Snyderville Basin Planning Commission advances digital sign code changes

McDonald’s in Kimball Junction was cited during Tuesday’s Snyderville Basin Planning Commission discussion of proposed code changes that would allow limited digital drive-through menu signs in the basin. Photo: TownLift

Proposal would allow some drive-through, fuel-price and resort-entry digital signs, with dark-sky and anti-clutter restrictions

PARK CITY, Utah — The Snyderville Basin Planning Commission on Tuesday unanimously recommended changes to the basin’s sign code that would allow a limited number of digital signs — including drive-through menu boards, digital fuel-price signs and resort entry information displays — while keeping restrictions aimed at protecting dark skies and limiting visual clutter. The proposal now moves to the Summit County Council for final review because it is a legislative code amendment.

The amendment would revise Section 10-8-2 of the Snyderville Basin Development Code and related definitions. According to the staff report, the changes would add digital displays to some freestanding signs, including fuel station price signs, resort entry information and event signs, and would also establish rules for drive-through menu signs.

County staff told commissioners the proposal stemmed from recent special-exception requests for digital drive-through signs, including one for McDonald’s in Kimball Junction. Staff said the County Council approved one request, then directed staff to return with a broader code amendment rather than continuing to handle similar requests on a case-by-case basis.

Commissioners spent much of the discussion weighing how to modernize the code without drifting toward billboard-style digital displays. Staff said the county was trying to account for changing sign technology while still honoring the basin’s dark-sky goals and existing character.

The proposed rules would still bar flashing, scrolling, and video-style sign effects. During the meeting, staff also recommended more precise brightness standards and said the county should use “nits,” a display-specific brightness measurement, rather than lumens for digital panels.

During the public hearing, Scenic Utah Executive Director Francisca Blanc urged commissioners to adopt detailed standards now, saying the county had an opportunity to set clear rules the first time digital signs are being considered in the basin.”

Before voting, commissioners backed several refinements, including a prohibition on audio for signs except where needed for drive-through ordering, stronger wording around shielding, and more specific restrictions on animation, blinking, fade effects, and other motion-like features. Commissioners also discussed limiting how often sign content could change, while allowing narrower flexibility for resort signs used for traffic or safety information.

Staff said the amendment is aimed at a relatively small set of uses — primarily existing drive-through restaurants, gas stations, and the basin’s two resort areas — rather than a broad expansion of digital signage across Snyderville Basin.

The Planning Commission’s vote was only a recommendation. Under county procedure, the proposed code amendment must next go to the Summit County Council for a public hearing and final action.