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Zoning board grants larger, additional ER signs at 338 Amherst Street for wayfinding and safety
Summary
The ZBA granted variances May 26 allowing Law Realty Co./Bluebird Graphic Solutions to add five wall signs totaling 171.4 sq ft for the Nashua ER campus at 338 Amherst Street, with board members citing wayfinding and public-safety concerns on a busy one-way corridor.
The Nashua Zoning Board of Adjustment on May 26 approved variances allowing expanded wall signage at 338 Amherst Street to help direct patients and emergency vehicles to the Nashua ER campus.
Jason Perillo of Bluebird Graphic Solutions told the board the emergency facility is a 24-hour operation and that appropriately sized and placed signs are essential to communicate services and guide the public to entrances. Perillo described the application as seeking one large Nashua ER sign facing Amherst Street, two corner-facing 'ER' signs, one entrance-facing 'Nashua ER' sign inside the parking lot and an 'Emergency' sign on the canopy; the planning department identified several other minor or back-of-house signs that did not require this application.
During deliberations board member Mr. Duling compared the request to a prior hospital-signage case and emphasized that Amherst Street’s configuration — traffic volumes and limited turnaround opportunities — makes clear wayfinding a public-safety concern. Other members agreed, noting the area already contains multiple signs and that common access with adjacent properties increases the importance of clear navigation.
Mr. Neely moved to approve variances from Land Use Code §190-108 (C1) to exceed maximum wall sign area (150 sq ft permitted; 171.4 sq ft proposed) and §190-108 (E2) to exceed the maximum number of wall signs (three permitted; five proposed) for Law Realty Co. Inc. (owner) with Bluebird Graphic Solutions as applicant; Mr. Petrie seconded. The board granted the variances.
The approval allows installation of the additional signs described in the application for wayfinding purposes. No letters of opposition were recorded in the transcript and the board did not record additional permit conditions in the motion.
