Planning commission recommends conditional use for roadside billboard in Marion County

The Marion County Planning Commission voted June 24 to recommend approval of a conditional use permit (PC2602) for a 50‑square‑foot billboard to be sited at or near 1648 Indigo on land held in the Lloyd Funk Trust. Brady Abrams of Red Cedar Land Company, the applicant, told the board the sign would be owned and maintained by him and positioned about 300 yards south of the property driveway.

Staff presented the application and recommended approval under Marion County zoning rules (citing Article 16, Article 12 and Article 24), describing the parcel as primarily agricultural — roughly 198 acres — and noting the proposed sign would be supported on posts and must meet electrical‑line clearances. "Staff recommends the requested conditional use permit be approved as presented," a staff member told the commission, while listing standard conditions on setbacks, clearance from power lines and routine upkeep.

Commissioners discussed extra safeguards after questions from the board about long‑neglected signs in the county and enforcement capacity. The planning commission added three conditions: require repairs within 30 days for storm or damage, mandate 6x6 support posts rather than smaller posts, and require that any change to the sign’s advertising that would represent a different business or use return to the planning commission as an amendment to the approved development plan. Abrams said the sign would feature his real‑estate advertising and a phone number and that a family member living on the property would handle day‑to‑day upkeep.

The commission’s recommendation is advisory; staff said the item will be forwarded to the Marion County Board of County Commissioners for final action on Aug. 3. The planning commission’s action was framed as a recommendation consistent with staff findings that the use is compatible with rural surroundings if the stated conditions are met.