Middlesex denies DG Market request for larger sign
MIDDLESEX TWP — The Zoning Hearing Board, in its first meeting since July, denied the request of Accel Sign Group to post a larger front wall sign at the site of a DG Market, which is under construction at the intersection of Route 8 and Old Route 8.
On hand to represent the Accel Sign Group were Bill Whitehead and his son, Billy Whitehead. They requested a variance to display a wall sign measuring 83 square feet — well above the maximum area of 32 square feet spelled out in the Middlesex Township code.
The Whiteheads contended a larger wall sign was necessary so motorists from the two intersecting roads could clearly make out that the building was a DG Market. They submitted a hardship letter to the board to demonstrate why the larger sign was necessary, but this failed to sway supervisors.
“The applicant failed to demonstrate a hardship as required by law,” said township solicitor Sean Gallagher, of the Gallagher Law Group.
Supervisors discussed the market during their September meeting, when the site plans were formally approved. The parcel of land is owned by PennTex Ventures.
At the time, the plans called for a traditional Dollar General, before switching in the intervening months to become a DG Market, which is an offshoot of Dollar General that also sells fresh produce and groceries.
There is a DG Market located in Chicora on Chicora Road.
“I believe this project was originally supposed to be a Dollar General, and then halfway through they ended up deciding to make it a market,” Bill Whitehead said.
The DG Market also will feature a free-standing pylon sign, which was not under discussion at this hearing.
