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HomeMy WebLinkAboutVA199100019 Action Letter 1991-06-17 O*AIJ3kI, ��lll v J fL COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE Department of Zoning 401 McIntire Road Charlottesville, Virginia 22901-4596 (804) 296-5875 June 17, 1991 Dowling Sign Company Joe Coulson P. O. Box 7125 Fredericksburg, VA 22404 RE: Board of Zoning Appeals Action First Virginia Bank Tax Map 32A, Parcels 02-1 & 02-1A1 Dear Mr. Coulson: This letter is to inform you that on June 11, 1991, during the meeting of the Albemarle County Board of Zoning Appeals, the Board heard your request for VA-91-19 and approved the request to allow the following: 1. One freestanding "First VA Bank" sign of 36 square feet (6' X 6' ) . 2 . To allow the freestanding sign to be placed 10 feet from Route 29 right-of-way, and 3 . One (1) sign on the ATM of approximately 4 square feet, identifying the teller cards accepted. All other requests for variances other than those addressed were denied. Please note that anyone aggrieved by a decision made by the Board can appeal it to the Circuit Court of Albemarle County within thirty (30) days of the decision. If you have any questions, please contact our office. Sincerely, th-ndirk tb• Amelia M. Patterson Zoning Administrator AMP/sp 1/4)F AIJi,.Ir �i�ll yx U v ® fV /RGIN" COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE Department of Zoning 401 McIntire Road Charlottesville, Virginia 22901-4596 (804) 296-5875 July 31, 1991 Cheri A. Lewis Tremblay & Smith 105-109 E. High Street Charlottesville, VA ",2901 RE: Certificate of Appropriateness, ARB-F(Sign) -91-23 Addendum Tax Map 32A, Par_::el 02-1 & 02-lAl, First Virginia Bank Dear Ms. Lewis: The Albemarle County Architectural Review Board on June 22 , 1991 approved the above noted request for a certificate of appropriateness as follows: 1. One free-standing "First Virginia Bank" sign of 36 square feet (6' X 6' ) . 2 . Placement of free-standing sign 10 feet from the Rt. 29 right-of-way. 3 . Placement of one additional wall sign on northwest end of building, a 4 square foot ATM sign. 4 . Signs shall be interior lit. If you have any quest;'_ons, please do not hesitate to call . Sincerely, r1).?1,446,z4--- Amelia M. Patterson Zoning Administrator AMP/st cc: ARB-91-23 Addendum Sign Permit #5-91-34 & S-91-35 Variance File #V, -91-19 STAFF PERSON: Amelia Patterson PUBLIC HEARING: June 11, 1991 STAFF REPORT - VA-91-19 OWNER/APPLICANT: First Virginia Bank TAX MAP/PARCEL: 32A, 02-1A & lAl ZONING: HC, Highway Commercial with Rt 29 Entrance Corridor ACREAGE: 1. 44 acres LOCATION: On the north side of Proffit Road (Rt 649 East) and east side of Route 29 North. REQUEST: The applicant requests relief from Sections 21. 7 . 1 and 30. 6. 5.2 of the Albemarle County Zoning Ordinance. The applicant proposes the location of one (1) freestanding sign and two (2) wall signs naming the bank, and one (1) sign on the automatic teller machine. Proposed signage is as follow: 1) One (1) freestanding "First VA Bank" sign approximately 16'9" high with a double face of 36 square feet each, to be located 10 feet from Route 29 and Route 649 right-of-way. 2) Two (2) "First VA Bank" wall signs of 12 inch letters totalling 22 square feet each, along the front (Proffit Road) and rear walls. 3) One (1) sign on the ATM of approximately 4 square feet, identifying the teller cards accepted. These requests involve variances of the underlying district and of the entrance corridor sign regulations as follows: I. Underlying District - Commercial Districts Generally (Section 21. 7 . 1) A. Freestanding Sign 1) To reduce the setback adjacent to public streets for freestanding signs from 30 to 10 feet from both Route 29 and Route 649 rights-of-way. II. Entrance Corridor Signage (Section 30. 6. 5. 2) A. Freestanding Sign 1) To increase the aggregate sign area for freestanding business signs from 50 to 72 square feet; 2) To increase the area per sign face from 18 to 36 square feet; 3) To increase the height from 10 feet to 16'9" high. Staff Report - VA-91-19 Page 2 B. Wall signs 1) To increase the number of signs per highway frontage from one to two signs. Note: of the three wall signs, only two are visible from Route 29, the Entrance Corridor. The applicant's justification includes: 1. The bank filed for this development prior to adoption of the Entrance Corridor regulations. Delays beyond the bank's control have required compliance with these new rules; 2 . Wall signage has intentionally been designed to be lower and smaller than allowable; 3 . The ATM sign is a necessity to inform customers that it is present and what cards are accepted; 4 . The increased height on the freestanding sign is necessary in order to be visible due to the difference in grade between Route 29 and the sign. 5. The sign placement is dictated by visibility from the signalized intersection, for those who have to make turning decisions. 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: The special permit for this bank, SP-89-15 was approved on May 16, 1990. A prior variance on adjoining property has expired. VA-79-09 for Jim Ewing Ford allowed three freestanding business signs totalling 105 square feet, for a period of five years. 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 of 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. Staff Report - VA-91-19 Page 3 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 bank building is to be located approximately 160 feet from the Route 29 right-of-way. Therefore, freestanding signage which is visible from Route 29 is needed in lieu of substantially oversized wall signage on the bank side. A sign with double sides is needed to be visible from both lanes of Route 29. Staff recommends that a profile or section be completed to show that the freestanding sign is necessary at decreased setback and increased height and size. Staff recommends reduction of the number of signs if they are not all necessary to be visible from Route 29. Based on this, the wall sign on the bank rear and one face of the freestanding sign are both visible from Route 29 North bound lanes. With regards to the increased number of wall signs in the Entrance Corridor, staff is supportive of this request. The ATM sign is needed and is proposed at the minimum size. Staff concurs that strict application of the ordinance would produce hardship, but is of the opinion that further reduction in the sign request is warranted. 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 adjacent property and that the character of the district will not be changed by the granting of the variance. Should the Board find cause for approval, staff recommends the following: 1. Deletion of the sign proposed for the rear of the bank. 2 . Reduction in height and size of the freestanding sign so as to comply with the Entrance Corridor - 10 feet in height and 18 square feet per face. STAFF PERSON: Amelia Patterson PUBLIC HEARING: May 14, 1991 STAFF REPORT - VA-91-19 OWNER/APPLICANT: First Virginia Bank TAX MAP/PARCEL: 32A, 02-1A & 1A1 ZONING: HC, Highway Commercial with Rt 29 Entrance Corridor ACREAGE: 1. 44 acres LOCATION: On the north side of Proffit Road (Rt 649 East) and east side of Route 29 North. REQUEST: The applicant requests relief from Sections 21.7. 1 and 30. 6. 5.2 of the Albemarle County Zoning Ordinance. The applicant proposes the location of one (1) freestanding sign and two (2) wall signs naming the bank, and one (1) sign on the automatic teller machine. Proposed signage is as follow: 1) One (1) freestanding "First VA Bank" sign approximately 16'9" high with a double face of 36 square feet each, to be located 10 feet from Route 29 and Route 649 right-of-way. 2) Two (2) "First VA Bank" wall signs of 12 inch letters totalling 22 square feet each, along the front (Proffit Road) and rear walls. 3) One (1) sign on the ATM of approximately 4 square feet, identifying the teller cards accepted. These requests involve variances of the underlying district and of the entrance corridor sign regulations as follows: I . Underlying District - Commercial Districts Generally (Section 21. 7 . 1) A. Freestanding Sign 1) To reduce the setback adjacent to public streets for freestanding signs from 30 to 10 feet from both Route 29 and Route 649 rights-of-way. II . Entrance Corridor Signage (Section 30. 6. 5. 2) A. Freestanding Sign 1) To increase the aggregate sign area for freestanding business signs from 50 to 72 square feet; 2) To increase the area per sign face from 18 to 36 square feet; 3) To increase the height from 10 feet to 16'9" high. Staff Report - VA-91-19 Page 2 B. Wall signs 1) To increase the number of signs per highway frontage from one to two signs. Note: of the three wall signs, only two are visible from Route 29, the Entrance Corridor. The applicant's justification includes: 1. The bank filed for this development prior to adoption of the Entrance Corridor regulations. Delays beyond the bank's control have required compliance with these new rules; 2 . Wall signage has intentionally been designed to be lower and smaller than allowable; 3 . The ATM sign is a necessity to inform customers that it is present and what cards are accepted; 4 . The increased height on the freestanding sign is necessary in order to be visible due to the difference in grade between Route 29 and the sign. 5 . The sign placement is dictated by visibility from the signalized intersection, for those who have to make turning decisions. 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: The special permit for this bank, SP-89-15 was approved on May 16, 1990. A prior variance on adjoining property has expired. VA-79-09 for Jim Ewing Ford allowed three freestanding business signs totalling 105 square feet, for a period of five years. 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 of 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. Staff Report - VA-91-19 Page 3 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 bank building is to be located approximately 160 feet from the Route 29 right-of-way. Therefore, freestanding signage which is visible from Route 29 is needed in lieu of substantially oversized wall signage on the bank side. A sign with double sides is needed to be visible from both lanes of Route 29. Staff recommends that a profile or section be completed to show that the freestanding sign is necessary at decreased setback and increased height and size. Staff recommends reduction of the number of signs if they are not all necessary to be visible from Route 29. Based on this, the wall sign on the bank rear and one face of the freestanding sign are both visible from Route 29 North bound lanes. With regards to the increased number of wall signs in the Entrance Corridor, staff is supportive of this request. The ATM sign is needed and is proposed at the minimum size. Staff concurs that strict application of the ordinance would produce hardship, but is of the opinion that further reduction in the sign request is warranted. 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 adjacent property and that the character of the district will not be changed by the granting of the variance. Should the Board find cause for approval, staff recommends the following: 1. Deletion of the sign proposed for the rear of the bank. 2 . Reduction in height and size of the freestanding sign so as to comply with the Entrance Corridor - 10 feet in height and 18 square feet per face. 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 CT, fS-F 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