Planning commission creates path for pylon signs in lower business zones via conditional use permit

The Fergus Falls Planning Commission voted to pursue a conditional use permit (CUP) process to allow pylon signs in B1 through B3 business zoning districts after staff said those zones currently lack pylon-sign language.

City planner Clara Beck explained staff had received applications where a tall, freestanding commercial sign (a "pylon" sign, like the former Shopko pylon) historically existed on a property but the present code only references pylon signs in larger B5–B6 zones. "When going through the sign permit process, our sign code...doesn't actually reference pylon signs until the B5 B6 zones," Beck said, describing the inconsistency the CUP would address.

Why it matters: businesses rebuilding on lots that previously had a pylon sign currently cannot assume the code allows replacement; establishing a CUP would provide a formal, permitted pathway with conditions and neighbor notice for cases where a pylon sign is appropriate.

Action taken: a commissioner moved to establish a conditional use permit process allowing pylon signs in B1–B3 zones and a second was recorded; the motion passed by voice vote (ayes recorded). The commission directed staff to forward the CUP proposal to City Council for consideration.

Implementation notes: staff indicated pylon sign permits would include dimensional and height limits and that some lots (for example, in the downtown core) may be too small for a pylon sign by those standards. There is no automatic grandfathering in the city’s code: if an older pylon sign is removed, any new pylon sign would be treated as a new permit application.

Ending: Staff will prepare a formal CUP procedure and draft language for the commission to forward to City Council for final action.