Lakewood Board of Building Standards & Architectural Board of Review Meeting - April 10, 2025

The Board of Building Standards, Architectural Board of Review, and Sign Review Board held a joint meeting on April 10, 2025, at 5:30 PM at Lakewood City Hall. The meeting covered multiple sign review and architectural review items, including approvals for new commercial signs, a fenced outdoor dining area, modifications to a townhouse development, and facade renovations. All items were approved, many with conditions, after discussions on design, signage placement, and neighborhood context. One board member expressed concern over the removal of a building for a parking lot at a dispensary site.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Board Member Jeremy (during the RISE Dispensary discussion) expressed strong disappointment that a building was torn down to create a parking lot for a dispensary that remained the same size, calling it unfortunate and urging the city to deprioritize car-centric development on a main corridor. He clarified his criticism was not directed at the applicant but at broader city policy.

Discussion Items

• Sign Review – Docket 03-20-25 (14239 Detroit Ave., Pure Puff Smoke Shop): Approved with condition that any window signage be approved separately before installation.
• Sign Review – Docket 04-27-25 (17106 Detroit Ave., Couth): Approved with condition that the sign be centered within the sign band.
• Sign Review – Docket 04-29-25 (15023 Madison Ave., The Fruit Stand): Approved with two conditions: (1) channel behind main sign painted to match existing building, (2) second sign logo to match height and vertical alignment of front sign, both signs 19 inches tall.
• Architectural – Old Business – Docket 12-119-24 (16306 Detroit Ave., Jersey Mike’s Subs): Applicant presented a fenced outdoor dining area with metal planter boxes and bistro seating. It was noted that temporary pipe bollards on site will be removed upon installation. The seating will be chained at night. Approved with condition that the two bollards be removed when the patio is installed.
• Architectural – Request for Modifications – Docket 11-94-23 (12534 Lake Ave., Shady Cove Townhouses): Applicant reduced the number of townhouses from 16 to 10 due to budget constraints, added above-ground water retention, and redesigned elevations with minimalist mid-century modern detailing. Materials include navy blue panels, vertical siding, and brick. Discussion included adjustments to window layouts and address placement. Approved with conditions to: (1) submit cut sheets for benches around the pond, (2) study panel layout on front elevation, (3) revise the fourth-floor window on the Lake Avenue west elevation, (4) study address number placement, and (5) add plantings at detention pond perimeter if permitted.
• Sign Review – New Business – Docket 04-25-25 (15620 Detroit Ave., Revelations Building): Applicant proposed three directory signs (front, side, rear). After discussion, the board determined the side sign on Summit was unnecessary; the front sign should be centered under the existing Revelations sign with address moved. The rear sign was retained. Approved with conditions: (1) existing window signage removed, (2) front directory sign centered under Revelations with address relocated, (3) proposed Summit directory sign removed from approval; existing Revelations sign to remain.
• Sign Review – New Business – Docket 04-28-25 (1360 W. 117th St., Flower Child Vintage): Applicant proposed a white channel letter sign on the front facade and a relocated modified sign from their previous location, plus a wall mural. The board liked the cohesive design and noted the mural should not include branding. Approved with condition that any window signage or graphics be submitted separately.
• Architectural – New Business – Docket 04-31-25 (1069 Sylvan Ave.): Applicant proposed extending the front porch across the full elevation and adding a rear dormer. Materials match the existing colonial style. Approved as presented.
• Architectural – New Business – Docket 04-33-25 (17852 Lake Rd.): Applicant proposed a rear addition and exterior renovation to a Tudor home, using matching brick, slate, and detailing. Approved as presented.
• Architectural – New Business – Docket 04-30-25 (1464 Riverside Dr.): Applicant proposed a new home on a narrow lot with a front porch, rear porches, and two-car garage. The design was refined after previous reviews, including raising the roof pitch and adding a third-floor window. Approved with conditions: (1) window layouts per elevations (not floor plans), (2) revised elevation with full-width porch steps, (3) study a smaller window in the front gable.
• Architectural – New Business – Docket 04-32-25 (11810-11818 Madison Ave., RISE Dispensary): Applicant proposed facade renovations and parking lot improvements after canceling a planned addition. The entrance was moved to face the street, with a canopy and green window film. Planning Commission approved parking count of 41. Approved with condition that signage is not included in this proposal.

Key Outcomes

• All ten agenda items were approved; most carried conditions as noted.
• Votes were unanimous for all items.
• Board member Jeremy voiced concern over the parking lot created by the RISE Dispensary project but commended the applicant's design work.
• The meeting adjourned after approximately 2.5 hours.