Southfield zoning board approves sign variances for Telegraph Road property owner Emad Ayash

The Southfield Zoning Board of Appeals voted April 21 to grant sign variances requested by property owner Emad Ayash for 24450 Telegraph Road.

City staff had recommended favorable consideration, saying extraordinary conditions of the property — limited frontage and building elevation below Telegraph Road — made standard signage impractical. Staff reported the proposal seeks two wall signs not facing a major thoroughfare (two proposed, zero permitted) and two wall signs per tenant (two proposed, one permitted). Staff estimated the combined square footage of the two proposed non-thoroughfare-facing signs at approximately 90 square feet and conditioned approval on the appellant securing all required permits from the Southfield Building Department and receiving final inspection approvals.

Ayash, who identified himself as the owner of the property, told the board the site does not have space for a post sign and that the building sits lower than Telegraph Road, leaving the north and south elevations as the only visible locations. "We tried to do like a post sign, but because there isn't a lot of space in front of the building ... the building is like lower than the main street on Telegraph," he said.

No members of the public spoke on the case. Board members expressed support during discussion: Mr. Jenkins called it "a clean space," and others said they had no concerns. Ms. Livitt moved to approve the request based on staff conditions; the motion was seconded and the board voted in favor, granting the variances. The board reiterated that permits and final sign-off from the building department are required prior to installation.

The board’s action permits the owner to install the additional wall signage as described; compliance with Southfield Building Department permitting and inspections is a stated condition of the approval.