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Board denies roofline tenant signs but approves electronic message center for Monroe Street pylon
Summary
The La Porte Board of Zoning Appeals denied a request to place tenant sign cabinets above the roofline but approved converting part of an existing pylon sign to an electronic message center, after staff recommended denial of the combined request as incompatible with Monroe Street signage.
The La Porte Board of Zoning Appeals on April 14 denied roofline tenant signs for a Monroe Street commercial property but approved a limited retrofit to add a double-faced electronic message center to an existing pylon sign.
Tom Steinler, owner of Steinler Signs and Graphics, spoke for the petitioner (Engstrom's Furniture and Pawn Shop) and described a plan to install nine individual tenant sign cabinets above the building roofline and to retrofit a double-faced electronic message center (EMC) in the bottom of an existing pylon sign. Steinler said a lack of flat facade at one tenant doorway made roofline placement a logistical necessity for that space.
City planning staff (David) reviewed the zoning rules and photos and recommended denial of variance petition 26-04. David cited the 2017 City of La Porte Revised Joint Zoning Ordinance (Article 19, Section 19.05 N), saying roof signs are prohibited and that the proposed roofline signs and a pylon EMC are not compatible with existing signage along Monroe Street. He also noted the property sits on a major transportation route with adjacent residential uses.
Board members discussed safety, aesthetics and precedent. David said safety was not the primary concern but that the request raised aesthetic and compatibility issues; he explained that monument signs in the area have been allowed an electronic changeable message component, but the pylon sign at this property is a nonconforming sign type.
After discussion, board member Vicky Gushrowski proposed denying the roofline signs while approving the electronic message center retrofit. Pete Saunders agreed and the motion was seconded and passed.
The board asked staff to consult with the petitioner about alternative wall-sign locations for tenants that lack flat facade space. The board recorded the split outcome in favor of protecting the Monroe Street signage character while allowing limited electronic messaging for public information and alerts.
