Howard County Hearing Examiner – Harmony Hall Sign Variance – July 22, 2026
STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE
Howard County Hearing Examiner – Case BA 26-012S – Harmony Hall Sign Variance – July 22, 2026
The Howard County Hearing Examiner convened on July 22, 2026, at 10:00 AM in a hybrid format (Banneker Room and WebEx) to consider a sign variance petition (BA 26-012S) from Harmony Hall at Howard County Health Park, LLC. The petitioner requested approval to replace an existing 40-year-old wooden sign with a new larger illuminated sign at a reduced setback from Cedar Lane in Columbia, MD (6336 Cedar Lane). The hearing was presided over by Hearing Examiner Joyce Nichols. The applicant’s counsel, Sam Mangioni, and sign designer Joe Weber (Shannon Baum Signs) presented testimony. One remote attendee (Anish Kondui) listened but did not testify. The evidentiary hearing was concluded, with a written decision to be issued later.
Discussion Items
- Petition Overview: The applicant sought a variance from the required sign setback of 169.5 feet to allow placement 45 feet from the road (a requested variance of 124.5 feet). The proposed sign is 18 feet wide by 9 feet 5 inches tall (including foundation/framing), with actual signage area of approximately 98 square feet. The sign would be illuminated, and the request was made under sign code sections for illumination (3.508) and size (3.501 C to C).
- Justification for Variance: Counsel and Mr. Weber testified that the existing sign is obscured by vegetation (trees on adjacent properties, not owned by the applicant) and the site’s grade and road curvature make compliance with the full setback impractical. They argued that moving the sign farther back would push it into parking lots or require tree removal, and that the sign would not create a traffic hazard or negatively affect adjacent properties. The property houses an assisted living facility serving an elderly community, and the new sign would improve wayfinding and reduce driver distraction.
- Hardship Consideration: The hearing examiner questioned whether the hardship was self-created. Mr. Weber confirmed that the obstruction (trees) is on neighboring properties, not the applicant’s, and that no other feasible alternative exists without encroaching on those trees.
Key Outcomes
- No Opposition: No public testimony was offered in support or opposition; the virtual attendee (Anish Kondui) indicated he was only listening. The applicant rested its case after presenting evidence.
- Decision Reserved: The Hearing Examiner concluded the evidentiary hearing and stated that a written decision and order would be forthcoming. No vote was taken during the meeting.
Note: No meeting minutes were available for this hearing.
Meeting Transcript
This webinar is being recorded and summarized. We are now recording. Thank you very much. All right, good morning. It is the 22nd of July. We are here for BA26-012S, a request for a sign variance by Harmony Hall at Howard County Health Park LLC. And the request is to change out an existing sign with a new sign that is larger and is illuminated. And uh part of the reason for doing so is that the old sign erected in 1988 has become overgrown with vegetation and is no longer as visible to passers by or to people looking for the project. So Mr. Mangioni, with that being said, if you could identify yourself for the record, I turn the case over to you. Sure. Sam Mangioni, Counsel for Harmony Hall at Howard County Health Park LLC. I'm here with Joe Weber, who is uh from Shannon Baum Signs, who's designed the proposed sign. Um so the petition is somewhat self-explanatory. As you said, we are looking to replace a 40-year-old sign. That's an old wooden sign that's pretty unsightly with a more modern uh aesthetically pleasing electronic sign. We are asking for a variance from the required road setback for reasons stated in the petition specifically uh for help and visibility due to the grade of the property. Uh it would be very difficult to see the sign at the required setback. We don't believe it would impact um adjacent property site lines, it will not affect any driver's ability to see the roads. Um here to answer any questions or issues that may arise, but uh other than that, that's where we are. Okay. Um what is the required setback at this location? I believe the required setback is 45 feet. 45 feet, and you are asking for how much of a variance? I'm sorry, the required setback is 169 and a half feet, and we are asking for 45 feet. Joe, correct me if I'm wrong. No, that's uh you are correct. So you are asking for a variance of 45 feet, or you want to wreck erect the sign at 145 feet? We erect the sign at 45 feet. Okay, so you are asking for roughly one, two, four, one, two, three point five, uh a variance of one, two, three point five. 124.5. 124, okay. That's why I'm a lawyer. I don't do math. 124.5. Okay, all right. Um let's swear in Mr. Weber, and all you have to do is just take him through the requirements for the sign standards, the illumination, and the variance. Okay. Okay, so Mr. Uh Weber, I need to swear you in, please. Yeah. Right hand, please. Thank you so much. I solemnly swear or affirm under the penalties of perjury that the responses given and statements made should be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. I do. Thank you. Please state your name and business address for the record. Joe Weber, Shannon Baum signs 105 competitive goals drives, and that's it. All right, thank you very much.
openpublica.com