Planning commission adopts signage policy to allow limited commercial signs on legally nonconforming properties

The Muskego City Planning Commission on May 6 adopted a policy to clarify signage for legally nonconforming commercial uses and businesses operating under conditional-use grants in residentially zoned areas.

Planning staff described two categories covered by the policy: (1) legacy commercial uses that remain legal nonconforming in residential zones because they predate current zoning, and (2) businesses operating in residential zones under a conditional-use grant. Under the policy, such businesses would by default be allowed to follow B1 sign standards (sign area equal to 3% of the relevant wall area and a base monument sign area of 10 square feet), approved via a staff-level sign permit. Businesses seeking larger signage may apply to the planning commission to follow B2–B4 standards (for example, 5% wall signage and a 30-square-foot starting point for monument signs).

Adam, planning staff, explained the policy was prompted by several inquiries from existing businesses, including an example involving the Muskego Healthcare Center (formerly Muskego Nursing Home), which is residentially zoned but allowed as a nursing-home use under the ordinance. He said the policy would make signage options consistent with the existing approvals while preserving the commission’s authority to consider larger signage requests.

Commission discussion was brief and supportive; one commissioner said the proposal “makes good sense” as a way to apply commercial signage standards to legacy sites while keeping larger requests subject to commission review. The motion to approve the resolution passed without recorded opposition.

Ending: The policy assigns most sign permits for qualifying legacy or conditional-use businesses to staff review under B1 standards; businesses wanting larger signs must seek planning commission approval.