Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutZTA201500012 Resolution - Board of Supervisors 2015-09-09File #: 15 -247, Version: 1 AGENDA DATE: 9/9/2015 Albemarle County Legislation Text TITLE: Resolution of Intent for Phase 2 of Route 29 Business Signage SUBJECT /PROPOSAL /REQUEST: Resolution of Intent for Phase 2 of Route 29 Business Signage ITEM TYPE: Consent Action Item STAFF CONTACT(S): Foley, Walker, Davis, Kamptner, McCulley, Burbage, Wright, Kamptner PRESENTER (S): Amelia McCulley LEGAL REVIEW: Yes REVIEWED BY: Thomas C. Foley BACKGROUND: As part of its broader Route 29 Solutions Business Assistance Program effort, the County is considering changes to its sign regulations for businesses affected by Route 29 Solutions construction. The Board adopted ZTA 2015 -4 on May 6, 2015 to implement the Phase 1 changes (See Attachment A). That Zoning Text Amendment extended the 60 day temporary sign period for businesses losing their permanent signs as a result of utility work associated with the construction of the Rio -29 grade- separated interchange. For Phases 2 and 3, the County was asked to consider changes to temporary and permanent sign regulations for the over 200 businesses located within the project limits of construction. From June to August 2015, County staff reached out to businesses in the affected corridor to solicit feedback on the impacts of construction on their business signage and to discuss their signage needs prior to, during, and after construction. A summary of those findings can be found in Attachment B. Staff understands that VDOT is also relaxing restrictions and fees for their tourist oriented directional signage ( "TODS ") program during construction, but the program is not being expanded to include additional types of businesses. This should allow approximately 30 businesses to qualify for the signage that motorists recognize for direction to businesses. The remaining businesses that do not fit within the TODS criteria can find value in a relaxation of the sign standards. STRATEGIC PLAN: Goal 4. Economic Prosperity: Foster an environment that stimulates diversified job creation, capital investments, and tax revenues that support community goals DISCUSSION: Of those businesses who participated in the County's outreach efforts, a majority supported extending the 60 day temporary sign allowance to enhance visibility and allow for additional marketing opportunities prior to and during construction. Many also supported a reduction or elimination of the $25.00 temporary sign fees during this time. When asked about the potential for a proliferation of temporary signs if regulations were relaxed for all businesses in the area, several businesses supported the idea of incentives to encourage multiple businesses on one property to aggregate their temporary signage. Few businesses expressed concerns about the impact of the project on their permanent signage once construction is complete. Albemarle County Page 1 of 2 Printed on 10/7/2015 powered by Legistarl" File #: 15 -247, Version: 1 Taking into consideration the extensive support for extending the 60 day temporary sign period for businesses identified as being within Tier 2, staff recommends that the County move forward with amending its temporary sign regulations to allow one additional temporary sign per property that is permitted to be displayed prior to the start of construction through the completion of construction. Staff believes that allowing an additional sign per property rather than per establishment will encourage businesses on the same property to work together to find creative solutions for sharing signage and will limit the potential for a proliferation of temporary signs in an already visually congested construction zone. The County could consider allowing an increase in sign area of up to 50% (to up to 48 square feet) for those signs serving four or more businesses to encourage bundling multiple businesses on one sign and allowing these bundled signs to be more visible. Staff also recommends maintaining the current provision for temporary signs per establishment (up to 60 days) for special sales events and the like. Given the input received to -date and what appears to be limited impacts on permanent signage once construction is complete, staff does not recommend amending the permanent sign regulations at this time. Should the need for changes to the permanent sign regulations be identified, staff recommends that they be considered in conjunction with broader changes to the sign ordinance under the pending text amendment to address the United States Supreme Court decision in Reed v. Town of Gilbert relating to content neutrality (ZTA 2015 -10). BUDGET IMPACT: There is a potential for an increase in staff time to review temporary sign applications associated with this Zoning Text Amendment. If the County reduces or eliminates the $25.00 fee associated with these reviews in order to be supportive of businesses during this project, those staff costs would not be recovered, however, the workload will be limited by the project limits and duration. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Board adopt the attached Resolution of Intent (Attachment C) relating to the provision of additional temporary signage. Attachment A: Phase 1 May 6 Executive Summary Attachment B: Business Outreach Findings Attachment C: Resolution of Intent Albemarle County Page 2 of 2 Printed on 10/7/2015 powered by Legistarl"