The Butler Township zoning hearing board denied a request from the Butler Commons shopping center property management firm to replace the existing sign at the entrance on New Castle Road with a larger sign.

At a hearing Wednesday, the board unanimously voted against the request from Riverview Management Co. of Akron, Ohio, to replace the existing 192-square-foot sign with a 276-square-foot sign.

Board members declined to explain the reason for the denial after the hearing. Greg Haughey, board president, said the board would provide the reasons to Riverview Management in writing and the decision can be appealed to Common Pleas Court within 30 days.

The current sign contains smaller signs from nine businesses in the center and the larger sign would have accommodated 13 of the smaller signs, according to Riverview representatives.

The representatives said those signs are the primary signs for businesses located toward the rear of the center, and studies show that larger signs help businesses increase sales.

Township zoning officer Jesse Hines said the zoning ordinance permits the sign to be no larger than 200 square feet.