First Watch Granted Waiver For New Sign in Gaithersburg; Currently in the Process of $100K in Upgrades

First Watch, a tenant of the Muddy Branch Square Shopping Center, located at 802 Muddy Branch Rd, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, was granted a major sign waiver by the City of Gaithersburg to accommodate a second principal sign. The major waiver is needed to allow the replacement of the secondary signage that First Watch has utilized since they opened their location. Current code only allows one sign per business.

The proposed second principal sign consists of internally illuminated channel letters mounted to a finished backer panel, installed on existing roof brackets. First Watch is in the process of investing more than $100 thousand in the renovation of their Muddy Branch location in an effort to drive business to their restaurant. The renovation includes new signage, replacement awnings, and an updated interior for diners to enjoy.

Background: The Sign Ordinance is drafted to allow deviations for businesses to have additional signage, if site conditions warrant a hardship. Unfortunately, according to First Watch, the physical constraints of the restaurant space restrict the visibility the principal signage can achieve. The waiver was requested to allow the First Watch to retain the existing allotment of two (2) signs. As indicated by the four (4) photos, shown by Exhibit A, of the approach to the restaurant space, bearing South on Muddy Branch Rd, showing the principal sign, above the front entrance is not readily visibly to traffic. The second principal sign will provide for a more visible, readable sign, to drive business to their restaurant. Importantly, the additional principal sign in no way adversely affects the shopping center or any aspect associated with the center. The Sign Ordinance allows up to five percent of the building façade area to be devoted to building signage. First Watch does not seek to exceed the allowed square footage of signage, only to retain the second principal sign on the side elevation through the waiver process. The same waiver process would need to be applied for in order for other tenants, within Muddy Branch Square, to retain the use of two (2) primary signs. Other tenants such as, The MedStar Health Urgent Care, located on the opposite end cap of the plaza from First Watch, shown in Exhibit B. As well as the two (2) stand-alone tenants, Starbucks and Truist Bank, shown in Exhibit C. Additional, the existing signage is compatible with the overall retail nature of the shopping center.