Council approves sign variance for small professional building at 509 South Plaza Boulevard

The Edinburg City Council approved a sign‑size variance on July 15 that will allow a larger permanent sign at 509 South Plaza Boulevard than the Unified Development Code would normally permit for the lot’s frontage. Owner Raul A. Palma told the council the lot is narrower than typical commercial lots and the modest size limits visibility from the road; he said the sign would help clients find the professional building. The sign company representative said the applicant requested a 10‑by‑12 foot (120‑square‑foot) sign mounted 30 feet high; under the current code and the property’s frontage the city would allow roughly a 5‑by‑7 foot (35‑square‑foot) sign without a variance. Planning staff noted the nearby property Amax has a similar sign and that the requested sign is not a billboard but a professional-building identification sign. The variance was requested through the sign‑variance public hearing process and the council voted to approve the request. City staff and council also discussed the city’s Scenic City certification, which evaluates signage and beautification. A grants administrator said the Scenic City certification is a five‑year recognition; staff will confirm whether individual variances would affect the city’s standing during the next application cycle. The application was filed by a sign company (Arnaldo Cantu) on behalf of the property owner. Council’s action authorizes the variance; staff will follow up in the permit review process for structural and safety compliance.