Jefferson Board of Zoning Adjustment denies sign variance for Forestdale Boulevard property

The Jefferson Board of Zoning Adjustment on Feb. 23, 2026, voted to deny a variance request to replace an existing nonconforming pole sign at a commercial property on Forestdale Boulevard.

Planning staff summarized Case A-260001 and recommended denial, noting the zoning resolution requires a pylon sign to be at least 300 feet from a protected residential area while the existing/sign location is about 140 feet from zoned residential. Staff also said similar requests along the corridor had previously been denied and that granting the request would reverse that precedent.

David Brandt of Fravor Services, representing applicant Eric Guster, told the board the existing pole sign is about 40 feet tall and roughly 176–180 square feet and that the proposed replacement would be 25 feet tall and 152 square feet. "This sign is smaller and and lower to the ground than what is typically there," Brandt said, arguing the size and height are necessary for legibility at highway speeds on Forestdale Boulevard. Brandt added the sign would display only tenant advertising and would comply with Jefferson County sign-code rules on brightness and change frequency.

Eric Guster, who identified himself as a lawyer and real-estate developer, said he is under contract to close on the property in a few weeks and that the sign is intended to improve business visibility along the high-speed corridor. Guster also told the board he was aware of the 2015 sign ordinance.

Board members asked about precedent and whether the applicants could reuse the current sign cabinet; applicants responded the existing diamond-shaped cabinet could not be reused. Brandt noted the proposed 152-square-foot sign is within a measurement the applicants said is comparable to the building facade (approximately 156–157 square feet).

Board Member (Speaker 1) moved to deny Case A-260001; Board Member (Speaker 2) seconded. The board voiced its assent and the chair announced, "Well, your variance has been denied at this time." The chair reminded the applicants they have 15 days to file an appeal in circuit court; a written decision will follow within 10 days.

The board’s decision preserves the county’s existing precedent on pylon signage along this corridor, according to staff. The applicants may appeal the denial or submit a revised application consistent with the zoning resolution.