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Board approves new ground sign and electronic sign rules for Fishbones site on Northwestern Highway
Summary
After split staff recommendations, the ZBA approved both a garden-ground sign facing Northwestern Highway and an electronic changeable-copy ground sign replacement for Fishbones/International Marketplace with conditions limiting changeability to ordinance standards and requiring permits.
The Zoning Board approved multiple signage waivers Nov. 18 for Fishbones/International Marketplace at 29244 Northwestern Highway, allowing a garden-ground sign facing the major thoroughfare and replacement of an existing ground sign with an electronic changeable-copy sign under conditions that the sign comply with ordinance changeability limits.
Applicant representatives Nico Gatsaros and Paul Weintock described visibility problems caused by the property’s setback and trees along Northwestern Highway, saying customers frequently drive past the restaurant without seeing it. They proposed a new garden-ground sign facing the road and a roughly 50.5-square-foot electronic changeable-copy sign closer to the access lane to increase visibility and communicate events and menu features.
City staff split its recommendation: staff opposed the electronic changeable-copy replacement citing traffic-safety and character concerns but recommended approval of the garden-ground sign with conditions. Board members discussed the site’s unique setback and the benefit to a long-standing local restaurant; members said they would not support changeable-copy waivers for strip malls generally but found the Fishbones property’s configuration distinctive. The board approved both waivers with the condition that the electronic sign operate consistent with the city ordinance’s limits on how frequently content may change and that the applicants secure required permits and inspections.
The applicants were advised to work with the building department on sign permits and to ensure any animated or changing content meets the ordinance and traffic-safety provisions.
