Planning commission approves 40-foot monument sign, animated LED panel for Horseshoe Park

The Queen Creek Planning & Zoning Commission approved a comprehensive sign plan to replace the Horseshoe Park and Equestrian Center's existing 30-foot monument sign with a new 40-foot monument sign that includes a double-sided animated LED panel (case P24-0195), commissioners said during the meeting's final action portion.

The sign plan, presented by Sarah Clark of the Development Services Department, requests three deviations from the town's zoning ordinance: an increase in allowed monument sign height, an increase in the permitted sign area, and authorization for an LED animated display. Clark said the proposed sign would total 253.75 square feet of sign area, with a top static panel of about 146 square feet and a lower dynamic LED panel described in staff materials as 128 square feet.

Clark told commissioners the proposed LED panel would change static images every eight seconds and operate 24 hours a day but would be dimmed in the evening to reduce glare. She noted the town's Horseshoe Park arena reaches roughly 64 feet in height and the facility occupies about 80,000 square feet, which staff said provided visual context comparing the sign to the event center's massing.

David Solum, general manager of Horseshoe Park, described the sign as a needed technology update and said replacement parts for the existing marquee are no longer available. Solum said Horseshoe Park has grown substantially since 2011, citing increased events and visitation, and that sponsorships are supporting the sign project: he said the venue has 43 sponsors averaging about $7,100 each and that some sponsors have contributed roughly $299,000 toward the sign. Solum also said Earnhardt is a title sponsor and committed $124,000 toward the replacement. He told the commission the sign could produce about $75,000 a year in revenue and that the park would reserve 25% of digital display time to promote Queen Creek events and activities.

Commissioners asked questions about nearby LED signs and potential glare; Clark responded that similar entertainment uses east of the site have LED signage and that staff recommended the request as consistent with the surrounding uses. Commissioners did not open a public comment period because the item was designated as a final action. A motion to approve the sign plan passed; no further implementation timeline or permit schedule was specified during the meeting.

The commission's approval authorizes the three deviations outlined in the application (height, aggregate sign area, and animated LED content) as described in the staff presentation.