Zoning board approves Sprouts sign variance; mixed outcomes for neighboring tenants

The Town of Greenburgh Zoning Board of Appeals on the evening heard presentations and public comment on a cluster of storefront signage requests at a multi‑tenant center on Central Park Avenue and approved a narrowed variance for Sprouts Farmers Market.

Michael Santaliquito of Sand Signs & Awnings presented a visibility study and façade renderings for 393 Central Park Avenue, arguing that because the tenant frontage sits diagonally to the roadway and trees and building mass obstruct sight lines, drivers do not get a clear recognition opportunity until roughly 150 feet from the site. "The requested 6 inch increase in sign height is a minimal and reasonable adjustment that'll improve legibility at earlier distances," Santaliquito said, linking letter height to readable distance and safe driver reaction times.

Board members probed the photos and slides, the existence and role of the shopping‑center pylon sign, and whether the applicant had reduced its prior requests. The applicant clarified the request had been pared down: they sought only a six‑inch increase in the main wall sign letter height (from 4 feet to 4 feet 6 inches), not the larger stacked sign previously presented.

Neighbor Walter Simon, who said he lives in a nearby neighborhood that overlooks the site, urged the board to consider the cumulative effect of approvals along Central Park Avenue. "I don't think it's justified to make it any bigger," Simon said, warning of a trend toward larger retail signage that could change the corridor's character.

The board moved to grant the Sprouts variance with standard conditions requiring building‑department approvals and timely commencement of construction; formal findings were to be filed in the record. At the same meeting the board also reviewed submissions from other tenants: a revised pylon sign for the two‑tenant site (Jimmy John’s and Dunkin’/others) and Best Buy's brand options. The contractor for the two‑tenant pylon presented a reduced solution the applicant said brought the structure closer to a 50% reduction the board had requested in earlier hearings.

Best Buy's vendor presented two logo placement options and said a 4‑ft linear treatment could be a compromise to conform better with the town code while preserving brand identity. Board members and staff noted the Best Buy submission ultimately required no variance under the updated drawings in the record; the building department will confirm compliance as part of permit review.

The board emphasized precedent concerns and said it would expect future applicants to follow the same process for alternatives and reductions. The case file and formal findings will state the exact plan set and conditions used to grant the variance.

The board's decision will be posted with findings in the official record; construction may proceed only after required permits and approvals are obtained.