Jonah Tools seeks large illuminated signs at Hillbrook Road location; zoning board presses for need and defers decision

Michael Lang, owner of Bridal Rama (appearing for Jonah Tools), told the Greenburgh Zoning Board he and his team seek variances to install two wall-mounted signs on the renovated building at 75 Hillbrook Road, including an internally illuminated circular logo roughly 78 inches in diameter on the east elevation and a 54-inch version on the west elevation, plus non-illuminated fabricated letters approximately 36 inches tall.

The request, Lang said, was driven by the property’s setback from Clearbrook Road and the applicant’s need for visibility for shipping and visitor wayfinding. Architect representatives described the signs as part of the facade redesign and said the signage was included in prior construction documents and renderings dating back several years. Director of operations John Diorio said the building houses warehouse operations and corporate offices and that the firm conducts national distribution and online retail sales.

Board members pressed the applicant on why other buildings in the corporate park do not have similarly sized illuminated signage and whether the requested size is a marketing preference rather than an operational necessity. One committee member noted that the town’s regulations generally allow for adequate identification while limiting visual clutter and suggested alternatives such as a tenant directory or façade accents. Another member said that the regulations are generally adequate and asked the applicant to demonstrate a concrete safety or traffic-safety rationale beyond brand visibility.

Lang and the project architect responded that the sign size was chosen to keep the façade in proportion with the building’s width, to aid wayfinding for truck traffic, and to reflect the investment in the renovated headquarters. The architect said the sign lighting would be modest LED internal cabinets visible primarily at night and that renderings in the project’s construction set have shown the signage for several years.

The board did not vote. Members indicated concern about setting a precedent in the corporate park and encouraged the applicant to consider reducing the size or submitting additional materials that better document a functional need. The board agreed to carry the case to its next regular meeting (July 16) so the applicant can either revise the request or provide supporting evidence, and so more board members can be present for a fuller vote.

The board’s next step is procedural: the application will return to the agenda with updated plans or a narrowed request, and the board may conduct a site visit or request additional confirmation from the building department about prior notices and condominium agreements affecting shared signage.