Lakewood Board of Building Standards, ABR, and Sign Review Meeting - May 8, 2025

The Board of Building Standards, Architectural Board of Review, and Sign Review Board convened on May 8, 2025, at Lakewood City Hall to consider sign permits, an exterior renovation, and sidewalk dining requests. All agenda items were resolved, with several approvals conditioned on revisions, one deferral, one withdrawal, and one tabling.

Meeting Opening

• Roll call was taken with all board members present.
• Minutes of the April 10, 2025 meeting were approved unanimously.

Sign Review

• Docket No. 05-38-25 — Lock Lounge, 18255 Detroit Ave. — Approved by summary with conditions: window signage must be centered in the window, and any additional signage requires prior board approval.
• Docket No. 05-40-25 — The Arcade on Detroit, 14810 Detroit Ave. — Approved by summary with conditions: temporary signage must be removed upon expiration, and any additional window signage requires prior board approval.
• Docket No. 05-35-25 — Berea Liquid8 LLC, 11770 Berea Rd. — Applicant Vicky Polden (representing Ramiro Ortega) discussed relocating the proposed sign from the canopy edge to the top of the canopy. The board approved with conditions: the sign must be placed on top of the canopy, centered above the doorway, must not protrude beyond the canopy's outer edge, only one sign is approved, and a revised drawing must be submitted for administrative approval.
• Docket No. 05-36-25 — FP Madison LLC, 13200 Madison Ave. — Deferred at the applicant's request because their representative could not attend.
• Docket No. 05-37-25 — Planet Fitness, 16207 Detroit Ave. — Applicant Megan Soss (Archer Sign) presented illuminated channel letters on the building and a monument sign. The board approved as presented, with conditions: an alternative gray backer for the monument sign may be submitted separately for administrative approval if brick conditions warrant; any window signage must be submitted separately for approval; and landscaping around the monument sign must be provided similar to the renderings.
• Docket No. 05-39-25 — Ecoy Aesthetics, 18624 Detroit Ave. — Applicant Jasmine proposed frosted vinyl window signage. The board approved with conditions: overall height reduced from 27.5 inches to 24 inches, and any future signage requires separate approval.

Architectural Board of Review

• Docket No. 05-41-25 — Marlowe Park Townhouses, Marlowe Ave. at Madison — Tabled at the applicant's request to allow more time for detailing; expected to return in June or July.
• Docket No. 05-42-25-A — Sunshine Development, 13400 Madison Ave. — The signage request (05-42-25-S) was withdrawn; only the building renovation was considered. The board approved the exterior renovation (first major update in 38 years) with conditions: metal trim and storefront windows must be dark bronze (not black), and the owner must work with the city arborist and public works on tree and streetscape issues. Owner Tony Anthony expressed concerns about existing honey locust trees causing property damage and visibility issues.
• Docket No. 05-43-25 — Doc Lanky's, 15607 Madison Ave. — Approved as presented for sidewalk dining, with tables pushed back to the wall and no fencing.

Other Business

• Staff mentioned an upcoming zoning code refresh that could streamline administrative approvals; no action was taken.

Key Outcomes

• Approved sign permits for Lock Lounge, The Arcade on Detroit, Berea Liquid8 (with conditions), Planet Fitness (with conditions), and Ecoy Aesthetics (with conditions).
• Deferred FP Madison LLC sign application.
• Withdrawn signage component for Sunshine Development; approved the building renovation.
• Tabled Marlowe Park Townhouses.
• Approved Doc Lanky's sidewalk dining.
• All votes were unanimous unless noted.