Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutVA198700027 Action Letter 1987-05-15 S 1 jci COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE Department of Zoning 401 McIntire Road Charlottesville, Virginia 22901-4596 (804) 296-5875 May 15 , 1987 Mr . Benjamin Boyajian 101 Ednam Place Charlottesville , VA 22901 Re : Board of Zoning Appeals Action VA-87-27 , Tax Map 60 , Parcels 38 & 39 Dear Mr . Boyajian : This letter is to inform you that on May 12 , 1987 , during the regular meeting of the Albemarle County Board of Zoning Appeals , your application for VA-87-27 was approved as submitted subject to the staff recommendations with the exception of para- graph #2 pertaining to the readvertising of the setback for the structure location and parking. This variance approval allows relief from sections 30 . 5 . 6 . 2 . 1 , 30 . 5 . 6 . 2 . 2 , 30 . 5 . 7 . 2(b) , and 30 . 5 . 7 . 2(c) of the Albemarle County Zoning Ordinance to reduce the required setback in the SA-Highways Overlay District for a new structure from 150 feet to 60 feet , for a new off-street parking area setback to be reduced from 50 feet to 15 feet , for a new freestanding business sign ' s setback to be re- duced from 150 feet to 1 foot , to increase the allowable square footage for a freestanding business sign from 18 square feet to 120 square feet , and to increase total wall signage from 35 square feet to 70 square feet , a variance of 35 square feet . The applicant ' s request for a variance on parking setback is subject to the following condition : a) Planning Commission approval of site plan . The applicant ' s request for setback of a free-standing business sign , and aggregate area is approved subject to the following conditions : Page 2 Letter to Benjamin Boyajian May 15 , 1987 a) All existing free-standing signs must be taken down and "only" one (1) new sign be erected not to total more than 120 square feet aggregate area . b) Setback of the one (1) free-standing business sign be located a minimum of ten (10) feet from the road right- of-way for safety and proper visual range for motorists . c) That if illuminated it be from an external source . d) No other free-standing sign of any description to be located on the site . e) Should highway improvements be made to Rt . 250 west in the future , the applicant or owner if different should incur all costs in relocating the sign . f) Sign design , specifications , etc . are subject to the Board ' s review and approval . The applicant ' s request for an additional 35 square feet of wall signage is approved with the following conditions : a) That the total number of wall signs be based on the applicant ' s tenant occupancy (Example - 10 tenants 10 signs) , with a maximum of 15 total signs b) That the maximum area of one sign not exceed thirty- five square feet . c) If signs are illuminated that it be from an indirect source . If you have any questions , please contact this office . Sincerely, eiwitiesW. AA eu Charles W. Burgess Zoning Administrator CWB/st cc : VA-87-27 Reading File Planning Department STAFF REPORT - VA-87-27 APPLICANT: Benjamin Boyajian TAX MAP/PARCEL : 60/38 , 39 ACREAGE: 2 .47 (total combined parcels) ZONING : HC (Highway Commercial) LOCATION: South side of Rt . 250 west approximately 150 yards west of the intersection of Rt . 250 and Colonade Drive The applicant is seeking variances from Sections 30 . 5 . 6 . 2 . 1 , 30 . 5 . 6 . 2 . 2 , 30 . 5 . 7 . 2(b) , and 30 . 5 . 7 . 2(c) of the Albemarle County Zoning Ordinance . Included is Section 30 . 5 . 2 . 2 which establishes the Scenic Overlay District . The following sections state : "30 . 5 . 2 . 2 SA - Highways SA - Highway Overlay Districts are hereby established along the following highway corridors in Albemarle County for a distance of one-hundred fifty (150) feet on each side of the right-of-way: a) U. S . Route 250 from the western corporate limits of the City of Charlottesville to the western Albemarle County border . 30 . 5 . 6 . 2 . 1 No buildings or structures other than necessary accessory appurtenant fences and/or walls , except as hereafter provided in the case of certain signs , shall be constructed within any SA - Highways Overlay District . 30 . 5 . 6 . 2 . 2 No off-street parking or loading shall be allowed closer than fifty (50) feet to the right-of-way line of a SA- Highway which is all or part of off-street parking facilities required or designed to accommodate more than two (2) motor vehicles . 30 . 5 . 7 . 2 Regulation of Number , Height , Area, Types of Signs 30 . 5 . 7 . 2(b) Free-standing business and projecting business signs shall be limited to ten (10) feet in height above grade , eighteen (18) square feet per single sign face , and to one (1) sign per separate highway frontage . 30 . 5 . 7 . 2(c) Business wall signs shall be limited to twenty (20) feet in height above grade , thirty-five (35) square feet per single sign face , and to one (1) sign per separate highway frontage . The applicant proposes renovations to the existing buildings on the property coupled with construction of a new 3 ,000 square foot building, parking changes , over-all site improvements , and a consolidation of the free-standing signage . Page 2 Staff Report - VA-87-27 Benjamin Boyajian One building in its entirety, and all front portions of the other buildings presently located on the site are within the re- quired 150 foot SA-highway setback . The staff would like to address each provision on a specific basis , do a summary, and/or then make a recommendation. Setback of the new proposed structure cannot be supported based on the evidence provided . The setback does include an additional deck and steps which construction has already begun , of which portions have been completed . This was not specifically pointed out because of its setback relation to the new proposed building. The deck and steps setback is only eighty (80) feet . The steps were reconstructed because of safety and the deck area would be for aesthetics , and customer convenience and comfort . The parking setback of 15 feet is for new proposed area . Existing parking is already established within 20 or less feet from the road right-of-way . The new parking area will be esta- blished due primarily to the additional parking required for the new building. Setback for the one (1) free-standing sign is not feasible . A minimum ten (10) foot setback at its proposed location would be more appropriate with visibility and safety. Consolidation of all of the more than 120 square feet of free-standing signage into one (1) sign would be an improvement and more conforming to the SA-District . The proposed sign would have a double-face providing visual access to west and east bound motorists . Increase in wall signage would be to provide for separate occupant notification . Existing on-site wall signage is already in excess of the 35 square feet allowable under the ordinance provision . Important Information : The County Comprehensive Plan, Chapter 13 - Transportation Plan includes committed projects and additional ones that are recommended to be developed in Phases I thru IV. Recommendations under the Phase II Category is Ivy Road (Route 250 Business) between Emmet Street and Route 29/250 Bypass - widen to 4-lanes with flush median . A variance from Sections 21 . 7 . 1 and 21 . 7 . 2 , Commercial Dis- tricts Generally, was not advertised but will be required due to the proposed location of the "new building" at sixteen (16) feet from the 21 foot right-of-way. The building setback will require a 14 foot variance . More parking spaces will be established adjacent to and abutting the 21 foot right-of-way. Page 3 VA-87-27 Staff Report Benjamin Boyajian RECOMMENDATIONS The staff recommends approval of the setback of 80 feet required for the steps and deck which are presently being constructed . Approval/Denial for the setback for the "new" proposed building should be deferred until a new application is made and legal ad placed pertaining to Ordinance Sections 21 . 7 . 1 and 21 . 7 . 2 to include the setback for the structure location and parking. The applicant ' s request for a variance on parking setback should be approved subject to the following condition : a) Planning Commission approval of site plan. The applicant ' s request for setback of a free-standing business sign, and aggregate area should be approved subject to the following conditions : a) All existing free-standing signs be taken down and "only" one (1) new sign be erected not to total more than 120 square feet aggregate area . b) Setback of the one (1) free-standing business sign be located a minimum of ten (10) feet from the road right- of-way for safety and proper visual range for motorists . c) That if illuminated it be from an external source . d) No other free-standing sign of any description be located on the site . e) Should highway improvements be made to Rt . 250 west in the future , the applicant or owner if different should incur all costs in relocating the sign . f) Sign design, specifications , etc . are subject to the Board ' s review and approval . The applicant ' s request for an additional 35 square feet of wall signage should be approved with the following conditions : a) That the total number of wall signs be based on the applicant ' s tenant occupancy (Example - 10 tenants = 10 signs) , with a maximum of 15 total signs . b) That the maximum area of any one sign not exceed thirty- five (35) square feet . c) If signs are illuminated that it be from an indirect source .