Zoning board approves variances for Taco Bell signs in Albion

Design by APD Engineering & Architecture in Victor – Hospitality Syracuse is proposing a 2,600-square-foot Taco Bell at 118 West Ave., next to McDonalds.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 November 2022 at 9:02 am

ALBION – The Village of Albion Zoning Board of Appeals approved several variances for the proposed Taco Bell store on Route 31 in Albion.

The ZBA met on Nov. 15 and approved the variance requests from Hospitality Syracuse for the 2,600-square-foot building.

The ZBA agreed to allow the restaurant to have four signs, which is more than the maximum of two allowed in the village code. The developer is proposing four signs with three on the building and one on a freestanding pole.

The freestanding sign will be 79.5 square feet, which is above the 48 square foot maximum. The ZBA approved that variance for the sign’s size.

The ZBA also approved a pole height of 25 feet, which is 5 feet higher than the limit. The total cumulative area of the signs is at 147.6 square feet, which is 44 feet over the Albion limit. That was given the OK by the ZBA.

The developer is seeking the additional building signage due to the unique “tower” aspect of the building design. A sign on each side of the tower provides architectural symmetry, and a sign over the door identifies the main entrance, Hospitality stated in the application.

The configuration of the drive-through does not allow for a pylon setback greater than what has been proposed.

The Village of Albion Planning Board on Nov. 10 approved the site plan for the project, which proposed for a vacant lot owned by Landsman Development of Rochester.

Hospitality is eyeing a spring construction start on the project.

Photo by Tom Rivers: The project is proposed for a vacant lot along Route 31 next to McDonalds and across from Freeze-Dry Foods. Hospitality Syracuse will remove the 36-foot high steel water tank from the back corner of the lot, and make about 40 percent of the 1.33-acre lot green space with grass. The company will remove the chain-link fences and replace them with ones made of wood.