Herriman Planning Commission approves Zions Bank monument signs after dispute over sign-area measurement

The Herriman Planning Commission approved a conditional-use permit for two monument signs for Zions Bank, voting 5-1 to require that each sign not exceed 64 square feet including support structures.

The decision resolved a dispute over how the city measures monument-sign area. Sheldon, a planning staff member, presented the application and told commissioners the larger proposed sign would exceed the city’s 64-square-foot monument-sign limit when the support structure is included; staff therefore recommended approval only if both signs “do not exceed the allotted 64 square foot maximum, including the support structure as required by city code.”

The larger sign proposed for Herriman Boulevard was described by staff as roughly 14 feet long, 6 feet high and 1.5 feet deep, with an electronic message board; staff said the design’s total area was just under 84 square feet as presented. The smaller sign, along Herriman Main Street, was described as about 6 by 6 feet and internally lit. Sheldon told the commission how the city computes allowed sign area from street frontage and the ordinance’s definitions, and said the monument-sign type is limited to 64 square feet when measured under the city’s interpretation.

Kevin Anderson, a representative of Impact Signs speaking for the applicant, said the company’s calculation measures only the sign face within a drawn box and excludes the brick-and-stone base. “The square footage is within—54 square feet of sign area, not counting the base,” Anderson said, adding that Impact Signs prepares permits to fit local ordinances and does not seek to intentionally exceed rules.

Commissioners discussed consistency with past practice. One commissioner said the city has been consistent in applying the staff interpretation and did not want to deviate. Adam (commissioner) moved to approve item 4.1 “with staff’s 4 requirements as written,” restating that the motion required each monument sign to adhere to the 64-square-foot maximum, including support structure. Forrest seconded the motion. The roll-call vote was: Andrea — yes; Forrest — yes; Adam — yes; Heather — yes; Tara — yes; Bridal — no. The motion passed.

Commissioners and staff noted the dispute reflected differing readings of the ordinance’s measurement definitions. Several commissioners suggested clarifying the sign ordinance and asked staff to return with potential revisions; one commissioner recommended scheduling a future work session to review the city’s sign regulations and consider possible exceptions for architectural or three-dimensional features.

The approved conditional-use permit allows the two monument signs for the Zions Bank site adjacent to Herriman Boulevard and Herriman Main Street only if each monument sign, when measured under the city’s interpretation, does not exceed 64 square feet including its support structure. The applicants may revise the sign faces, bases or dimensions to meet the condition or return with modified designs for further review. The commission did not adopt any ordinance changes at the meeting.