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Waite Park planning panel approves digital billboard permit with conditions
Summary
The Waite Park Planning Commission unanimously approved a conditional-use permit for a single-sided digital billboard proposed by RHL Inc., setting limits on size, height and requiring city and MnDOT permits, licensing confirmation and annual fees.
The Waite Park Planning Commission on June 8 approved a conditional-use permit for a single-sided digital off-premise billboard on Highway 23, proposed by RHL Inc., following a staff recommendation and a brief public hearing.
City planning staff summarized the application as a 33-acre property owned by Todd Held with a small frontage gap that meets the city's separation requirements for digital billboards. Staff recommended approval with six conditions, including: a city permit before fabrication or installation; a Minnesota Department of Transportation advertising-device permit on file; confirmation that RHL Inc. has paid any outstanding annual licensing fees; sign-face maximums that fall within the city ordinance (sign face dimensions and a 400-square-foot maximum); a maximum overall structure height of 36 feet above adjacent grade; and a single sign face installed at any time, subject to annual licensing and fees.
"My recommendation would be approval of the conditional use permit for the off-premise sign," said John, city planning staff, who presented the application and the proposed conditions.
Troy Ray, representing RHL Inc., urged approval and clarified the company’s intent to begin with one digital face and possibly convert both sides later if the site proves commercially viable. "We'd start with just one side being digital," Ray said, adding that traffic patterns make the eastbound face more valuable.
Commissioners asked whether single- or double-sided installations would affect compliance; staff said the governing ordinance is applied per sign face and that the proposal as presented meets the separation, size and height standards. The commission closed the public hearing, moved to approve the permit as submitted with the stated conditions, and passed the motion by voice vote (commissioners signaled "I").
The decision is subject to the standard permitting process: city issuance of a permit only after MnDOT approval is on file and verification that licensing fees for the owner's other billboards are current. The item will proceed to city council as required by the city's review process.
