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HomeMy WebLinkAboutARB201100071 Legacy Document 2011-07-25ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD STAFF REPORT Project # /Name ARB- 2011 -71: Re- Store'n Station Convenience Store and Fuel Pump Canopy and Signs Review Type Preliminary Review of a Site Development Plan Certificate of Appropriateness for Signs Parcel Identification Tax Map 55B, Parcel 1 Location Located on the south side of Rockfish Gap Turnpike (Rt 250 W) approximately 1500 feet west of the intersection with Old Trail Drive. Zoned Highway Commercial (HC), Entrance Corridor (EC) Owner /Applicant Jeffries II LLC, Jeffrey Sprouse/ Jo Higgins Magisterial District Whitehall Proposal To construct a convenience store with associated fuel pump canopies. To construct an LED illuminated freestanding fuel sign and a gas pump canopy sign. Context The subject parcel is 4.06 acres in size and located south of Rockfish Gap Turnpike (Route 250 West), approximately 850 feet east of the intersection at Interstate 64. The entire site is grassy, and the front (north) half of the site is flat, while the rear (south) half slopes down to the adjoining parcels to the rear. An existing wooded area is located along the east edge of the parcel adjacent to Free Town Lane. To the north across Route 250 lie two single - family residences and the D and W Market and gas station, with two fuel pumps and a canopy. The parcel across Free Town Lane to the east is a developed site owned by the Yancey Lumber Corporation containing a one -story building and multiple trucks and storage containers. The adjoining parcel to the west contains a one -story building (Crozet Moose Lodge). Visibility The proposed building will be highly visible from the EC. The front fuel pump canopy also will be clearly visible from the EC, but the rear canopy is not expected to be visible from the EC. The proposed monument sign and fuel pump canopy sign will be clearly visible from the EC. ARB Meeting Date August 1, 2011 Staff Contact Eryn Brennan Proiect History DATE APPLICATION/ RESULT Compatibility with significant historic sites REVIEW TYPE May 16, 2011 ARB- 2011 -16 The applicant submitted a revised preliminary site development plan for ARB review showing 9 Building forms and features, including the first floor balcony removed based on Zoning's determination that the building could not • Revise the architectural elevations exceed 3,000 square feet. Comments were provided to the applicant for the benefit of their next eliminate the cupola. to eliminate the cupola. submission (Attachment A). A site plan is currently under review. February 1, 2010 ARB- 2009 -102 The ARB reviewed a revised preliminary site development plan based on the ARB's work forms and features of the significant historic session comments, and comments were provided to the applicant for the benefit of their next submission. May 18, 2009 ARB- 2008 -150 The ARB reviewed a preliminary site development plan for a convenience store and associated February 2, 2009 ARB- 2008 -151 fuel pump canopies on February 2, 2009. Comments were provided to the applicant for the Appendix B. The standard of compatibility benefit of their next submission. The applicant then requested a work session and submitted a revised concept plan that was reviewed by the ARB on May 18, 2009. Comments were again unnecessarily increases the height provided to the applicant for the benefit of their next submission. ANALYSIS In the "Issue" column, black text represents May 16, 2011 ARB comments and red text summarizes how the current submittal addresses those comments. Blue text represents new issues that have been identified based on new changes to the proposal. REF GUIDELINE ISSUE RECOMMENDATION Compatibility with significant historic sites Structure design 9 Building forms and features, including • Revise the architectural elevations to • Revise the architectural elevations roofs, windows, doors, materials, colors and eliminate the cupola. to eliminate the cupola. textures should be compatible with the • Although the height of the cupola forms and features of the significant historic has been reduced from 8' -4" to 5'- buildings in the area, exemplified by (but 3 ", it is still an architectural not limited to) the buildings described in element that is not appropriate for Appendix B. The standard of compatibility convenience stores, and it can be met through scale, materials, and unnecessarily increases the height forms which may be embodied in of the building and emphasizes the architecture which is contemporary as well scale of the large structure that is 2 REF GUIDELINE ISSUE RECOMMENDATION as traditional. The replication of important sited close to the EC. The applicant historic sites in Albemarle County is not the has provided images of nearby objective of these guidelines. buildings that have cupolas; however, none of these structures are convenience stores nor are they sited at grade with and close to the EC. i12 Architecture proposed within the Entrance • Remove the faux window openings on • Eliminate spandrel glass from the Corridor should use forms, shapes, scale, the east and west elevations with the proposal. Should the ARB and materials to create a cohesive whole. transom and shingle sheathing infill. consider allowing spandrel glass, Incorporate an alternate design identify on the elevation drawings treatment to eliminate any appearance the window openings where of blankness along the walls. spandrel glass is proposed, • The faux window openings have provide a sample of the spandrel been removed, but the applicant has glass, and include it in the material indicated in a memo that spandrel schedule. glass is to be used in some of the • Revise the brick wall on the window openings on both the east second floor of the north elevation and west elevations. However, the so that the columns are sitting on windows where spandrel glass is top of piers. proposed are not identified on the • Revise the materials on the second elevation drawings, spandrel glass floor of the west elevation to has not been included in the present a more coordinated material schedule, a note in the appearance. Extending the material schedule indicates that all horizontal siding to the rear corner window glass is clear, and a sample of the elevation may be of the spandrel glass has not been appropriate. submitted. Spandrel glass is not an appropriate material for the window types proposed for this convenience store. • The two columns located on top of 2nd story brick wall above the gabled entrance of the north elevation do not sit on a pier as the other second floor REF I GUIDELINE I ISSUE I RECOMMENDATION VA The requirements of the Guidelines regarding landscaping are intended to reflect the landscaping characteristic of many of the area's significant historic sites which is characterized by large shade trees and lawns. Landscaping should promote visual order within the Entrance Corridor and help to integrate buildings into the existing environment of the corridor. columns do. This presents an awkward appearance. The change in material from horizontal siding to brick on the west elevation does not correspond to a change in plane as it does on the east elevation, which presents an uncoordinated Revise the planting scheme along the western parcel boundary to present a more natural appearance similar to the planting scheme along the EC. Incorporate irregular spacing and diverse plant species, including flowering ornamentals. • The linear row of trees along the western parcel boundary is not coordinated with the staggered, more natural planting scheme along the EC or with the rural character of the area. The number of red maples shown on the landscape plan is not coordinated with the number provided in the Plant Schedule. Revise the planting scheme along the western parcel boundary to present a more natural appearance similar to the planting scheme along the EC. Incorporate irregular spacing and clustering of diverse species. Coordinate the landscape plan and plant schedule regarding the number of red maples proposed on the site. M DETAILS OF RE- STORE'N STATION SIGN PROPOSALS FREESTANDING SIGN Type Monument sign composed of a cabinet on a masonry base Materials Cabinet: Lexan and aluminum; Base: Brick to match building Location On the west side of the entrance into the site from Route 250 Overall Sign Size 7' -0" total sign height Cabinet 8' -0" (W) x 4' -0" (H) x F -0" (D) Base 9' -4" (W) x 3' -0" (H) x 2' -0" (D) Text "Re- Store'N Station "; "Diesel "; "Regular" Colors appear to meet setback requirements. Background Yellow Pantone 1205C, Green Pantone 377C Text Yellow Pantone 1205C, White Graphic Brown Pantone 126C, Yellow Pantone 1205C, Green Pantone 377C, Dark Green Pantone 350C Graphic Farmhouse, silo, and field inside text Illumination Internally lit with fluorescent tubes; LED units for gas price panels; daytime intensity limited to 70% of maximum intensity; Nighttime intensity limited to 16% of maximum intensity with automatic dimming at dusk, all backgrounds opaque. ANALYSIS REF I CHECKLIST ITEM NOTES RECOMMENDATION SCALE AND SIZE 4.b Signs may not exceed the size, height The monument sign meets ARB design Staff is only recommending approval and setback requirements as outlined in guidelines; however, the location does not of the monument sign design and Section 4.15 of the Albemarle County appear to meet setback requirements. landscaping at this time, but not the Zoning Ordinance (unless the sign has Minimum sign setback in the HC Zoning location of the sign. Site plan approval received a variance). District is 5'. does not include approval of the monument sign location. Prior to construction, a building permit will be required for the monument sign, and the location will be reviewed at that time. FUEL PUMP CANOPY SIGN Type Channel letter Materials Aluminum, Lexan Location Centered vertically at the western end of the north fascia of both fuel pump canopies, approximately 12" from the corner of the canopy Sign Size 11.993" (H) x 3'- 4.85" (W) x 5" (D) Text "FUEL" Colors Letters Dark Green PMS 350C Trimcap & Returns Dark Green PMS 350C Illumination Internal Neon ANALYSIS The fuel pump canopy sign meets the EC Sign Guidelines. Staff recommends approval as submitted. WALL SIGNS Wall sign details were not included with this application, so a review could not be completed. However, the north elevation drawing shows a sign on the brick wall above the gabled entrance on the second floor, the general location of which appears to be appropriate. EC review of the details regarding the size, location, color, and material of the sign is required with the sign permit application prior to installation. Also two signs are shown in the cornice of the 2nd story porch on the east elevation. These signs appear to obscure architectural elements and would not be approvable in this location. If signs are desired in this general location, the signs should be reduced in size to fit within a sign band or the architectural design should be revised to accommodate the signs in an appropriate manner. SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Staff recommends the following as the primary points of discussion: 1. The appropriateness of spandrel glass for this project. 2. The landscaping along the western parcel boundary. Staff recommends approval of the site development plan with the following conditions: 1. Revise the architectural elevations to eliminate the cupola. 31 2. Eliminate spandrel glass from the proposal. Should the ARB consider allowing spandrel glass, identify on the elevation drawings the window openings where spandrel glass is proposed, provide a sample of the spandrel glass, and include it in the material schedule. 3. Revise the brick wall on the second floor of the north elevation so that the columns are sitting on top of piers. 4. Revise the materials on the second floor of the west elevation to present a more coordinated appearance. Extending the horizontal siding to the rear corner of the elevation may be appropriate. 5. Revise the planting scheme along the western parcel boundary to present a more natural appearance similar to the planting scheme along the EC. Incorporate irregular spacing and clustering of diverse species. 6. Coordinate the landscape plan and plant schedule regarding the number of red maples proposed on the site. *Staff is only recommending approval of the monument sign design and landscaping at this time, but not the location of the sign. Site plan approval does not include approval of the monument sign location. Prior to construction, a building permit will be required for the monument sign, and the location will be reviewed at that time. *Wall sign details were not included with this application, so a review could not be completed. However, the north elevation drawing shows a sign on the brick wall above the gabled entrance on the second floor, the general location of which appears to be appropriate. EC review of the details regarding the size, location, color, and material of the sign is required with the sign permit application prior to installation. Also two signs are shown in the cornice of the 2nd story porch on the east elevation. These signs appear to obscure architectural elements and would not be approvable in this location. If signs are desired in this general location, the signs should be reduced in size to fit within a sign band or the architectural design should be revised to accommodate the signs in an appropriate manner. 7 APPENDIX A This report is based on the following submittal items: Sheet # Drawing Name Drawing Date/Revision Date SKI Elevation Drawings 6/15/2011 Freestanding Sign Drawing Submitted 6/20/2011 C1 -13 Site Plan 6/13/11 Material Sample Board Submitted 2/7/2011; Awning sample submitted 6/20/2011