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 face were counted at the maximum hypothetical size. Staff noted a single pump face, if fully counted, would contain about 3.7 square feet; six pump faces would add about 22.2 square feet and could produce an overall total near 75.7 square feet if counted at full hypothetical area. Commissioner discussion and public comment focused on whether practical pump signage would in fact use the entire pump face and whether those pump signs are subject to staff-level approval or require further review.

Patty Perrin, who testified from North Maple, asked about the drawings showing two red marks on the canopy and whether the second (back-side) canopy sign remained part of the proposal. She said, “On the picture... it's got 2 red marks, and I'm making the assumption that that's where the sign will be for the canopy.” Staff and commissioners clarified the application before the commission was for one EMC sign on the Maple Street side of the canopy and that non-EMC signs on the building and pumps were typically handled through a sign permit processed by staff.

A resident who identified themself as Sue pressed the commission on a broader point of process, noting that earlier assurances given to the commission had stated there would be no canopy or pump signs. Sue said she felt the commission was “ignoring” prior statements and complained that the commission was “rubber stamping” staff decisions when the total sign package appeared inconsistent with earlier representations. Commission members responded that the hearing addressed only the EMC conditional use and variance and that other non-EMC signs were part of the overall submittal and subject to staff approval or permitting.

After discussion the commission made a motion to approve the conditional-use and variance limited to the single EMC sign on the Maple Street canopy and to adopt staff findings. The roll-call recorded Moore, Reilinger and Carl voting aye and Richardson voting no; the motion carried. Conditions of approval included: (1) the decision limited to the EMC conditional-use and sign-variance request, (2) placement of the single EMC on the Maple Street side of the canopy substantially as shown in the permitted site plan, (3) submittal of and compliance with a sign permit to the City of Yamhill, including any ODOT authorization or letter stating authorization is not required, and (4) conformance with Title 10 provisions and building-permit requirements.

The applicant is required to secure the sign permit and demonstrate compliance with the approved permit drawings; staff noted that the permit review will revisit exact pump-face signage calculations and will flag any issue if, at permit stage, the applicant attempts to use full pump-face area counts that would push the project over the 75-square-foot threshold. The commission closed the public hearing before voting and left the record closed for the item.

What happens next: the applicant must obtain the sign permit and any ODOT authorization noted as a condition. If the applicant deviates from the approved permit or attempts to install signs not permitted by the decision, enforcement and permit-review steps will apply.