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Plan Commission limits number of yard signs in comprehensive sign plan for San Damiano Park on Monona Drive
Summary
The commission approved a comprehensive signage plan for Friends of San Damiano at 4123 Monona Drive with conditions limiting temporary banner visibility and capping temporary yard signs along Monona Drive to six; staff had recommended broader exceptions, which commissioners narrowed.
The Monona Plan Commission approved a comprehensive signage plan for the Friends of San Damiano at 4123 Monona Drive on the condition that temporary banners not be visible from the public right-of-way and that the number of temporary yard signs along Monona Drive be limited to six.
Dawn Fonseca, operations manager for Friends of San Damiano, described the group’s request as a way to streamline signage for recurring events: “What we are looking for is allowance...to not have to come for every event,” she said. The plan requested exceptions to allow one semi-permanent informational sign, multiple temporary banners, sandwich boards for events, and up to 20 yard signs across the property for wayfinding and event information.
City staff explained the proposal in detail, describing the informational sign as 7.65 square feet and 5 feet 4 inches in height, which requires a height exception under the city sign code; the request also asked that banners and yard signs be permitted more than the standard limits. Staff recommended findings and conditions if the plan were approved.
Commissioners broadly supported the informational sign and the event-directional signage but expressed concern about the visual effect of a large number of yard signs along Monona Drive. “I think it’s too many. I think it’ll make it look like a flea market,” one commissioner said, while another added the frontage “deserves more integrity than that.” Commissioners suggested trimming the yard-sign allowance to preserve the site’s character and asked staff to retain discretion on the informational sign’s final height and placement so it remains accessible.
On a motion that incorporated findings of fact (items 5, 6 and 7 in the staff report) and added the condition that the banner signs not be visible from the public right-of-way, the commission approved the comprehensive sign plan with a maximum of six temporary yard signs along Monona Drive. The commission also asked staff to work with the applicant on the final informational-sign height and placement to ensure accessibility and appropriate integration with landscaping. Staff will enforce the conditions and can require the applicant to return if changes are needed.
