Planning commission approves Yesco sign permit for Sapp Brothers travel center after variance ruling

The Toquerville Planning Commission approved a sign permit authorizing multiple signs for the Sapp Brothers travel center, accepting the findings and variances granted by Administrative Law Judge Lynn Cresswell.

Nut graf: The judge reviewed a multi-sign application and granted variances for four signs that did not meet setback, height or size limits, while finding most other proposed signs complied with the existing sign code. Commissioners approved a planning-permit document memorializing the judge’s decision.

Administrative Law Judge Lynn Cresswell summarized the review: he considered 20 initial sign proposals, narrowed his analysis to 16 signs with sufficient detail, and found 12 already met the code while granting variances on four (including a high water-tower sign for freeway visibility and two driveway/entrance monument signs). Cresswell said he had determined “that most of the signs…could meet the color and the other requirements” and that the unusual visibility needs (freeway-facing signs) supported narrow variances under the hardship standard he applied.

The judge and staff worked with Yesco’s representative and counsel to address outstanding details; staff prepared a consolidated sign-permit document listing permitted and (for clarity) non-permitted signs. Cresswell also recommended the city consider modest amendments to the sign code to anticipate highway-commercial signage needs in the future.

During discussion commissioners asked whether Sapp Brothers and Yesco accepted the changes and clarifications; staff confirmed the applicant had agreed to the adjustments. Four additional vendor signs related to diesel services were left as placeholders because they lacked final color or text information; the judge and staff said those could return for administrative approval once designs were finalized.

Motion and outcome: A commissioner moved to approve the sign permit as set out in the administrative law judge’s decision dated 04/30/2025; the motion carried on an affirmative vote. The record reflects three affirmative votes in favor at the planning commission meeting.

Ending: Staff will issue the sign permit consistent with the judge’s decision, and applicants will return with final designs for the placeholder vendor signs when ready. Staff also suggested the city consider a modest sign-code amendment to reduce similar variance requests in the future.