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HomeMy WebLinkAboutARB201100024 Review Comments Miscellaneous Submittal 2011-04-11ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD STAFF REPORT Project #/Name ARB- 2011 -24: GE Intelligent Platforms Signs Review Type Certificate of Appropriateness for a Sign Parcel Identification Tax Map 21, Parcel 14 Location 2500 Austin Drive, on the west side of Route 29 North, just north of Austin Drive Zoned Light Industr (LI), Entrance Corridor (EC) Owner/Applicant GE Fanuc Automation Manufacturing, Inc. /Hightech Signs (April Hickory) Magisterial District Rivanna Proposal To install an internally illuminated wall sign consisting of a logo box, and to install an externally illuminated freestanding sign. Context The site is located along a portion of the 29 North EC characterized by large wooded tracts intermixed with residential subdivision. The subject parcel is occupied by a research and office park development. Visibility The sign is proposed to be located approximately five feet from the right -of -way along the EC in an area devoid of plantings. ARB Meeting Date April 18, 2011 Staff Contact Eryn Brennan PROJECT HISTORY DATE REVIEW TYPE RESULT 3/7111 ARB 2011 -24 Upon submittal of the application, staff suggested eliminating the large expanse of white space and Certificate of incorporating the logo into the lettering to meet the sign guidelines. The applicant did submit a revised Appropriateness drawing showing the logo in an alternative location, but the design still did not address the primary for a Sign issues. Staff also stated reversing the color palette for the lettering and logo, similar to the sign approved for this business at the north end of the site, would be acceptable. The applicant requested the application go to the ARB as an Other Business Item for preliminary feedback. On April 4, 2001, the ARB provided the following comments: Regarding the GE sign and its white background, it was the consensus of the ARB that the white space should be reduced or the color palette should be reversed. The applicant then requested to have the application formally reviewed by the ARB on the regularly scheduled meeting date. The internally illuminated wall sign is not visible from the EC and, therefore, does not require ARB review. 2/3/10 ARB- 2010 -06 A Certificate of Appropriateness was issued for two freestanding signs for the GE site. One was approved for a location at the GE entrance drive off of Austin Road, approximately 225' from the EC. The design of that sin was like the one currently proposed. The second 2010 approval was fora post-mounted sign with a gray background at the Rt. 29 /Dickerson Lane intersection. SIGN PROPOSAL Type Monument Materials Aluminum, vinyl Location Located approximately 200' north of the intersection of Route 29 North and Austin Drive Overall Sign Size 5' -6" (H) x 6'- 10 "(W) x 71 /z" (D) Panel Size 4'8" (H) x 6'10" (W) x 71/2" (D) Base 10" (H) Text & Color "GE" - Avery Opaque film A8055 -0 Dark Gray "Intelligent Platforms" - 3M 7725 -22 Matte Black Graphic "GE" in a circle with a decorative border Letter Height 5.13" Logo Size 25 1/4" (H) Colors reversing the color palette for Background White MAP N202 Natural White Graphic Avery Opaque film A8055 -0 Dark Gray Base Gray Metallic MAP 18238 Illumination Two Solar Sign and Flood Lights with 54 LEDs providing 100 -150W of light located on each side of the sign ANAYLSIS REF GUIDELINE ISSUE RECOMMENDATION II General Sign Guidelines I Create a consistent and unified design approach along the • The excessive white area of Revise the sign design to Entrance Corridors. The placement, size, illumination and the sign creates a disjointed reduce the amount of white colors of signs can create unity along the corridor, or they can appearance that visually space by incorporating the create a disjointed, visually competitive environment. competes with the logo with the text or Consistent and unified sign design allows the businesses environment and clashes reversing the color palette for located along the Corridor to have equal standing in visibility. with the natural setting of the the text and background. It also provides a pattern of sign placement that makes the site. business locations and entrances more easily recognizable to • The size of the lettering is both vehicular and pedestrian traffic. REF GUIDELINE ISSUE RECOMMENDATION 4e Color: Colors must be harmonious with each other. Colors not proportional with the must not clash with other elements on the site, both when overall sign. viewed in daylight and at night, whether the signs are • The white space is not externally or internally lit. Overly intense color, such as but proportional with the not limited to dayglo or fluorescent colors, are prohibited. lettering and the overall sign. • The logo is not sufficiently integrated with the text or 4d Lettering and Typeface: Lettering should be in proportion to the sign and the building for visual clarity and overall the overall sign. balance. Proportion of lettering includes font (size) and typeface (style). The use of three typefaces or fewer is more appropriate for signs in the Entrance Corridor. Additional typefaces may be approved only if they contribute to a balanced, legible, unified sign design. 4f Trademarks, corporate logos and graphics: 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 art of the overall sign. 8e Lighting ii. External Illumination: Landscaping for monument and Ground mounted lighting is Submit a landscape plan for pole signs should be designed to shield ground mounted proposed for this sign. The review. lighting so that it is not visible from any adjacent property or applicant intends to work with right -of -way. staff and submit an appropriate landscaping plan to shield the lighting equipment. SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Staff recommends the following as the primary points of discussion: 1. The overall design of the sign. Staff recommends approval of the Certificate of Appropriateness for the GE freestanding sign with the recommended revisions.