HomeMy WebLinkAboutVA198900059 Action Letter 1989-08-10 „A„
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4V.017
COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE
Department of Zoning
401 McIntire Road
Charlottesville, Virginia 22901-4596
(804) 296-5875
August 10, 1989
James E. Craig
Property Manager
Box 8085
Charlottesville, VA 22906
Re: Board of Zoning Appeals Action
VA-89-59, Tax Map 61W, Parcel 01-A9A
Dear Mr. Craig:
This letter is to inform you that on August 8, 1989, during
the regular meeting of the Albemarle County Board of Zoning
Appeals, your application for VA-89-59 was approved subject
to the following conditions:
1. Maximum of 26 square feet for the sign,
2 . Colors to be approved by the Zoning Administrator,
3 . Site to be limited to one (1) sign only, and
4 . Sign to be located according to Option A.
This variance approval allows relief from Section 10.4 of
the Albemarle County Zoning Ordinance to reduce the setback
for a new sign from thirty (30) feet to ten (10) feet, a
reduction of twenty (20) feet.
If you have any questions, please contact our office.
Sincerely,
Amelia VICM. Patte�
Zoning Administrator
AMP/st
cc: Inspections Dept.
VA-89-59
Sign Permit #S-89-67
STAFF REPORT - VA-89-59
OWNER/APPLICANT: Ruth C. Heede
TAX/PARCEL: 61W/01-A-9A
ACREAGE: 0.918 Acres
ZONING: C-1, Commercial
LOCATION: 2300 Commonwealth Drive, at the northeast
corner of Greenbrier Drive and Commonwealth
Drive.
Request: The applicant seeks a variance from Section
21. 7 . 1 of the Albemarle County Zoning
Ordinance, which states:
"21.7 Minimum Yard Requirements
21. 7 . 1 Adjacent to public streets: No
portion of any structure . . . shall be
erected closer than thirty (30) feet to
any public street right-of-way. . . "
The applicant requests relief to reduce the setback for a new
freestanding sign from thirty (30) feet to ten (10) feet, a
reduction of twenty (20) feet. The proposed sign, a "menu sign"
is a compilation to replace several different signs' messages.
The applicant comments that the sign would not be readily visible
to passing motorists if forced to comply with the required
setback. The applicant also cites that by complying with the
required setback, the signs would then be within five (5) feet of
the building and would thereby detract from the building's
aesthetic quality.
Recommendation:
The use of a menu sign is in accordance with the recommendation of
the Board of Zoning Appeals for VA-89-11, Darrel V. Maynard. The
previous variance request also sought a setback reduction to a
distance of eight (8) feet from the public street. Staff
previously commented that some reduction of the required setback
could be supported if the three (3) signs were combined into one
(1) sign structure. The previous variance adjacent owners'
letters voiced objection to a setback reduction.
Staff Recommends Approval for Cause:
1. The strict application of this ordinace would produce undue
hardship. The subject property is located above the grade
of both Commonwealth Drive and Greenbrier Drive. Signage
which would meet the required setback would not be easily
visible from the public roads.
2 . Such hardship is not shared generally by other properties in
the same zoning district and same vicinity;
3 . The authorization of such variance will not be of substantial
detriment to adjacent property and the character of the
district will not be changed by the granting of the variance.