Zoning board approves sign variance at 1443 East Tennessee

The Saginaw Zoning Board of Appeals voted unanimously to approve case J262859, allowing a new on-site sign at 1443 East Tennessee to be placed closer to the lot line and right-of-way than the zoning code normally permits.

At the meeting the applicant's representative, Steve Jordan of Barrett Sand Company, said the property already has a long-standing sign located only a few feet from the sidewalk and that the building sits about 14 feet from the sidewalk, which he said constrains where a new sign can be placed. "The existing sign is only a few feet from the sidewalk," Jordan said, adding that the proposed sign would be slightly smaller (roughly 6-by-6 feet) and would be placed slightly farther from the sidewalk than the current sign.

Jordan told the board the new sign location would avoid placing a post in the middle of parking and would use electricity available at the building. A separate speaker identifying themself as Director said the variance would help complete more than $1 million in recent property improvements at two nearby addresses and urged approval.

Board members asked whether the sign would create sight-line or traffic-safety problems; staff and the applicant said it would not and noted the proposal would be an improvement over the existing sign location. The board closed the public hearing, then voted by roll call: Nash, Copeland and Forbes each said they found the proposal consistent with the neighborhood given the building siting constraints and existing nonconforming sign, and they approved the variance.

The board recorded that an affirmative two-thirds vote is required for appeal decisions; with three members present all voted to approve and the motion carried. The board noted that decisions are final and may be appealed through the courts.