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The Hayden Planning Com--mission on Thursday approved a sign for the Hayden Mercantile and Mountain Valley Bank.

The structure will be 25 feet tall and 14 feet wide and will include a large sign advertising the market above a smaller sign for the bank.

It will be built near the new bank building, which is in front of the Mercantile on West Jefferson Avenue.

The town's sign code specifies what types of commercial signs are acceptable but not dimensions. Town Manager Russ Martin said the Planning Commission's decision would help influence a more specific code within zoning regulations, which are being revised.

"This is one reason we're updating our code -- to give applicants an idea of what we want," he said.

Mercantile owner Andrea Hayden, who stepped down from the commission for the decision, explained the sign height is standard for that type of sign. The sign will be backlit and will have a time and temperature display.

It will be about the same height as the Wagner Equipment sign west of Hayden. It will be outside the Colorado Department of Transportation's highway right of way and will not obstruct traffic views, Mercantile owner Bill Hayden said.

The Planning Commission determined the sign is appropriate in that area of Hayden, identified in the town's proposed comprehensive plan as a good place for vehicle-oriented businesses.

Still, the sign will appear bold at first to some residents and might spur feedback about a new sign code, Martin said.

"This is going to surprise people," he said.

In other business, the commission tabled a recommendation to adopt the new comprehensive plan. Martin suggested the commission postpone its decision and a public hearing to fine-tune details in the plan and give the public more time to review it.

Few residents attended the meeting, scheduled as a public hearing, to comment about the plan.

"I'd feel more comfortable -- so people don't feel like it's shoved down their throats -- if we take another month at it," he said.

He reviewed with the board corrections and clarifications made to the plan based on input gathered from residents and officials at a work session Feb. 24.

The plan is about 45 pages and is meant to guide decisions that affect land use. Subdivision and zoning codes are being updated in conjunction with the plan.

Colorado statutes mandate communities have a comprehensive or master plan, but it is not a regulatory document.

Surveyor Gordon Dowling emphasized that to the commission, calling the plan a "dog and pony" show.

"It's great, but it's not law," he said.

"I agree with you, but I think this plan will be a good tool ... for companies that want to land here and understand the community," Andrea Hayden responded.

Martin will accept comments about the plan until the public hearing at the Planning Commission's next regular meeting, April 14.

The revised plan draft should be available early next week at Town Hall and www.yampavalley.info/government043786.asp.

In other business, the Planning Commission recommended the Town Board approve former resident Rob Straebel's request to subdivide a duplex lot with a duplex at 689 E. Washington Ave. The town attorney will review a final plat and party wall agreement.