HomeMy WebLinkAboutARB200800112 Staff Report 2008-10-29 (2)ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD STAFF REPORT
Project #: Name
ARB- 2008 -112: Super 8 Motel Signs
Review Type
Certificate of Appropriateness for a Sign
Parcel Identification
Tax Map 61W, Section 1, Block A, Parcel 5A
Location
390 Greenbrier Dr.: Located on the north side of Greenbrier Dr. (Route
866) approximately 350 feet west of Seminole Trail (Route 29 North).
Zoned
Highway Commercial (HC), Entrance Corridor (EC)
Owner
Chaxu Inc.
Applicant
HiTech Signs, Greg Schwartz
Magisterial District
Rio
Proposal
To reface an internally illuminated existing sign mounted on the roof and to
reface an internally illuminated existing wall sign.
ARB Meeting Date
November 17, 2008
Staff Contact
Brent Nelson
PROJECT HISTORY /CONTEXT
The parcel under review was developed as a motel in 1986, prior to the adoption of the Entrance Corridor
Overlay Districts in Albemarle County. The property is situated on the north side of Greenbrier Drive,
approximately 240' northwest of the intersection with Route 29N. The Pet Supplies Plus parcel (ARB 04-
85) is situated between, southeast of, the parcel under review and the Route 29N EC. This section of the
EC is densely developed with a number of previously developed parcels redeveloped in recent years. The
applicant is proposing to reface an existing cabinet wall sign centered below the protruding gable in the
front (southwest) elevation facing Greenbrier Drive. The applicant is also proposing to reface an existing
roof sign located between the ridge line and the eave in the side (southeast) elevation, facing Route 29
North. The roof sign predates revisions to the sign ordinance that now prohibit roof signage. As a result,
the sign is permitted as an existing, nonconforming sign.
As permitted by Section 4.15.15 b (1) of the Zoning Ordinance, this proposal was originally treated as an
administrative review due to the applicant's agreement for opaque backgrounds with both signs. The
applicant has agreed to staff's request for other changes to the design of the text and graphic with one
exception which is addressed in the Issues section of this report.
VISIBILITY
The refaced wall sign in the front (southwest) elevation will have limited visibility due to its angular
orientation and 350' distance from the EC. The refaced roof sign will be highly visible due to its location
and large size.
ARB 11/17/08 Super 8 Signs - Page 1
PROPOSAL
SIGN 1: WALL SIGN REFACING
Type: Cabinet
Materials: Rigid polycarbonate face
Location: Existing; centered below the protruding gable and above the four squares in the front
(southwest) elevation, left of the entrance canopy.
Mounting: Existing
Overall Sign Size: 9' -2" (H) x 6' -1/2" (W)
Text: "Super
8"
Colors: PMS 012C Yellow, PMS 1788 2X Red, White
Graphics: Swoosh connecting `S" to "r" above "Super" and the "S" to the "8" below.
Illumination: Existing internal illumination
SIGN 2: ROOF SIGN REFACING
Type: Cabinet
Materials: Rigid polycarbonate face
Location: Existing; on the roof between the ridge line and the eave in the side (southeast) elevation.
Mounting: Existing
Overall Sign Size: 4' -1 1/2 " (H) x 38' (W)
Text: "Super 8"
Colors: PMS 012C Yellow, PMS 1788 2X Red, White
Graphics: Swoosh connecting `S" to "r"
Illumination: Existing internal illumination
ANALYSIS (based on 2 sign drawings received September 15, 2008)
Issue: Sign & Trademark Colors/Intensity /Coordination
Comments: Entrance Corridor Sign Guidelines state
Colors must be harmonious with each other. Colors must not clash with other elements on the site,
both when viewed in daylight and at night, whether the signs are externally or internally lit. Overly
intense color, such as but not limited to dayglo or fluorescent colors, are prohibited. The ARB may
require that the color and scale of standard templates for trademarks, service marks, corporate
logos, and graphics be modified. When used, trademarks, service marks, corporate logos and/or
graphics should be incorporated as an integral part of the overall sign.
The applicant is proposing a yellow background (PMS 012C) with red text and graphics (PMS 1788 2X)
for both the wall and roof sign refacings. These colors are Super 8 trademark colors; however, they are
overly intense, do not coordinate with other elements on the building and site, and are not harmonious
with each other. The highly visible location and large size (4' -1 1/2 " (H) x 38' (W)) of the roof sign will
heighten the negative impact of these colors on the EC. The red text and yellow background colors of the
existing wall and roof signs are significantly less intense than those that are proposed and coordinate more
closely with the building colors. Revising the background color of both signs to PMS 115U (yellow) and
the text and graphic color to PMS 1795C (red) would allow the signs to coordinate more closely with the
building colors.
Recommendations: Revise the sign drawings by changing the proposed yellow background color to PMS
115U and the red text and graphic color to PMS 1795C.
ARB 11/17/08 Super 8 Signs - Page 2
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends the following as the primary point of discussion:
1. The proposed colors of both signs.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness for the Super 8 signs, pending staff
administrative approval of the following condition:
1. Revise the sign drawings by changing the proposed yellow background color to PMS 115U and the
red text and graphic color to PMS 1795C.
ARB 11/17/08 Super 8 Signs - Page 3