Sign plan permit sought for The Nox music, entertainment venue in Mesa

A permit for a sign plan is being sought for The Nox music and entertainment venue on 3 acres west of the northwest corner of East Ray Road and East Seaver Avenue in Mesa.

The Mesa Board of Adjustment meets at 4:30 p.m. for a study session and 5:30 p.m. for a meeting Wednesday, April 1, at City Hall, 20 E. Main St. in Mesa in part to discuss the special use permit for a comprehensive sign plan.

The permit would allow for a total of nine signs — two detached signs with a maximum sign area of 97 square feet and seven attached signs with a total sign area of 834.06 square feet, according to a written staff report.

Darshan Dawson of Arizona Commercial Signs is the applicant. GIA 394 LLC is the owner.

Large-scale electronic message displays are needed for the venue that can have 996 people to advertise transient performances and events, it states in a written project narrative.

The plan incorporates three-dimensional sculptural elements, such as a microphone and moon orb on one sign to reinforce the entertainment theme, it states.

“This comprehensive sign plan and special use permit for The Nox and Hotel Umbrella Studios is necessary to provide an effective, integrated and high-quality sign program featuring unique designs, exceptional quality and materials that reflect the singular nature of the project and its particular location,” it states. “Given its visionary concept as a premier entertainment venue that will attract entertainment, artists and visitors to a ‘music and cultural hub,’ the signage needs to go beyond what is typically allowed for light-industrial zoned properties.”

The seven-member Board of Adjustment conducts public meetings to hear and decide requests for variances, special-use permits and interpretations of the city of Mesa zoning ordinance and sign code. Members are appointed for staggered terms of three years, according to the city’s website.

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