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HomeMy WebLinkAboutARB201000055 Review Comments Miscellaneous Submittal 2010-06-14ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD STAFF REPORT Project #/Name ARB- 2010 -55: Specialty Guitars Plus Signs Review Type Certificate of Appropriateness for Signs and Comprehensive Sign Review Parcel Identification 61 -12ON Location On the south side or Rio Road West, approximately 240' west of Route 29 North Zoned Highway Commercial (HC), Entrance Corridor (EC) Owner /Applicant Merchants Associates Limited Liability Co. c/o Merchants Inc #360/Lawrence E. Howard (Specialty Guitars Plus) Magisterial District Rio Proposal The applicant proposes to install four non - illuminated panel signs on the Merchant's Auto building. Because the building will now house multiple businesses, and a comprehensive sign review has never been completed for this site, the review must now be completed. Context The Merchant's Auto building is located near the busy commercial intersection of Route 29 North and Rio Road. A fast food restaurant is located immediately to the east and a bank and small scale shopping center are located across Rio Road to the north. Visibility The building is visible to northbound and southbound traffic on Route 29 only at the Rio /29 intersection. Traveling east on Rio Road West, the building becomes visible approximately 500' from the site. Traveling west on Rio Road East, the building becomes visible a short distance east of the Fashion Square Mall entrance. The proposed sign location over the door on the south elevation is not expected to have enough visibility to create an impact on the EC. ARB Meeting Date June 21, 2010 Staff Contact Margaret Maliszewski Project History DATE Review Type RESULT December 1, 1997 ARB- F(BP)97 -9 The ARB reviewed and approved metal awnings for each of the vehicle bays on the east side of the building. At that time, the "Merchant's" box sign had already been installed at the upper story of the east elevation and the "Merchant's" channel letters had been approved for the north side of the building. A Comprehensive Sign Review has never been completed for this building. Specialty Guitars Plus Signs and Comprehensive Sign Review for the Merchant's Auto Building - 1 ANAYLSIS REF GUIDELINE ISSUE RECOMMENDATION 4a Placement: The design of a building's walls, The plain band at the top of the building It is recommend that the window locations, parapets and other is an obvious location for signage. Panel Comprehensive Sign Criteria for this architectural features shall influence the signs in these bands could help reinforce building allow for signs to be installed Board's evaluation of appropriate signage. the rhythm established by the window in the upper sign bands on the north, Wall signs can help establish rhythm, scale and bays. (The guitar signs are proposed as south, and east elevations, in locations proportion across the fagade of a building. panel signs.) The decorative block band above the first story on the north centered over the window bays; and at the first story sign band on the north 10d Signs must be placed on the building in a manner that establishes a unified appearance. elevation also appears to be an elevation, centered top -to- bottom and appropriate location for a sign. The west centered under the middle and eastern elevation is not a "designed" elevation. window bays or in a similar location The texture of the block changes 4 rows over the entrance bay; and on the west down from the top of this side wall. Sign elevation, with the top of the sign locations below the top 4 rows and aligned with the bottom of the upper beyond the line of the sign band of the block band and not extending into the north elevation could be appropriate. sign band of the northern elevation. 9b Sign Type: Channel lettering (mounted on a The Merchant's Auto building was It is recommended that the raceway or individual letters) is preferred to constructed prior to the establishment of Comprehensive Sign Criteria for this cabinet signs because cabinet signs tend to ECs in the County. The building building allow for panel signs. appear less integrated with the building. currently has two different sign types - Channel letters overlay the wall material and one is a channel letter sign at the upper allow the structure of the building to "read level of the north elevation and the other through" with less interruption. This results in is an internally illuminated cabinet sign a more coordinated overall appearance. at the upper level of the east elevation. The Specialty Guitars applicant is 10a The future review of proposals for new signs in existing multiple business centers will take into proposing non - illuminated panel signs consideration the character and appearance of for the building. Although panel signs the existing building(s) and with existing are not the preferred sign type as sign(s). recommended by the guidelines, the panel style would be appropriate for this 10b Multiple business centers shall use a single sign type for all wall signs. building, given its architectural characteristics. Three of the signs already exist and are installed at the Woodbrook Shopping Center. The panel style signs are expected to appear appropriate in the long, plain band at the top of the north, Specialty Guitars Plus Signs and Comprehensive Sign Review for the Merchant's Auto Building - 2 REF GUIDELINE ISSUE RECOMMENDATION east and south elevations of the building, the blank elevation on the west side of the building, and the ls` story sign band on the north side. 9d Size: The size of a wall sign shall be The proposed signs are 3' tall x 10' long. It is recommended that the coordinated with the size of the architectural The sign band at the upper level is Comprehensive Sign Criteria for this element on which it is placed. The sign should approximately 7' 4" tall. The vehicle building allow for panel signs that do not overcrowd the architectural element, the bays are 10' wide. The sign band above not exceed 3' high x 10' long. wall, or the sign area. Buildings and building the first story on the north elevation is elements should not be used as a billboard. The approximately 5' tall. For reference, the ARB will consider the degree of visibility, the temporary banner on the north elevation distance from the Entrance Corridor, and the measures 4' tall x 10' long. Given these architectural design of the building and the dimensions, the guitar signs are not sign area in its determination of appropriate expected to appear over - scaled on the sizes and placement. building. The 3' x 10' size seems appropriate for future signs on this building. It corresponds to the vehicle and window bays and allows for sufficient clear space above and below the signs within the sign band. Distant views of the building are not available from the north and south. The upper part of the north and west elevations of the building are visible for about 500' along Rio Road West and from a short distance east of the Fashion Square Mall on Rio Road East. 4e Color: Colors must be harmonious with each The guitar signs use 4 colors: red, white, No color changes are recommended for other. Colors must not clash with other blue and black. The existing Merchant's the guitar signs. It is recommended that elements on the site, both when viewed in signs use red and white. Consequently, the Comprehensive Sign Criteria for daylight and at night, whether the signs are the colors are coordinated. Four colors this building allow for red, white, blue externally or internally lit. Overly intense are more than the guidelines recommend; and black. color, such as but not limited to dayglo or however, based on the limited use of the fluorescent colors, are prohibited. The use of blue color and considering the distance at three colors or fewer is more appropriate for which it will be viewed, the blue is not signs in the Entrance Corridor. Black and expected to read as an intense color and Specialty Guitars Plus Signs and Comprehensive Sign Review for the Merchant's Auto Building - 3 REF GUIDELINE ISSUE I RECOMMENDATION white are counted as colors. Additional colors may not be distinguishable from black. may be approved if they contribute to a balanced and unified sign design. loc Compatibility among signs must be maintained through color or font and typeface selection. 4d Lettering and Typeface: Lettering should be Some of the lettering for guitar signs 1 No changes to lettering or typeface are in proportion to the sign and the building for and 2 appears large; in particular, the recommended for the guitar signs. No visual clarity and overall balance. Proportion "G ". However, the text appears balanced limits are recommended for the of lettering includes font (size) and typeface within the sign panel. Lettering on sign 3 comprehensive criteria. (style). is not over - scaled. Given the distance at which it will be viewed, some of the lettering is probably too small to be read from the EC. 9e Illumination: External illumination is The existing Merchant's signs are It is recommended that the l0e preferred for wall signs and signs in multiple internally illuminated. The proposed Comprehensive Sign Criteria for this business centers. guitar signs are not illuminated. building limit illumination of new panel Additional internally illuminated cabinet signs to external illumination, with staff signs would not be appropriate for this review of the fixtures, or no building. Panel signs that have external illumination. illumination or no illumination would be appropriate and would help maintain a balanced, reserved character along the corridor. Summary of Recommendations: Staff recommends approval of the Comprehensive Sign Criteria for the Merchant's Auto Building listed on the next page. Staff recommends approval of the Specialty Guitars Plus signs with the following conditions: 1. The sign for the east elevation shall be centered over the window bay. 2. The sign for the north elevation shall be centered in the first -story sign band, below the middle window bay. 3. The sign for the west elevation shall be located with the top of the sign aligned with the bottom of the upper block band and the sign shall not extend into the sign band of the northern elevation. Specialty Guitars Plus Signs and Comprehensive Sign Review for the Merchant's Auto Building - 4 ARB COMPREHENSIVE SIGN REVIEW PROPOSED CONDITIONS PROJECT #/NAME: ARB- 2010 -55: Specialty Guitars Plus/Merchant's Auto Building TAX MAP/PARCEL#: Tax Map 61, Parcel 120N SIGN FEATURE PROPOSED CONDITION NOTES SIGN TYPE Panel LETTER COLOR Red, Blue, Black BACKGROUND COLOR White SIZE LIMITATIONS No larger than 3' (tall) x 10' (long) LOCATION(S) 1. In the upper level sign band on the north, east and south elevations, centered left -to -right over the window bays and centered top -to- bottom in the sign band 2. In the first story sign band on the north elevation, centered top -to- bottom and centered under the middle and eastern window bays or in a similar location over the entrance bay 3. On the west elevation, with the top of the sign aligned with the bottom of the upper block band and not extending into the sign band of the northern elevation MOUNTING DETAILS Direct to wall LOGO /GRAPHICS Logos and graphics may be used if they contribute to a balanced DETAILS design ILLUMINATION Signs may be externally illuminated. No new internally If external illumination is DETAILS illuminated box signs allowed. proposed, provide cut sheets on the light fixtures for staff review. OTHER This form outlines the specific design criteria established for signs at this location. All standard ARB Sign Guidelines also apply. Specialty Guitars Plus Signs and Comprehensive Sign Review for the Merchant's Auto Building - 5