Plan Commission approves new monument sign with electronic message board at 800 Madison Ave.

The Fort Atkinson Plan Commission on Feb. 25 approved a site plan to replace a pylon sign with a monument sign that includes an electronic message board at Community Credit Union’s main office, 800 Madison Avenue, subject to staff recommendations on lighting, timing and photometric details.

Plan Commission Chair Commissioner Kacenich said the commission recommended approval after staff review, noting the proposed sign materials match building materials. "I will say that I appreciate their efforts in, matching the materials of the building along the bottom there," Kacenich said during the meeting.

Staff member Jed Drager summarized the proposal and staff conditions. Drager said the applicant reduced the size of the electronic message board so it would be 50% or less of the total sign square footage, in line with the ordinance, and that staff required a photometric plan to show lighting would not obstruct views or create traffic hazards. "They had to reduce the electric message board size, to 50 or less of the total sign square footage as our ordinance mandates," Drager said. He added that staff would require the sign to meet existing rules that prohibit scrolling and limit how often the displayed message can change.

Commissioners asked about traffic safety at the nearby busy intersection of Madison Avenue and Roosevelt. A commissioner raised concerns about accidents at the corner; staff said the proposed monument sign will be moved east of the existing pylon location to stay outside the vision triangle and meet setbacks required by ordinance. Drager explained the ordinance vision-triangle measurement for Madison Avenue is 20 feet and that the sign also must meet a 15-foot setback from the curb, both of which the proposal satisfies.

Following discussion, a commissioner moved to approve the sign package as recommended by staff and another commissioner seconded. The commission voted by voice and the motion carried.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of minutes (agenda item 3a): Plan Commission moved and seconded to approve the minutes of the Feb. 11, 2025 meeting as presented; voice vote carried (ayes recorded; oppositions not recorded).

- Site plan review 2025-02, Community Credit Union, 800 Madison Avenue: Motion to approve the sign package with staff recommendations (including demonstrating lighting changes, limiting electronic message board to 50% of sign area, prohibiting scrolling, and providing a photometric plan) carried by voice vote.

The commission also received a brief update on previously approved items and was told implementation plans for Ridgeview Estates planned unit developments will appear on the March 11 agenda. The meeting adjourned at 4:08 p.m.