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Planning board grants variance for Lamar billboard relocation and size reduction to meet MDT spacing
Summary
The board granted a sign variance to allow Lamar Advertising to relocate and reduce the size of an existing billboard so it complies with Montana Department of Transportation spacing requirements; applicant proposed shrinking the sign from 672 to 378 square feet.
The Planning Board granted a sign variance request from Lamar Advertising Company to relocate an existing billboard along Interstate 90 and reduce its size so the sign would meet the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) spacing requirement the company cited.
Staff said the relocation would move the sign east approximately 180 feet so the billboard would meet MDT’s 2,000‑foot spacing measurement; the applicant representative said the proposed sign face would be reduced from 14×48 feet (672 square feet) to roughly 10.5×36 feet (about 378 square feet). The applicant representative said the company is also a local partner for community messaging (AMBER Alerts, weather alerts) and noted the request was driven by MDT spacing rules rather than an intent to expand off‑premise signs within the city.
Board members discussed lawful nonconforming status of existing billboards, the city code restriction on new off‑premise billboards, and whether the requested relocation created a hardship. Members who spoke said the request appeared to be driven by MDT requirements and that the reduced size and relocation would be less intrusive than the existing structure; the board approved the variance in a voice vote.
Staff reminded the board that the sign would still be subject to city code requirements for off‑premise signs where applicable and that many aspects (lighting, base/monument treatment, and final siting) are addressed in the permit review. No public commenters opposed the variance at the board meeting.
