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Board continues vote on Fox Road gas‑station pylon sign after city raises separation concerns
Summary
Petitioner requested a variance to install a 20‑ft pole sign with digital fuel pricing on Fox Road; the board granted a continuance with notice at the applicant’s request to permit talks with the integrated‑center sign owner and to explore alternatives.
The Lawrence Board of Zoning Appeals on June 16 continued with notice a request to install a 20‑ft pylon sign with digital fuel‑price display at a Fox Road fuel station (petition 26 LSV911711).
Mark Baston, the petitioner, told the board the proposed freestanding sign is an operational necessity for a fuel station because drivers make fast decisions and need pricing visible from the roadway. He emphasized the design would omit flashing or scrolling displays and said the applicant reduced the height request to the code limit of 20 ft.
"Fuel pricing is fundamentally different from retail signage. Drivers make fueling decisions in seconds at speed and based on what they can see from the roadway," Baston said.
City staff questioned whether the application demonstrated a property‑based practical difficulty, noting the integrated‑center separation standard and that the applicant did not appear to have asked the integrated sign owner about accommodating fuel pricing on the existing panel. Staff suggested exploring whether the integrated center’s sign could host the pricing or whether a ground monument sign might meet the need before a variance is granted.
The petitioner asked for a continuance to pursue those discussions. The board voted to continue the petition with notice so the applicant can negotiate alternatives with the integrated sign owner and return with updated materials.
