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Planning commission approves America First digital sign on phase‑1 parking structure
Summary
Riverdale Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit for a 750‑square‑foot electronic display on the America First Credit Union phase‑1 parking structure, with conditions limiting additional electronic signage and requiring dimming and safety controls.
The Riverdale Planning Commission on Sept. 23 approved a conditional use permit for an electronic display on the phase‑1 parking structure of the America First Credit Union campus at approximately 4648 South 1500 West.
The approved sign as proposed will combine two faces and total about 750 square feet — 150 square feet larger than the 600‑square‑foot business‑sign maximum in current code. The permit was approved with conditions including a separate sign permit review, operational limits on illumination, a requirement to monitor and adjust brightness, and a condition that no additional electronic signage be added to the adjacent parking structure without returning to the commission.
The commission’s planner presented the project background and staff recommendation before inviting the applicant to answer questions. Brandon Cooper (staff member) summarized the campus history and the proposal, saying the sign “exceeds the maximum allowable square footage of a business sign, which is 600 square feet,” but recommended approval because, in his view, the sign’s scale was compatible with the massing of the connected parking structures and the broader campus. Cooper also read the city standard for electronic displays: “An electronic sign shall not be excessively intense or brilliant,” and noted the code’s numeric limit that displays “shall be illuminated at a level no greater than 0.3 foot candle over ambient light levels.”
Tim Bridal, identifying himself as director of construction for America First Credit Union, described how the credit union programs the existing sign on 1500 West to dim at dusk and reduce glare by avoiding white background slides. Bridal said the sign uses a “universal clock” that adjusts to dawn and dusk and that the credit union had reduced nighttime brightness after earlier comments on glare.
Commissioners questioned visibility and driver distraction, the potential visual impact from Riverdale Road and I‑84, and whether the Federal Aviation Administration review was required because of the campus’s proximity to the airport. Staff reported the proposed sign sits outside the airport approach cone and does not currently require FAA approval. Staff also emphasized that a city sign permit review would still be required if the commission approved the conditional use permit.
The motion to approve the conditional use permit passed after a roll call. Commissioners voting yes included Commissioner Borthork, Commissioner Francis, Mr. Anderson and Commissioner Henstra. The motion, as adopted, finds the use consistent with Title 10 (including references to Title 10, Chapter 19 and Chapter 16) and imposes conditions to limit safety and nuisance risks: a separate sign permit review; monitoring and adjustment of intensity to meet the 0.3 foot‑candle over ambient requirement; a default mechanism or manual shutdown within 24 hours in case of malfunction; and a condition prohibiting other electronic business signage on the immediately adjacent parking structure.
During additional discussion the applicant said the parking structure and the office building footings are nearing completion and that the credit union intends to open Building A and the Riverdale branch in the early part of 2028, with the parking structure finished earlier but held closed until building opening.
The commission’s approval does not waive the requirement for a sign permit or for any other building permits; staff will perform the additional review required under the motion’s conditions.
