The Madison County Board of Zoning Appeals unanimously approved a variance to allow a stationary, illuminated electronic sign at 4689 Lillard Ford Road, after the applicant said the unit would be used only for occasional club events.

The applicant, William Nicholson, identified himself as a long-time Brightwood resident and a vice president of the Brightwood Roofing Club. He told the board the sign was purchased to advertise breakfasts, music nights and rentals for the club and that it would be turned on only when events required it. "We purchased this electronic sign with the intention of maybe drawing more public into some of our breakfasts, our music night, and for the rental of our club," Nicholson said.

County staff read the sign ordinances cited in the application packet and explained the county’s lighting policy. Staff warned that the county’s code discourages signs with flashing or visibly moving lights and requires shielded, downward-facing lighting to minimize glare and preserve dark skies. "I think how the planning commission got to recommending this is that we have lighting ordinances that require light to be downward facing," staff said during the discussion.

Board members sought clarification about whether the proposed sign used progressive or moving lighting; Nicholson and other speakers confirmed the unit is intended to be stationary and programmed from inside the building. The applicant said the sign would be about 6 feet off the ground, double-sided to serve both directions of Route 29, and managed by club members or the person renting the building so it could be turned on for events and switched off afterward.

A board member moved to grant the variance and a second followed; the motion passed by unanimous voice vote. Staff told the applicant they would reach out about permit issuance and emphasized that any permit must meet VDOT requirements and applicable county conditions before a sign may be erected.

The board’s action allows the club to move forward with permitting, subject to the county and VDOT standards noted by staff. No public comment was made on the case.