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HomeMy WebLinkAboutVA198900069 Action Letter 1989-08-16 • • 47141°' �1fKaN�P COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE Department of Zoning 401 McIntire Road Charlottesville, Virginia 22901-4596 (804) 296-5875 August 16, 1989 Freeman & Morgan Architects P.C. 7110 Forest Avenue Suite 200 Richmond, VA 23226 Re: Board of Zoning Appeals Action for VA-89-69 Tax Map 61Z, Parcel 03-11 Gentlemen: This letter is to inform you that on August 15, 1989 , during the regular meeting of the Albemarle County Board of Zoning Appeals, that the Board ruled to defer action on the freestanding sign, but approved the variance as requested for the wall signage with the following conditions: 1. That each tenant be allowed one (1) business wall sign. 2 . That the wall sign area for each tenant be determined on the basis of one and five tenths (1. 5) square feet of sign area per linear foot of business footage. 3 . That the maximum sign area for any one tenant shall not exceed two hundred (200) square feet, and 4 . That the criteria for the sign as submitted should be followed and be controlled by the Zoning Administrator along with the approved colors of red, yellow, green, blue, and white. This variance approval allows relief from Section 4 . 15. 3 . 5 of the Albemarle County Zoning Ordinance to increase the total square footage for wall signs on parcel 11 from twenty (20) square feet to 1, 150 square feet, a variance of 1, 130 square feet for wall signs. Freeman & Morgan Architects P.C. August 16, 1989 Page 2 If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our office. Sincerely, (1) ,Ult_ Mi4)4,ye-r\ Amelia M. Patterson Zoning Administrator AMP/st cc: VA-89-69 Inspections Department Reading File Albemarle County Board of Zoning Appeals April 9, 1991 Actions All Members Present 1. VA-91-11 Simeon Vineyards (Tax Map 92 , Parcel 2D) Unanimously approved subject to the following conditions: 1. Sign area shall not exceed 24 square feet. 2 . Sign shall not be located closer than 25 feet to the existing right-of-way of Route 795 . 3 . Sign design and colors shall conform to application and example submitted with variance request. 4 . Sign style, composition and colors for future replacement to be approved by the Zoning Administrator. 5. Sign shall not be lighted. 2 . VA-91-12 William S. Coleman, Jr. Unanimously deferred request to April 16th special meeting. 3 . VA-89-9 Reynovia Land Trust Unanimously voted to extend the variance for one more year and after the new ordinance established have a guideline to go by. 4 . VA-89-69 B. P. T. California, Inc. (Toys R' Us) Staff asked the Board if the intent of the variance approval condition #4 which reads, "That the criteria for the sign as submitted should be followed and be controlled by the Zoning Administrator along with the approved colors of red, yellow, green, blue, and white, " was that a sign could have all of those colors. The Board unanimously agreed that the decision was left up to the Zoning Administrator, and if any problems then come back before the Board. 5. Unanimously approved the minutes for 8/14/90, 10/16/90, and 3/12/91 STAFF REPORT - VA-89-69 OWNER: B.P.T. California, Inc. TAX MAP/PARCEL: 61Z/03/11, Lot 6 ZONING: PUD, Planned Unit Development ACREAGE: 9. 074 LOCATION: East side of Rt 29N, +/- 4/10 mile south of Rio Road & Rt 29 intersection, adjacent to Marriott Court Yard and in front of Branchlands Retirement Community. Request: The applicant requests a variance from Section 4 . 15. 3 . 5 of the Albemarle County Zoning Ordinance. This section states: "4 . 15. 3 Permitted Signs 4 . 15. 3 . 5 Residential (R-10 and R-15) ; Planned Residential Development (PRD) ; and Planned Unit Development (PUD) Business Signs: Limited to wall signs with an aggregate area not to exceed twenty (20) square feet. If illuminated, no flashing, blinking or color-changing or exposed, bare or uncovered neon illumination or lighting. Identification Signs: Provided: (a) not more than (2) square feet in area; (b) not more than one (1) on any lot or premises. . . " The applicant seeks a variance to increase the aggregate area of wall signage in a Planned Unit Development from 20 sq. ft. to 1, 150 sq. ft. and to increase the aggregate area of identification signage from 2 sq. ft. to 400 sq. ft. History: In July 1988, the applicant applied for rezoning (ZMA-88-4) which in part requested that C.O. and C-1 uses be allowed in this Planned Unit Development. The amendment application along with a site plan (for a shopping center) known as the Centre at Branchlands consisting of 28 shops and stores, has since been approved for construction. The problem the applicant faces at this time is that there was previously no consideration given to the question of signs that would be allowed in a Shopping Center in a Planned Unit Development. It is Staff's opinion that consideration should be given to the applicant's request in this situation, but the decision should not be applied to PUD districts in general so as to warrant a Zoning Text Amendment. This opinion is formulated on the fact that the character each Planned Unit Development is very unique and each may differ in the individual needs for signage. STAFF REPORT - VA-89-69 B.P.T. California, Inc. Page 2 The applicant does possess a hardship in that the Zoning Ordinance does not provide for adequate signage for the Shopping Center. The applicant at present is ready to commence work on the Centre at Branchlands and does have prospective tenants, however the allowable signage is severely limited for this size shopping with this number of tenants (twenty-eight) . Recommendation: The application should be approved for cause: 1) As the ordinance only allows for 20 square feet of wall signage in a PUD, the applicant clearly faces the hardship of not having adequate signage for the approved shopping center. 2) The applicant has demonstrated that his property is unique and differs from other properties in this area. This property lies substantially below the grade of Rt 29, thus making it less visible. This exceptional topographic condition creates a hardship for signage to serve its purpose. 3) The applicant has provided evidence that the character of the district will not be changed by the granting of the variance. The property is bordered on the north and south by commercial property of like uses. In the event the Board of Zoning Appeals should find cause to approve the applicant's request, the following conditions should be considered: 1) That each tenant be allowed one (1) business wall sign. 2) That the wall sign area for each tenant be determined on the basis of one and five tenths (1. 5) square feet of sign area per linear foot of business footage. 3) That the maximum sign area for any one tenant shall not exceed two hundred (200) square feet. 4) That the maximum sign area for identification signs shall not exceed one hundred (100) square feet, exclusive of decorative wall design on which the lettering will be placed.