The Albion Zoning Board of Appeals met on Tuesday, March 3, to review requests regarding property usage and signage, denying a variance for a West Avenue property while greenlighting new signage for a South Main Street business. The board, comprised of members Jeanette Riley, David Warren, and Nicole Horn, met with Village CEO Chris Kinter. Two members of the public were also in attendance. Board members Bruce Dugan and Trellis Pore were absent. The most significant decision of the evening involved a Use Variance Request for 232 West Avenue (tax map 73.9-2-60.1). The property owner sought permission to use the site in a way that deviates from current village code. However, following a discussion, the board moved to deny the request. The motion, made by Riley and seconded by Horn, was based on the fact that the property is located within a General Commercial zone. Under village zoning law, use variances are granted sparingly, and the board determined that the request did not meet the necessary criteria for an exception in this district. The vote was unanimous in favor of denial. In other business, the board addressed a signage request for 204 South Main Street (tax map 73.10-1-23.1), a location that falls within the village's commercial corridor. The property owner applied for additional signage to improve visibility. The board approved a specific request for two additional wall signs after determining the proposal would remain under the maximum allowable square footage permitted by Village code. That motion, made by Horn and seconded by Riley, passed unanimously. However, a second part of the request regarding a freestanding sign required further review. The board voted unanimously to send that specific portion of the application to the Orleans County Planning Board for advisory review. This is a standard procedural step for certain signage changes to ensure consistency with broader county planning efforts. To move the process forward, the board scheduled a Public Hearing for Monday, April 2, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Residents interested in the signage changes at 204 South Main Street can voice their opinions at that time. Immediately following the signage hearing, the board will hold another Public Hearing on April 2 at 5:15 p.m. to discuss an application to combine three parcels of land. The lots in question are identified on tax maps 62.19-3-36, 61.19-3-35, and 62.20-2-41. During the brief meeting, the board also addressed internal housekeeping. A decision regarding the appointment of a new Chairperson was tabled. The board also formally approved the minutes from their previous meeting held on September 9, 2025. The meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m. The next scheduled session for the Zoning Board of Appeals will be the public hearings on April 2.