The Wheeler Planning Commission on June 5 approved four sign permits for a downtown business, with one safety condition.

The permits covered a sidewalk sandwich board for the shop’s “We are open” sign, a vinyl banner to be mounted on the building’s south façade, a wall-mounted three-dimensional ice-cream cone and a framed menu board near the entrance. The commission approved the applications (permit numbers 2025-01, 2025-02, 2025-03 and 2025-04) with the contingency that the projecting ice-cream cone be mounted above the overhang/door height so it would not pose a pedestrian hazard.

Commissioners and staff reviewed dimensions supplied with the applications: the sandwich board and banner meet the town’s size limits; the cone was listed at roughly 35 inches high and 15 inches wide including brackets. Staff and commissioners discussed mounting height and whether the cone would interfere with pedestrian circulation; staff said the applicant had approval from the building owner and that the cone would be mounted high on the building’s south side near the first door.

The motion to approve the permits with that amendment carried on a voice vote. Shannon Smith seconded the motion; members voting in the affirmative included Chair Doug Proctor and Commissioners Anna Saint John and Bridal Donoghue. The staff record notes the commission will confirm final mounting height with the applicant to ensure the sign is above door height.

Why it matters: the decision permits new downtown signage that the business said is intended to increase visibility for pass-by customers while the commission added a narrowly drawn safety requirement intended to avoid pedestrian conflicts.