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Planning commission recommends approval of illuminated sign for Faith Journey Lutheran Church with brightness and agreement conditions
Summary
The commission recommended approval of a conditional use permit allowing an internally lit monument sign with an electronic messaging center at the Faith Journey Lutheran Church campus, imposing three conditions including a brightness cap of 0.3 foot-candles above ambient measured at 55 feet and a signed conditional use agreement.
The West Fargo Planning and Zoning Commission voted Jan. 13 to recommend approval of a conditional use permit that will allow an illuminated monument sign with an electronic messaging center at the Faith Journey Lutheran Church campus at 127 2nd Avenue East.
Planning staff (Steve) told the commission the proposed 7-foot-high monument sign would include an 11.45-square-foot internally lit church logo above an 18.22-square-foot electronic messaging center, keeping the sign beneath the 32-square-foot size limit in the city sign code. Staff recommended three conditions of approval, including submission of a signed conditional use permit agreement, construction as presented to the commission, and a brightness limit.
"And finally, the sign shall not exceed 0.3 foot candles of ambient light measured 55 feet from the sign face," Steve told the commission, describing staff's recommended brightness cap and showing exhibit projections (staff noted model values of roughly 0.27—-0.29 foot-candles at 40 feet on the display).
Staff also said it had mailed notice to property owners within 350 feet and reported one written protest from a property at 129 3rd Avenue East, approximately 500 feet southeast of the proposed sign. Brenda Jo Gilland, a member of the church council for Faith Journey Lutheran Church, spoke in support, saying the permanent sign would be "more aesthetically pleasing to the neighborhood" than temporary rented signs.
Following public comment, a commissioner moved to recommend approval with the three staff conditions; a second was recorded. On roll-call, all commissioners present voted in favor and the motion carried. Staff noted final construction and possible subsequent approval at an upcoming city commission meeting would be required.
The commission's recommendation includes the brightness cap and the requirement that the applicant sign an agreement outlining the conditions of approval before construction. The city commission will consider final approval at a later meeting.
