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Abilene board approves 80-foot sign variance for proposed Casey’s, denies secondary 25-foot sign
Summary
The City of Abilene Board of Adjustments on Feb. 10 approved a variance allowing an 80-foot, 460-square-foot pylon sign for a proposed Casey’s at Oldham Lane and Loop 322, finding sight-line conditions justify the exception; the board denied a separate variance for a 25-foot secondary sign and upheld monument-sign limits for that corner.
The City of Abilene Board of Adjustments voted Feb. 10 to grant a variance allowing a single 80-foot, 460-square-foot freestanding pylon sign for a proposed Casey’s convenience store at the northwest corner of Oldham Lane and Loop 322 and denied a separate variance for a 25-foot secondary sign.
Adam Holland, a planner for the City of Abilene, described the request on behalf of the owner, Weatherby Construction Incorporated, saying the property is zoned PDD 1104, which ordinarily permits only monument signs at up to 10 feet and 80 square feet. Holland told the board the general retail (GR) district would allow larger signs — typically up to 50 feet and 300 square feet — but the site’s PD restrictions would require a variance for Casey’s proposed signs.
Guy Salimp, representing Casey’s, told the board the company is new to Texas and requires visible branding to serve motorists. "We did drone test. Southbound, you can kinda see it at 50 to 60 feet. Northbound, it really needs to be about 80 feet to get above high enough that... you can see it in time to exit," Salimp said, arguing that the loop’s curve and an existing billboard block sight lines from some approaches.
During deliberations, board members cited the overpass and a nearby billboard as conditions creating a sight-line hardship not created by the applicant. One committee member moved to approve the variance for Sign 1, saying the distance of the exits and the obstructing billboard make the taller pylon necessary for visibility; the motion was seconded and carried in a recorded vote with affirmative votes recorded by the board.
The board then considered the separate variance for Sign 2, a proposed 25-foot sign at 87 square feet. Members discussed that the PD’s monument-sign standard is intended to limit freestanding signage on that side of the road and that allowing a taller secondary sign could disadvantage future adjacent businesses. A motion to deny the variance for Sign 2 — based on staff recommendations and the PD’s monument-sign intent — passed on recorded affirmative votes.
Per the board’s procedural briefing at the meeting, an approved variance carries a 180-day period to obtain a building permit; denied requests may not be reconsidered for 12 months. Appeals from board decisions may be filed in a court of record within 10 days.
The board had opened the public hearing but recorded no public commenters for or against the request. With both actions concluded, the chair adjourned the meeting.
