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Board of Zoning Appeals approves larger sign for Chagrin Falls Schools at East Washington Street
Summary
The Board of Zoning Appeals on June 23 approved a variance allowing Chagrin Falls Exempted Village Schools to replace two ground signs with a single double-sided sign at 400 East Washington Street; the new sign will have a 57 sq ft face and stand 7 feet 10 inches tall. The decision is subject to a 15-day appeal to Council.
At its June 23, 2026 meeting the Board of Zoning Appeals approved a variance allowing Chagrin Falls Exempted Village Schools to replace two existing ground signs at 400 East Washington Street with a single double-sided sign. The board found the proposal exceeds Section 1143.06(c)(2) of the Village Code, which limits ground sign faces to 20 square feet and heights to 6 feet, but concluded the variance met the required criteria and voted to approve it.
Sam of Sign-A-Rama, the applicant's representative, said the proposal consolidates the two prior signs into one structure to be installed on the west side of the driveway and that the remaining east-side sign will be removed. He described the addition of a static identification panel above the changeable-copy box, calling the header panel "Chagrin Falls Schools." Staff had earlier clarified that the 57-square-foot measurement applies to the sign face only and does not include the surrounding brick support structure. The application had previously received preliminary approval from the Architectural Board of Review on May 19, 2026.
Board member Jim Holdren reviewed the variance criteria, concluding the change was not substantial because it reduced the total number of sign faces at the entrance and that the sign served a legitimate wayfinding function for visitors to the public school. Holdren also found the variance was not self-created, noting the application followed the accidental loss of a pre-existing sign. In moving to approve the variance, Holdren's motion was seconded by Rachel Freshman-Johnson. The roll call vote recorded Ayes: Freshman-Johnson, Rockey, Holdren, Hijar, Loomis; Nays: None. The board informed the applicant there is a 15-day window to appeal the decision to Council.
The variance applies to Permanent Parcel No. 932-20-011. The board's approval preserves the brick support structure's exclusion from the face-area calculation and leaves in place the Architectural Board of Review's prior preliminary approval. No conditions or permit deadlines beyond the standard appeal period were recorded at the meeting.
