Plan commission approves reduced sign setback for Abra Auto Body on Theater Road

The Onalaska Plan Commission on Jan. 27 approved a planned unit development and a sign-code deviation that allows a freestanding sign for Abra Auto Body (Automotive Enterprises LLC) to be placed as close as 1 foot from the northeastern property line of the parcel at 120 Theater Road, city planner Katie Aspenson said.

Aspenson told commissioners the parcel functions as a flag lot with only 35 feet of frontage on Theater Road, which limits conventional sign placement. "Freestanding signs are required to be installed 5 feet from a parcel line, which would place the sign in the driveway itself," Aspenson said. The applicant asked to maintain the required 5-foot setback from Theater Road while reducing the side property-line setback to 1 foot; city staff recommended approval with nine conditions at the PUD stage and later presented eight conditions for final implementation.

There were no public speakers in favor or opposed when the hearing opened; earlier in the public comment period, a resident (Wayne Van Kullenberg) asked generally about a sign location near Maine and Theater Road but did not formally oppose the Abra Auto Body application when that item was heard.

Commissioner Eric Archer moved to approve the PUD and sign deviation as presented; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously. The commission later approved the final implementation plan with eight staff conditions.

The conditions are intended to address site-plan details, proper foundation and placement of the sign given sightlines and driveway constraints, and any necessary permits. The transcript lists the parcel identification as tax parcel 18356847. The commission’s approval allows the applicant to proceed with final permitting and sign construction consistent with the approved deviations and conditions.