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HomeMy WebLinkAboutVA198800007 Action Letter 1988-02-10 NpF Af\" COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE Department of Zoning 401 McIntire Road Charlottesville, Virginia 22901-4596 (804) 296-5875 February 10, 1988 Mr. Mason Child Strategic Design Group 115 South Third Street Richmond, VA 23219 Re: Board of Zoning Appeals Action VA-88-7, Tax Map 45, Parcel 94B Dear Mr. Child: This letter is to inform you that on February 9, the regular meeting of the Albemarle County Board lofBZonningng Appeals, the Board granted your variance request, VA-88-7, with the following conditions: (1) the site be limited to one (1) freestanding business sign of one hundred forty (140) square feet aggregate area, and (2) sign be no greater in height than thirty (30) feet. This variance approval allows relief from Section 4 . 15. 3 . 7 of the Albemarle County Zoning Ordinance to increase the aggregate area of free-standing signage allowed from one hundred (100) square feet to one-hundred forty (140) square feet. If you have any questions, please contact our office. Sincerely, a:44_ A) , Charles W. Burge s, r1 . Zoning Administrator CWB;jr./st cc: VA-88-7 Sign Permit #5-88=1' STAFF REPORT VA-88-7 APPLICANT: CMA Properties, Inc. c/o Colonial Auto Center TAX MAP/PARCEL: 45/94B ZONING: H-C Highway Commercial LOCATION: W. side of Route 29 North, 2/10 mile north of the intersection of Rt 29 North & Rio Rd. The applicant requests a variance from Section 4 . 15. 3 . 7 of the Albemarle County Zoning Ordinance. This section states: "4 . 15. 3 Permitted Signs 4 . 15 . 3 .7 Highway Commercial . . . . etc. Business Signs, Free Standing or Projecting: Provided• (b) the aggregate area of such signs shall not exceed one hundred (100) square feet The applicant (Colonial) wishes to erect a free standing business sign totaling one hundred forty (140) feet aggregate area, a variance of forty (40) square feet. The sign will identify the three (3) different car makes that are offered by the dealership. As per the applicant's submitted drawings there is a future possibility that the dealership would offer up to (5) more makes as indicated by the five (5) future building additions. Information submitted with the application speaks of a possible nine (9) franchises. The staff finds that north bound motorists have excellent visual access to the site. South bound traffic does have a limited visual access due mostly to the elevation of the road (Rt 29) approaching the site and the topography of the adjoining properties. The topography of the adjoining property may be altered, due to proposed development. Measures to diminish or somewhat change the existing topography, vegetation of the adjoining property should be pursued by the applicant. The applicant's property and the adjacent property is served by a 60 foot easement. There is a possibility that there will be additional signage located at the intersection of this easement at Rt 29 . RECOMMENDATION The application should be denied for cause: 1) The applicant has not provided evidence that a strict application of the ordinance would produce a clearly demonstrable hardship approaching confiscation as distinguished from a special privilege or convenience. Staff Report - .i-88-7 C)"IA Properties, Inc. Page 2 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. 3) The applicant has not demonstrated that the authorization of the variance will not be of substantial detriment to the adjacent properties or that the character of the district will not be altered. Should the Board of Zoning Appeals find just cause to grant the applicant's request, the following condition is recommended. The site be limited to one (1) free standing business sign of one hundred forty (140) square feet aggregate area, no greater in height as submitted (state height. )