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Planning board recommends Groves Medical Plaza sign plan but deadlocks on monument‑sign variance
Summary
The Loxahatchee Groves planning board recommended approval of a master sign plan for Groves Medical Plaza but removed one monument sign from that recommendation; the board deadlocked 2‑2 on a requested variance for the existing corner monument sign, so no positive recommendation on the variance was sent to council.
The Town of Loxahatchee Groves Planning & Zoning Board recommended approval of a master sign plan for Groves Medical Plaza on July 14, 2026, but excluded a contested corner monument sign. The board deadlocked 2‑2 on a variance request tied to that monument sign, so the variance won’t carry a positive recommendation to the Town Council.
The applicant, represented by planner Brian Chekis, told the board the plaza—originally approved under county rules about 20 years ago—now houses Conviva, a senior‑focused primary care operation affiliated with Humana. Chekis said the changes are intended to improve wayfinding for older patients and stressed a safety rationale: “This is about safety,” he said, arguing clearer identification will help seniors find the right driveway and entrance.
Board members who opposed the variance said the application packet did not meet the legal hardship standard under the town’s land development code and cited Florida precedent showing improved visibility or marketing alone usually does not justify a variance. Member Suchi summarized the legal concern, noting that a variance is “an extraordinary remedy” and that requests framed as enhancing visibility often resemble commercial convenience rather than true hardship.
After discussion the board took two separate actions. On the variance (resolution 20‑26‑51), a motion to deny carried forward to a vote and resulted in a 2‑2 split; because the board is a recommending body, the tie meant the board did not provide an affirmative recommendation on the variance. On the site‑plan/master sign package (resolution 20‑26‑52), the board moved to approve the master sign plan but specifically exclude Monument Sign A (the sign that was the subject of the variance). Staff confirmed the board’s recommendations will be forwarded to the Town Council for final action at its August 2 meeting.
The applicant acknowledged the board’s concerns and indicated willingness to work with staff on adjustments before council review, including limiting the disputed monument sign’s scope and adjusting the written justification to emphasize safety and site‑specific conditions rather than marketing benefit.
The Planning & Zoning Board’s recommendation does not itself change zoning or permit status; it sends the board’s record and recommendation to the Town Council, which will make the final decision.
