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Zoning board grants variance for larger Monteriors wall signs at 4500 Harrison Ave.
Summary
The Zoning Board approved Variance 25‑4 to allow two 155‑square‑foot wall signs on the north and south facades of a Monteriors building at 4500 Harrison Ave, finding site constraints (floodplain, vision triangles and off‑premise sign obstruction) justified the variance and noting the applicant is foregoing larger freestanding signage.
The Butte‑Silver Bow Zoning Board of Adjustment unanimously approved Variance 25‑4 to permit two large wall signs on a new Monteriors building at the property addressed as 4500 Harrison Avenue.
Planning staff reported the applicant proposes a 155‑square‑foot wall sign on both the north and south facades (presentation materials described the signs as "1 55 square foot" each). Staff said the site is subject to buildable‑area constraints (a floodplain crossing the lot), corner vision‑clearance requirements, and existing off‑premise signs north of the parcel that restrict on‑site visibility. Staff contrasted the requested wall signs with the alternative under current code — up to three freestanding signs totaling as much as 900 square feet — and recommended approval of the variance as a less‑impactful alternative that would improve wayfinding along Harrison Avenue while minimizing visibility toward residential parcels to the west.
Ms. Thomas (senior planner) walked the board through sign code provisions (Butte‑Silver Bow Municipal Code Section 17.42.50 and related sign rules) and explained the variance criteria: public interest, unnecessary hardship, and spirit of the ordinance. Staff concluded the particular site constraints were not self‑imposed and that the proposal met the variance criteria and the spirit of the code.
Justin Fortune, representing Monteriors and the sign applicant, told the board, "I think the signs are better than the monument signs. I think it's less impactful for the building." Board members expressed support for the compromise, with one noting the wall signs would be "a lot nicer" than monument signage and another saying the approach reduced overall sign square footage relative to the code‑permitted freestanding option.
A motion to approve the variance carried 4‑0. Conditions recommended by staff — compliance with C‑2 sign regulations unless otherwise modified by the variance and procurement of required building permits and approvals prior to installation — were attached to the approval.
