Radnor Township Design Review Board Meeting – January 14, 2026
Radnor Township Design Review Board Meeting – January 14, 2026
The Radnor Township Design Review Board (DRB) held its organizational meeting on January 14, 2026 at 6:00 PM in the Radnorshire Room. The board approved minutes from December 10, 2025, elected a new chair and vice-chair, and heard seven applications—six continued from previous months and one new. A key discussion addressed pending revisions to the wall sign ordinance (Ordinance 2026-3), which would allow larger wall signs in commercial districts. Conditional approvals were granted contingent on its adoption at the Board of Commissioners meeting on January 26, 2026.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the December 10, 2025 DRB meeting were approved unanimously.
- Appointment of Chair & Vice-Chair: Bob was nominated and unanimously elected Chair; Tim was nominated and unanimously elected Vice-Chair.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Mike LaJoda (7 Doyle Road, neighbor of Monroe Muffler): Expressed concerns about light spillage from the proposed outdoor lighting at 362 West Lancaster Ave. After reviewing updated plans and videos showing shielding and cutoff, he acknowledged improvements but noted the lights had been off for three months and he would reserve final judgment until they are operational. He also requested a timer to turn lights off earlier in the evening.
Discussion Items
- Ordinance 2026-3 Update: Justin (township staff) explained that the pending ordinance revises Section 208-122 to allow wall signs up to 2 sq. ft. per linear foot for the first 15 ft. of building frontage (total 30 sq. ft.) plus additional area up to a maximum of 50 sq. ft. The Board of Commissioners will vote on January 26, 2026. Applications seeking to use the new allowances could receive conditional approval tonight, but permits cannot be issued until the ordinance is adopted.
- DRB 2025-72 – Real of Pennsylvania (528 E Lancaster Ave): Applicant Dave (Image 360) proposed a channel letter wall sign. The sign area was within the current code. The board approved conditionally, pending adoption of Ordinance 2026-3.
- DRB 2025-73 – Monroe Muffler (362 W Lancaster Ave): Applicant Matt (LED Illumination Techniques) presented a revised lighting plan with an IES overlay showing light levels. Videos demonstrated shielding and cutoff. Board approved the lighting plan as compliant with the light pollution ordinance, with a recommendation that the applicant coordinate with neighbor Mike LaJoda on timer settings.
- DRB 2025-74 – Legendary Smiles (308 W Lancaster Ave): Applicant Brian (Sign Studios) presented a wall sign, window decals, and an instructional sign for the rear entrance. The wall sign was within the new ordinance limits. The board approved conditionally, contingent on Ordinance 2026-3 adoption, and also approved the instructional sign at 24”x36” on the rear wall.
- DRB 2025-75 – Radnor Plaza (320 King of Prussia Rd): Applicant Jim (MS 360) proposed a double-sided ground sign. The sign was slightly over the 15 sq. ft. limit for the residential zone. Board required reduction to exactly 15 sq. ft. and recommended landscaping around the sign. Approval granted subject to size reduction.
- DRB 2025-78 – B Devoted Boutique (163 W Lancaster Ave): Applicant Ethan (Signorama) sought approval for a wall sign fitting into an existing cabinet. Awnings had been approved previously. The board approved conditionally, contingent on Ordinance 2026-3.
- DRB 2025-79 – Main Line Revival (126 E Lancaster Ave): Applicant Ethan proposed a wall sign. The board approved conditionally with one dissenting vote from a member who objected to the sign covering a window.
- DRB 2026-01 – Christopher’s (108 N Wayne Ave): Applicant Chris Todd (owner of Christopher’s restaurant) presented plans to replace a 25-year-old wooden double door with aluminum doors. The board approved the application unanimously. Chris also noted recent renovations (new bathrooms, to-go entrance) and that the existing vestibule would be reinstalled.
Key Outcomes
- All six old-business applications received approval: DRB 2025-72, 73, 74, 75, 78, and 79 were approved (DRB 2025-79 with one dissenting vote). DRB 2025-75 required a size reduction to 15 sq. ft. and a landscaping recommendation. DRB 2025-73 included a recommendation for a timer coordinated with the neighbor.
- DRB 2026-01 was approved unanimously.
- Conditional approvals for wall signs (DRB 2025-72, 74, 78, 79) are contingent on the adoption of Ordinance 2026-3 at the January 26, 2026 Board of Commissioners meeting. Permits may only be applied for after that adoption.
- The next DRB meeting is scheduled for February 11, 2026; applications for that meeting are due by January 21, 2026.
Meeting Transcript
Thank you. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to their public for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible liberty and justice for all. Okay, before we get started with our applications tonight, we just have a couple uh things here for our board to go over. The first thing being the minutes from our December 10th meeting. Is everybody had a chance to review the minutes? Yes. Yes. Okay. Can we make a motion for approval? Move to approve. I second. Okay. Thank you very much. All right. And secondly, this is our organizational meeting, which we have every January. And would somebody like to make a motion? Uh chairman. I nominate Bob for chairman. I second. Okay. All in favor. Aye. Okay. Thank you. And we also need a vice chair. Would somebody like to make a motion? Tim. Like make a motion for Tim. The nominate Tim for vice chair. I second. All right. All in favor? Aye. Okay. Thank you very much. Okay. All right. So before we get started with the applications, I'm going to ask Justin. I think most of you are aware of the uh little issue with the wall signage. And uh Justin's just gonna kind of bring us up to date uh where everything is at within the township. So Justin? Sure. So this will apply to any applications that are considered here today and those going forward until the adoption. Um so after speaking with the township director, Steve Narsini, uh applications that are presented tonight that are trying to be under the new adaptation or the adaptation where there's the uh two feet for the first 15, so you end up with 30, that one under the ordinance, that can actually receive a conditional approval tonight. Um and the reason why it would be contingent on the adoption of ordinance number 2026-3, which again is more favorable for the larger size signs that were mentioned. The vote for that will be 126 26. So that's January 26 of 2026. So you will have to wait, even if it is tentatively approved this evening by the DRB, you will have to wait to apply for your permits until it actually is officially approved by vote January 26, 2026. So that just gives everyone a heads up. Um the ordinance is being reviewed, it does have a scheduled date, and it is nearing that date, which is January 26, 2026.
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