HomeMy WebLinkAboutVA199100037 Action Letter 1991-10-09Al"
COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE
Department of Zoning
401 McIntire Road
Charlottesville, Virginia 22901-4596
(804) 296-5875
October 9, 1991
Paul R. Opiela
P. O. Box 9036
Charlottesville, VA 22906
RE: Board of Zoning Appeals Action
International Auto Sport
Tax Map 32, Parcel 5F
Dear Mr. Opiela:
This letter is to inform you that on October 8, 1991, during the
meeting of the Albemarle County Board of Zoning Appeals, the Board
unanimously approved your request for VA-91-37, subject the
following conditions:
1. Sign area shall be limited to 32 square feet.
2. Landscaping to shield ground lights shall be approved by the
Zoning Administrator.
3. Sign variance 91-37 shall be limited to two (2) ground flood
lights that shall not exceed 150 watts total.
This variance approval allows relief from Section 30.6.5.2 of the
Albemarle County Zoning Ordinance to increase the area of
freestanding sign from 18 to 32 square feet and to reduce the
front yard setback from 50 to 10 feet for construction of a
business sign.
If you have any questions, please contact our office.
Sincerely,
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John Grady
Deputy Zoning Administrator
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STAFF PERSON: John Grady
PUBLIC HEARING: October 8, 1991
STAFF REPORT - VA-91-37
OWNER/APPLICANT: Paul R. Opiela (owner)
TAX MAP/PARCEL: 32/5F
ZONING: Light Industry
ACREAGE: 6.3
LOCATION: Property located on the east side of Route 29 N.
approximately .3 mile north of the north fork of
the Rivanna River.
REQUEST:
The applicant requests relief from Section 26.10.1 and 30.6.5.2 of
the Albemarle County Zoning Ordinance.
The applicant proposes the location of one (1) freestanding sign
to identify the site. Proposed sign is as follows:
One freestanding sign 10 feet in height with 32 square
feet of sign area to be located 10 feet from the right-of-way
of Route 29. Sign material will be aluminum and vinyl. Color
of cabinet will be a deep gray. Sign face will be yellow with
black and red graphics. Lighting will be ground mounted flood
lights and screened with landscaping shrubs.
The request involves variances of the underlying district and of
the entrance corridor sign regulations as follows:
I. Underlying District - Industrial Districts Generally
(Section 26.10.1)
A. Freestanding Signs
1. To reduce the setback adjacent to public streets for
freestanding signs from 50 feet to 10 feet from the
Route 29 right-of-way. A variance of 40 feet.
II. Entrance Corridor Signage (Section 30.6.5.2)
A. Freestanding Sign
1. To increase the area of a freestanding sign from 18
square feet to 32 square feet. A variance of 14
square feet.
The applicant's justification includes:
1. An 18 square foot sign does not allow adequate visibility for
vehicles traveling 55 miles an hour to slow down and turn
safely.
Staff Report - VA-91-37
Page 2
2. An 18 square foot sign does not allow enough sign area to
display the company name in print large enough to provide
adequate visibility as our business name contains 22 letters.
3. Our neighbor, Oakwood Homes has mobile homes situated within 15
feet of the highway, well in front of the zoning setback for
permanent buildings. This barrier along with normal 10 foot
parking setbacks on adjoining properties, make it impossible
for drivers to see a sign with a 50 foot setback.
4. The 32 square foot request is 68 square feet smaller than what
would normally be allowed by the underlying industrial
district.
5. Such sign positioning and size would not be inconsistent with
other business signs in the area.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff agrees with the applicant that the mobile home display and
10 foot parking setbacks do hinder site identification when
freestanding signs are placed behind those obstructions. Staff
also agrees that the applicant has met one of the three criteria
for approval: the applicant has provided evidence that
authorization of this variance will not be a substantial detriment
to adjacent property nor will it change the character of the
district. The 32 square foot sign is considerably smaller than
other signs along 29 north. However, the applicant has not
provided evidence that a strict application of the ordinance would
produce undue hardship. The applicant also has not provided
evidence that such hardship is not shared by other properties in
the same zoning district and the same vicinity. Therefore, staff
recommends denial for cause.
Should the Board find cause for approval, staff recommends the
following:
1) Sign area shall be limited to 32 square feet.
2) Landscaping to shield ground lights shall be approved by the
Zoning Administrator.
3) Sign variance 91-37 shall be limited to 2 ground flood lights
that shall not exceed 1100' watts each.
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