Oak Creek Planning Commission approves sign variances for two new businesses

The Oak Creek Planning Commission on Jan. 27 approved two sign-variance requests, allowing a proposed business at 2320 West Ryan Road to install a brand-standard wall sign and approving signage for a new Bueno Beef restaurant and Rainbow Cone ice cream shop at 8767 South Howell with the west-facing sign removed.

Planning staff told commissioners the 2320 West Ryan Road request sought an exception from a 2006 sign program (Section C) that requires red sign faces; the applicant requested a 49.77-square-foot wall sign with a white face and black returns, saying white faces are needed for brand legibility. The commission approved the variance after the applicant and commissioners agreed nearby businesses show similar treatments.

At 8767 South Howell, the applicant sought permission for six wall signs and a reinterpretation of linear frontage under code section 17.0604. Staff noted two of the proposed secondary signs exceeded the code limit of 50% of the primary sign. Michael Shelly of Corporate Identification Solutions told the commission the package represents brand standards and that the non‑illuminated Rainbow Cone photo‑op sign — which he described as the playful “Life’s too short for one flavor” piece — could be dropped if the commission preferred fewer signs.

Several commissioners said six wall signs seemed excessive and recommended removing the west/parking-lot sign, which is largely out of view and serves employee access rather than public wayfinding. Commissioner O’Donny moved to approve the Bueno Beef/Rainbow Cone package per the submitted plans with the west sign (labeled S2) removed; the motion passed on roll call.

Both approvals were handled as standard sign-appeal agenda items; applicants showed daytime and nighttime renderings and answered questions about visibility and pedestrian/drive-through wayfinding. The decisions do not change the underlying zoning for either property and follow the variance criteria the commission uses for sign appeals.

The approvals clear local permitting for the sign work; any electrical or building permits required for illuminated elements must still be obtained from city staff.