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Home My WebLink AboutVA199200008 Action Letter 1992-04-22 /< Ftl'Lt ��lip�9 �'�RGIN�P COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE Department of Zoning 401 McIntire Road Charlottesville, Virginia 22901-4596 (804) 296-5875 April 22, 1992 Holiday Signs P. 0. Box 1307 Chester, VA 23831 ATTN: Bob Currier RE: Board of Zoning Appeals Action Virginia Federal Savings Bank Tax Map 61, Parcel 123 Dear Mr. Currier: This letter is to inform you that on April 21, 1992, during the meeting of the Albemarle County Board of Zoning Appeals, the Board unanimously (5: 0) approved your request for VA-92-08, subject to the following conditions: 1) Wall signage shall be calculated at a maximum of 1.5 square feet to 1 linear foot of business wall frontage. No business shall exceed 200 square feet of sign area. 2) Wall signage design review shall be subject to the approval of the Design Planner, whether or not it is visible from the Entrance Corridor. This is to facilitate comprehensive sign planning. 3) Businesses with a single frontage shall be limited to one sign. Corner unit shall be limited to two (2) signs, and the second sign shall be calculated at 1/3 the square footage of the primary sign. The number of wall signs for a business that fronts on two or more travelways shall be determined by the Zoning Administrator. April 22, 1992 VA-92-08 VA FEDERAL Page 2 This variance approval allows relief from Sections 30. 6.5.2 and 4. 15. 3.7 of the Albemarle County Zoning Ordinance to increase the area of wall signs.fr e- f-ee -to-1,953- a-fin: The additional- -492-square feet wi 11 provide- wail-aignege- or- 9-- spaees- eu-rr .tly-vacta-nt If you have any questions, please contact our office. Sincerely, John Grady Deputy Zoning Administrator JG/sp,5j cc: Dumbarton Properties VA Federal Savings Bank Reading Files STAFF PERSON: John Grady PUBLIC HEARING: April 21, 1992 STAFF REPORT - VA-92-08 OWNER: Rio Associates Limited Partnership APPLICANT: Virginia Federal Savings Bank ZONING: Planned Development-Shopping Center ACREAGE: 22 . 8 acres LOCATION: The northeast quadrant of Rio Road and Route 29 North. The Albemarle Square Shopping Center. REQUEST: Virginia Federal intends to occupy the previous Central Fidelity Bank building, across from Safeway. They propose the location of two wall signs, one which is on the Rio Road frontage, and another facing Route 29. They are proposed to measure 25 and 72 square feet, for a total of 97 square feet. The Shopping Center signage currently exceeds both the underlying district, and the entrance corridor sign regulations. It is a non-conforming subdivision, which prior to this time has not been subject to a variance. In addition to the signage proposed by the bank, Albemarle Square currently requests signage be allowed for nine shops now vacant. These requests for signage necessitate the following variances: I. Underlying District, PD-SC (Section 4 . 15. 3 .7) To increase the aggregate area of all signs in the center from 200 square feet by ordinance or 1,416 square feet existing, to 1, 953 square feet. This is an increase of 492 square feet over that existing. II. Entrance Corridor (Section 30. 6. 5.2) A. To increase the size of an individual business sign from 35 square feet to 72 square feet, an increase of 37 square feet; B. To increase the aggregate area of all signs in the center from 1/2 the underlying district, or 100 square feet with 1,416 square feet existing, to 1,953 square feet. In addition the owner also requests a variance of four hundred ninety-two (492) square feet to increase the existing square footage of wall signage on the site from 1,416 square feet to 1, 953 square feet. This will provide wall signs for the nine vacant spaces should they be occupied. Staff Report - VA-92-08 Virginia Federal Page 2 The proposed signs for Virginia Federal Bank will consist of aluminum cabinets, blue plastic face, white copy, and red bank logo. They will be internally illuminated. The other 9 possible stores' signage will be determined as tenants are secured. The applicant's justification includes the following: 1) The Virginia Federal Bank building and the proposed signage is not visible from Route 29 (Entrance Corridor) and they have only limited visibility from Rio Road. 2) The proposed signs are intended to draw attention to the bank from the parking lot area. 3) If no additional wall signage is allowed at this shopping center it produces an undue hardships both for prospective tenants and the bank. 4) The request is in line with the Zoning staff's proposal for the new sign regulations. 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 Albemarle Square Shopping Center was developed in 1974 and as a result of staff error was allowed to calculate wall signage at the rate of 1.5 square feet to 1 linear foot of business frontage. The center owner, applicant and County Staff are now trying to correct the situation with the proposed variance request. Similar variances for other shopping centers, VA-88-62, Pantops Shopping Center; VA-89-72, The Center at Branchlands; VA-88-57, Rio Hill Shopping Center; and VA-90-18, The Express Center, have all been approved using the formula of 1.5 square feet to 1 linear foot to calculate wall signage. STAFF COMMENTS: Staff concurs with the applicant's justification. The applicant's request will meet the criteria of the proposed sign regulations. The elevation of the bank site is approximately fifteen (15) feet below Rio Road, which limits visibility to off-site motorists. The bank's location at Albemarle Square also provides for additional wall signage because it fronts on more than one travelway. It is staff's opinion that a hardship does exists if the bank and shopping center can not offer wall signage to prospective tenants without reconstructing almost all existing signs. Staff Report - VA-92-08 Virginia Federal Page 3 Furthermore, 200 square feet (underlying) and 100 square feet (Entrance Corridor) aggregate sign area is not sufficient for a shopping center containing 42 tenants. This hardship is not shared by other shopping center property as similar variances have provided adequate signage. It is also staff's opinion that authorization of this variance will not be a detriment nor change the character of the district because both the bank and shopping center will meet the proposed sign regulations. Staff recommends approval for cause: 1) The applicant has provided evidence that the strict application of the ordinance would produce undue hardship; 2) The applicant has 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 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 conditions for approval: 1) Wall signage shall be calculated at a maximum of 1. 5 square feet to 1 linear of business wall frontage. No business shall exceed 200 square feet of sign area. 2) Wall signage design review shall be subject to the approval of the Design Planner, whether or not it is visible from an entrance corridor. This is to facilitate comprehensive sign planning. 3) Businesses with a single frontage shall be limited to one sign. Corner units shall be limited to two (2) signs, and the second sign shall be calculated at 1/3 the square footage of the primary sign. The number of wall signs for a business that fronts on two or more travelways shall be determined by the Zoning Administrator.