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Allenstown board grants variance for four drive‑through reader boards at 77 Turnpike Street
Summary
The Allenstown Zoning Board of Adjustment approved Case 202501 on April 23, 2025, granting a variance to allow four digital reader‑board signs at a proposed drive‑through restaurant at 77 Turnpike Street; the board cited stacking and automatic dimming technology and set a 30‑day processing/notice period.
The Allenstown Zoning Board of Adjustment voted April 23 to grant a variance allowing four additional drive‑through reader‑board freestanding signs at 77 Turnpike Street.
Connor Ennis, a civil engineer with Boulder Engineering, told the board the proposal is for a new 3,690‑square‑foot restaurant with a side‑by‑side drive‑through featuring two order lanes. He said the design includes a digital menu board and a digital pre‑order board in each lane (four reader‑board signs total) to keep vehicle queues moving. “The drive thru is what we refer to as a side by side drive thru where it's two lanes and two order points,” Ennis said. He added the configuration allows vehicles to use the alternate lane when one lane has a large order, which reduces queuing and customer wait time.
Board members heard that the application requests relief because the zoning ordinance allows one freestanding sign with a total of 32 square feet in the business district. Ennis described the requested reader boards as two menu boards at 20 square feet each and two pre‑order boards at 10 square feet each, and said the signs are essential for the intended drive‑through operations.
During questions, board members pressed the applicant on stacking and traffic implications. Ennis said the proposal and stacking assumptions were reviewed by the technical review committee (TRC) and that the double‑lane layout was selected to avoid queues extending into public roadways. Board members also raised concerns about light and nighttime impacts; Ennis said the proposed digital boards include automatic dimming and “self adjusting” night settings so they do not glare or blind passing motorists.
An audience member asked about the location of an existing monument sign; Ennis replied it would sit near the Pinewood and Turnpike corner and is set back about 27 feet from the road edge (roughly 50 feet from the curb when measured to the travel lane).
After brief deliberation in which members said they did not expect the reader boards to create significant off‑site lighting impacts given placement and dimming technology, a motion to grant the variance was moved and seconded. The board approved the motion for Case 202501; the motion was read into the record for the minutes. The board noted a 30‑day period and said staff will provide a notice of decision to the applicant.
The board also handled routine business at the meeting, including officer nominations (the board elected a slate for chair, vice chair and secretary) and approval of prior minutes. The meeting adjourned at 6:31 p.m.
What the board decided
The board granted the variance described in Case 202501 to allow four additional reader‑board style signs (two 20‑sq‑ft menu boards and two 10‑sq‑ft pre‑order boards) at 77 Turnpike Street, contrary to the standard that permits one freestanding sign totaling 32 square feet in the business district. Staff said a notice of decision will be issued to the applicant and discussed a 30‑day processing period.
