BZA authorizes larger, taller sign at Augusta Tech entrance despite staff denial recommendation

The Augusta Board of Zoning Appeals approved a request to install a larger and taller freestanding sign at the shared entrance of Augusta Technical College and Richmond County Technical Magnet School.

Planning staff (Todd Kennedy) told the board the applicant seeks to increase permitted sign area from 24 square feet to 95 square feet and height from 6 feet to roughly 11 feet 5 inches. The proposal applies to the shared entrance at Lumpin (Lumpin/Lin) Road and Augusta Tech Drive; staff said the proposed location is outside the sight triangle and would not impede intersection visibility.

Scott Davis of Cranston Engineering, representing the school board, said the slope at the entrance creates a visibility challenge that justifies a taller sign and that the property is owned by the school board, not a private residence. He told the board the new sign would match earlier campus signage and that the existing sign should be removed when the new sign is installed.

Although staff recommended denial because the request does not strictly meet variance criteria, staff also offered conditions the board could attach if it chose to approve — including a 95-square-foot area limit, an 11-foot-5-inch height cap and removal of existing signage. Miss Williams moved to approve with staff conditions; the motion passed unanimously among those voting (four hands shown), and staff will issue official confirmation.