Developers propose 2,200-square-foot digital sign at Arlington Gateway; board flags precedent and safety questions
September 02, 2026 | Upper Arlington, Franklin County, Ohio
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Developers John and David Royer and an advertising operator asked the Upper Arlington Board of Zoning and Planning on Sept. 2 for informal feedback on a proposed electronic message center to be mounted on the east elevation of the Arlington Gateway parking garage.
"This sign was my idea," said John Royer, president of Core Royer Griffith. He and his brother David said the sign would be located on the garage elevation facing State Route 315 and Ohio State University and would not affect nearby housing. David Royer said the site performs strongly: the apartment component is "95% leased" and the office component "98% leased," and he said the city and developers used a tax-increment financing partnership to build the garage and traffic signal.
Staff told the board the current concept is approximately 50 feet wide by 45 feet tall — about 2,200 square feet — and would mostly cover openings at the parking garage and the tenant space adjacent to the Starbucks drive-through. The applicants described an operating plan of roughly eight rotating ads at an eight-second duration and said they would reserve a portion of time for community messaging by the city.
Board members praised the architectural integration but repeatedly raised precedent and safety concerns. One member asked whether approving the sign could set a corridor-wide precedent, asking aloud whether the Lane Avenue gateway could “turn into the Las Vegas Strip” if similar signs were later proposed. Several members asked staff to gather examples and national precedents before any formal hearing.
Staff emphasized this was an informal work session and that any future graphics-plan amendment that deviates from the sign code will require a formal finding that the sign does not impair city aesthetics or create traffic or pedestrian-safety hazards. The board heard that off-site advertising is generally prohibited under the city sign code and that a graphics-plan amendment is the vehicle to consider exceptions.
No vote was taken on the sign itself; staff said the city would consult traffic-engineering standards and national planning guidance and could hire outside design reviewers if the applicants proceed to a formal hearing.
"This sign was my idea," said John Royer, president of Core Royer Griffith. He and his brother David said the sign would be located on the garage elevation facing State Route 315 and Ohio State University and would not affect nearby housing. David Royer said the site performs strongly: the apartment component is "95% leased" and the office component "98% leased," and he said the city and developers used a tax-increment financing partnership to build the garage and traffic signal.
Staff told the board the current concept is approximately 50 feet wide by 45 feet tall — about 2,200 square feet — and would mostly cover openings at the parking garage and the tenant space adjacent to the Starbucks drive-through. The applicants described an operating plan of roughly eight rotating ads at an eight-second duration and said they would reserve a portion of time for community messaging by the city.
Board members praised the architectural integration but repeatedly raised precedent and safety concerns. One member asked whether approving the sign could set a corridor-wide precedent, asking aloud whether the Lane Avenue gateway could “turn into the Las Vegas Strip” if similar signs were later proposed. Several members asked staff to gather examples and national precedents before any formal hearing.
Staff emphasized this was an informal work session and that any future graphics-plan amendment that deviates from the sign code will require a formal finding that the sign does not impair city aesthetics or create traffic or pedestrian-safety hazards. The board heard that off-site advertising is generally prohibited under the city sign code and that a graphics-plan amendment is the vehicle to consider exceptions.
No vote was taken on the sign itself; staff said the city would consult traffic-engineering standards and national planning guidance and could hire outside design reviewers if the applicants proceed to a formal hearing.
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