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Southampton ZBA presses Shell station owner to scale back sign and canopy plans at Lake Avenue traffic circle
Summary
The Zoning Board asked the applicant proposing a 16‑foot digital monument sign and canopy over pumps at 9 Lake Avenue to reduce sign height, cut branding/logos and shrink canopy massing. The board continued the application to Sept. 3 to allow coordination with planning and design revisions.
Owners and counsel for Suffolk Realty and Management LLC presented a proposal on July 2 to replace a destroyed pole sign and to install a canopy over gas pumps at 9 Lake Avenue (the Riverhead traffic circle). The application asks for front‑yard setback relief, pyramid (sky‑plane) relief and permission for an illuminated/digital price monument sign and canopy features that exceed zoning limits.
Owner Erol Bayraktar and counsel explained the property’s long preexisting nonconforming use and noted the previous presence of price signage. Planning staff and multiple board members pressed the applicant to reduce the monument sign height and overall sign area, trim corporate logos and bring the canopy mass down. The planning board had recommended a lower monument sign and encouraged design that reduces visual clutter; staff suggested the applicant work with the planner (Claire) on the canopy thickness, lighting strategy and sign copy to limit visual and lighting impacts around the traffic circle.
Board members repeatedly said they support modernization that improves safety and lighting but were concerned about the requested height (16 feet) and the digital pricing element. One member noted the prior sign had been demolished at the same location by a crash and asked whether siting it again posed a safety risk. The board requested revised plans reflecting a smaller monument sign, reduced logos, a thinner canopy profile where feasible and clarifications about signage to be displayed on the canopy.
The applicant agreed to refine plans and return; the board held the hearing open for revisions and continued the application to Sept. 3 to allow the applicant to consult planning staff and reduce the variance requests.
Evidence/clarifying details: Planning asked for a lower monument sign and removal or reduction of franchise‑style design elements; applicant’s counsel cited previous variances and historical approvals for signage on the site. The planning board suggested an e‑ink or lower monument solution in lieu of a tall digital sign.
Next step: Applicant to meet with planning staff, submit revised drawings showing reduced sign height/logos and canopy adjustments before the Sept. 3 hearing.
