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HomeMy WebLinkAboutVA198900073 Action Letter 1989-09-13 • 8 III m AMK" COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE Department of Zoning 401 McIntire Road Charlottesville, Virginia 22901-4596 (804) 296-5875 September 13 , 1989 Christian Retreats c/o Robert J. French P. 0. Box 86 Greenwood, VA 22943 Re: Board of Zoning Appeals Action VA-89-73 Tax Map 70, Parcel 22 Dear Mr. French: This letter is to inform you that on September 12 , 1989, during the regular meeting of the Albemarle County Board of Zoning Appeals, that your application for VA-89-73 was approved with the following conditions: 1. The existing sign shall be removed; 2 . That one sign shall be permitted; ,, 3 . The sign shall not be illuminated; 4 . The sign shall be constructed of wood and shall be cream and cranberry in color; and 5. limitation on the size of the sign to be 3 ' X 4 ' in area. This variance approval allows relief from Section 10. 4 of the Albemarle County Zoning Ordinance to allow one (1) freestanding sign to be located four (4) feet from the front property line, a variance of seventy-one (71) feet. If you have any questions, please contact our office. Sincerely, (14M4,40... M. Pa .ttrso Amelia Zoning Administrator AMP/st cc: Inspections Dept. VA-89-73 Staff Person: Amelia M. Patterson Public Hearing: September 12, 1989 STAFF REPORT - VA 89-73 OWNER/APPLICANT: Christian Retreats, Inc. TAX MAP/PARCEL: 70/22 ZONING: RA, Rural Areas ACREAGE: 13 . 356 acres LOCATION: On the north side of Rt. 692, approximately 0. 5 mile east of the intersection of Rt. 691, at Oakleigh REQUEST: The applicant requests relief from Section 10. 4 of the Albemarle County Zoning Ordinance, which states: "Area and Bulk Regulations . . . Yards, minimum Front 75 feet . . . " The applicant proposes the placement of two (2) individual freestanding signs and the removal of one (1) sign located within the right-of-way. A front yard setback is requested of four (4) feet for one sign and five (5) feet for the other, reductions of seventy-one (71) and seventy (70) feet. Two signs are proposed such that one may be located at each entrance behind the three foot high stone wall. The signs will be constructed entirely of wood with a pale cream color background and dark cranberry lettering. RELEVANT HISTORY: The following history is provided for information: The property was purchased by the present owners in 1971. It has been utilized as a church. RECOMMENDATION An existing row of mature evergreen trees line the property's frontage and would partially obstruct visibility of signage located at the required setback. Vegetation on adjacent properties also limits the field of visibility for signage on this property. However, staff would comment that other than church visitors, those regular members are familiar with the church's location. STAFF REPORT - VA-89-73 Christian Retreats, Inc. Page 2 Staff questions the need for two signs. In addition, to avoid glare onto the public road, in an area without streetlights, staff recommends that illumination of the sign not be permitted. Staff recommends denial for cause: 1. The applicant has not provided evidence that the strict application of the ordinance would produce undue hardship; 2 . The applicant has not provided evidence that such hardship is not shared generally by other properties in the same zoning district and the same vicinity. 3 . The applicant has not provided evidence that the authorization of such variance will not be of substantial detriment to adjacant property and the character of the district will not be changed by the granting of the variance. If the Board should find cause for approval, staff recommends the following conditions: 1. The existing sign shall be removed; 2 . That one (1) sign shall be permitted; 3 . The sign shall not be illuminated; and 4. The sign shall be constructed of wood and shall be cream and cranberry in color.