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Franklin approves 15 signage and design modifications for Ovation PUD, including controlled LED displays
Summary
The Board approved Resolution 2026-24 permitting 15 modification-of-standard requests for the Ovation PUD (parking, facade, and a sweeping set of signage changes). Staff recommended conditions on angled parking and LED displays; the applicant agreed to limits and a content-policy; all MOS items passed unanimously.
The Franklin Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved a package of 15 modification-of-standard (MOS) requests for the Ovation PUD on June 9, allowing changes to parking configurations, façade requirements and a broad set of signage modifications that include angled parking on internal private streets, limited LED message centers and a large-format LED display with conditions.
City planning staff summarized the requests and highlighted areas of concern: angled parking could conflict with engineering safety standards; LED message centers and large digital facade displays are not typical under the existing zoning ordinance; and some illumination and sign-type requests have no clear precedent. FMPC recommended approval for most items, with conditions on some standards.
Chelsea, speaking for staff, explained that MOS number one (angled parking) raised safety and maneuverability concerns and that staff provided optional conditional language to allow angled parking on one side of an internal private street only. For MOS number seven (LED message centers) and MOS number eight (large-format LED facade display), staff recommended disapproval but FMPC recommended approval with specific limitations. The applicant, Greg Gamble, told the board the developer can accept one-sided angled parking, and said display hardware includes ambient light sensors, anti-reflective surfaces, and content design that will reduce glare and brightness.
Aldermen asked practical questions: Alderman Pototts sought assurances about audio levels and directional sound from an outdoor screen and expressed concerns about potential sound spillover; the applicant and staff said the proposed 20-by-20-foot screen (about 400 sq ft maximum for a large-format display per the application) is intended for limited, internal-facing programming and that content will be governed by a public content policy limiting material to family-friendly programming and licensed content. Aldermen also raised maintenance concerns for painted wall signs and the durability of materials.
The board considered each MOS individually and approved all 15 with the staff-proposed and FMPC-recommended conditions where applicable. For MOS 1 the board adopted the condition that angled parking be allowed only on one side of internal private streets and that exhibits be updated prior to one-stop development submittal. For MOS 7 the board approved a limited number of LED message centers with constraints (applicant-provided condition language limited these to 12 signs at a maximum height of 8 feet and other stipulations); for MOS 8 (large-format digital display) the board approved the request with described siting and size limits, finding the displays would be out of view of major parkways and limited to internal drives and frontage facing the park.
Votes were unanimous for each separate MOS and for Resolution 2026-24 as a package. The applicant said leases, property management and a public content display policy will control programming and licensing; staff will monitor compliance under conditions attached to approvals.
Votes and formal action: The board approved Resolution 2026-24 and each of MOS 1–15; the motions were moved and seconded and recorded as passing on unanimous votes.
