By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
A variance was granted Wednesday evening which will help a local business owner compete with the big flashy signs closer to the interstate.
The Bowling Green Zoning Board of Appeals voted to grant a variance for a new larger LED sign for the Best Western hotel at 1450 E. Wooster St. The variance was requested by Harmon Sign to allow an 18-foot tall and 58.8-square-foot sign, which would encroach 17 feet into the 25-foot front yard setback.
Nelson Pixler, of Harmon Sign, said the new electronic message sign is all part of a rebranding effort at the Best Western location. The new sign will not be any taller than the current sign, and will allow the owner to use the existing foundation.
“It certainly will spruce up the area with the new look,” Pixler said.
The hotel also has a very tall pole sign that was granted a variance in 1991, according to City Prosecutor Matt Reger.
Paul Bishop, the son of Best Western owner Jake Bishop, explained the effort to rebrand the hotel, locally called the Falcon Plaza. Approximately $400,000 has already been spent on renovating the common areas, conference rooms, lobby and breakfast area.
“I’m very proud of what we’ve done,” Bishop said.
Next on the list is upgrading of all the individual hotel rooms, which should be completed next year.
Though part of Best Western, the hotel will retain its local flair as the Falcon Plaza. “We intend to keep that as part of the identity,” Bishop said.
Not only will the new LED sign be more noticeable to motorists, but it will no longer require the messages to be posted by hand, Bishop said. However, the Falcon Plaza will continue to post localized messages – which the community seems to appreciate, he said.
Bishop explained that the new signage is needed to stand out with all the other signs closer to the Interstate 75 interchange.
“When you are coming west, we are competing with signs to the east of our property,” he said.
The LED sign will cost $18,000, he added.
“We’ve been a long term business here in Bowling Green, and we intend to carry on my father’s work there,” Bishop said.
Approval of the variance was supported by local developer Al Green, who spoke in favor of allowing the signage.
“I would encourage you to approve this,” Green said. “I think it’s good if a group like this can be accommodating” to help businesses further from I-75 compete for customers.
“Being friendly to businesses in town by groups like this is a good thing,” Green said.
In other business, the zoning board of appeals:
- Granted a variance to John Benson, 811 E. Gypsy Lane Road, allowing him to construct a 10-by 16-foot accessory building that would be located on his adjacent parcel, separate from his home, which is not permitted. Benson explained there is no room on his primary parcel for the building. His neighbor, Sandy Wiechman, stated she was in favor of the variance.
- Granted a variance to Brian and Brianna Witte, 624 N. Main St., who wish to build a 6-foot tall fence located in the 25-foot front yard setback along East Reed Avenue. The maximum allowable height is 4 feet. The Wittes want the fence since they live on a busy corner with several rentals to college students as neighbors. The fence will not obstruct the view from the street and was supported by Steve Green, owner of an adjoining property.
- Elected new officers, with Judy Ennis as chairperson, Chris Ostrowski as vice chairperson, and Reina Calderon as secretary.
