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Planning commission recommends denial of extra wall signage for LongHorn, Sprouts
Summary
The Citrus County Planning and Development Commission recommended denial of PUD-2025-00013, a request to amend a master plan to allow additional wall signage for a LongHorn Steakhouse and a Sprouts Farmers Market, citing consistency with the land development code and prior denials in the corridor.
The Citrus County Planning and Development Commission on March 19 recommended denial of a request to allow extra wall signage for a mixed-use development along County Road 486, saying adjoining businesses have met existing code limits and that the commission should remain consistent with past decisions.
At issue was application PUD-2025-00013, which sought to amend an approved master plan to permit additional building-mounted signage for LongHorn Steakhouse and Sprouts Farmers Market. Principal planner Joe Hockaday told the commission that the county’s land development code limits wall signage to “1.5 times the linear foot of the building width,” and staff’s calculations show LongHorn requested about 182 square feet beyond its allotment and Sprouts about 236 square feet beyond its allotment.
The applicants argued the extra signage is needed for visibility and wayfinding. David Michael, a branding consultant representing LongHorn, said motorists approaching on the divided highway often must pass the development and re-enter, and that additional building signs “help you make a decision to get onto the property” and are “for wayfinding.” David Madden, speaking for Sprouts, said the grocery unit sits lower than the roadway and that additional signage would help customers identify the store and its full grocery offering.
Commissioners pressed the applicants on alternatives and precedent. Several members noted nearby developments have accommodated businesses within the square-foot allotment, and one commissioner referenced a recent denial for a similar request by another operator in the area. Commissioner Kurt Stone said, given prior denials and the ability of other businesses to comply, he saw “no choice but to deny this request.”
After discussion, Commissioner Richard Barmez moved that the commission find application PUD-2025-00013 inconsistent with the Citrus County Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code and recommend denial to the Board of County Commissioners; Chair David Bramlett seconded the motion. The motion carried and the commission’s recommendation of denial will be forwarded to the Board.
Next steps: The commission’s recommendation will be transmitted to the Board of County Commissioners for final action; the applicants may also revise their sign package and pursue alternative sign types allowed under the land development code.
