Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutVA199300038 Action Letter 1993-11-10 • pp AL��}� i r11fi J9'P G1 1�RG1N�P COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE • Department of Zoning 401 Mclntire Road Charlottesville, Virginia 22901-4596 (804) 296-5875 November 10, 1993 Steve Runkle Forest Lakes Associates P. O. Box 5207 Charlottesville, VA 22905 RE: Board of Zoning Appeals Action Forest Lakes South Sign; Tax Map 46, Parcel 110 Dear Mr. Runkle: This letter is to inform you that on November 09, 1993, during the meeting of the Albemarle County Board of Zoning Appeals, the Board (5:0) unanimously approved your request for VA-93-38, subject to the following conditions: 1. The Engineering Department shall review the location of the sign in order to insure it meets sight distance requirements. 2. The sign shall conform in size and design to what was presented to the Architectural Review Board on November 1, 1993. The sign shall be six feet in height, 32 square feet in area, with a green face, cream-colored lettering. It shall be mounted on an 18-inch brick base. This variance approval allows relief from Section 4.15.12.4 of the Albemarle County Zoning Ordinance to reduce the front setback for a subdivision sign from 5 to 0 feet. November 10, 1993 Runkle; VA-93-38 Page 2 If you have any questions, please contact our office. Sinn�cerely, OQ Babette Thorpe Zoning Assistant BT/sp cc: ARB File C I STAFF PERSON: Babette Thorpe PUBLIC HEARING: 11/9/93 STAFF REPORT - VA-93-38 OWNER/APPLICANT: Forest Lakes Associates TAX MAP/PARCEL: 46-110 ZONING: Planned Unit Development, PUD LOCATION: Located on Route 29 North about one-half mile north of its intersection with Route 643 . REQUEST: In order to place a sign identifying the Forest Lakes South subdivision within the median of Ashwood Boulevard, the applicant requests relief from Section 4 . 15. 12 .4. This section requires signs to be set back five feet from the edge of the right- of-way. Because Ashwood Boulevard is to be a public road, its median is the property of the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDoT) . The applicant's justification includes the following: Hardship The property on the right-hand side of the entrance has been proffered to the County. The left-hand side of the entrance has grading and sight limitations. Uniqueness of Hardship Few developments are limited by both a divided entrance and the dedication of land to the County. Character of the Area That sign will be of the high quality expected by the County. The sishall also reflect the high standards of our beautiful County an protect the character of Route 29 North. RE T HISTORY: On January 17, 1992, the Board of Supervisors app ved the rezoning of this tract from R-1 to PUD, with proffers. One . f the proffers accepted by the Board included the use of the fiveacres south of the entrance for a public facility. In a memo datOctober 4, 1993, Mr. Jim Kesterson of VDoT has approved the placement of the sign within the right-of-way. RECOIL ENDATION: The applicant has chosen the location most likely to g —de visitors into the development quickly and safely. The sign ill be placed 25 feet from the edge of pavement of the port ound lane of Route 29 and ten feet from the edge of pavement of Ashwood Boulevard, as requested by VDoT. The sign will be six feet in height, seven feet wide and 32 square feet in area, with cream letters on a green background. These dimensions comply with the Zoning Ordinance. The Architectural `"Review Board has reviewed this request and approved the design of VA-93-38 Page 2 the sign. Its location is left to you. Usually the aggregate area allowed for subdivision signs is divided among two signs placed at either side of the entrance. The dedication of the property south of the entrance to the County, and the difference in grade between the roadway and the property north of the entrance, complicate the usual placement of subdivision signs. Staff recommends approval for cause: 1. The applicant has provided evidence that the strict application of the ordinance would produce undue hardship. Applying the ordinance strictly would result in placing the sign either on what will become the County's property, or in a location with little visibility that would require substantial clearing and grading. 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. The Architectural Review Board has found that the design of the sign is compatible with the entrance corridor guidelines. Given its location 29 feet from the edge of the pavement of Route 29 North, it will not be obtrusive. This Department has received no letters of objection to this request. Should you approve this request, staff recommends the following condition: 1. The Engineering Department shall review the location of the sign in order to insure it meets sight distance requirements. 2 . The sign shall conform in size and design to what was presented to the Architectural Review Board on November 1, 1993 . The sign shall be six feet in height, 32 square feet in area, with a green face, cream-colored lettering. It shall be mounted on an 18-inch brick base.