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HomeMy WebLinkAboutVA198900084 Action Letter 1990-04-12 414 f/RGit ' COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE Department of Zoning 401 McIntire Road Charlottesville, Virginia 22901-4596 (804) 296-5875 April 12, 1990 Catholic Diocese of Richmond, Most c/o Reverend Michael McCarron P. 0. Box 7223 Charlottesville, VA 22901 RE: Board of Zoning Appeals Action VA-89-84, Tax Map 61Z, Parcels 03-1A & 1A1 Dear Sir: This letter is to inform you that on April 10, 1990, during the meeting of the Albemarle County Board of Zoning Appeals, the Board unanimously approved your request for VA-89-84. This variance was approved to allow a 32 square foot sign at the main entrance on the property currently owned by Dr. Hurt and a 12 square foot sign on the church property with the following conditions: (1) Neither sign can be enlarged in future; (2) That wooden freestanding sign on Route 29 and Branchlands Boulevard be removed; (3) That color and construction of materials of the signs shall be compatible and subject to Zoning Administrator approval. If you have any questions, please contact our office Sincerely, (31)4" Amelia M. Patterson . Zoning Administrator AMP/srp cc: VA-89-84 STAFF LZSON: John Grady PUBLIC HEARING: October 17, 1989 STAFF REPORT - VA-89-84 OWNER/APPLICANT: Catholic Diocese of Richmond (Church of Incarnation, applicant) TAX MAP/PARCEL: 61Z-1A-1Al & 61Z-03-1A ZONING: PUD ACREAGE: 12.507 LOCATION: Located on Hillsdale Drive, between Branchlands Retirement Community and Squire Hill Apts. REQUEST: The applicant requests relief from Section 4. 15.3.5 of the Albemarle County Zoning Ordinance, which states: Residential; Planned Unit Development. "Identification Signs: Provided (a) Not more than two (2) square feet in area, (b) Not more than one (1) on any lot or premises." The applicants request: (a) an increase in the number of identification signs from one (1) per lot to two (2) per lot, and (b) an increase in the total square footage of identification signs from 2 square feet to 60 square feet. RELEVANT HISTORY: Staff recognizes that each variance is reviewed on its own merits, and is not on its face, precedent-setting. The following history is provided for information: Since 1979 a number of variances were granted for adjoining properties. The following are listed below: 1979 1. Miller and Rhodes - 367 square ft. variance for area of wall signs, (VA-79-29) 2. Sears and Roebuck - 200 square foot variance for area of wall signs, (VA-79-30) 3. Leggett - 394 square foot variance for wall signs, (VA-79-31) 4. J.C. Penney - 360 square foot variance for wall signs, (VA-79-32) 1986 1. Marriott - 96 square ft. variance for area of directional sign, (VA-86-12) 2. Marriott - 65 square foot variance for area of wall sign, (VA-86-23) 1987 1. Albemarle Bank and Trust - 6 square foot variance for area of free standing sign, (VA-87-52) Staff Report - VA-89-84 Page 2 1989 1. Centre at Branchlands - 1,130 square foot variance for area of wall signs, (VA-89-69) 2. Centre at Branchlands - 1, 130 square foot variance for area of wall signs, (VA-89-72) RECOMMENDATION: The front of the property is heavily buffered with large pine trees. An approximate 10 foot rise in elevation from Hillsdale Drive combined with the large trees that surround the site almost totally obscure any identifi- cation of the church from Hillsdale Drive. 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 as this property is located adjacent to property of a commercial nature. The location of the identification sign will be adjacent to and facing those properties of a commercial nature along 29 North. Although staff is sympathetic to this situation it does not feel that the applicant meets criteria points 1 and 2 below. 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; Should the Board find cause for approval, staff recommends the following conditions: 1. That only one (1) free standing identification sign be permitted. 2. That the wooden free standing sign on Rt. 29 and Branchlands Blvd. be removed. 3. That color and construction materials of the sign shall be compatible and subject to approval of the Zoning Administrator. ADDENDUM TO VA-89-84 Church of Incarnation The Board of Zoning Appeals may recall that at the meeting of October 17, 1989, the Board deferred this application with the applicant's agreement for a period of six (6) months. This was to allow further study of other localities' sign provisions for churches. A survey of nine (9) similar localities (attached) shows that most permit 30-32 square feet of church sign area. It further showed that all localities allow closer setbacks 0-15 feet from the front property line. In conclusion, zoning staff is contemplating a recommended church sign area of 32 square feet with a 10 foot setback. Therefore, staff again recommends denial for cause of VA-89-84 based on the criteria outlined within the prior report. ADDENDUM TO VA-89-84 Church of Incarnation The Board of Zoning Appeals may recall that at the meeting of October 17, 1989, the Board deferred this application with the applicant's agreement for a period of six (6) months. This was to allow further study of other localities' sign provisions for churches. A survey of nine (9) similar localities (attached) shows that most permit 30-32 square feet of church sign area. It further showed that all localities allow closer setbacks 0-15 feet from the front property line. In conclusion, zoning staff is contemplating a recommended church sign area of 32 square feet with a 10 foot setback. Therefore, staff again recommends denial for cause of VA-89-84 based on the criteria outlined within the prior report.