Macedonia Planning Commission weighs signage, drive-thru changes and ATM upgrades as staff flags concerns on off-premise sign proposal.
The Macedonia Planning Commission worked through a slate of commercial tweaks at its Dec. 15 meeting, signing off on updated branding for Outback Steakhouse, examining a second drive-thru lane for Culver’s, and approving a new ATM island for First National Bank, while a proposed monument sign for the Divinity Landing subdivision remained unresolved.
Outback Steakhouse Gets Updated Wall Sign
The Macedonia Planning Commission reviewed a request from Ace Lighting Service on behalf of Outback Steakhouse at 8250 Macedonia Commons Blvd. to replace an existing wall sign on the west elevation with the restaurant’s updated logo and channel letters.
The new sign is roughly the same size as the existing one, at about 42.66 square feet, and falls within the approximately 283 square feet of wall signage the site is entitled to under the city’s sign code. City planning staff indicated the proposal appears to fit within those limits, pending a final calculation of the shopping center’s total signage.
Commission members agreed to the updated design and placement, approving the sign subject to administrative verification that the Commons’ overall sign package remains under the allowable maximum.
Culver’s Second Drive-Thru Lane Put On Hold
A request from Culver’s at 8143 Golden Link Blvd. drew more scrutiny. The restaurant, through Ace Lighting Service, is seeking to add a second drive-thru canopy and menu board to increase order capacity.
Staff memos flagged concerns about the distance between the existing and proposed menu boards, which must allow enough room for vehicles to pull forward safely after ordering. There were also questions about how the additional canopy and equipment would affect the building’s front-facing appearance from Route 8 and whether added structures would crowd the frontage or impact landscaping.
Commissioners asked for:
- A true, scaled site plan (such as 1″ = 30′) showing:
- Exact spacing between menu boards.
- Drive aisle widths and turning paths.
- Better elevations or renderings illustrating:
- How the second canopy and menu board would look against the building façade.
- Any changes to landscaping or screening.
Rather than deny the project, the panel opted to continue the item into early 2026, giving the applicant time to refine the layout, provide accurate measurements between boards and lanes, and address aesthetic concerns.
First National Bank ATM Island Approved
At Macedonia Commons, First National Bank sought approval for a new ATM island at 8210 Macedonia Commons Blvd. Plans call for an updated ATM structure and canopy to replace aging equipment in the drive-up area.
Commissioners reviewed architectural drawings showing the island’s footprint, drive lane configuration and shielding from view of surrounding businesses. With no major concerns about traffic circulation or visibility, the Macedonia Planning Commission voted to approve the ATM island structure.
Staff noted that any new or additional ATM signage would be handled separately, and that sign area must either remain within the code’s one-sign allowance for the structure or obtain a variance if more signage is requested.
