Waupaca County approves sign setback variance for Wolf River Trips Inc. on County Road X

The Waupaca County Board of Adjustment approved a petition July 30 permitting a business sign for Wolf River Trips Inc. at E8055 County Road X in the Town of Mukwa to be located closer to the road than right-of-way and visual-triangle standards normally allow.

Owners Gary and Melissa Flease testified they required the requested sign placement because of a steep ditch line, the location of the home and business, and safety concerns about moving the sign nearer a cemetery; they argued other locations would be ineffective for customers and potentially less safe for driveway access. R. Fields presented the Planning & Zoning staff report and recommended denial, citing that the structure did not meet road setbacks and that it sat in the right of way of a Level II highway.

Board members discussed visibility at the site. Several members said the existing hill and ditch—not the sign—impaired sight lines; members concluded the proposed placement would not worsen safety. D. Johnson moved and J. Fulcher seconded a motion to approve the variance. A roll call vote was unanimous to approve the variance (P. Craig—yes; D. Johnson—yes; J. Fulcher—yes; A. Richardson—yes; P. Leder—yes).

The board recorded findings that the steep slope and proposed sign height created a unique physical limitation and that locating the sign as proposed did not harm the public interest or meaningfully impair the visual clearance triangle given the existing topography. The hearing was closed at 11:35 a.m. The approval allows the sign as placed; staff and the applicants may follow any required permitting steps for sign construction and placement.