Planning Commission approves electronic pricing sign on Maple Street canopy despite area calculation dispute

The Yamhill Planning Commission voted to approve a conditional-use variance allowing one electronic message center (EMC) sign on the Maple Street side of a proposed service-station canopy (public hearing CU-B2406), adopting staff findings and conditions on a 3–1 roll-call vote.

Staff told the commission the submitted EMC is 14.04 square feet in physical face area; under the code the EMC is treated at twice its face area for the purpose of the overall site-area limit, which yields 28.166 square feet. Combined with a wall sign of 25.375 square feet, staff calculated total on-site signage at 53.541 square feet, which is below the 75-square-foot allowance in the Central Business District. Staff recommended approval subject to a sign permit, compliance with Title 10 of the municipal code, and evidence of any necessary Oregon Department of Transportation authorization.

The main contested point during the hearing was how to count additional pump-face signs and whether the project could conceivably exceed the 75-square-foot maximum if each pump…