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Home My WebLink AboutARB200900079 Review Comments Miscellaneous Submittal 2009-09-21ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD STAFF REPORT Project #: Name ARB- 2009 -79: Davita Dialysis - Sign Review Type Certificate of Appropriateness for a Sign Parcel Identification Tax Map 78, Parcel55A8 Location North side of Route 250 East, approximately 850' west of the intersection with Pantops Mountain Road Zoned Planned Residential Development (PRD); Entrance Corridor (EC) Owner The Market Place of Virginia, LC Applicant T.J. Ronayne, Gropen, Inc. Magisterial District Rivanna Proposal To construct a freestanding monument sign ARB Meeting Date December 21, 2009 Staff Contact Eryn Brennan SITE/PROJECT HISTORY In 2000, a brick freestanding monument sign was approved for the Martha Jefferson Pantops Plaza, the first of a series of three buildings similar in scale, materials, and design along Route 250 East below Westminster Canterbury. The brick for the approved sign was to match the brick and mortar of the existing building and have no illumination. In 2007, an application to change the text and lettering of that sign was approved by the ARB. Staff asked the ARB for direction on the current proposal on September 21, 2009. The ARB made the following comments: "Regarding the Davita Dialysis Sign, it was the consensus of the ARB that the sign should be consistent and visually compatible with the existing Pantops Family Medicine /CRL Surgical Associates/Westminster Canterbury sign. That existing brick sign has an appropriate appearance for the EC." The applicant submitted a revised sign proposal that staff again asked the ARB for direction on at the December 7, 2009 meeting. The ARB made the following comments: "Regarding the revised sign design, it was the consensus of the ARB that, considering the established context of three similar buildings and their signage (brick sign), the new sign should be a design that matches the existing sign in form, style and material." The applicant chose not to revise the sign design, and requested a formal review and determination by the ARB. CONTEXT/VISIBILITY The sign would be located in the southwest corner of the site, set back 25 feet from the property line located adjacent to the EC. As this portion of the EC is a heavily developed commercial corridor, the site is surrounded by Highway Commercial, Planned Residential Development, and Planned Development ARB 12/21/09, Davita Dialysis, Sign - Page 1 Shopping zoning areas. Due to its close proximity to the road, the proposed sign will be highly visible from the Route 250 East EC. PROPOSAL Type: Double face freestanding monument sign with three tenant panels Materials: Aluminum, acrylic Overall Sign Size: 6' -3.5" (H) x 6'- 7.88" (W) x 2'- 4" (D) Cabinet Size: 4' -4.5" (H) x 5'- 5.75" (W) x 1' -2" (D) Base Size: 5' -10" (W) x F -2" (H) x 1'- 6.25" (D) Tenant Panel Sizes: Size: 5' -1" (W) x 0' -11" (H) Text: Cabinet: "Davita Dialysis" Letter Std Tenant panels are limited to one letter style per panel Davita Dialysis — Adobe Garamond Pro Bold Graphic: Small star dotting the "i" in "Davita" Colors: Cabinet, tenant panels, and cornice: BM 226 Twisted Oak Path Base: BM HC -50 Georgian Brick Cabinet text and tenant panel text: Avery Dark Navy Graphic: Avery Sunflower Yellow Illumination: Not specified Location: Southwest corner of the site, setback 25 feet from the property line located adjacent to the EC Landscaping: Landscaping shown on landscape plan approved in May 2001 ANALYSIS based on: Sign drawing, dated 11/3/09, sign description submitted on 12/3/09, landscape plan showing the location of the proposed sign submitted on 9/17/09. Issue: Sign Materials and Colors Comments: The EC Guidelines state that materials used in the sign should support the aesthetics of the building, and that the base material should match one of the primary building materials. The base is proposed to be constructed of aluminum painted BM HC -50 Georgian Brick. The aluminum does not match any of the primary buildings materials; and therefore, does not support the aesthetics of the building. The color proposed for the base also is not coordinated or harmonious with the color of the brick used for the Westminster Canterbury sign. A brick base would be appropriate. Finally, a cornice is supposed to be a finishing element that complements rather than blends in with a sign or structure. Therefore, having the cornice and the main sign the same color presents an awkward appearance. Recommendations: Revise the sign drawing to show a different material for the base. A brick that matches the brick used for the Westminster Canterbury sign would be appropriate. Revise the sign drawing to show the cornice a different color from the main sign. Issue: Sign Drawing Comment-- 1. The dimensions for the "Davita Dialysis" lettering have not been specified on the drawing. 2. The applicant has indicated that the sign will not be illuminated, but this is not stated on the sign drawing. Recommendations: 1. Revise the drawing to specify the dimensions for the "Davita Dialysis" lettering. 2. Include the following note on the sign drawing: "The sign will not be illuminated." ARB 12/21/09, Davita Dialysis, Sign - Page 2 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Staff recommends the following as the primary points of discussion: 1. Proposed material for the base of the sign. 2. Proposed color of the cornice. RECOMMENDATIONS Staff recommends approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness pending staff administrative approval of the following conditions: 1. Revise the sign drawing to show a different material for the base. A brick that matches the brick used for the Westminster Canterbury sign would be appropriate. Revise the sign drawing to show the cornice a different color from the main sign. 2. Revise the drawing to specify the dimensions for the " Davita Dialysis" lettering. 3. Include the following note on the sign drawing: "The sign will not be illuminated." ARB 12/21/09, Davita Dialysis, Sign - Page 3