The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutARB200900097 Review Comments Miscellaneous Submittal 2009-12-07ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD STAFF REPORT Project #: Name ARB- 2009 -97: Unity Church - Sign Review Type Certificate of Appropriateness for a Sign Parcel Identification Tax Map 61, Parcel 4 Location 2825 Hydraulic Circle, on the west side of Hydraulic Road (Route 743), approximately 500' south of Roslyn Heights Road Zoned Rural Areas (RA), Entrance Corridor (EC) Owner /Applicant Unity Church of Charlottesville (Rita Robinson, Buddy Leffer & Henry Reeves TRS) Magisterial District Jack Jouett Proposal To replace an existing freestanding sign with an internally illuminated monument sign. ARB Meeting Date December 21, 2009 Staff Contact Eryn Brennan SITE/PROJECT HISTORY The existing sign on the site was installed before Hydraulic Road was designated an Entrance Corridor (Attachment A). The proposal is to replace the existing freestanding sign with an internally illuminated monument sign. Staff's initial review of the proposal revealed several inconsistencies with the guidelines. The applicant chose to address only some of those issues. Consequently, the proposal is being forwarded to the ARB for review. CONTEXT The sign would be located in the median at the entrance to the site on the west side of Hydraulic Road. The site is surrounded by multi - family residential housing to the northeast, commercial development to the southeast, and a developed parcel to the south zoned Light Industrial. However, the parcels to the east and west of the site are primarily rural in character. VISIBILITY Due to its close proximity to the road, the sign under review will be highly visible from the Rio Road EC. PROPOSAL Type: Double face freestanding monument sign with curved ends on the base Materials: Sign: Plastic and Aluminum; Base: Rose Quartz Upper Cabinet Sign Y -8" (H) x 6' -0" (W) x 10" (D) Lower Cabinet Sign Dimensions not provided Base Size: Dimensions not provided Text: "UNITY" ARB 12/21/09, Unity Church, Sign - Page 1 "SUNDAYS 10:30 AM" - 4.6" (H) x 4' -6" (W) Graphics: Flying bird in a crescent Colors: Base: Rose Quartz (Pink) Sign text and graphic: White Upper sign background: Green (to match building trim) Lower sign panel background: Black Location: In the median at the entrance Illumination: Internal, fluorescent, opaque background, only text and graphic to illuminate Landscaping Existing grass ground cover surrounding sign base to remain ANALYSIS based on: Sign drawing, dated 5/14/09, and images of proposed mason's work submitted on November 30, 2009. Issue: Sign Materials Comments: The EC Guidelines state that materials used in both the sign and support structure 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 rose quartz. Although the EIFS of the building has a pink tint, the pink color was not obvious in the color sample approved by the ARB in 2006 and it is not a characteristic of the building that would be appropriate to further emphasize. The rose quartz is not an appropriate material for the base of the sign. A brown or beige stone would be more compatible with traditional stone bases for signs in Albemarle County. Recommendations: Revise the sign drawing to show a different stone for the base. A brown or beige stone would be more compatible with traditional stone bases for signs in Albemarle County. Issue: Sign Design Comments: The proportion and design of the three different elements of the sign: the main sign, the panel sign, and the stone base, are neither coordinated nor complementary. The panel sign is less wide than the main sign, which presents an awkward, top -heavy appearance. The base, with its curved, extended ends, is not coordinated in size, shape, or scale with the sign panels and emphasizes their dissimilarity. Incorporating the panel sign into the main sign, and constructing a base that corresponds more closely to the shape of the main sign may be more appropriate. Recommendations: Coordinate the width of the sign panels or incorporate the service day /time in the main panel. Revise the sign drawing to show a base that corresponds more closely to the shape of the main sign. Issue: Sign Drawing Comments: 1. The front and side elevations are not coordinated. The front elevation drawing shows a black frame around the main sign; however, the side elevation shows a green frame around the sign. A black frame would be appropriate for the proposed sign. 2. The standard note regarding landscaping has not been included on the sign drawing. 3. The dimensions for the proposed base, for the text and graphic for the upper cabinet sign, and for the lower cabinet sign have not been included on the sign drawing. 4. A to -scale drawing of the proposed sign has not been provided. Recommendations: 1. Coordinate the front and side elevation drawings regarding the proposed sign frame. A black frame would be appropriate for the proposed sign. Indicate the proposed material and color on the drawing. ARB 12/21/09, Unity Church, Sign - Page 2 2. Add the following standard note to the sign drawing: "Existing grass ground cover around the base of the sign and throughout the island to remain." 3. Revise the sign drawing to show the dimensions proposed for the base of the sign, the text and graphic for the upper cabinet sign, and the lower cabinet sign on the sign drawing. 4. Provide a to -scale drawing of the proposed sign. SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Staff recommends the following as the primary points of discussion: 1. Proposed material for the base of the sign. 2. Proposed design of the base of the sign. 3. Coordination of sign components. 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 stone for the base. A brown or beige stone would be more compatible with traditional stone bases for signs in Albemarle County. 2. Coordinate the width of the sign panels or incorporate the service day /time in the main panel. Revise the sign drawing to show a base that corresponds more closely to the shape of the main sign. 3. Coordinate the front and side elevation drawings regarding the proposed sign frame. A black frame would be appropriate for the proposed sign. Indicate the proposed material and color on the drawing. 4. Add the following standard note to the sign drawing: "Existing grass ground cover around the base of the sign and throughout the island to remain." 5. Revise the sign drawing to show the dimensions proposed for the base of the sign, the text and graphic for the upper cabinet sign, and the lower cabinet sign on the sign drawing. 6. Provide a to -scale drawing of the proposed sign. ARB 12/21/09, Unity Church, Sign - Page 3 ARB 12/21/09, Unity Church, Sign - Page 4