touch the structure of the poles. We just wanna swap out the country cupboard section for the marathon and then install new digits on the existing poles.” Co‑owner Sonny Singh said the sign had been in place for about 25 years and that crews were concerned moving the sign would interfere with underground fuel tanks, utilities and traffic flow.
Board members discussed sight‑line and traffic concerns at the intersection, the existence of a prior permit, engineering constraints and whether cutting off the top portion of the sign would avoid losing its nonconforming status. Joe Bellman moved to approve both variances and Doctor Lauck seconded; voting in the transcript shows unanimous approval among members present. The board said it will issue written findings of fact.
Next steps: the petitioner may proceed with sign face replacement and associated permitting consistent with the granted variances; staff will prepare written findings documenting the board’s rationale.
