Pueblo planners OK giant QuikTrip sign despite size regulations
Despite being larger than allowed, a 75-foot tall sign designed to advertise a QuikTrip convenience store was approved by the Pueblo Planning Commission Wednesday because of its location near other high-rise signs near West Pueblo Boulevard and Interstate 25.
"The QuikTrip pole sign will include an electronic variable message sign for gas prices and it is proposed for an area not generally allowed in the current zone," said Beritt Odom, principal planner for Pueblo’s Department of Planning and Community Development. "You can't build a structure in a public access easement so they will need proof of a 15-by-10-foot easement before the sign is permitted."
The sign also is 46 square feet larger than the maximum size allowed, however, "it is reasonable to allow for the larger sign for motorists traveling at a high rate of speed on I-25. It is actually not going to look that tall because of the height of the off-ramp," Odom explained.
Just to the south of the site are multiple high-rise signs for businesses, such as Taco Bell, Microtel by Wyndham and the Hampton Inn & Suites, so the sign would, "not negatively affect the site characteristics," Odom said.
A year after giving initial approval to the subdivision plan for the convenience store, the planning commission unanimously approved the master sign plan. The store will be located on a former drive-in movie theater site, on a 26-acre parcel north of West Pueblo Boulevard that will be accessed via Lake Avenue.
The remaining three lots will be available for future commercial developments and space on the sign will be reserved to advertise those businesses, Odom said.
The store will be the first QuikTrip in Pueblo, although four Colorado stores have been built in the Denver metro area. QuikTrip was founded in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1957 and has more than 900 stores in Oklahoma, Kansas, Iowa, Georgia, Nebraska, Texas, Arizona and South Carolina.
Runyon Field rezoning approved
Planners also gave unanimous approval recommending Pueblo City Council allows the rezoning of the 26-acre Runyon Field site, a portion of which was in an industrial zone. The government-use zone will "create one consistent zone district for the entire complex for future expansion of the ballfields and complex," Odom said.
Scott Hobson, interim director of the planning department, said the area was part of the Missouri Pacific rail yard where workers once refurbished refrigeration cars. The site was neighbored by a packing plant for meat processing and a stock yard was located at the east end of the railyard.
Fire Station 6 rezoning approved
Planners also gave unanimous approval recommending city council allow the rezoning of 1.5 acres of land at 111 Victory Lane for the construction of the Pueblo Fire Department's new Fire Station No. 6, which will replace the current station at 1325 E. Fourth St.
The rearrangement of property boundary lines with the Trinity Subdivision had to be done to accommodate additional land needed for the fire station, Odom said. The new fire station will "provide improved emergency service to the immediate area" and include two full parking bays and a partial bay, bedrooms for eight firefighters, a kitchen, communal living space, restrooms, office space and gym space for a workout area.
More Quiktrip news: Land annexation for new Pueblo jail wins initial approval from planning and zoning
Chieftain reporter Tracy Harmon covers business news. She can be reached by email at tharmon@chieftain.com or via X, formerly Twitter, at twitter.com/tracywumps. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com.
This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Pueblo planners OK giant QuikTrip sign that exceeds size regulations
