Board of Zoning Appeals denies 12-foot sign variance for 1717 4th Avenue

CONWAY — The Conway Board of Zoning Appeals on June 25 denied a variance that would have allowed a 12-foot multi-tenant monument sign at 1717 4th Avenue, concluding the application did not satisfy the unified development ordinance(UDO) variance standards.

A planning and development staff member told the board the permit application was denied because the gateway corridor overlay in UDO section 6.5.2 limits monument sign heights to 10 feet and section 12.1.6D governs nonconforming signs and alterations. "The sign framework is complete at 12 feet," the staff member said, and the applicant indicated fabrication had already begun after a prior sign was damaged in a vehicle collision.

Applicant Dennis Faulk, of ASL Signs, said his crew began production because an internal permitting step led them to believe the permit had been cleared. "We would never do that without, you know, having a permit," Faulk said, explaining the companytypically waits until formal approval before fabricating a sign.

R.J. Jenkins of Jenkins Signs said owner Brian Squire intends to reuse the existing brick from the damaged sign as a facade on the building to visually tie the sign to the storefront. Jenkins described the site as being on sloped ground and said the brick base would not be two feet high across the full sign face.

Board members emphasized their authority is limited to applying the UDO variance criteria, noting a similar request had been denied the prior month. The chair explained the board must find all four variance criteriaextraordinary conditions, uniqueness relative to nearby properties, unreasonable restriction of use, and lack of detriment to adjacent property or the public goodbefore granting a variance. Members said financial loss or aesthetic plans are not factors the board may consider in that legal test.

Staff clarified how sign height is measured: from the average finished grade at the base of the sign to the highest point of the sign or supporting structure. Members discussed whether reducing the brick base or reconfiguring tenant panels could bring the overall height under 10 feet and noted staff would work with the applicant on options to achieve conformity.

After closing public input, a board member moved and a second supported a motion to deny the variance; the motion carried. The transcript does not show a roll-call tally or list individual votes by name. The board directed staff to assist the applicant in revising the sign so it complies with UDO standards.

The applicationfor a 12-foot monument sign at 1717 4th Avenuewas denied; applicants were advised to work with planning staff on permitted design alternatives.