The City of Austin Board of Adjustment on Jan. 13 approved variances that allow Saint David’s Health Care to replace and illuminate three signs along the MoPac Expressway service road to improve wayfinding to North Austin Medical Center.

Board members said the request was narrowly drawn to address navigation to different emergency wings and would not give a blanket right to change other signs. Vice Chair Melissa Hawthorne and several board members emphasized that the variances were tied to the specific sign exhibits shown to the board.

Applicant representative Michael Whalen told the board the request focused on three signs on the MoPac service road “to improve wayfinding in these stressful situations, especially along the service road.” He said the main goal was to help people — including ambulance crews unfamiliar with the campus — find the correct ER entrance quickly.

The variances granted included: increasing the maximum sign area on the lot for the main entrance sign (location 2) from 64 square feet to 112 square feet and to 70 square feet for the sign at location 3; increasing the overall sign height for location 2 (to about 15 feet) and for location 3 (to about 14 feet 6 inches); allowing internal face illumination for the three MoPac-facing signs; and relief from right-of-way and setback restrictions to allow the new signs to be placed approximately where the existing signs sit. The board’s action was explicit that the granted relief be limited to the locations and designs shown on the applicant’s exhibits.

Board members pressed the applicant on exact measurements and paperwork earlier in the hearing. Board member Jeffrey Bowen and others requested the variances be tied to the slide set so construction and permit reviewers would not treat the approval as a blanket change for other signs on site. Applicant counsel (April Romero Brown and later Mike Moylan) confirmed they were comfortable with direction that assigns the variances to each sign as shown in the presentation.

Board member Brian Poteet, reading part of the motion’s findings, said the variances “will not substantially conflict with the stated purpose of [the sign ordinance] because [they] seek to protect the safety and efficiency of the city's transportation system by reducing confusion and distractions to pedestrians and motorists.” The board applied the city’s standard variance findings and approved the request by the simple majority required for sign variances.

The approval does not end the permitting process. The applicant noted the main entrance sign location has overlapping public utility easement and clearance requirements; Whalen and counsel said they are working with Austin Energy for required clearances and that, because part of the sign fronts a state right of way, the project will also require coordination with TxDOT before final installation.

The board’s vote: motion to approve made by Board member Michael Von Nolan and seconded by Board member Brian Poteet. Voting members recorded as yes: Tommy Yates; Jessica Cohen; Young Ju Kim; Brian Poteet; Jeffrey Bowen; Janelle VanZant; Michael Von Nolan; Bianca Medina Leal. Vice Chair Melissa Hawthorne was off the dais and did not participate in this vote. The motion carried.

The board made clear the approval applies only to the three service-road signs and to the designs shown on the exhibits; any further changes will require separate review and approvals, including utility and state permits.