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HomeMy WebLinkAboutVA199100015 Action Letter 1992-04-02 ‘1411,,v.t COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE Department of Zoning 401 McIntire Road Charlottesville, Virginia 22901-4596 (804) 296-5875 July 2, 1992 CORRECTED COPY Michael Mellon The Gardens Partnership P. 0. Box 6498 Charlottesville, VA 22906 RE: Board of Zoning Appeals Action VA-92-10 Tax Map 45, Parcel 104B Dear Mr. Mellon: This letter is to inform you that on April 14, 1992, during the meeting of the Albemarle County Board of Zoning Appeals, the Board unanimously (5: 0) approved your request for VA-92-10, subject to the four conditions stated in the staff report as follows: A. WALL SIGNS 1. Sign area shall be computed by the smallest square or rectangle to enclose the group of characters, and not be each character individually; 2 . Each tenant shall be allowed one wall sign based on the ratio of 1 square foot for each 1 linear foot of business frontage; and 3 . No sign shall exceed 100 square feet, except the existing Pier I sign which may measure 110 square feet; and B. FREESTANDING SIGN 1. The freestanding sign shall not exceed 32 square feet in size, and 2 . Height shall not exceed 10 feet. The Gardens Partnership VA-92-10 Approval CORRECTED COPY July 2, 1992 This variance approval allows relief from Section 30. 6.5.2, 4. 15.3.6 and 21.7. 1 to 1) reduce the setback from 30 to 25 feet, and increase the size from 18 to 32 square feet, for the location of a freestanding sign at the entrance to name the development; and 2) increase the size from 110 to 160 square feet for the location of wall signs. If you have any questions, please contact our office. Sincerely, illtrYZa.) 4V1- °!If Amelia M. Patterso ' Zoning Administrator AMP/st cc: Neal Gropen oil)! C COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE Department of Zoning 401 McIntire Road Charlottesville, Virginia 22901-4596 (804) 296-5875 May 17, 1991 Linda S. Evans Able Signs Co. 14310 Sullyfield Circle Suite 100 C Chantilly, VA 22021 RE: Board of Zoning Appeals Action VA-91-15 Pier One Imports Tax Map 45, Parcel 104B Dear Ms. Evans: This letter is to inform you that on May 14, 1991, during the meeting of the Albemarle County Board of Zoning Appeals, the Board unanimously approved your request for VA-91-15, subject to the following conditions: 1. Total sign area shall be limited to 110 square feet; 2 . Sign letter size shall not exceed 36 inches; and 3 . No freestanding sign(s) identifying the business shall be permitted on this lot. This variance approval allows relief from Sections 4 . 15. 3 . 6 of the Albemarle County Zoning Ordinance to a) increase the aggregate sign area from 100 to 110 square feet. And relief from Section 30 . 6. 5 . 2 was granted a) to increase the aggregate sign area from 50 to 110 square feet; b) to increase the area per single sign face from 35 to 55 square feet; and c) to increase the number of signs from one (1) to two (2) per highway frontage If you have any questions, please contact our office. Sincerely, 7€)1.21.1,_ Amelia M. Patterson Zoning Administrator AMP/sp cc: Collins Sign Co. STAFF PERSON: Amelia Patterson PUBLIC HEARING: May 14, 1991 STAFF REPORT - VA-91-15 OWNER/APPLICANT: The Gardens Partnership/Pier 1 Imports TAX MAP/PARCEL: 45/104B ZONING: C-1, Commercial ACREAGE: 1. 152 acres LOCATION: On the east side of Route 29 North, just south of Woodbrooke Shopping Center. REQUEST: The applicant requests relief from Sections 4 . 15. 3 . 6 and 30. 6. 5. 2 of the Albemarle County Zoning Ordinance. The applicant proposes the location of two (2) wall signs of 76. 5 square feet each, totalling 153 square feet. This involves variances of the underlying district and of the Entrance Corridor sign regulations as follows: I . Underlying district - Commercial 1 Signage (Section 4 . 15. 3 . 6) A) To increase the aggregate sign area from 100 to 153 square feet; II. Entrance Corridor Signage (Section 30. 6. 5. 2) A) To increase the aggregate sign area from 50 to 153 square feet; B) To increase the area per single sign face from 35 to 76. 5 square feet; C) To increase the number of signs from one (1) to two (2) per highway frontage. They propose two signs: One on the Route 29 building frontage and one on the entrance road building frontage. The signs will name the business in 36 inch individual letters. The applicant's justification includes: 1. Pier I relied on what they were told by Zoning staff in June 1990 regarding existing and proposed sign regulations. As far back as 1988 variance reports, the Zoning Department has indicated the Sign Ordinance would be amended. This did not include mention of the Entrance Corridor regulations, not yet adopted. 2 . This development is similar in nature to a Shopping Center. Shopping Centers have been granted variances to allow wall signage of 1. 5 square foot per 1 linear foot of frontage. Staff Report - VA-91-15 Page 2 3 . Pier I and The Gardens formed a business contact in August, 1990. Pier I based this contract on the condition of permitted signage. 4 . The building was designed and is being built with this intended signage, prior to adoption of the Entrance Corridor district. 5. To reduce visual clutter along Route 29, a second wall sign is proposed in lieu of a freestanding business sign. 6. Other variances have been granted for twice the allowed sign area (Federal Express and Automart) . 7 . Larger letters are necessary to be read from Route 29 due to its high travelling speed. 8 . Both signs are necessary in order to have visibility from Route 29 North and south bound lanes. 9 . Pier I standards call for signage on three building sides. 10. The better the business sign visibility, the higher tax revenue. 11. The Entrance Corridor regulations do not provide adequate signage. 12 . Surrounding businesses have indicated their support of this request. 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: This request was reviewed and denied by the Architectural Review Board on April 8, 1991. The Board expressed concern over the negative precedence of approving the sign modifications. Most of the property history and applicant's justification was not presented to the Architectural Review Board. Staff Report - VA-91-15 Page 3 RECOMMENDATION: These are the first variances requested from the Entrance Corridor sign regulations. The Board of Supervisors adopted the scenic highway sign regulations into the Entrance Corridor district, as an interim measure until the new sign ordinance is adopted. As the Board Zoning Appeals is aware, the scenic highway district has been subject to recurring sign variances. As such, we are directed by State Code and the Albemarle County Zoning Ordinance to amend the regulations. These sign amendments have been repeatedly delayed by other staff priorities. At this point, staff has not developed specific sign amendments for the Entrance Corridors, but is of the opinion that amendments are necessary. Staff will need direction and research as to the treatment of signage in the Entrance Corridor versus other roadways. The owners have verbally indicated a willingness to reduce the total sign area to 110 rather than 153 square feet. This would be done by reducing the sign on the entrance road to 24 inch letters. This reduction is appropriate because this sign is not read from as great a distance. Staff and the Architectural Review Board are generally more conducive to measures which reduce freestanding signage. It is staff's opinion that this request satifies two of the three criteria. We are sympathetic to the fact that the contract was formed and the building designed based on information supplied by staff as to sign provisions. Strict application of the ordinance would produce hardship, in staff's opinion. One wall sign of 35 square feet would not be visible from both lanes of Route 29 , and may slow traffic to read it. Adjacent properties such as Rio Hill and Albemarle Square Shopping Centers have signage based on the 1. 5 square feet to 1 linear foot of frontage, up to 200 square feet. Therefore, authorization of such variance will not be of substantial detriment to adjacent property or the character of the district. However, one criteria remains unmet. Therefore, staff recommends denial for cause: 1. 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. Staff Report - VA-91-15 Page 4 Should the Board find cause for approval, staff recommends the following conditions: 1. Total sign area shall be limited to 110 square feet; 2 . Sign letter size shall not exceed 36 inches along Route 29 and 24 inches along the entrance road; 3 . No freestanding signs(s) identifying the business shall be permitted on this lot. =C,ALjt pFA . 4 atat COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE Department of Zoning 401 McIntire Road Charlottesville, Virginia 22901-4596 (804) 296-5875 MEMORANDUM TO: John Grady, Deputy Zoning Administrator FROM: C. Timothy Lindstrom, Chairman C7057- Architectural Review Board RE: VA-91-17 Central Fidelity Bank and VA-91-19 First Virginia Bank To Be Reviewed By BZA on May 14 , 1991 DATE: April 23 , 1991 In reference to the above noted variance requests, the Architectural Review Board is concerned about not establishing a precedent of waiving ordinance requirements with respect to design and size of signs. The Board has established a procedure allowing administrative review and approval of signs which are not in compliance with the requirements of the Entrance Corridor, and wishes to reinforce its desire that there be no alterations or waiver of those standards. CTL/st cc: File ��lll!� 7 J JV COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE Department of Zoning 401 McIntire Road Charlottesville, Virginia 22901-4596 (804) 296-5875 April 09, 1991 Denise Holmes Collins Signs P. 0. Box 1253 Dothan, AL 36302 RE: ARB-91-22 , Tax Map 45, Parcel 104B Dear Ms. Holmes: The Albemarle County Architectural Review Board on April 08, 1991, unanimously denied the above noted petition. As Per Section 30. 6 . 8 of the Zoning Ordinance, any person aggrieved by any decision of the Architectural Review Board may demand review of the application by the Board of Supervisors. Such demand shall be made by filing a request therefore in writing with the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors within ten (10) calendar days of the date of such decision. A copy of Section 30 . 6 . 8 is attached for your convenience. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call . Sincerely, 1. AY-- r PtLAVo-in-- Amelia M. Patterson Zoning Administrator AMP/sp cc: Able Signs