ZBA Approve Variance for Irving Oil Gas Station Sign

By Alex Malm

During the May 17 Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting, one of the cases the board heard was in regards to a variance request to allow the installation of digital signs and a electronic message board for a gas station.
The variance request was Convenience Plus LLC, which is a Irving Oil gas station located at 124 Rockingham Road.
It was explained by Rick Hanna, who was representing Irving Oil, that they were looking to add LED price changers that can be changed from a push of a button, instead of having manual ones.
Hanna said they were denied a permit because they aren’t allowed in any zoning districts and therefore needed to seek a variance.
It was explained by Hanna that they think it’s helpful for the public to know what the prices are for gas and with the LED it will be easier for customers to see it.
Hanna argued that there is a difference between having an electronic message sign, which could flash and have color and can make noises compared to what they were looking to have installed, which wouldn’t have anything other than the prices and LED lights.
“What we’re doing is installing LED pricers’,” Hanna said, saying that it would likely be changed every week or two depending on the competition with gas prices.
Hanna said they wouldn’t flash and change colors and they should be treated differently.
It was noted by Hanna that by having the new signs it would make it safer for employees because they wouldn’t have to change the prices manually.
Hanna said they didn’t feel any surrounding properties would lose value because of the change.
“I don’t think it would diminish properties,” said Hanna.
It was explained by Hanna that they are currently competing with their neighbor across the street, a Sunoco station, who applied for a similar variance and was awarded the variance in July 2021.
Hanna stated that the Sunoco station actually has double the price offerings compared to what they were looking for.
“They actually have four price offerings,” Hanna said.
Hanna said it would be an unnecessary hardship if they weren’t approved for the variance.
No one from the public spoke for or against the proposal during the meeting.
The ZBA voted unanimously to approve the variance request.