by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
Signs, signs, everywhere signs.
That was the concern at Thursday’s meeting of the Downtown Development Review Board (DDRB) of the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission (JEDC).
Gregory Davis from Thomas Sign & Awning Company in Clearwater, Fla., appeared before the board representing Bank of America and the financial institution’s request for a special sign exemption at its 50 N. Laura St. building.
It is Bank of America’s desire to install illuminated signs near the 42nd floor on all four sides of the building. In view of the height above street level, the exemption would allow the area of the signs to be 562 square feet per sign, which exceeds the allowable 400 square-foot limit.
Board member Roland Udenze suggested that signage on only two sides of the building would be adequate exposure.
“Four signs will make the building look cluttered,” said board member Rose Zurawski.
Davis responded that the company wants the signage to be visible from all directions and pointed out that Bank of America is well within its rights under the current sign ordinance to place signage on all four sides of the building (each side with street frontage) provided the signs do not exceed 400 square feet in area. He added, however, that due to the height of the building – the tallest structure Downtown – signs of that size would not be very visible.
“I can get a permit for 400 square feet on all for sides of the building tomorrow without even coming before this board, but that wouldn’t be a proper sign installation,” said Davis.
He also made it clear he was not authorized to make a decision on Bank of America’s behalf to modify the exemption application in terms of limiting the installation to only two sides of the building.
After more than an hour of discussion, the board decided to defer the application until the next DDRB meeting Nov. 20 in order for Davis to consult with his client and possibly suggest other options.
In other business, DDRB voted to grant conceptual approval for the Sulzbacher Center to amend its site plan to allow the replacement of an existing doublewide under the Hart Bridge ramp with a modular building at the same location. The new structure will utilize existing parking and utility connections and will provide new landscaping and fencing along the frontage facing Adams Street.
“It would allow services and staff currently located at another building on Washington Street to be consolidated on the Sulzbacher campus,” said Sulzbacher Center COO Greg Watson. “That would save us money in terms of lease expense, telephone expense and computer server expense.”
“This board looks at the area as unique to Downtown,” said DDRB Chair Chris Flagg, who recommended immediate conceptual approval based on “the nature of the Sulzbacher Center’s mission and function to the community.”
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