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Planning commission recommends 50-foot pylon sign, not 75, for proposed McDonald’s on I‑35 corridor
Summary
The Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously to recommend city council approve a 50-foot pylon sign and a 279.22-square-foot sign face for a proposed McDonald’s at 12731 Northeast HK Dodgene Loop, below the applicant’s 75-foot request but above the I‑35 overlay 35-foot limit.
The Temple Planning and Zoning Commission on March 3 voted unanimously to recommend that city council approve a 50-foot pylon sign and a 279.22-square-foot permitted sign area for a proposed McDonald’s at 12731 Northeast HK Dodgene Loop. The applicant had asked for a 75-foot sign height under an appeal to the Unified Development Code; staff recommended a 50-foot height with the larger sign area.
Senior planner Shelby Smith presented the site and the appeal, showing the property in the Bel Air Commercial Subdivision inside the I‑35 Gateway overlay. Smith said the overlay sets a 35-foot maximum sign height and a 200-square-foot maximum sign area; the applicant requested a 75-foot height and 279.22 square feet. Smith told commissioners the applicant performed a flag (balloon) test showing visibility at both 50 and 75 feet and that staff believed 50 feet would be reasonable while supporting the larger area.
Commission discussion referenced existing signs in the corridor for comparators: Burger King and Starbucks signs were noted around 45 feet, Taco Bell at 35 feet and Buc-ee’s at about 100 feet. Staff said that outside the overlay the regular sign standard would allow 50 feet. Staff also described a proportional calculation that yielded approximately 279 square feet as an appropriate area tied to the recommended height.
Commissioner Rhodes made the motion to recommend approval to city council per the staff recommendation; Commissioner Carney seconded. Kathy Gover called a unanimous vote: Commissioners Morales, Walker, Juracek, Rhodes, Carney, Prager, Vice Chair Smith and Chair Krause all voted "aye." The commission’s recommendation will advance to city council for final action on the appeal.
No site-plan approval occurred at the commission level; the site plan shown in the presentation was marked as proposed and not approved. The commission noted that adjacent undeveloped lots could prompt similar requests for taller signage and that staff will consider sign standards in an upcoming Unified Development Code update.
