WEIRTON — A new eatery will be coming to downtown Weirton later this year.

The Weirton Zoning Board of Appeals, during its meeting Tuesday, approved a variance request to place a 30-foot-high marquee sign at 4156 Freedom Way for a Huddle House restaurant planned for the site.

Jonathan Feathers, representing BFS Foods, Inc., appeared before the board explaining the higher sign would allow for better visibility from U.S. 22. The city’s Unified Development Ordinance currently allows only a 10-foot-high sign at the location.

Feathers said the planned size is typical for Huddle House’s other locations.

“It’s a national standard for them,” Feathers said.

The Huddle House chain was started in 1964 in Decatur, Ga., as a casual dining, 24-hour restaurant. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, its menu includes waffles, omelets, pancakes, burgers and other sandwiches, salads, along with chicken, steak and more.

Feathers explained construction is scheduled to be complete sometime in mid-September, with an opening currently set for early October.

In other business, the Zoning Board also approved a variance request for Aladdin Signs Inc., on behalf of Dan Spanovich, to allow the installation of a new multi-tenant V-shaped sign at the south end of Three Springs Center.

Dan Holiday, speaking for Aladdin Signs, explained the new sign will be facing U.S. 22 on the southern side of the development, and promoting new businesses set to open at the location.

“He continues to add more and more tenants,” Holiday said, noting the request also would allow them to move the sign closer to U.S. 22, pending approval by the state of West Virginia.

Mark Miller, the city’s planning and development director, noted the 10 foot height required by the UDO wouldn’t provide much visibility from the highway.

Bob Kolanko, the board’s vice chair, said he has seen similar issues with sign height in Hilton Head Island, S.C.

“It’s good for locals, but anyone driving through will never know,” Kolanko said.

Miller said the city currently is updating the UDO, and officials hope to address some of those concerns.

(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com, and followed via Twitter @CHowellWDT)