BZA fails to approve pylon‑sign setback variance at 4849 North Broadway after split votes

An applicant seeking a setback variance for a replacement pylon sign at 4849 North Broadway did not obtain approval from the Board of Zoning Appeals following multiple split votes.

Randy Ridge (4332 Duval St.), the applicant, described the proposal as a modernization of an existing sign and said the new sign would be 20 feet tall compared with the existing 36‑foot pole. Ridge told the board he had evaluated other locations but said placing the sign farther back would require siting it in the parking lot and could interfere with traffic flow and sight visibility.

Board members and staff discussed whether the applicant had presented the minimum variance necessary and whether alternative placements on the site could reduce the required relief. One member raised concerns about proximity to an existing sidewalk and a utility pole; staff said those issues would be reviewed during plan review and permitting. After an initial motion to deny failed on a split vote and a follow‑up motion to approve also failed to reach consensus, the board did not grant the variance. Staff advised the applicant of the inspection and plan‑review steps and of appeal options.

The board’s deliberations focused on site constraints versus whether the requested setback represented the least variance necessary under the zoning ordinance.