Trustees ask Fraser Valley Arts for revised sign options over sightline and design concerns

Fraser trustees on April 1 tabled consideration of an off-premise sign proposed by Fraser Valley Arts after trustees raised visibility and safety concerns about the monument base.

Town planner Garrett Scott presented the conceptual design for an approximately 11-foot monument sign at the post office site; the top portion was proposed as a static sign with the Fraser Valley Arts logo and the lower portion as a variable-message electronic area paired with a painted base intended for future artistic work. Scott cautioned the board the packet rendering was conceptual and staff had not yet received a final artistic design.

Several trustees said the lower 4-foot-wide base, as drawn, would create a sightline obstruction for cars turning from US-40 onto Park Avenue and backing out of the adjacent parking spaces. One trustee said of the proposed base: "It will block visibility of people coming off of 40 and turning from Park Avenue into the post office." Staff noted the proposed sign face area meets the maximum 20-square-foot allowance under current code but agreed the base appearance and materials could be revised to improve safety and aesthetics.

Trustees suggested narrowing the base to about 30 inches, matching materials to the post office masonry, or moving toward a slender pole design; staff recommended reconvening with the applicant to present alternate options and to bring samples of artistic treatments. The board voted to table final action and asked staff to return with refined designs and material options at a future meeting.

What happens next: staff will meet the applicant (Fraser Valley Arts) to relay board feedback, request an artwork sample for review, and return to the board with revised options for final approval.