HomeMy WebLinkAboutARB201000020 Review Comments Miscellaneous Submittal 2010-03-24ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD STAFF REPORT
Project #: Name
ARB- 2010 -20: Union Bank & Trust Wall Sign (Forest Lakes)
Review Type
Certificate of Appropriateness for a Sign
Parcel Identification
Tax Map 46134, Parcel ID
Location
3290 Worth Xing, at the northeast corner of the intersection of Route 29
North and Worth Xing
Zoned
Highway Commercial (HC), Entrance Corridor (EC)
Owner
Guaranty Bank
Applicant
Bill Akers, Capitol Signs
Magisterial District
Rivanna
Proposal
To install one new internally illuminated wall sign in the gable of the EC-
facing elevation.
ARB Meeting Date
April 5, 2010
Staff Contact
Eryn Brennan
SITE/PROJECT HISTORY
In July of 2004, an internally illuminated channel letter sign was proposed to be located in the front gable
of this building, with the sign partially obscuring the louvered vent that is centered in the gable. The ARB
identified scale and symmetry issues with the proposal, and recommended it be revised to meet the sign
guidelines. The applicant did not return with a revised design and no sign was installed on the EC fagade.
(An internally illuminated channel letter sign was also proposed for, and installed in, the gable of the rear
elevation. Because that gable is not visible from Rt. 29, that sign was not subject to ARB review.)
As part of Union Bank & Trust's rebranding, new sign designs are being proposed for all of the bank's
locations. In addition to the sign currently proposed for the Rt. 29 elevation, two other signs have been
proposed for this building. As in 2004, the sign proposed for the rear elevation is not visible from the EC
and, therefore, is not subject to ARB review. Staff was able to administratively approve the sign proposed
for the side elevation after the applicant reduced its size to integrate it with the architecture of the
building, as required by the guidelines.
CONTEXTNISIBILITY
The site is located approximately 500' south of the intersection of Rt. 29 and Timberwood Boulevard.
The front elevation is located approximately 88' east of Rt. 29. The surrounding area is an intensely
developed commercial area, with Hollymead Town Center under construction across Rt. 29. The wall
sign is proposed to be located over the louvered vent in the gable on the northeast elevation, and would be
highly visible from the EC.
ARB 4/5/10 Union Bank & Trust Wall Sign - Page - 1
PROPOSAL
Type
Channel letter wall sign
Materials
Aluminum, vinyl, acrylic
Location
Centered left to right, 0'-8" above the bottom of the gable
Overall Sign
Size
4' -5 1/16" (H) x 11'- 41/4" (W)
Letter Size
2' -8" (H) x 11'- 41/4" (W)
Text
UNION
Colors
Faces
Black
Graphic
3M 3630 -156 Vivid Green
Raceway
To match existing wall color
Returns
Satin Finish White
Trimca s
Black
Graphics
Two bars slanting right, located in the in the upper nook of the "N"
Illumination
Internal, white, LED modules
Mounting
Raceway to match existing wall color
ANALYSIS (based on sign drawings dated 3/22/10, color samples submitted 2/19/10, and photographs
taken on 3/1/10)
Issue: Sign Location
Comments: The EC Sign Guidelines state that, "Wall signs shall be integrated with the architecture of the
building and the placement of such signs should not obscure architectural features or details, including but
not limited to cornices, windows, columns, pilasters and paneling." The sign is proposed in a location that
partially obscures the functional louvered vent in the gable. As such, it is not integrated with the
architecture of the building and it does not meet the sign guidelines.
The area between the bottom of the vent and the bottom of the gable may be an appropriate location for a
sign. If a revised sign design is proposed for that area, the height of the available wall area should be
indicated on the drawing and clear space should be provided above and below the sign to avoid the
appearance of overcrowding. (The EC Guidelines state, "The sign should not overcrowd the architectural
element, the wall, or the sign area. ") The guidelines state that 4" is considered a minimum for clear space,
but less may be acceptable in this case.
Recommendations: Revise the sign drawing to show the sign 1) located so that it does not obscure any
architectural features on the building, and 2) sized so that it does not overcrowd any architectural
elements on the building.
ARB 4/5/10 Union Bank & Trust Wall Sign - Page - 2
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends the following as the primary points of discussion:
1. The location of the proposed sign.
Staff does not recommend approval of the sign as proposed, but could recommend approval of a revised
sign design that meets the following conditions:
1. The sign shall not obscure any architectural features on the building.
2. Sign height shall be limited to a size that allows sufficient clear space above and below the letters,
such that the sign does not appear to overcrowd the architectural elements of the building.
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