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HomeMy WebLinkAboutARB200800070 Staff Report 2008-06-26ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD STAFF REPORT Project #: Name ARB- 2008 -70: American Legion Sign Review Type Certificate of Appropriateness for a Sign Parcel Identification Tax Map 79, Parcel 19 Location 3025 Louisa Road: Located on the south side of Rt. 22 (Louisa Rd), 500' east of the intersection with Route 250E. Zoned Commercial (C1) and Entrance Corridor (EC) Owner /Applicant American Legion Post 74 Lodge Inc. Magisterial District Scottsville Proposal To install an internally illuminated freestanding sign with reader board. ARB Meeting Date July 7, 2008 Staff Contact Brent Nelson SITE/PROJECT HISTORY • The current application is for the installation of an internally illuminated freestanding sign with a reader board. A temporary sign was installed, without a sign permit, across the top of the existing freestanding sign located in the northeast corner of the site, on the east side of the site entrance. A panel wall sign was installed, without a sign permit, in the pediment above the building entrance in the northeast elevation. • May 30, 2008: VA 2008 -7, American Legion Sign, Request for additional sign area. The zoning ordinance permits 32 square feet of sign area by- right. The applicant is requesting an additional 16 square feet of sign area (for a total of 48 square feet) to allow a reader board in addition to the main sign panel. BZA to review July 8, 2008. • December 30, 2004, ARB 2004 -154, In Vino Veritas, Certificate of Appropriateness for 2 Wall Signs, administrative approval. • October 18, 1999, ARB 1999 -77, Shadwell Antiquaries, Certificate of Appropriateness for a Freestanding Sign, administrative approval. • May 19, 2008, Scottsville Elementary School Sign, Proposal for a freestanding sign with non - illuminated reader board and dark background (to coordinate with brick monument). Presented as an Other Business item for direction from the Board. The ARB indicated they were willing to consider the proposal; however, it would require a full review. • May 7, 2007, Albemarle Baptist Church Sign, Proposal for a freestanding sign with internally illuminated reader board. Presented as an Other Business item for direction from the Board. The ARB was not supportive of the reader board request. o June 28, 2007, the applicant withdrew the sign proposal upon receiving the staff report recommending denial of the reader board request. • May 15, 2003, ARB 2003 -36, Jiffy Lube Reader Board, a motion to recommend approval of the request failed by a 1:3 vote. ARB 7/7108, American Legion, Sign - Page 1 CONTEXT The proposed sign is to be located on the south side of the State Route 22 Entrance Corridor, along the frontage of a two - building commercial development located 500' east of the intersection with Route 250E. This section of the Entrance Corridor is largely rural in character with most of the commercial development located along the north side of the Route 250E EC and at the intersection with Route 22. Many of the commercial developments predate the Entrance Corridor and do not reflect established design guidelines. VISIBILITY Due to its close proximity to the road, the sign under review will be highly visible from the State Route 22 EC. The sign is not expected to be visible from the Route 250E EC. PROPOSAL Type: Double face freestanding monument sign with reader board Materials: Sign Panels: Lexan and Aluminum; Base: Brick Overall Sign Size: 12' H x 9' - 8" W x 20" D Sign Panel Size 4' H x 8' W x 2" D Reader Board Size: 2' H x 6' W x 1" D Text: "CHARLOTTESVILLE & ALBEMARLE" "AMERICAN LEGION" "POST 74 Since 1919" Reader Board: 3 lines provided for 4" tall changeable text Graphics: American Legion seal Colors: Base: brick Sign text: "Dark Red" PMS 201 (3M 3630 -73) Sign background: White Graphic: Red, blue and yellow Reader Board: background: white, text: black Location: Adjacent to State Route 22, 5' offset from right -of -way line, 160' east of the northwest property corner. Illumination: Internal, LED Landscaping: 1 existing Oak street tree, adjacent to the Route 22 right -of -way, to be removed to provide room for the monument. ANALYSIS based on: Sign Drawings American Legion, Sheets I and 2, latest revision date 6/5/08; Site Plan Drawing: Major Site Plan Amendment, latest revision date 3/20/2000. Materials: brick for the monument structure. Issue: Reader Board Comments: EC Guidelines state that reader boards are discouraged because their typical structure, style, color, and location add an element to the site that is often incompatible with other design elements that establish the overall appearance of the site. They do not contribute to a cohesive image on site. Their general appearance is typically temporary in nature. The proposed reader board with its modern design, light colored vinyl surface, internal illumination, and surface mount style of attachment results in a sign design that stands in sharp contrast with the traditional character of the building it serves and the overall site. Revising the sign proposal by eliminating the reader board would result in a sign with a more traditional character that meets EC guidelines. Recommendations: Revise the sign drawings by removing the reader board from the proposal or ARB 7/7108, American Legion, Sign - Page 2 providing a reader board design that does not have a temporary appearance and is completely coordinated with the overall sign, including but not limited to colors and method of attachment. Issue: Existing & Proposed Monument Signs/Location Comments: The existing site has a monument sign located in the northwest corner, on the east side of the entrance into the site. The overall size of the monument structure is 8' long, 3' — 8" tall, and 2' wide. The monument is made of brick that is a medium terracotta color. The wood panel sign on the monument has a white background with black letters. Although not indicated in the original application, the applicant has since stated that the removal of this existing monument is part of their proposal. The proposed monument sign is to be located 140' east of the existing sign and adjacent to Route 22. The location of the existing monument is more visible from the EC, marking the site entrance and providing direction into the site, all of which makes it appear more integrated with the overall site and landscape design. Recommendations: Revise the proposal by adding to the existing monument structure to include signage for the American Legion proposal, or replace it with an appropriately designed new sign in the same location. The American Legion sign could be accommodated by increasing the total height of the existing monument structure. Issue: Proportion and Scale Comments: EC guidelines state that the structure of the monument sign shall not overwhelm the sign. The structure and the sign it supports must be in proportion to each other. The 12' height of the proposed structure appears to be out of scale with (overpowering) the 4' tall x 8' wide panel sign and the 2' tall x 6' wide reader board attached to it. From the site plan drawing provided, it appears that the base of the monument would be situated approximately 4 to 5 feet above the finish floor elevation of the building it is located in front of. EC views of the proposed monument would include views of the two buildings. Both buildings on this site are one -story structures with a low roof profile. The 12' height of the proposed sign structure would appear to be out of scale with the building and the overall development. A monument structure 8' in height would be more in scale with the front (northeast) elevation of both buildings and the overall development. Recommendations: Revise the sign drawings by reducing the overall height of the monument structure to 81. Issue: Sign Panel/Monument/Overcrowding Comments: EC guidelines state that wall signs should not obscure architectural details. The proposed sign panel is shown overlapping the 8" soldier course located across the top of the monument. This prevents the soldier course from providing a more finished appearance to the overall structure. Lowering the top of the sign panel to just below the soldier course would provide a more finished appearance, allowing the monument to frame the sign panel, no longer obscuring the brick detail. Comments: Revise the sign drawings by showing the top of the sign panel located just below the brick soldier course at the top of the monument. Issue: Materials and Colors/Brick Detailing Comments: EC guidelines state that materials used in both the sign and support structures should be complimentary. They should also support the aesthetics of the building and/or complex being served by the sign although a direct duplication is not necessary. It is preferred that the base material match one of the primary building materials unless the design of the sign represents itself as a freestanding element complimenting the building. Proposed materials include aluminum and lexan for the sign panel and a dark red oversized brick for the monument (sample provided). The sign colors include a white background with dark red letters. The reader board colors include a white background, black letters, and a 1" retainer ARB 7/7108, American Legion, Sign - Page 3 (color not indicated). The existing monument sign at the entrance to the site is a medium terracotta color brick structure with a projecting brick cornice across the top. The panel sign has a white background with black metal letters and is recessed within the structure giving it a more finished appearance than the surface mounted panel sign and reader board in the proposed monument. Existing wall panel signs are located in the west end gable of the smaller building (In Vino Veritas) and in the first story gable on the front of the same building, facing Route 22. These signs have dark green backgrounds with white letters. The dark red color of the oversized brick proposed for the monument does not match any of the materials in the buildings for type or color; however, the medium terracotta color of the brick in the existing monument sign blends more readily with the colors of the buildings. Recommendations: Revise the monument proposal to include the use of a brick similar in size and color to that of the existing monument. Revise the design of the structure to include a projecting brick cornice across the top similar to that of the existing monument structure, with all signs shown recessed within the structure. Issue: Lighting Comments: EC guidelines encourage the use of external illumination for signs because it allows consistency with the daytime image of the sign. External lighting appears to the viewer as reflected light and allows the focus of the sign to be the overall shape, color and complete design of the sign. Internal lighting produces a fragmented, rather than unified, sign image at night compared to external lighting and may project light that is distracting to the viewer. The applicant is proposing internal LED lighting for both the sign and the reader board. Both the sign panel and reader board are proposed with non - opaque backgrounds, and the sign panel is to have an internally lit logo. The existing monument sign has external, ground mounted lighting, and the existing wall panel signs have external, gooseneck lights. External lighting is particularly appropriate for this site, due to its strong traditional styling and location in a largely rural area. If internal illumination is approved, all backgrounds, including the reader board must be opaque. The internal illumination of logos, while discouraged in the EC guidelines, have been approved by the Board on a case by case basis. The proposed logo is 2' x 2" in diameter, centered in the sign panel, with dark red, blue, yellow, and green colors. Due to its dark colors, small size, and integral location on the panel, internal illumination of the proposed logo is not expected to have an adverse impact on the EC, if the sign background is made opaque. Recommendations: Revise the proposal by removing all proposed internal illumination. Revise the drawings to show the use of exterior, ground mounted lights. Provide cutsheets of the proposed lights. All lighting emitting 3,000 lumens or more shall be a full cutoff style fixture. If internal illumination of the sign panel (with logo), and reader board is approved, revise the drawings to indicate that the backgrounds of both will be opaque. Issue: Setback Comments: The applicant is proposing to locate the sign adjacent to the Route 22 right -of -way. The Zoning Ordinance requires a 5' minimum setback from the right -of -way in a C -1 zone. The sign location, as shown on the site plan drawing, is not dimensioned to indicate whether or not this requirement is being observed. Recommendations: Revise the site plan drawing to show the dimensioned location of the sign structure, clearly indicating that it meets the 5' minimum setback requirement. Issue: Landscaping Comments: EC guidelines state that ground cover, shrubs, and/or trees shall be used to integrate the freestanding sign into the overall landscape development of the site. The applicant submitted a copy of the approved Major Site Plan Amendment for this site; however, the landscaping shown across the ARB 7/7108, American Legion, Sign - Page 4 frontage of this site does not correspond with the existing landscaping. Additional proposed landscaping, addressing the guidelines, was not indicated. The applicant has indicated that the installation of the monument/sign in the proposed location would require the removal of one of the existing oak street trees lining the State Route 22 frontage. Disrupting consistent landscaping such as this, to install a monument/sign, when a reasonable alternate location is available is not recommended. The existing freestanding sign at the site entrance is located in a bed of low growing junipers. These plantings are not reflected on the copy of the Major Site Plan Amendment provided with this submission; however, they do successfully integrate the sign into the overall site and landscape development. Recommendations: Provide a site plan showing the location of the proposed sign, the correct location of existing landscaping identified for type, plants to be removed, and the location of any proposed landscaping addressing the EC guidelines for signage landscaping. A sign in the location currently proposed by the applicant would require additional landscaping to integrate it into the overall landscape development. A sign where the existing monument sign is located may integrate successfully with the existing landscaping. Issue Wall Sign/No Permit Comments: A panel wall sign was installed, without ARB review /approval or a sign permit, in the pediment above the building entrance in the northeast elevation. The applicant needs to make an ARB application for the review of this circular sign of the American Legion logo. The sign appears to be overscaled for its location in the pediment. Recommendations: Submit an ARB application for the wall sign currently located in the pediment above the building entrance in the northeast elevation. Provide drawings showing the existing sign replaced with the same sign in a smaller size (diameter), appearing proportionate with the pediment, allowing the pediment to frame the sign. SUMMARY OF REVIEW The proposed sign is overscaled. The proposed reader board materials and lighting do not meet the EC guidelines. The proposed location of the monument/sign /reader board emphasizes the negative aspects of this proposal with regards to scale and the lack of an adequate landscape proposal. A freestanding sign, without the reader board, located where the existing monument structure is located, in a similar color and design, up to 8' in height, could address most of the staff concerns for this proposal. SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Staff recommends the following as the primary points of discussion: 1. Proposed materials and design of the sign and structure. 2. Coordination of the sign proposal with the building and site design. 3. The character of the proposed reader board. RECOMMENDATIONS Staff recommends approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness pending staff administrative approval of the following conditions: 1. Revise the sign drawings by removing the reader board from the proposal or providing a reader board design that does not have a temporary appearance and is completely coordinated with the overall sign, including but not limited to colors and method of attachment. 2. Revise the proposal by adding to the existing monument structure to include signage for the American Legion proposal, or replace it with an appropriately designed new sign in the same location. The American Legion sign could be accommodated by increasing the total height of the existing ARB 7/7108, American Legion, Sign - Page 5 monument structure. 3. Revise the sign drawings by reducing the overall height of the monument structure to 8'. 4. Revise the sign drawings by showing the top of the sign panel located just below the brick soldier course at the top of the monument. 5. Revise the monument proposal to include the use of a brick similar in size and color to that of the existing monument. Revise the design of the structure to include a projecting brick cornice across the top similar to that of the existing monument structure, with all signs shown recessed within the structure. 6. Revise the proposal by removing all proposed internal illumination. Revise the drawings to show the use of exterior, ground mounted lights. Provide cutsheets of the proposed lights. All lighting emitting 3,000 lumens or more shall be a full cutoff style fixture. If internal illumination of the sign panel (with logo), and reader board is approved, revise the drawings to indicate that the backgrounds of both will be opaque. 7. Revise the site plan drawing to show the dimensioned location of the sign structure, clearly indicating that it meets the 5' minimum setback requirement. 8. Provide a site plan showing the location of the proposed sign, the correct location of existing landscaping identified for type, plants to be removed, and the location of any proposed landscaping addressing the EC guidelines for signage landscaping. A sign in the location currently proposed by the applicant would require additional landscaping to integrate it into the overall landscape development. A sign where the existing monument sign is located may integrate successfully with the existing landscaping. 9. Submit an ARB application for the wall sign currently located in the pediment above the building entrance in the northeast elevation. Provide drawings showing the existing sign replaced with the same sign in a smaller size (diameter), appearing proportionate with the pediment, allowing the pediment to frame the sign. ARB 7/7108, American Legion, Sign - Page 6