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Hialeah board approves LED pylon sign at Univita Medical Center with strict brightness and content conditions
Summary
The Planning and Zoning Board approved a variance to replace an existing pole sign with a 30‑ft freestanding full‑color LED pylon at 5375 W. 20th Ave for Univita Medical Center, subject to conditions including on‑premise content only, ambient light sensors, a 500‑nits night limit per county code, no animation, and structural measures to reduce light spill to adjacent residences; one board member voted no.
The City of Hialeah Planning and Zoning Board on April 15 approved a variance to replace an existing 35‑ft pole sign with a 30‑ft freestanding LED pylon at 5375 West 20th Avenue (serving Univita Medical Center), granting several requested variances — including reduced separation from a nearby residential property, a larger total pylon area (240 sq ft) and an LED display taller than the code’s normal allowance — but imposing multiple conditions to limit nighttime brightness and visual impact.
Staff told the board the shopping center parcel fronts State Road 826 (Palmetto Expressway) and that the existing pole sign dates to the 1980s; staff recommended approval because the proposed pylon would be lower than the existing pole and would be oriented north–south to reduce visibility from the adjacent residences. Applicant representatives identified themselves as Jose Enrique (speaker introduced as Jose Enrique Guaido in the hearing record) and Giancarlo Hernandez; they said the LED portion of the pylon is much smaller than the total 240‑sq‑ft structure and offered to proffer nighttime brightness reductions and other design measures.
Nearby resident Henry Michael Parnes, 87, who said he lives on the fourth floor of the Westland Eden Condominium directly east of the property and represents about 80 units, urged the board to reject the variance, calling the proposed pylon "pretty big" and warning that bright LED illumination can disturb sleep for elderly residents. The applicant and counsel addressed those concerns in the hearing by offering proffers to limit content to on‑premise messaging for Univita Medical Center, to use ambient light sensors and automatic dimming for nighttime operation, to avoid animation and rapid changes, and to implement structural deflectors or a V‑pitch to reduce spillover light toward residences.
Counsel and staff cited county code limits and said ambient light sensors and a night brightness cap would be required; during the hearing counsel and staff referenced county standards limiting nighttime brightness (counsel cited a 500‑nits approximate night limit and the presence of ambient light sensors) and noted Florida statutory provisions applicable to signage. The board also required a Declaration of Restrictions to lock in the on‑premise use and other enforceable conditions and said building permits will not be issued until conditions are met.
Motion to approve with conditions was made by Mister Morales and seconded by Mister Iglesias; the motion carried with one recorded "No" vote from Mister Ryoja. The variance recommendation will be forwarded to City Council for final action on April 28, 2026.
Board members and applicant were directed to finalize enforceable DOR language that sets illumination limits, requires ambient light sensors and deflectors or visors, prohibits animation, limits content to on‑premise messages, and sets inspection/enforcement procedures.
