Appearance Commission approves monument sign and setback variance at 18825 Dixie Highway

The Appearance Commission voted to approve an appearance review and a variance allowing a new monument sign to be placed three feet from the sidewalk at 18825 Dixie Highway, a reduction from the 10-foot setback required by code.

Staff introduced the case as a replacement for an existing, nonconforming sign and said the building’s siting and landscape layout effectively require the sign to be closer to the sidewalk than the ordinance normally permits. “This is a proposal for a new monument sign for Layman CPA Services at 18825 Dixie Highway … That sign is currently located inside of the front setback … it’s about 3 feet from the sidewalk,” staff said during the presentation.

The applicant, who participated by Zoom and was introduced as Maureen, told commissioners the building is set close to the property line and that the proposed location is determined by the property’s constraints: “The building is set further, or closer to the property line in front, which would kind of mandate us to have the sign that close to the sidewalk.” Commissioners asked technical questions about post materials and visibility; one commissioner said the new sign “seems fair to me to keep it where it’s at,” noting it was consistent with neighboring business signs.

A single motion to approve both the appearance review (case 2641) and the sign variance (case 2642) was moved, seconded and adopted by roll call. Staff told the applicant it would follow up the next day regarding permit steps.

The approval applies to the drawings submitted with the application, and the variance was granted only for the reduced monument sign setback from 10 feet to 3 feet. Staff and the applicant will coordinate final permit documentation and installation timing.