Radnor Township Design Review Board Meeting - September 9, 2026

The Radnor Township Design Review Board (DRB) met on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Radnorshire Room. The board considered one old business item and nine new applications, including signage, awnings, a fence, a building paint job, and an exterior renovation. The meeting also included a public warning about a permit scam targeting businesses.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of August 12, 2026 Minutes: The board unanimously approved the minutes from the August 12, 2026 meeting.

Discussion Items

• Old Business – DRB 2026-37: Martini & Roz (523 W Lancaster Ave) – Applicant Valerie Rogers (Starlight National Signs) and lighting contractor Steve Bauer presented revised plans for a monument sign, two wall signs, exterior renovations, outdoor dining furniture, landscaping, and accent lighting. The monument sign will include only the business name (with address added for clarity), and will be opaque with push-through illuminated copy. The wall signs (total 40.52 sq ft, under the 50 sq ft allowance) will be mounted on the building and suspended from the overhang. Lighting includes custom accent fixtures (40W LED, 2700K), LED grazing lights along the cornice, and landscape lights in planters; no glare or spill light was promised. Outdoor furniture changed from resin/aluminum to all aluminum. Planters will contain boxwoods with seasonal annuals/perennials maintained by a contractor. The board approved the application (motion by Colin, seconded, unanimous).
• DRB 2026-42: Bare Nail Box (968 County Line Rd) – Applicant Ken (owner) proposed a new wall sign (38.88 sq ft, exceeding the 37 sq ft maximum) with a black background and white/yellow lettering. The board debated whether the black background matched the shopping center’s aesthetic; some members preferred individual channel letters like neighboring signs. The applicant also requested a temporary banner (30-day limit) and a spot on the existing monument sign (currently showing Eagle Cleaners). The board voted 3-2 to approve the wall sign contingent on reducing it to 37 sq ft or less, and continued the monument sign application to the October 14 meeting. The applicant was reminded of the 20% window signage limit.
• DRB 2026-43: Fence at 229 Bloomingdale Ave – Rosemary Parsons (Conestoga Village Association treasurer) presented a proposal to replace 140 feet of deteriorating fence with a new 6-foot-high cedar fence (same dimensions). The board approved the application unanimously, commending the association for seeking approval.
• DRB 2026-44: Simo's Barbering (240 Lancaster Ave) – Owner John Simonton proposed replacing three awnings with black awnings (matte acrylic material) and a logo on the lower awning. Letters must not exceed 8 inches in height, and the awning bottom must be at least 7 feet above grade. The board approved the application unanimously, with the condition that final permit plans reflect these dimensions.
• DRB 2026-45: Old Friend Restaurant (150-168 E Lancaster Ave) – Larry Kagan (principal) proposed a non-illuminated projecting blade sign (under 4 sq ft) and window graphics (opaque film with subtle “old friend” lettering, well under 20%). A menu box and bench were also noted. The sign will be illuminated by existing ambient light. The board approved the application unanimously.
• DRB 2026-46: The Little Gym (150-168 E Lancaster Ave) – Kim DeTrolio (Berger Development) and franchise owner Brian proposed a canopy-mounted sign (16 inches tall, white letters with dark bronze support, blue logo on return) and vinyl door decals with contact information. The sign is consistent with other tenant signage. The board approved the application unanimously.
• DRB 2026-47: Flagship Car Wash (500 W Lancaster Ave) – Roger Hoffman explained the building had already been painted (from off-white to a slightly different off-white) due to erroneous information that no DRB approval was needed. The board approved the paint color retroactively. A board member noted that the digital price sign should be turned off after business hours to avoid flashing.
• DRB 2026-48: Koren's Kitchen (11 Louella Ct) – Continued to the next meeting (October 14) without discussion.
• DRB 2026-49: Frank's Pizza (958 County Line Rd) – Maureen McWilliams (Allied Sign) proposed replacing the existing “Pizzeria Grill” sign with new red channel letters (24 inches tall, 16 feet long, total 32 sq ft) mounted on a raceway. The sign is within the 50 sq ft allowance. The board approved the application (motion by Greg, seconded, with one abstention). The applicant was reminded that the top of the sign cannot exceed 15 feet from grade.
• DRB 2026-50: 404 Cheswick Place (Exterior Renovation) – Steven Zitus (architect) presented a plan to extend an existing vestibule at the Rosemont Mansion dining facility, adding a two-door entrance. Roof drainage will connect to the existing storm system; no additional impervious surface is added. Colors match previously approved campus finishes. The board approved the application unanimously. The architect also mentioned a separate, future patio project that would require a zoning variance due to impervious coverage limits.

Public Comments & Testimony

• At the start of the meeting, the board chair warned that a scam is circulating where businesses receive notices demanding $4,500 to complete a permit. Two businesses have already been scammed; the public was advised to contact the township and police if they receive such notices.

Key Outcomes

• DRB 2026-37 (Martini & Roz): Approved unanimously with conditions (opaque monument sign, no glare lighting, fire-retardant cushions, final plans to show sign placement and lighting specs).
• DRB 2026-42 (Bare Nail Box): Wall sign approved by a 3-2 vote contingent on reduction to ≤37 sq ft; monument sign continued to October 14 meeting. Temporary banner allowed for 30 days.
• DRB 2026-43 (Fence): Approved unanimously.
• DRB 2026-44 (Simo's Barbering): Approved unanimously with conditions (letter height ≤8 inches, 7-foot clearance).
• DRB 2026-45 (Old Friend Restaurant): Approved unanimously.
• DRB 2026-46 (The Little Gym): Approved unanimously.
• DRB 2026-47 (Flagship Car Wash): Approved unanimously (building paint), with informal request to turn off digital sign after hours.
• DRB 2026-48 (Koren's Kitchen): Continued.
• DRB 2026-49 (Frank's Pizza): Approved (1 abstention) with condition that top of sign ≤15 feet from grade.
• DRB 2026-50 (404 Cheswick): Approved unanimously.
• Next Meeting: Scheduled for October 14, 2026; applications due by September 23, 2026.