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ZBA denies appeal for oversized monument sign at Haymarket corner
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Summary
The Zoning Board denied an appeal that would have allowed an 18‑foot monument sign at 4205 Merle Hay Road, voting to keep the municipality's monument‑sign height limits after staff and several board members argued the taller sign was disproportionate to the corridor.
The Des Moines Zoning Board of Adjustment denied an appeal on Thursday that would have allowed an 18‑foot monument sign with a 2‑foot base at 4205 Merle Hay Road. Staff had recommended a compromise limit of 12 feet with a 2‑foot base; the applicant had requested 18 feet to improve tenant visibility from the intersection.
Bert Dross, planning staff, said the property owner (Green State Credit Union) proposed the taller sign because the building is set back from the road and the sign would identify multiple tenants. Staff recommended limiting the sign to 12 feet — 50 percent above the by‑right 8‑foot height — and keeping a reduced 2‑foot base if the height were limited.
John McCall, representing the sign contractor and property owner, said the taller sign would help visibility and revitalize the site. Board members questioned scale and overlap with an existing group sign on the corridor; one member called 18 feet "out of kilter for proportion." Other members said the corridor is being revitalized and a taller sign could be appropriate if modest.
The board first considered a motion to approve staff’s 12‑foot compromise; that motion failed for lack of four affirmative votes. A subsequent motion to deny the appeal and keep the by‑right 8‑foot standard carried; the vote was 5 in favor of denial and 2 opposed. The board instructed staff to prepare the formal order. The applicant may proceed with a code‑compliant sign under current regulations.
