Homewood committee sets May 20 public hearings for multiple sign-variance requests

The Homewood City Special Issues Committee voted unanimously April 29 to send three sign-variance requests to public hearings on May 20 at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers.

Applicants for two South 18th Street automotive businesses asked to replace deteriorated vinyl signage and to add additional wall signs that exceed current code. An applicant representative said the businesses will “rebrand, try to fit in” with a new white awning and darker trim and that the new signs are generally smaller than existing signage. Planning staff confirmed the proposals would require variances because the storefronts would have more than the single wall sign allowed under the city code and that one requested letter height measure would be 72 inches, larger than the code limit.

David Silverstein Jr., representing the developer for a Morgan Stanley tenancy at Shades Creek Parkway, told the committee Morgan Stanley “will be moving from the colonnade” and is requesting building-top signage and a second wall sign on the opposite face; he said the monument/directional sign for the property had been approved previously. Staff and members discussed visibility from nearby streets, tree screening and nighttime illumination.

Committee members moved each item “without recommendation” to a public hearing set for May 20; each motion passed by voice vote, recorded as 3–0. The committee chair said staff will coordinate with applicants ahead of the hearing. The hearings will allow public comment and fuller review of site elevations and landscape plans before any final variance decisions.

Why it matters: Sign variances affect commercial visibility, neighborhood character and consistency with the city’s zoning code. Bringing the items to a public hearing gives residents an opportunity to review final designs and allows staff to present any recommended conditions before a formal decision.

The committee took no final approvals on the variances at the April 29 meeting; each item will return for a public hearing on May 20 and a subsequent decision.