Building sign approval for Planet 13 marijuana dispensary in District 4

The Design Review Board of Walton County convened on May 1, 2025, to discuss several key agenda items, primarily focused on signage applications for local businesses. The meeting began with procedural acknowledgments and a review of previous discussions, setting the stage for the main topics at hand.

The first significant item addressed was a building sign application for Planet 13, a marijuana dispensary previously known as VidaCann. The proposed sign, measuring 200 inches by 36 inches, was presented by Coastline Wholesale Signs and LED Displays. The property, located at the corner of Forest Shore Drive and Highway 98 West, is zoned as Coastal Center and falls under mixed-use future land use. The board entered the staff report into the record, noting that the application was straightforward and in line with existing signage on the building.

However, the discussion revealed complications regarding the monument sign associated with the dispensary. Board members expressed concerns about discrepancies in the signage, particularly regarding the presence of multiple tenants in the building and the lack of a master signage plan. It was noted that the existing monument sign displayed a different tenant, EV May Barbecue, which raised questions about the overall visual coherence of the signage for the building.

As the discussion progressed, board members sought clarity on how the signage for multiple tenants would be managed, emphasizing the need for a cohesive architectural design. The applicant, Nicholas Florio from Coastline Signs, confirmed that the existing sign would be removed and replaced with the new sign, which would be internally illuminated and consistent with the design of other signs on the property.

After deliberation, a motion was made to approve the building sign application for Planet 13, which received a second and was unanimously approved by the board. The meeting concluded with a reminder of the importance of maintaining visual consistency in signage across the property, as well as the need for future applications to consider the overall context of the building's design.

In summary, the Design Review Board's meeting highlighted the ongoing challenges of managing signage for multi-tenant buildings while ensuring compliance with local regulations and maintaining aesthetic standards. The approval of the Planet 13 sign marks a step forward in addressing these issues, with further discussions anticipated as additional signage applications are submitted.