TO: Mayor and Members of City Council
THRU: Planning Commission
FROM: Scott Walters, CZO - Senior Planner
DATE: July 15, 2025
RE:
Title
ALT24-01: Revision to previously approved Alternative Sign Plan as requested by Fayetteville State University located at 1200 Murchison Road.
end
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S):
Council District(s)
2 - Malik Davis
b
Relationship To Strategic Plan:
Strategic Operating Plan FY 2022
Goals 2027
• Goal 1: Safe and Secure Community
o Objective 1.2 - To ensure traffic and pedestrian safety
• Goal 2: Responsive City Government Supporting a Diverse and Viable Economy
o Objective 2.4 - To sustain a favorable development climate to encourage business growth.
• Goal 4: Desirable Place to Live, Work, and Recreate
o Objective 4.5 - To ensure a place for people to live in great neighborhoods
Executive Summary:
Fayetteville State University has requested a revision of their previously approved Alternative Sign Plan to address its specific signage needs.
Fayetteville State University previously requested an Alternative Sign Plan to install 60 banners (5 square feet each) along an existing wrought iron fence. The request also included 13 banners (105.7 square feet each) to be installed on every other brick fence panel. The request was approved at the March 19, 2024 meeting.
Background:
Owner: Fayetteville State University
Applicant: Tina Raines, Fayetteville State University
Zoning District: UC - University College
Property Address: 1200 Murchison Road
Size: 133.52 Acres
Existing Land Use: University
Adjoining Land Uses & Zoning:
• North: Single Family 6 (SF-6) and Mixed Residential 5 (MR-5) - Residential
• East: Single Family 6 (SF-6) - Residential
• South: Single Family 6 (SF-6) and Mixed Residential 5 (MR-5) - Residential
• West: Mixed Residential 5 (MR-5), Office & Institutional (OI), and Limited Commercial (LC) - Residential and Commercial
Issues/Analysis:
Section 30-5.L.10.g - Alternative Signage Plan:
Regardless of the other provisions of this Article, the Planning Commission may, at its sole discretion, approve a signage plan for certain development projects listed in this section. The approved signage plan may include signs of different sizes, types, locations, placements, and heights otherwise enumerated in this Article.
The purposes behind this section are as follows:
a. To permit creativity in sign design and placement to address site issues and constraints associated with topography, pedestrian orientation, wayfinding other conditions unique to the subject development.
b. To encourage the development of comprehensive signage plans for large developments that promote an integrated approach to sign design and placement that is both attractive and informative.
Section 30-5.L.10.g provides for five standards to be considered. Each standard is listed below along with the applicant’s response and staff analysis.
The Unified Development Ordinance currently allows for banners to be installed on private light poles. The long-term goal of the university is to install private poles to install pole banners. However, due to ongoing development on campus, this is not currently feasible. The university would like to install banners along the existing fence that surrounds the campus. They would also like to install banners on the existing brick fence panels. These banners aim to further the brand of the university and provide information about educational opportunities at the university. The Planning Commission has the authority to impose conditions upon an Alternative Sign Plan to address any possible concerns regarding the number or size of the proposed banners.
1. The extent to which the proposed signage plan deviates from the sign allowances otherwise applicable in this Article:
The applicant states “The City has requested that an alternative sign permit be submitted for approval of the exterior building branding and lettering signage for FSU’s New Residence Hall. In accordance with the City’s signage code and ordinances, attached building signage is permitted, and we are submitting the application as requested.”
The proposal is to have one 152.64 square feet sign and two 103.91 square feet signs at the Residence Hall for a total of 360.46 square feet. The UC zoning district allows 50 square feet per building total.
At the Health & Wellness building, two signs at 107.70 square feet each for a total of 215.40 square feet. This will also exceed the 50 square feet per building total allowed in the UC zoning district.
2. The rationale provided by the applicant for the deviations:
The applicant would like “The New Residence Hall located along the Langdon Street edge of campus will feature FSU branding and the building’s name, exemplifying FSU school spirit. The signage will be located within campus boundaries along Langdon Street and aligns with the University’s vision for updated campus branding and signage standard.”
3. The extent to which the signage plan promotes city goals for way-finding, pedestrian-orientation, and business identification:
Per the applicant, “The exterior building project signage aligns with the University’s vision for clearly identifying the campus perimeter to the community and emergency responders, while also indicating the buildings use.”
4. The degree to which the signage plan creatively and effectively addresses the issues and constraints unique to the site with regard to signage:
The applicant stated, “The proposed signage plan for the building allows for branding signage to be attached to the building, positioned outside the street right-of0way, and visible to the public.”
5. The degree to which the signage plan creates a unified approach to development signage that is attractive and effective in communication.
Documentation was provided that “the signage has been designed by licensed architectural designers and reviewed and approved by the North Carolina State Construction Office.”
Budget Impact:
Options:
The Commission may deny or approve the proposed signage plan in part or in total and may establish conditions regarding approval.
Possible Motions
• Approval
• Approval with conditions
• Denial
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends approval of the Alternative Sign Plan request as described above because finding(s) 1-5 appear to have been met with the evidence currently submitted.
Attachments:
1. Application with sign renderings