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HomeMy WebLinkAboutVA199400003 Action Letter 1994-05-11 t pF ALg ..yr �RGINP COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE Department of Zoning 401 McIntire Road Charlottesville, Virginia 22902-4596 (804) 296-5875 FAX (804) 972-4060 TDD (804) 972-4012 • May 11, 1994 James Mikula 5058 Route 13 N. at PA Turnpike Bristol, PA 19007 RE: Board of Zoning Appeals Action Tax Map 61M, Parcel 12-i C Dear Mr. Mikula: This letter is to inform you that on May 10, 1994, during the meeting of the Albemarle County Board of Zoning Appeals, the Board (4:0) unanimously approved your request for VA-94-03. This variance approval allows relief from Section 4.15.12.6 of the Albemarle County Zoning to increase the height of wall signs from 20 to 30 feet. If you have any questions, please contact our office. Sincerely, John Grady Deputy Zoning Administrator JG/sp cc: Staples, Inc. Post-Its""brand fax transmittal memo 7671 Dept. •� � Fax# . ' '3 o- ' iiiiiiiiiIiilil STAFF PERSON.-John Grady PUBLIC HEARING: May 10, 1994 STAFF REPORT - VA-94-03 OWNER/APPLICANT: Charlottesville Shoppers World Limited/Staples, Inc. TAX MAP/PARCEL: 61 M/12-1 C ZONING: Planned Development Shopping Center ACREAGE: 12.558 acres LOCATION: Located .4 mile south of the Rio Road and Route 29 intersection, on the west side of Route 29 in Shoppers World Shopping Center. REQUEST: The applicant requests relief from Section 4.15.12.6 of the Albemarle County Zoning Ordinance, which states: "Wall signs, maximum height 20 feet". The applicant seeks a variance to increase the height of a wall signs from twenty (20) to thirty (30) feet. The proposed sign is one hundred forty-eight (148) square feet in area, consisting of white channel letters with red returns. The sign will be internally illuminated. The applicant's justification includes the following: Hardship The ordinance would produce an undue hardship because the height of the existing fascia exceeds the twenty (20) foot height maximum for wall signs. One of the primary functions for the fascia on the front of the building is for sign display. Uniqueness of Hardship To place a wall sign below and under the existing fascia would restrict the sign's visibility from the parking lot. Lowering the proposed wall sign would also create a misalignment with the remaining wall signs on the building. Character of the Area There should be no change to the character of the area nor detriment to adjacent property as other wall signs in the shopping center are thirty (30) feet in height. Furthermore wall signs at Fashion Square Mall and Rio Hill Shopping Center were established with a thirty (30) foot height limit. STAFF REPORT - VA-;4-03; Staples, Inc. Page 2 RELEVANT HISTORY: On October 13, 1992 and June 8, 1993, variances were granted for T. J.'s and Advance Auto Store respectively to erect wall signs at a thirty (30) foot height limit at this location. On April 14, 1993, a variance was granted for Kroger to erect a wall sign at a thirty (30) foot height limit at the Rio Hill Shopping Center location. RECOMMENDATION: The Staples, Inc. sign application has been reviewed by the Design Planner for the Architectural Review Board and has met the requirements for style, color and copy. In an effort to further define some terminology and correct some applications in the existing sign ordinance, staff will be recommending some minor changes this year. One of the proposed changes, (subject to the Board of Supervisors approval), will be to place wall signs back to the original thirty (30) foot height limit. The twenty (20) foot height limit currently listed for wall signs appears to be an error. Staff recommends approval for cause: 1) The applicant has provided evidence that the strict application of the ordinance would produce undue hardship; The applicant will meet the thirty (30) foot wall height requirement that will be recommended by staff. The error in height of wall signs currently listed in the ordinance may be viewed as a hardship for the applicant in this case. 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; Currently wall signs at Rio Hills, Albemarle Square, Fashion Square and Shoppers World range in height up to thirty (30) feet. Approval of the recommended changes and correction to the sign ordinance will continue to allow wall signs at a thirty (30) foot height limit. 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. Staff agrees with the applicant that lowering the proposed sign will create a misalignment with the remaining wall signs in the shopping center. Furthermore, approval of the recommended changes to the sign ordinance will place the same thirty (30) foot height limitation on all wall signs should the changes to the sign ordinance be approved by the Board of Supervisors. Therefore, there will be no change to the character of the district nor detriment to adjacent property.