Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Variance Split Rock topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board of Adjustment tables Split Rock Boulevard sign variance to March 19
Summary
The Board of Adjustment heard testimony from a church representative and business tenant about historical signage and hardship on a uniquely shaped Split Rock Boulevard lot, then voted to table the variance to March 19 while staff and the Planning Commission draft ordinance options to address multi-tenant signage needs.
The Brandon Board of Adjustment heard a variance application for a lot on Split Rock Boulevard that staff described as unusually shaped and currently exceeding the general-business wall-signage cap of 200 square feet per lot.
Staff reviewed existing signage on the parcel and reported a current total of about 346.6 square feet among several tenants (Avera 56 sq ft, Happy Nails 48 sq ft, Lewis Drug four signs totaling about 242.6 sq ft) and said one tenant’s permit record (martial-arts studio) was not found in files and would be followed up by staff (Paul).
Dan, speaking for the church and as a business owner on the parcel, said a sign historically occupied the frontage and that prohibiting a sign would impose a hardship on the church’s ability to rent space and serve patrons. Kyle Brown, a tenant, said a temporary sign remains while a permanent sign order was delayed and urged the board to allow a sign that reflects historical practice.
Commissioners probed the lot configuration, on-site parking, and the legal standard for an unnecessary hardship, with staff reminding the board the hardship must stem from a physical property condition, not the owner's financial situation. Several commissioners expressed concern that granting a variance could establish a precedent leading to multiple future variances for subdivided spaces.
Rather than granting immediate relief, the board voted to table the variance until the March 19 meeting to give staff time to draft revisions to the sign ordinance that would address multi-tenant and large-building situations. Staff and commissioners said tabling preserves the applicant’s option to pursue a variance later while avoiding setting a one-off precedent through an isolated approval.
The board recorded the motion to table, and the chair called for and received an affirmative voice vote. Staff confirmed that a tabled application remains active (unlike a rejection) and discussed temporary sign permissions while the item remains pending.
Next steps: staff will follow up on missing permit records for the martial-arts sign, and the Planning & Zoning Commission will produce example calculations and draft ordinance language for multi-tenant signage before the March 19 date.
