Nov. 13. By Dave Vieser. At their November meeting the Cornelius Planning Board, acting as the town’s Board of Adjustment, approved 25 new signs to be installed at and around the $250 million Atrium Hospital being built on Statesville Road/Hwy. 21.

The approved signs include both monument and directional signs.

The variance was needed since the proposed signs exceeded the size normally permitted by town regulations. Town officials noted that future sign permit application locations will be required.

The new hospital will open next year.

Quotable

In their application for the signs, hospital officials stressed the importance of having clear visible signage for those seeking to reach the medical facility, which is expected to open next year: “In the case of a healthcare facility public safety is paramount and the signs we request are not merely for branding or commercial appeal but for life-saving measures” said Alli Turberville of the South Wood Corporation, speaking on behalf of Atrium. “If an emergency facility cannot be found, it could directly result in death.”