Planning Commission approves Fort George sign variance for Lovell Building with conditions

The Astoria Planning Commission voted to approve variance request B25-09 by applicant Roger McKay to allow expanded signage on the Lovell Building (Fort George campus) at 426 14th Street, authorizing band signage that will increase total sign area well beyond standard C-4 limits but subject to conditions and permit review.

Samuel Peterson, the associate planner, told the commission the proposal sought 39 signs totaling 550.16 square feet in a C-4 zone where the typical maximum is 64 square feet and a limited number of projecting signs per frontage. Peterson said staff supported the band signage that fits within the building's architecture but recommended reductions on some frontages and removal of several unauthorized or excess window and neon signs. He told commissioners an adaptive reduction would lower the requested total to about 505 or 513.82 square feet depending on whether the commission allowed an 8.6 square-foot neon merch sign to remain.

Applicant Roger McKay explained the design intent was to create visual continuity across the Fort George campus. "The idea was to tie the building signage between the buildings to have it be more... a unified block," McKay said. Several commissioners voiced support; Commissioner Womack praised McKay's work: "He's an amazing artist...your painting is amazing," Womack said. Commissioner Henry moved to adopt the staff findings and approve variance B25-09 with the merch sign to remain; the motion carried by voice vote. Staff noted approval is pending the required sign permit and that a permit will be void after two years unless substantial construction or use begins; the community department director may grant a one‑year extension.