Pleasant Grove adopts ordinance creating 'project identification' signs for large commercial developments

The Pleasant Grove City Council on Tuesday approved Ordinance 2025‑007, creating a new sign category called "project identification signs" for master‑planned commercial developments 20 acres or larger, and setting a maximum height of 12 feet and area limits for the signs.

The ordinance establishes that a project identification sign must identify the overall development and the primary developer, be monument‑style (ground‑mounted), and be limited to one sign per unified commercial development of at least 20 acres. Director Cardenas told the council the planning commission unanimously recommended approval after staff and the applicant, Saint John's Properties, negotiated size and siting limits. "This is a project from Saint John's properties ... it's a monument like type of a sign," Cardenas said during his presentation, noting city engineer approval would be required for location and that AASHTO sight‑triangle rules apply to intersections.

Why it matters: the new sign type formalizes a request from a Valley Grove commercial applicant and sets citywide parameters so future large developments can install a single, larger identifying sign without treating it as an advertising sign for individual tenants.

In discussion, council members pressed for stronger design limits to avoid a large, visually heavy concrete structure. Council member Williams said the council should ensure the sign "doesn't block the view in a corner," and asked for assurances on aesthetics and visibility. Council member Limon said that, given the sign's size, "we need some standards for that type of signage that large in that area." Cardenas and the applicant described proposed landscaping and a raised planter to reduce visual mass; the applicant said the development had originally sought a 20‑foot sign but reduced the request to 12 feet and that the final sign would include planters and architectural finishes rather than a plain concrete block.

The applicant, identified in the record as Marty with Saint John's Properties, said the sign's intended location is at the Valley Grove corner across from R and R Barbecue, that two buildings in the area are expected to open in July, and that the 12‑foot height will provide the necessary visibility across Pleasant Grove Boulevard. Marty said the sign is "going to look and be welcoming" and that the development plans to install landscaping and a planter in front of the sign.

The ordinance text amended section 10‑19‑2 (sign definitions) and adopted section 10‑19‑9‑5 to add the new sign type, with limits on height (12 feet), area (approximately 202 square feet as presented), one sign per 20‑acre unified commercial development, and required city engineer approval for location. Planning staff noted the rule that no sign be erected in intersection sight triangles in compliance with AASHTO; Cardenas recommended the council adopt the ordinance but acknowledged further design guidance could be developed for sign finishes and massing.

Council member Janssen made the motion to adopt Ordinance 2025‑007; Council member Williams seconded. The council took a roll call vote with all members voting in favor as recorded during the meeting. The motion carried and the ordinance was adopted.

The council recorded no amendments to the ordinance at the meeting. Staff and the applicant said they would follow up on design details and that the city could consider additional design standards for large monument signs in appropriate locations.

The council then closed the public hearings portion of the agenda and moved on to other business.