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Planning Board approves MCC overlay and conditional-use amendment for Saint Thomas Lutheran Church sign
Summary
The board approved a major amendment to allow religious assembly in R4 and expansion of the MCC overlay for Saint Thomas Lutheran Church at 17007 Q Street, 7–0; applicant requested relief from a new 12-foot monument-sign setback because existing sign sits roughly 5–8 feet from the property line, and staff recommended approval while not supporting a reduced setback at this time.
The Omaha Planning Board voted 7–0 to recommend approval of an MCC Major Commercial Corridor overlay and a major amendment to a conditional-use permit to allow religious assembly in the R4 district for Saint Thomas Lutheran Church at 17007 Q Street.
Applicant Paul Morris told the board the church’s existing monument sign currently sits about five feet from the property line and that site topography would make a 12-foot setback impractical: "If we would happen to move the sign back to that 12 foot, the top of the sign practically would be about level with the street," he said, arguing the sign would be ineffective and requesting either to remain at the five-foot setback or to be allowed a taller sign.
Eric England of the planning staff said the city is reviewing signage-code changes to address elevation differences but staff cannot support a reduced setback now and recommended retaining the 12-foot standard; staff did note alternative measures such as raising the base of the sign by mounding.
Board members discussed options and asked for renderings and feasible site treatments; the motion approved the overlay and the conditional-use amendment "subject to the eight conditions in the recommendation report." The board’s vote is a recommendation to City Council, except that conditional-use permits are final per the board’s stated rules.
