Planning commission approves variance to place three Uplands subdivision entry signs at corner intersections

The Westminster Planning Commission voted 4–3 on Jan. 14 to grant a sign-code variance allowing three subdivision entry signs for the Uplands development to be placed at corner intersections along Federal Boulevard and Lowell Boulevard, overruling staff’s recommendation to deny the request.

Staff had recommended denial, saying the application failed two of the six variance criteria in Westminster Municipal Code § 11-11-13(e)(2). Carson Beyerhoff, planner with the city’s planning division, told commissioners the code defines a subdivision entry sign as “a monument sign located along the entry of a subdivision from a collector or arterial street,” and that staff concluded there are opportunities to place compliant entry signs at interior access points. “Staff recommends that the planning commission hold a public hearing and deny the requested sign variance,” Beyerhoff said.

The applicant, represented by land-use consultant Marcus Pockner and designer Kaylee Gillespie of…