Bandera board approves variance to reface long-standing sign on Highway 1670

The City of Bandera Board of Adjustments voted 4-0 to approve a variance allowing Kirk McMullen and Patricia McMullen to replace the face of a 448-square-foot sign on the 400 block of Highway 1670.

The change approved is limited to the sign’s artwork and text; city officials said structural alterations or a property ownership change would require the sign to comply with the city sign ordinance. The sign has been on the site since the 1970s and the McMullens said they took possession in 1986.

Kirk McMullen, an applicant on the request, told the board the sign “has actually been there since the seventies” and that the family has periodically updated it, most recently in 2021. He said, “we do have a tag that is a license on there just so y’all know this,” and that TxDOT no longer considers the sign to be in its jurisdiction.

Lynn (member) summarized the city’s rule on billboards and described the sign as nonconforming under current code: “our ordinance reads that there be no, billboards in in the city limits.” A meeting participant noted the city’s definition treats signs used for commercial advertising that are at least 200 square feet as billboards; the sign in question is reported as 448 square feet.

Board discussion focused on limiting the variance to the face of the sign and ensuring future compliance. One official said structural changes would remove eligibility for a variance: “anytime there’s structural change, then that means there shouldn’t be a variance.” The board also discussed language already in the ordinance that would require a sign to conform when ownership changes.

Tony (member) moved to approve the variance and Lynn (member) seconded the motion. The motion passed with a voice tally counted as four in favor.

Board members and staff noted the city is working on an updated sign ordinance to reduce the frequency of individual variance requests for facings and to clarify when permit review is required. Staff referenced prior conversations with “Stan” about revising the sign rules.

The variance allows the McMullens to change the sign’s face; any future structural replacement or a transfer that triggers compliance requirements would subject the sign to the city’s permitting and sign standards.

Details provided at the meeting indicated the sign structure itself had been updated in 2021, the face is being replaced (described as a “wrap”), and the property has historic use dating back to the 1970s. The meeting record did not specify a calendar date for the vote.