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Planning panel approves limited directional sign but rejects monument sign at car wash
Summary
The commission approved a variance allowing a small directional electronic sign at the MuuMuu Car Wash under strict conditions (static display, off after hours, two-color palette) but denied a separate variance for a digital monument sign, citing code and precedent concerns.
The New Albany Planning Commission on Monday approved part of a sign variance for the MuuMuu Car Wash but rejected the property’s request for a digital monument sign.
Planning staff told the commission the applicant installed three signs without a city permit, including a small electronic directional sign and a digital monument sign. Staff said the directional sign could be appropriate with conditions used previously for digital menu-board signage: the display must remain static, be turned off outside business hours and may not flash or animate.
“During construction the applicant installed three signs on the site … these signs were installed without a permit being issued by the city,” planning staff said during the presentation.
Joe Bertucci, representing Numu Express Car Wash, apologized to the commission. “I apologize on behalf of the company that this was not addressed from day 1,” Bertucci said, and told commissioners the signs are standard for the car wash brand. He said the company would work with staff to meet conditions.
Commissioners adopted conditions for the small directional sign that require: static display (no flashing or animation); automatic shutdown outside business hours; a two-color palette limited to red and green with only one visible color at a time; and additional screening subject to staff approval. The motion to approve that portion of Variance 41 passed 4-0.
A separate motion to approve the variance for the digital monument sign failed unanimously. Commissioners who opposed the monument sign said it did not meet the intent of the zoning text, risked setting an unfavorable precedent in that part of New Albany and failed the standard Duncan variance criteria used by the city.
The commission’s actions: approved Variance 41 part A (directional sign) subject to conditions; denied Variance 41 part B (monument sign). The commission also required the applicant to coordinate additional screening with staff and asked the applicant to return with a compliant monument-sign design if desired.
Next steps: The applicant must confirm the technical controls for the directional sign and implement screening approved by planning staff. For the monument sign, the applicant will need to revise the design and reapply if it wishes to pursue another variance or seek design changes through the normal sign-approval process.
