Board denies signage waiver for Sprouts and LongHorn at planned grocery‑anchored center

The Citrus County Board of County Commissioners denied a proposed sign‑waiver amendment that would have allowed larger wall signs for Sprouts Farmers Market and LongHorn Steakhouse in a new grocery‑anchored commercial plaza.

Applicants argued larger sidewall signage was necessary for wayfinding and safe access from a high‑speed roadway and said many customers are out‑of‑town and need advance recognition of the tenant. "These signs on the left and right are very important ... to see the sign ahead of time and safely turn on to the development," a sign designer said during the hearing.

Planning staff and the Planning & Development Commission recommended denial. Staff noted the county code already allows a wall‑sign square‑footage ratio tied to building frontage and showed nearby similar developments that met the existing allowance. The commission discussed whether GPS navigation has reduced reliance on visual signage and concluded that maintaining consistent standards with adjacent development was preferable.

The board voted to deny the PUD sign amendment after debate over whether adding more wall signs fit the county’s development character. Commissioner Jeff Kennard moved for denial; the motion carried (vote recorded in the minutes). No changes to monument signage were approved at this hearing.

What this means: Sprouts and LongHorn will need to comply with current PUD sign standards for wall signage. Applicants said they would consider alternative design options and had indicated willingness to drop secondary wall signs if necessary; the developers may choose to reapply with revised graphics or pursue other wayfinding treatments.