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HomeMy WebLinkAboutVA199100034 Action Letter 1991-09-11COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE Department of Zoning 401 McIntire Road Charlottesville, Virginia 22901-4596 (804) 296-5875 September 11, 1991 Elizabeth and Winfried Adler P. O. Box 7425 Charlottesville, VA 22906 RE: Board of Zoning Appeals Action VA-91-34, Tax Map 61, Parcel 129A Dear Mr. and Mrs. Adler: This letter is to inform you that on September 10, 1991, during the meeting of the Albemarle County Board of Zoning Appeals, the Board unanimously approved your request for VA-91-34 subject to the following conditions: 1. Sign height shall be limited to ten (10) feet above existing grade. 2. Freestanding sign area shall be limited to twenty-four (24) square feet. 3. Wall sign area shall be limited to twenty (20) square feet. This variance approval allows relief from Sections 4.15.3.5 and 18.3 to reduce the front setback from 25 to 10 feet for an identification sign and further to increase the sign area of an identification sign from 2 square feet to 24 square feet. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call. Sincerely, John Grady Deputy Zoning Administrator JG/st cc: LAVA-91-34 Sign Permit STAFF PERSON: John Grady PUBLIC HEARING: September 10, 1991 STAFF REPORT - VA-91-34 OWNER/APPLICANT: Elizabeth and Winfried Adler TAX MAP/PARCEL: 61/129A ZONING: R-15, Residential ACREAGE: .7 acre LOCATION: The northwest corner of Rio Road and Hillsdale Drive. REQUEST: The applicant requests relief from Sections 4.15.3.5 and 18.3 of the Albemarle County Zoning Ordinance, which states: 114.15.3.5 RESIDENTIAL (R-10 and R-15); ... Identification signs: Provided: (a) not more than two (2) square feet in area; (b) not more than one (1) or any lot or premises." 1118.3 AREA AND BULK REGULATIONS... Yards, minimum: Front 25 feet." The applicant requests to place a 24 square foot identification sign 10 feet from the right-of-way of Route 631. This requires a variance of 22 square feet for identification sign area and a variance of 15 feet from the required front setback. The proposed sign will be 10 feet or less in height. Sign material will be flexface vinyl and aluminum. Sign background will be maroon in color with white letters. The applicant will also have one wall sign that will only be visible from Hillsdale Drive and meets the 20 square foot limitation for wall signs in the R-15 zone. The applicant's justification includes the following: 1. At speeds of 35 to 45 mph and four lanes of traffic a 2 square foot sign will not be readable. 2. Considering the property has been granted a commercial business use some consideration should be given in allowing the applicant to adequately identify the business. Staff Report - VA-91-34 Adler Page 2 3. The building is located 150 feet from Rio Road and the site is well landscaped. This further restricts business identification. 4. Because our business entrance is located on Hillsdale Drive proper location signage is essential to allow prospective clients and service vehicles along Rio Road to change lanes and turn safely. 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: On April 8, 1991, the Board of Supervisors approved an extension for special use permit 89-07 for a computer consulting, sales and service business to be located at the site. The applicant's property is not located within an entrance corridor overlay and therefore not subject to Architectural Review Board review. RECOMMENDATION• It is staff's opinion that some consideration should be given to properties that have been granted commercial designation within a residential district. It is always in the best interest of the general public to adequately identify a commercial site for safe access. Staff concurs with the applicant that a two (2) square foot sign would produce an undue hardship by not adequately identifying a commercial business to prospective clients or service vehicles. It is also apparent that such hardship is not shared by other properties in the same vicinity as commercial properties along Rio Road are allowed fifty (50) square feet of freestanding signage and residential subdivisions are allowed sixty (60) square feet of identification signage. The authorization of such variance should not be a detriment nor change the character of the district as other nearby properties such as Squire Hill, Coldwell Banker, Putt -Putt, Bonanza and Rio Road Deli display more signage than is being requested by the applicant. Therefore staff recommends approval for cause. Should the Board find cause for approval, staff recommends the following conditions: 1. Sign height shall be limited to ten (10) feet above existing grade. 2. Freestanding sign area shall be limited to twenty-four (24) square feet. 3. Wall sign area shall be limited to twenty (20) square feet. COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE Anent unity Develop Dept, of Planning & Comm 401 Mclnti. . 22901-4596 Charlottesville, Virg nl (804) 296-5823 ,April 17 , 1989 Mr. Winfried Adler p. C. Box 7423 VA 22906 Charlottesville► Adler _07 Winfried 129A RE: Tax Map 61, Parcel its meeting on Adler ors, at request Dear Mr• of Supervisors, the ove-noted The Albo be emarle County Boa'approved aPP sales and service t property, 5, 1989, unaco residence. April computer consulting, family between to allow ting sing Rio Road (Rt• 63t this an exis Side of note that located o the west Roads• Please conditions: located old Brookthe following condi HillsdaleisnsubjeCt t0 consulting, approval computer systems erm.t issued for include This p Service use only; square square feet, to 1• sales and to 2, area limited structure; 2• Building the residential Drive; of mature maintaining to Hillsdale reservation Access limited to include p 3• plan approval ossible• 4. Site P to the extent p regarding the trees, comments o contact me e any questiO not or If you Should have please do above noted action, ncerely, T� ment Horne & Community Develop onT• P' D•rector of Planning JTPH/ 7 cw COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE Dept. of Planning & Community Development 401 McIntire Road Charlottesville, Virginia 22901-4596 (804) 296-5823 April 8, 1991 Winfried Adler Adwell Infosystems P. O. Box 7423 Charlottesville, VA 22906 RE: SP-89-07 Winfried Adler Tax Map 61, Parcel 129A Dear Mr. Adler: The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors, at its meeting on April 3, 1991, approved a six month extension of the above -noted special use permit. If you should have any questions or comments regarding the above noted action, please do not hesitate to contact me. Sincerely, . Wayne ilimberg Directo of Plannin & unity Development VWC/ j cw cc: Amelia Patterson Richard Moring Adwell Infosystems Site Plan File Gary Summers