HomeMy WebLinkAboutVA199400011 Review Comments 1994-10-11 STAFF PERSON: John Grady
PUBLIC HEARING; October 11, 1994
STAFF REPORT - VARIANCE - 94 - 11
OWNER/APPLICANT: Rio Associates Ltd. Partnership/Circuit City Stores, Inc.
TAX MAP/PARCEL: 61/123
ZONING: Planned Development-Shopping Center
ACREAGE: Approximately twenty-three (23) acres
LOCATION: Located at the intersection of Route 29 north and Rio Road in
Albemarle Square 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 wall signs from twenty (20) to thirty (30) feet. This is a variance of ten (10) feet.
The proposed signs total one hundred eighty (180) square feet in area. They will consist of
white faced channel letters with brushed aluminum edges. The signs will be internally
illuminated.
The applicant's justification includes the following:
Hardship
The primary function of the building tower design is to display signs and to identify the
entrances.
Uniqueness of Hardship
The building tower colors and sign design is an established nationwide logo and is unique when
compared to other stores within the shopping center.
Character of the Area
There should be no change to the character of the area nor detriment to adjacent property as
other shopping centers in Albemarle County currently display wall signs within a thirty (30) foot
height limit.
RELEVANT HISTORY:
Recent variances have been granted for T.J.'s, Staples, Inc., Advance Auto and Kroger to erect
wall signs at a thirty (30) foot height limit at the Shoppers World and Rio Hill Shopping
Centers.
STAFF REPORT - Variance - 94 - 11
Page Two
RECOMMENDATION:
The Circuit City sign application has been reviewed by staff and has met the other requirements
for style, size 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 changes subject to the Board of Supervisors approval, will be to change 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. Compliance with the regulations is difficult with existing building
facades. Due to its location below Route 29 and Rio Road, this store is not readily
visible.
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, Fashion Square and Shoppers World Shopping Centers
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 the proposed sign should not be a detriment to the
adjacent property nor change the character of the district as wall signs thirty (30) feet in
height are common within shopping centers in Albemarle County. Furthermore, approval
by the Board of Supervisors of the recommended changes to the sign ordinance will place
the same thirty (30) foot height allowance on all wall signs within shopping centers.