BZA approves Convention Center wayfinding and pole-banner package, limits monument sign height

The Bloomington Board of Zoning Appeals approved a sign-variance package on March 26 that will standardize wayfinding and parking signage for the expanding Convention Center campus and allow a new monument sign with an electronic reader board, subject to size limits.

Jackie Scanlon, assistant director at the planning department, outlined the package: nine freestanding directional signs (some proposed within or close to the right of way), 16 light-pole banners to mark campus parking, and a replacement ground-mounted monument sign that includes a digital reader board. The UDO’s downtown mixed-use overlay limits monument signs to 4 feet and imposes other dimensional and placement constraints; staff recommended approval with the monument capped at 6 feet and with the electronic portion proportionally reduced if the sign is lowered.

Sarah Hempstead of Schmidt Associates, representing the Monroe County capital-improvement board, said the package is intended primarily to improve safety and campus legibility: "As the convention center exists on both sides of the street, we want to ensure safety of pedestrians, drivers and cyclists," she said. A local public speaker voiced support, citing community benefit and visitor orientation.

The board approved the variances unanimously and included conditions that require the monument sign be no taller than 6 feet and that the digital panel be scaled proportionally if the final sign height is reduced. Staff also confirmed the digital sign must meet the city’s standard timing rules for reader-board content (20 seconds per change).

What happens next: The petitioner will submit revised sign drawings reflecting the 6-foot cap and proportional digital dimensions for staff review and sign permits.