Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Sign Variance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board denies request for oversized sign in St. Anna; township recommendation not binding
Summary
A request to erect an 80-square-foot, 18-foot-tall sign at a rural town-site property in Avon Township was denied. The proposed sign exceeded the county’s 32-square-foot and 10-foot height limits for the zoning district; Avon Township’s recommendation in favor was advisory only.
The Stearns County Board of Adjustment denied a variance for an 8-by-10 two-sided sign at 37215 County Road 9 in the St. Anna area after members concluded the proposed 80-square-foot sign, 18 feet tall, exceeded size and height standards for the rural town-site zoning.
Applicants Kelly and Gordon Caspers said the larger, higher sign would improve visibility and safety at a busy intersection, would replace an older out-of-service sign and would help a small family-owned store and bait shop attract customers. They said they had discussed rezoning to commercial with Avon Township but that the township opposed rezoning; the township sent a 4–1 letter recommending approval of the sign variance.
Environmental services staff described alternatives, including reducing the sign to the 32-square-foot/10-foot limit or pursuing rezoning to a commercial district where larger signs are allowed. Several board members and staff discussed the township’s advisory vote and clarified that the county’s ordinance governs and that a township recommendation cannot override county size and height limits.
On the required findings, the board split on whether the request was in harmony with official controls and with comprehensive-plan goals. With three votes recorded as no on key statutory questions, the board voted to deny the variance. There will be no conditions because the variance was denied. Staff said applicants may pursue rezoning or a smaller sign to comply with county rules.
Ending: Staff suggested options including redesigning a smaller sign, pursuing rezoning to commercial, or exploring road-authority informational signage; the applicants said they would consider the alternatives.
