Applicant argues for larger wall signs; council approves Village Gateway sign amendment

The commission approved an amendment to plan development ordinances covering the Village Gateway PD to alter wall-sign standards for side facades.

Staff explained that under existing language other facades are limited to a 15-square-foot sign and the front facade currently allows up to 10% of the front facade; the amendment would permit up to three wall signs and would allow side facades to use a percentage-based calculation (for example, 10% of a side facade, and up to 15% for single-tenant buildings over 100,000 sq ft). The applicant, Dorothy Parks, presented examples of expected tenant signage and argued the percentage approach better matches building proportions and highway visibility: "That's consistent with the 15 square feet... Frost Bank... we're asking for... 47 square feet." After a brief presentation and no substantive commission questions, the council opened, closed the public hearing and approved the amendment by voice vote.

The amendment is intended to give tenants on side facades greater visibility along US-80 while maintaining proportionality across facades; staff recommended approval.