Herndon staff: installed Panda Express menu board and OCU exceed town sign standards

During the July 23 hearing, Aaron Zolick, Zoning Services Specialist for the town of Herndon, presented staff's review of a variance application for 598 Eldon Street. Zolick recited measurements and historical permitting: "The menu board itself was significantly larger than approved... The installed menu board measures approximately 28.7 square feet. The OCU measures approximately 8.56 square feet. Together, the drive through signs measure 37.31 square feet," he said.

Zolick told the board those figures contradict the sign license approved under PSL 25 10 0 1 5, which shows a 19.9‑square‑foot board. Staff concluded the application satisfies only two of the six criteria required under Section 78 155.4 d of the town code and therefore recommended denial (draft resolution A). Staff also presented two conditional resolutions for the board's consideration: resolution B would allow the current menu boards to remain but require removal of the OCUs; resolution C would approve the signage in full. Both conditional resolutions would make the variance null and void if the existing signs are later replaced.

Staff emphasized that miscommunications between sign companies and contractors can produce permit noncompliance: "Sometimes for the sign permits, it's the sign company who submits on behalf of the property owner... If there is a miscommunication between the sign company and the contractor, that still makes it in violation," staff said. The board ultimately followed staff's recommendation and denied the variance by roll call vote.