Planning commission recommends signage limits for Dave’s Hot Chicken plan, approves design review conditions

The Oak Park Heights Planning Commission recommended approval Jan. 8 of the Dave’s Hot Chicken plan-development and conditional-use items with staff conditions limiting wall signage and requiring standard permitting steps.

Planner Mr. Richards explained the site sits in the destination highway retail district, which allows substantial signage but still imposes limits: a freestanding pylon up to 200 square feet, a site cap of 500 square feet across wall signage, and a common practice in Oak Park Heights of permitting up to four wall signs (one per facade or two on one facade) rather than the six the applicant submitted. Staff found the applicant’s total wall signage would be about 300 square feet and recommended reducing the number of wall signs to fit customary local practice and measure limits.

Franchise owner Alreze, representing the applicant, said that branding elements and murals are an important part of the chain’s rollout and argued the artwork helps visibility and customer recognition; he cited internal franchise metrics that muraled locations saw sales increases. "Being a new brand, it's important for us to incorporate these elements," he said, adding that the mural work is produced by a corporate artist collective.

Commissioners asked about mural production and whether wall signs on multiple facades were necessary for drivability and visibility; some commissioners signaled flexibility if the applicant can show a clear design rationale, but most favored the staff recommendation to limit wall signage to four and to verify compliance via the sign-permit process. The commission also asked for photometric data and directional signage plans as part of review.

A motion to recommend approval with those conditions carried by voice vote. The recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for final action on Jan. 27.