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HomeMy WebLinkAboutVA199100022 Action Letter 1991-06-17 SOY ALBS 1J , ♦ �' �j� COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE Department of Zoning 401 McIntire Road Charlottesville, Virginia 22901-4596 (804) 296-5875 June 17 , 1991 Wesley Sobbott 250 Colonnade Drive Charlottesville, VA 22901 RE: Board of Zoning Appeals Action Tax Map 60, Parcel 4005 Dear Mr. Sobbott: This letter is to inform you that on June 11, 1991, during the meeting of the Albemarle County Board of Zoning Appeals, the Board unanimously approved your request for VA-91-22 , subject to the following conditions: 1. The proposed curbed median area shall be completed prior to relocating the existing sign. 2 . Landscaping shall be provided as per site plan. 3 . The height of sign shall be limited to eight (8) feet. 4 . Future replacement concerning color and composition shall be reviewed by the Zoning Administrator and Architectural Review Board. 5. Lighting shall be shielded as the applicant described using external lighting with the lowest possible wattage (150 watts or less) which would come from the ground in the planting area, which would be shielded and directed onto the sign. This variance approval allows relief from Section 3 . 0 of the Albemarle County Zoning Ordinance to increase the height of subdivision sign from 6 to 8 feet and to allow the subdivision sign to be lighted. June 13 , 1991 VA-91-22 U-Heights Page 2 We have been advised by the County Attorney that the Architectural Review Board may consider illumination in their review of aesthetics. They have not yet granted approval (a certificate of appropriateness) . I recommend that you submit a specific lighting plan for their review. If you have any questions, please contact our office. Sincerely, . /1/. Q 6149:0iVft Amelia M. Patterson Zoning Administrator AMP/sp cc: Sign permit E STAFF PERSON: John Grady PUBLIC HEARING: June 11, 1991 STAFF REPORT - VA-91-22 OWNER/APPLICANT: Charlottesville Investment Company TAX MAP/PARCEL: 60/4005 ZONING: R-15, Residential ACREAGE: Approximately 6 acres LOCATION: Property located on the south side of Route 250 West approximately .2 mile west of the city limits at the entrance to University Heights. REQUEST: The applicant requests relief from Section 3 . 0 of the Albemarle County Zoning Ordinance, which states: 3 . 0 "Sign, Subdivision: A sign, not illuminated, sixty (60) square feet or less in aggregate area, identifying a subdivision and located thereon at the entrance to such subdivision said sign shall be not greater in height than six (6) feet and setback from any right-of-way for proper sight distance. " The applicant proposes a variance for the following: 1. To raise the allowable height of a subdivision sign from six (6) to eight (8) feet. 2 . To allow a subdivision sign to be lighted. The applicant proposes to use the existing subdivision sign which is 56 square feet in area. The sign material is wood and the colors are orange and blue letters on a white background. The type of lighting proposed is indirect. The criteria for sub- division signs is the same for both the underlying district and the entrance corridor. The applicant's justification includes: 1. The sign is hidden from the view of eastbound travelers by the higher grade of the Townside Shopping Center complex. 2 . To a traveler going west from the city limits the sign would be obscured by the landscaping and the parking lot located on the University Shell station site. 3 . The variance is necessary to identify clearly the entrance, thereby lessening the chance of accidents due to prospective residents and visitors being uncertain about the location of the entrance. RECOMMENDATION: An on-site inspection does confirm a visibility problem. An individual looking for the entrance to the University Heights area would not have enough time to slow a vehicle and move into the turn lane due to the higher elevation of the Townside site and the landscaping and parking area of the University Shell site. The applicant is trying to resolve part of the visibility problem by extending an existing curbed median to move the existing sign 10 feet closer to Route 250. However, the sign will still not be completely visible when traveling east on Route 250 because of the rise in elevation on the adjacent site. It is staff's opinion that because of the topography and existing landscaping and parking areas of the two adjoining sites, a two (2) foot modification to the height of the sign could be supported. It is also apparent that authorization of such variance will not be of substantial detriment to adjacent property nor change the character of the district. However, staff can not support a request for lighted subdivision signs. Therefore, staff recommends denial for cause for that variance request. 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. The proposed curbed medimum area shall be completed prior to relocating the existing sign. 2 . Landscaping shall be provided as per site plan. 3 . The height of sign shall be limited to eight (8) feet. 4 . Future replacement concerning color and composition shall be reviewed by the Zoning Administrator and Architectural Review Board.