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HomeMy WebLinkAboutVA198700057 Action Letter 1987-08-20 IRGi COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE Department of Zoning 401 McIntire Road Charlottesville, Virginia 22901-4596 (804) 296-5875 September 30, 1987 Mr. & Mrs. Earl Whitaker 2332 Lonicera Way Charlottesville, VA 22901 Re: Board of Zoning Appeals Action VA-87-57, Tax Map 20, Parcel 90 Dear Mr. & Mrs. Whitaker: This letter is to inform you that on September 29, 1987, during the regular meeting of the Albemarle County Board of Zoning Appeals, that the Board ruled to allow your application, VA-87-57, to be withdrawn. If you have any questions, please contact our office. Sincerely, Charles W. Burgess, Jr. Zoning Administrator CWB,JR/st cc: VA-87-57 STAFF REPORT - VA-87-57 APPLICANT: Earl J. & Kathleen Witaker TAX MAP:/PARCEL: 20/9 ACREAGE: 2.251 ZONING: RA (Rural Areas) LOCATION: Lot number five , located on the corner of Lonicera Way and Ilex Court in North Pines Subdivision off Rt 606 The applicant seeks a variance from Section 10. 4 of the Albemarle County Zoning Ordinance. This section states: "10. 4 Area and Bulk Regulations Yards, minimum Front : 75 feet . . . " The applicant wishes to obtain approval for the location of a free-standing home occupation sign to be located one (1) foot from the road right-of-way. In 1985 , when the applicant obtained a home business license , the only concerns related to the applicant were a maximum size of four (4) square feet and traffic visibility. Upon reviewing the site , if the sign were to be located seventy five (75) feet from the road right-of-way, it would hardly be visible from the road. We find that the applicant has an option to locate some means of identification less than 144 square inches (example: less than 6" x 24" ) abutting the front property line and would not qualify for a sign permit or require a variance . The area of less than 144 square inches would not be classified as a sign. RECOMMENDATION The applicant should be denied for cause: 1) The applicant has not provided sufficient evidence to show that a strict application of the Zoning Ordinance would produce a clearly demonstrable hardship approaching confiscation as distinguished from a special privilege or convenience. 2) The applicant has not demonstrated that the perceived hardship is unique to his property in contradistinction to other properties in the same zoning district and general vicinity . The requirement the applicant seeks relief from is shared uniformly by all properties zoned industrial . 3) The applicant has not provided evidence to demonstrate that the authorization of the variance will not be of substantial detriment to the adjacent properties or that the character of the district will be altered. The granting of the applicant ' s STAFF REPORT - VA-87-57 request will undermine the intent of the Zoning Ordinance in regards to required setbacks for signs. In the event the Board of Zoning Appeals should find just cause to approve the applicant ' s request , the following recommendations should be considered. 1) that the height of the sign not exceed six (6) feet above grade 2) that the sign area be reduced to 2. 5 square feet 3 ) that the sign not be illuminated