Plan Commission recommends Village Board approve Lions Legacy Pavilion donor and interpretive signs for Xander Park

April 6, 2026 — The Village of Cross Plains Plan Commission recommended the Village Board approve two permanent community information signs for the Lions Legacy Pavilion project in Xander Park: a donor recognition sign and an interpretive sign about H.M. Xander and his family.

Staff said both signs are classified under the village sign code as community information signs and therefore do not require a sign permit, but the commission was asked to comment on design and placement. The proposed donor sign is shown in the presentation as roughly 3 feet by 5 feet in portrait orientation, installed on a framed post near the parking lot across the bridge; staff said an install date around May 1 is desired to coincide with Drought Days. The informational sign is a smaller, landscape 2‑by‑3 foot panel similar to existing creek‑side interpretive signs.

Lisa Lasher, who identified herself as representing the Cross Plains Alliance Club and working on the capital campaign, said the Lions Club would be responsible for replacing or repairing the donor recognition sign if it faded or was damaged and that the group is reserving funds for upkeep. She told the commission that professional, durable materials are being specified to reduce the need for replacement and that the Lions are open to a formal agreement on long‑term responsibilities. The transcript records Lisa Lasher saying, "I am representing the Cross Plains Alliance Club. I've been involved in the capital campaign committee and trying to get the project across the finish line." and that "the Lions would be responsible for replacing and repairing the sign should it become faded or damaged."

Commissioners raised placement concerns — visibility when native plantings mature, proximity to the pavilion versus the parking lot, impacts on snow removal, and the condition of an existing Eagle Scout kiosk that some suggested removing or replacing. Staff said the public works director, Matt Kooie, had reviewed the proposed placement and was comfortable with it, and that staff and the Lions would coordinate exact siting and maintenance needs. Staff also referenced an existing memorandum of understanding assigning donor recognition responsibilities to the Lions for the pavilion project.

A commissioner moved and another seconded to suggest that the Village Board approve the Lions Legacy Pavilion donor recognition sign with location to be determined by the Lions and village staff; the Plan Commission adopted the recommendation by voice vote. The commission also discussed and reviewed the informational/interpretive sign; staff indicated placement options remain flexible and coordination with village staff will follow.

Details noted in the meeting: staff recorded a material cost estimate for the donor sign of about $5,000; the Lions requested responsibility for replacement and upkeep rather than village ownership; and MG& was recorded in the transcript as requesting certain utility easements related to the March Stone discussion in the same meeting. The Plan Commission’s action was a recommendation to the Village Board rather than a final village board approval.