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Board continues AutoZone’s request for a pole sign at 4700 Post Road to allow negotiations on integrated signage
Summary
The board continued AutoZone’s request for a freestanding pole sign at 4700 Post Road so the petitioner can negotiate integrated-sign options with neighboring businesses and staff; City of Lawrence staff cited corridor clutter and the Post Road transit overlay in recommending alternatives.
The Lawrence Board of Zoning Appeals continued a request April 21 from AutoZone (via Jones Company) for a freestanding pole sign at 4700 Post Road to allow further negotiation with neighboring property owners and staff.
Shane Billingsley, representing Jones Signs and AutoZone, said AutoZone selected Lawrence as one of 19 "mega hub" sites and argued a pole sign is important for visibility and business viability. "A pole sign has more eyes on it than a monument sign," Billingsley told the board, adding AutoZone was willing to pursue compromises such as sharing a larger integrated sign with an adjacent tenant or relocating the sign to get closer to the ordinance’s separation requirement.
Renee Rafa, director of public works, described the staff position: the parcel is part of an integrated commercial center and the city’s sign-spacing rules — enforced more strictly because of a recent transit-overlay designation along Post Road — are intended to reduce corridor clutter. Rafa noted the city had previously granted other variances for the site (building size, parking frontage and driveway width) and said an additional freestanding pole sign would contribute to visual congestion along the corridor. Staff identified alternatives including wall signage, monument signage or an integrated shared sign with neighboring businesses.
Board members questioned whether AutoZone’s proposed pole sign was necessary given the building’s size and the wall signage already proposed. Billingsley argued the building sits far enough from the road that perpendicular pole signage improves driver visibility and safety.
A board member moved to continue Docket 26 LSV05 with notice so the petitioner could pursue an integrated-sign solution with neighbors and return with a coordinated proposal; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.
The item was continued; staff and the petitioner indicated willingness to meet and present a revised integrated-sign plan at a future hearing.
