American Outdoor Advertising Co. v. Franklin Township Board of Zoning Appeals

Cynthia Westcott Rice, Judge.

{¶ 1} Appellant, American Outdoor Advertising Company, L.L.C., appeals from the judgment of the Portage County Court of Common Pleas affirming the Franklin Township Board of Zoning Appeals (“BZA”) decision denying appellant’s application for a variance. For the reasons discussed below, the judgment of the trial court is reversed and vacated.

{¶ 2} Appellant leased several properties in Franklin Township, Ohio, for use as sites for erecting billboards. Each site is located in commercial or industrial zoning districts. After entering the leases, appellant, through…