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Brandon council grants QuickStar sign variances at I‑90 Plaza, reversing planning commission
Summary
The council voted to grant an appeal and approve variances for larger and taller signage for QuickStar’s planned second Brandon store at the I‑90 Plaza, overturning a tie on the Planning and Zoning Commission.
The Brandon City Council voted to grant an appeal and approve variances allowing larger and slightly taller signage for QuickStar’s proposed second store at the I‑90 Plaza, reversing a deadlocked decision by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
The council’s action approved variances from the city’s commercial signage rules that generally limit signage to 200 square feet per commercial lot and a maximum height of 30 feet in the GB zoning district. QuickStar requested sign area substantially above the 200‑square‑foot limit and a height up to 35 feet; council members approved the appeal after discussion of precedent and site conditions.
Zach, QuickStar’s representative, summarized the applicant’s position and told the council the company was “really excited to open our second store in Brandon.” Brian Heidrick, a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission who attended the council meeting, described the commission’s deliberations and cautioned about precedent: “My personal concern … I was okay with the height … [but] the one sign … is almost 3 times larger than what we currently allow,” he said, adding that approving a near‑600 square‑foot sign by variance raised questions for other properties in town.
At planning and zoning, members were unable to reach the two‑thirds threshold needed to approve either variance; the matter carried forward to the council on appeal. Councilmembers debated precedent and the site’s low elevation relative to the interstate before a motion to grant the appeal passed. The motion’s recorded vote was taken by voice; the mayor announced the motion carries.
The council’s approval reverses the planning commission outcome and permits QuickStar to proceed with the larger signage as described in the application. The city attorney and planning staff did not present an ordinance or code change; council members noted the planning commission is working on broader changes for signage along the I‑90 corridor (an overlay and allowances for multiple frontages) that could alter future applications.
The council’s action was limited to the variance appeal on the QuickStar signage; no other land use approvals or site plan decisions were made at the meeting.
