Berkley Zoning Board Approves Sign Variances for Coolidge Highway Multi-Tenant Building

BERKLEY -- June 13, 2022, Berkley's Zoning Board of Appeals approved two sign variances for a new multi-tenant commercial building at 2485 Coolidge Highway, allowing signage well beyond city code limits. The board voted 7-0 to permit five wall signs totaling 234 square feet on the Coolidge Highway facade, more than double the 100-square-foot ordinance cap, and voted 6-1 to allow five non-illuminated 16-square-foot identification signs on the rear parking lot elevation, against a six-square-foot maximum. Owner Brian Tomine, whose Aqua Tots swim school anchors the building alongside tenant Pet Away, said the project is weeks from opening. Board member Ward, who made both motions, said the sign ordinance "needs to be brought up to current standards," a view echoed by staff liaison Auerbach, who noted the code dates to 2003 and has not been comprehensively reviewed since 2010. City staff confirmed an ordinance revision is on the radar but is not budgeted for at least two years.