Commission approves FY2026 facade, sign and landscape grants; pulls Liquorland application for revision

Commissioners considered CRA grant awards for facade, sign and landscape improvements in two CRA areas and approved the FY2026 awards with one amendment. The US Highway 44127 CRA resolution was presented to authorize chairperson and secretary signature for FY2026 facade, sign and landscape grant awards.

Commissioner Alan Reeseman raised a substantive concern about one applicant, Liquorland, whose proposed wall-mounted letters are specific to that business and — as described in the application — could be removed by the business if it relocates. Reeseman said the intent of the grant is to promote code compliance and improvements that remain with the property. He asked whether a more generic cabinet-style sign with a changeable face could be required so the sign becomes a more permanent property improvement.

Planning staff said the Liquorland application met the letter of the sign code but agreed the grant’s intent is to move signage toward code compliance and permanence. Commissioners amended the motion to pull the Liquorland award and approved the remaining grants by roll call, directing staff to work with the business owner and the property owner on a revised, property-mounted solution and to return to the commission with options. "We'll get back to you on that," staff told the commission.

The commission also noted positive feedback from downtown businesses and the Downtown Leesburg Business Association about a cooperative electronic-billboard project funded in part by a CRA grant; Gary Sly (DBA treasurer) reported 12 participating businesses paying $40/month for rotation on three billboards. Staff did not authorize any immediate change to the sign code; rather, the pulled Liquorland grant will be revisited after staff and the applicant agree on a compliant, permanent solution.