Commission approves slightly larger replacement electronic sign at 1501 Campbell Street

On Sept. 4 the Rapid City Planning Commission approved a major amendment to a planned-development overlay to replace an aging electronic reader-board sign at 1501 Campbell Street and to increase the sign’s reader-board area from about 32 square feet to roughly 40.5 square feet.

Staff told commissioners the property is zoned General Commercial and fronts Campbell Street, a principal arterial. The existing sign contains a static on-premise sign with an electronic reader-board in the lower portion; staff said parts to repair the current reader board are no longer available. The replacement reader board would measure 5 feet 4 inches by 7 feet 6 inches—approximately 40.5 square feet—mounted on a monopole with 10 feet of ground clearance and an overall height of 25 feet 4 inches.

A staff member confirmed the new sign remains below the city’s 60-square-foot LED limit and reiterated required conditions: automatic dimming tied to ambient light, shielding/direction to avoid impairing roadway or pedestrian vision, and prohibition on scrolling or flashing messages. Commissioners asked whether multiple sign faces on a single pole count toward the total sign area; staff replied the square footage for pole signs is cumulative and must fall within the code’s limits.

Planning Commissioner Mike Golliher moved to approve the amendment with staff stipulations; Planning Commissioner Vince seconded. The motion carried on a voice vote.

Staff noted the storage units on the site are platted separately and that the amendment applies only to the car wash parcel. The commission closed the item and praised planning staff for timely responses to applicant questions.