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HomeMy WebLinkAboutARB201600041 Staff Report 2016-04-12ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD STAFF REPORT Project #/Name ARB -2016-41: Crozet Volunteer Fire Department Sign Review Type Certificate of Appropriateness for a Sign, Special Use Permit for an Electronic Message Sign Parcel Identification 056A2010003500 Location On the north side of Rt. 240, just west of Firehouse Lane Zoned Downtown Crozet District (DCD)/Entrance Corridor (EC) Owner/Applicant Crozet Volunteer Fire Department Inc./Tom Loach Magisterial District White Hall Proposal To install a freestanding electronic message sign. Context The property is located in an area of mixed development with residential and commercial/office uses in the immediate area. Railroad tracks run along the south side of the EC street. Visibility The sign is proposed for a location 12' from the sidewalk, so the sign will be readily visible from the EC. ARB Meeting Date April 18, 2016 Staff Contact Margaret Maliszewski PROJECT HISTORY The Crozet Volunteer Fire Department approached the County in August 2014 to discuss the possibility of installing an electronic message sign (EMS) at the Crozet Fire Department property on Rt. 240. The ARB held a work session on the issue on September 15, 2014. The ARB directed staff to return at a future ARB meeting with further developed criteria for consideration. A series of work sessions followed. The local sign company representative and a representative of the EMS manufacturer attended some meetings. The EMS manufacturer provided technical advice throughout the process. A representative of the Crozet Fire Department attended some of the meetings and was copied on the ARB's actions throughout the process. A final draft of the electronic message sign criteria was completed on February 17, 2015. The draft criteria will be incorporated into the Entrance Corridor Sign Guidelines, following the standard process for guidelines updates. The Crozet Volunteer Fire Department's representative met with County staff to discuss a specific design for the EMS in January 2016. That design was much the same as the current proposal. Staff provided comments on how the proposal met/didn't meet the draft criteria. Those comments are included in the Analysis table, below. In addition to a building permit, County ordinance requires a Special Use Permit for electronic message signs. The Board of Zoning Appeals is responsible for the review/approval of this type of Special Use Permit. The ARB's recommendation on the proposal will be forwarded to the BZA for their consideration. PROPOSAL Type Freestanding electronic message sign Comments on Current Proposal Recommendations Location Same location as existing sign, 12' from sidewalk along EC frontage 1 TOP CABINET ELECTRONIC MESSAGE CABINET BRICK BASE Materials Aluminum, vinyl Aluminum Brick to coordinate with building Size 12" tall x 6' long x 15" deep 36" tall x 6' long x 15" deep 18" tall x 6'+ long x 18" deep Letters 8" Unspecified n/a Overall 70" tall x 6'+ long x 18" deep Illumination None Internal LED None Graphics Fire Department seal, multicolor, 8" tall None None Colors Background Black Red, yellow, green n/a Letters White White, black n/a Frame Black Black n/a Reveal Unspecified Unspecified n/a ANAYLSIS Electronic Message Signs Design Criteria Final Draft 2-17-2015 Comments Provided on 1/25/2016 Comments on Current Proposal Recommendations Crozet EMS Design 1 Size The electronic message sign area shall not exceed The EMS sign area is approximately The EMS is three times the size of the static Reduce the size of the EMS to 40% of the size of the overall sign face. 72% of the overall sign area. This cabinet. It occupies approximately 72% of the not exceed 40% of the size of criteria has not been met. This will overall sign area. (The EMS measures 3' tall x 6' the overall sign face. be an issue for ARB consideration. long = 18 s£ The overall sign measures approximately 4' 2" tall x 6' long = 25 sf.) The applicant has indicated that a smaller EMS would make the messages unreadable. 2a Integration The electronic message sign that constitutes part of The EMS is below the static part of The EMS is below the static part of the sign. This None. a freestanding sign shall be located below the static the sign. This criteria has been met. criteria has been met. part of the sign so as to appear subordinate to the static sign. b The electronic message sign cabinet and the static The two parts have similar designs The two parts are separated by an aluminum None. sign cabinet shall be designed to look like an and look like an integral unit. This reveal, but they have similar designs and look like integral unit. The electronic message cabinet shall criteria has been met. an integral unit. This criteria has been met. not appear to float in/above the static cabinet or the sign support structure. c The structure of a monument sign shall not The brick base is low and in The brick base is low and in proportion to the None. overwhelm the sign. The structure and the sign that proportion to the overall sign and overall sign and cabinets. This criteria has been it supports must be in proportion to each other. cabinets. This criteria has been met. met. (Existing guideline 8c d Materials used in both the sign and support structure The building is faced with brick and The building is faced with brick and the sign has a Add a note on the drawing should be complementary. They should also support the sign has a brick base. The black brick base. The black cabinets and brick base are stating that the brick of the sign the aesthetics of the building and/or complex being cabinets and brick base are complimentary. base will coordinate with the served by the sign, although a direct duplication is complimentary. Add a note to the brick of the building. not necessary. It is preferred that the base material drawing stating that the brick of the match one of the primary building materials unless base will coordinate with the brick of the design of the sign represents itself as a the building. freestanding element complementing the building. (Existing guideline 8b) e Ground cover, shrubs and/or trees must be used to Three plant species have been Three plant species have been suggested. A Provide a landscape plan as part integrate freestanding signs into the overall suggested. A landscape plan has not landscape plan has not yet been prepared, but is of the sign drawings for review. landscape development of the site. (Existing yet been prepared, but is needed to needed to determine if this criteria is met. Use landscaping to integrate the guidelines 4c and 8d) determine if this criteria is met. sign into the overall develo ment of the site. 3a Text size and Lettering should be in proportion to the sign for The static sign uses a single font. The static sign uses a single, very bold font. The Reduce the size of the appearance visual clarity and overall balance. Proportion of "CROZET 5" uses a very bold, "CROZET 5" letters occupy a majority of the "CROZET 5" letters and the lettering includes font (size) and typeface (style). heavy font that occupies a majority available sign area. This allows only 2" of clear seal to allow additional clear The use of 3 typefaces or fewer is more appropriate of the available sign area. It allows space above and below the letters, and this results space above and below. for signs in the ECs. Additional typefaces may be 2" of clear space above and below. in an over -scaled appearance. However, the approved if they contribute to a balanced, legible, The ARB might consider this over- drawing is not to scale, so the image may be Provide a to -scale version of the unified sign design. (Existing guideline 4d) scaled. misleading. sign drawing for review. Indicate the EMS letter heights on The number of typefaces to be used in the EMS Include a note on the drawing the plan. has not been limited. indicating that no more than 2 typefaces will be used simultaneously on the EMS. b Electronic message text height shall not exceed the Indicate the EMS letter heights on Letter heights are not provided for the text that Include a note on the drawing height of the text in the static part of the sign. the plan. will appear in the EMS. stating the EMS letter heights. Heights not to exceed 8" are recommended. c The pixilated, "electronic", appearance of the text in Add a note to the drawing indicating Pixel pitch is proposed at 12mm. None. an electronic message sign shall be eliminated. that pixel pitch is 12 mm. Letters shall have the appearance of solid lines. Pixel pitch shall be 12 mm or any higher resolution. d All pixels must be actual, not virtual, and must be Add a note to the drawing stating A note indicates that all pixels are actual. None. physically present on the sign. Drawings submitted that all pixels are actual, not virtual. with the sign permit application shall include documentation of this condition. 4a Movement The sign message shall not change more than 4 Add a note to the drawing A note on the drawing indicates that in non- None. and message times per hour. Each message must display for a confirming that the sign message emergency situations, messages shall not change change minimum of 15 minutes. (The message includes shall not change more than 4 times more than 4 times per hour and shall display for a both text and graphics.) per hour, that each message shall minimum of 15 minutes. It is reasonable that display for a minimum of 15 emergency situations may require increased minutes, and that the message changeover. Another note indicates that no includes both text and graphics. graphics will be used in the EMS. b Content may not blink, flash, scroll vertically or Add a note to the drawing indicating A note on the drawing indicates that in non- Add a note to the drawing horizontally, or display animation or movement of that EMS content (text and graphics) emergency situations, messages shall not blink, stating that animation shall not any kind. (Content includes both text and graphics.) shall not blink, flash, scroll vertically flash, scroll, or display animation or movement of be displayed in the EMS, even or horizontally, or display animation any kind. It seems reasonable that some in emergency situations. or movement of any kind. movement of messages may be useful for displaying emergency messages, but animation doesn't seem necessary. Another note indicates that no a hics will be used in the EMS. c Sign content shall change only through an Add a note to the drawing indicating A note on the drawing confirms that the EMS None. immediate transition that does not have the that sign content shall change only content will change only through an immediate appearance of moving text or images. through an immediate transition that transition. does not have the appearance of moving text or images. 5a Colors The electronic message sign display shall have a A black background is illustrated, In the proposed sign, messages for high priority Include a note on the drawing solid black background. The black background of but there is no indication that the situations would have red backgrounds and white stating that non -emergency the electronic message sign shall not be counted as a background will always be black. letters, alert or warning messages would have messages shall have a solid color. Add a note to the drawing indicating yellow backgrounds with black letters, and low black background. that the electronic message sign priority messages would have green backgrounds display shall have a solid black with white letters. To display the background Clarify whether "low priority" background. colors, the background of the EMS must be messages are emergency illuminated, so this criteria has not been met. The messages. ARB may wish to allow illuminated backgrounds for emergency situations given the nature of the message. Additional information on the nature of "low priority" messages, to clarify whether or not they are actually emergency messages, would be useful. Limiting non -emergency related messages to a solid black background would be appropriate. A note on the plan states that the sign will default to black when there are no messages to display. b The use of three colors or fewer is more appropriate Add a note to the drawing indicating Colors have been proposed for various emergency Include a note on the drawing for signs in the Entrance Corridor. Additional colors the colors proposed for the electronic level messages, but no color numbers or samples stating the colors proposed for may be approved if they contribute to a balanced messages. Samples will be needed. have been provided, and colors have not been non -emergency messages. and unified sign design. Indicate on the drawing the color of identified for non -emergency messages. Provide samples for all colors. the aluminum tube reveals. Indicate on the drawing the The color of the 2" tall aluminum reveal has not color of the aluminum tube been identified, but a note on the plan states reveals. compliance with an ARB suggestion for the color. C Gradients of color are not appropriate in the Add a note to the drawing indicating A note on the plan indicates that gradients of color None. Entrance Corridors. that gradients of color shall not be are not proposed. used in the electronic message sip. d Colors used for the electronic message sign must be Add a note to the drawing indicating A 2" tall aluminum reveal is located above and Include a note on the drawing harmonious with each other and with the colors of the colors proposed for the electronic below the EMS. Its color has not been identified. stating the colors proposed for the overall sign. Colors must not clash with other messages. Samples will be needed. A note on the plan states compliance with an ARB non -emergency messages. elements on the site, both when viewed in daylight suggestion for the color. Provide samples for all colors. and at night, whether the signs are externally or Indicate on the drawing the internally lit. Overly intense color, such as but not color of the aluminum tube limited to dayglo or fluorescent colors, are reveals. prohibited. (Existing guideline 4e) Applicants must propose specific color(s) and submit color samples for review. e Each graphic in the electronic message sign can Add a note to the drawing indicating A note on the plan indicates that no graphics will None. have up to 3 colors plus black, if all other guidelines that graphics in the electronic be used in the EMS. can still be met. message sign shall have no more than 3 colors plus black. 6a Graphics Prototypical designs for text and the placement and Indicate if graphics will be part of A note on the plan indicates that no graphics will None. size of graphics relative to the text shall be the EMS display. If so, submit for be used in the EMS. submitted for review. For a graphic or series of review prototypical designs for text graphics to be considered for use on the electronic and the placement and size of message portion of a sign, the graphic(s) must be graphics relative to the text. accurately illustrated on the sign prototype with size, shape, form, and colors clearly identified. b The ARB may require that the color and scale of A Crozet Fire Department seal is A Fire Department seal is included in the static None. standard templates for trademarks, service marks, included in the static part of the sign part of the sign and is appropriately scaled. A note corporate logos and graphics be modified. When and is appropriately scaled. It is not on the plan indicates that no graphics will be used. used, trademarks, service marks, corporate logos clear from the drawing whether and/or graphics shall be incorporated as an integral graphics are proposed as part of the part of the overall sign. (Existing guideline 4f) electronic message display. Indicate if graphics will be part of the EMS display. c Illuminated borders are not appropriate in electronic Add a note to the drawing indicating A note on the plan indicates that illuminated None. message signs. that illuminated borders will not be borders will not be used. used in the electronic message sign. d A graphic approved for the static part of the sign The Crozet Fire Department seal A note on the plan indicates that no graphics will None. can be used, as approved, on the electronic message appears to be an appropriate graphic be used. portion of the sign. for the electronic message sign. e All guidelines regarding blinking and movement Add a note to the drawing indicating A note on the plan indicates that no graphics will None. that apply to the overall electronic message sign that EMS content (text and graphics) be used. also apply to the graphic(s). shall not blink, flash, scroll vertically or horizontally, or display animation or movement of any kind. f Graphics cannot be used on an electronic message Add a note to the drawing indicating A note on the plan indicates that no graphics will None. sign without text. A graphic cannot occupy the that graphics shall not be used on the be used. entire face of the electronic message panel. electronic message sign without text and that a graphic shall not occupy the entire face of the electronic message panel. g Graphic images may not include an illuminated Add a note to the drawing indicating A note on the plan indicates that no graphics will None. background. that graphic images shall not include be used. an illuminated background. 7a Illumination The background portion of the electronic message Add a note to the drawing indicating A note on the plan indicates that the background Clarify on the plan that non - sign panel shall not be illuminated. that the background portion of the of the EMS panel shall not be illuminated. Notes emergency messages will not electronic message sign panel shall also state that emergency messages will appear on have illuminated or colored not be illuminated. colored, illuminated backgrounds. backgrounds. b Illumination of electronic message signs shall not Revise the note on the drawing to A note on the drawing indicates that the sign can Revise the note on the drawing exceed a maximum luminance level of 300 cd/m2 indicate illumination of electronic be set to a specific Nits level, preset at varying to indicate illumination of (Nits) during nighttime hours. message signs shall not exceed a times of the day, but the note does not state that electronic message signs shall maximum luminance level of 300 the level shall be limited to a maximum luminance not exceed a maximum cd/m2 (Nits) during nighttime hours. level of 300 cd/m2 (Nits) during nighttime hours. luminance level of 300 cd/m2 (The current note says illumination (Nits) during nighttime hours. can be set....) c Illumination of electronic message signs shall not Revise the note on the drawing to A note on the drawing indicates that the sign can Revise the note on the drawing exceed a maximum luminance level of 5,000 cd/m2 indicate that illumination of be set to a specific Nits level, preset at varying to indicate that illumination of (Nits) during daylight hours. electronic message signs shall not times of the day, but the note does not state that electronic message signs shall exceed a maximum luminance level the level shall be limited to not exceed a not exceed a maximum of 5,000 cd/m2 (Nits) during maximum of 5,000 cd/m2 (nits) during daylight luminance level of 5,000 cd/m2 daylight hours. (The current note hours. (Nits) during daylight hours. says illumination can be set....) d If an electronic message sign is used, the static part Provide details on the drawing to The sign drawing does not address illumination of Provide external illumination for of the sign shall also be illuminated. External clarify the type of illumination the static part of the sign. It appears to be non- the static part of the sign. illumination is preferred to internal illumination for proposed for the static part of the illuminated, so this criteria has not been met. the static part of the sign. (Existing guideline 8e) sign. 8a Automatic Drawings submitted with the sign permit application The applicant has indicated that the A note on the drawing indicates that illumination If a photocell to dim brightness controls shall include documentation that the sign shall be manufacturer cannot provide a levels can be changed at any time using a based on ambient conditions equipped with photocell technology to control and photocell to dim brightness based on computer interface. However, it appears that this cannot be provided, propose an vary the intensity of lighting depending on the ambient conditions, so this criteria won't be done automatically. The applicant alternate method of adjusting amount of ambient light that is present. The sign has not been met. This will be an previously indicated that the manufacturer chosen brightness to ambient shall have a photocell interface for the display that issue for ARB consideration. for this sign cannot provide a photocell to dim conditions. operates at all times the display is lit and that dims brightness based on ambient conditions. the display brightness to be below the maximum Consequently, this criteria has not been met. brightness settings when ambient conditions do not require the maximum allowable brightness. b Drawings submitted with the sign permit application Revise the note on the drawing to A note on the plan states that times can be Revise the note on the drawing shall include documentation that the sign shall be indicate that the sign shall be changed to reflect the change in sunrise and sunset to indicate that the sign shall be equipped with an integrated system that operates equipped with an integrated system at different times of the year; however, it doesn't equipped with an integrated independently of the photocell and manages the that manages the identification of say this shall be done. system that manages the identification of daytime and nighttime so that they daytime and nighttime so that they identification of daytime and are automatically determined by the actual time of are automatically determined by the nighttime so that they are sunrise and sunset at the sign location. actual time of sunrise and sunset at automatically determined by the the sign location. (The current note actual time of sunrise and sunset says this can be done.) at the sign location. c Drawings submitted with the sign permit application Add a note to the drawing stating A note on the drawing indicates that illumination Add a note to the drawing shall include documentation that brightness and that brightness and message change levels can be changed at any time using the stating that brightness and message change intervals shall be locked down by intervals shall be locked down by the computer interface. message change intervals shall the manufacturer/installer at the time of electronic manufacturer/installer at the time of be locked down by the message sign installation. electronic message sign installation. manufacturer/installer at the time of electronic message sign installation. d Drawings submitted with the sign permit application Revise the note on the plan to state Notes on the plan state that the system shall Add a note to the plan stating shall include documentation that the sign shall have that the system shall fail to black in default to black when there are no messages to that the sign shall fail to black in a "fail to black" mode such that in the event of a the event of a failure of the sign display and the sign manufacturer will monitor the the event of a failure of the sign SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Staff recommends the following as primary points of discussion: 1. Exceptions to the criteria for emergency messages: background illumination, text colors, movement of messages, change of messages 2. Lack of automatic change of intensity based on ambient light conditions 3. Illumination of the static part of the sign 4. Text size in the static part of the sign 5. The size of the EMS cabinet compared to the overall sign size Staff recommends that the ARB forward the following recommendation to the BZA: The ARB has no objection to an electronic message sign that meets the draft EMS criteria. The following revisions are needed to meet the criteria: 1. Reduce the size of the EMS to not exceed 40% of the size of the overall sign face. 2. Add a note on the drawing stating that the brick of the sign base will coordinate with the brick of the building. 3. Provide a landscape plan as part of the sign drawings for review. Use landscaping to integrate the sign into the overall development of the site. 4. Reduce the size of the "CROZET 5" letters and the seal to allow additional clear space above and below. 5. Provide a to -scale version of the sign drawing for review. 6. Include a note on the drawing indicating that no more than 2 typefaces will be used simultaneously on the EMS. 7. Include a note on the drawing stating the EMS letter heights. Heights not to exceed 8" are recommended. 8. Add a note to the drawing stating that animation shall not be displayed in the EMS, even in emergency situations. 9. Include a note on the drawing stating that non -emergency messages shall have a solid black background. 10. Clarify whether "low priority" messages are emergency messages. 11. Include a note on the drawing stating the colors proposed for non -emergency messages. Provide samples for all colors. Indicate on the drawing the color of the aluminum tube reveals. 12. Clarify on the plan that non -emergency messages will not have illuminated or colored backgrounds. 13. Revise the note on the drawing to indicate illumination of electronic message signs shall not exceed a maximum luminance level of 300 cd/mz (Nits) during nighttime hours. 14. Revise the note on the drawing to indicate that illumination of electronic message signs shall not exceed a maximum luminance level of 5,000 cd/m2 (Nits) during daylight hours. 15. Provide external illumination for the static part of the sign. 16. If a photocell to dim brightness based on ambient conditions cannot be provided, propose an alternate method of adjusting brightness to ambient conditions. 17. Revise the note on the drawing to indicate that the sign shall be equipped with an integrated system that manages the identification of daytime and nighttime so that they are automatically determined by the actual time of sunrise and sunset at the sign location. 18. Add a note to the drawing stating that brightness and message change intervals shall be locked down by the manufacturer/installer at the time of electronic message sign installation. 19. Add a note to the plan stating that the sign shall fail to black in the event of a failure of the sign controller/system or lack of message to display. failure of the sign controller/system that would controller/system or lack of message sign for malfunctions. controller/system or lack of otherwise result in random messages, flashing or to display. (The current note says it message to display. other visually distracting operations, the display can default to black.) shall automatically black out. 9 Sign type Wall mounted electronic message signs are not The proposed sign is a freestanding The proposed sign is a freestanding sign. This None. appropriate for the Entrance Corridors. sign. This criteria has been met. criteria has been met. SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Staff recommends the following as primary points of discussion: 1. Exceptions to the criteria for emergency messages: background illumination, text colors, movement of messages, change of messages 2. Lack of automatic change of intensity based on ambient light conditions 3. Illumination of the static part of the sign 4. Text size in the static part of the sign 5. The size of the EMS cabinet compared to the overall sign size Staff recommends that the ARB forward the following recommendation to the BZA: The ARB has no objection to an electronic message sign that meets the draft EMS criteria. The following revisions are needed to meet the criteria: 1. Reduce the size of the EMS to not exceed 40% of the size of the overall sign face. 2. Add a note on the drawing stating that the brick of the sign base will coordinate with the brick of the building. 3. Provide a landscape plan as part of the sign drawings for review. Use landscaping to integrate the sign into the overall development of the site. 4. Reduce the size of the "CROZET 5" letters and the seal to allow additional clear space above and below. 5. Provide a to -scale version of the sign drawing for review. 6. Include a note on the drawing indicating that no more than 2 typefaces will be used simultaneously on the EMS. 7. Include a note on the drawing stating the EMS letter heights. Heights not to exceed 8" are recommended. 8. Add a note to the drawing stating that animation shall not be displayed in the EMS, even in emergency situations. 9. Include a note on the drawing stating that non -emergency messages shall have a solid black background. 10. Clarify whether "low priority" messages are emergency messages. 11. Include a note on the drawing stating the colors proposed for non -emergency messages. Provide samples for all colors. Indicate on the drawing the color of the aluminum tube reveals. 12. Clarify on the plan that non -emergency messages will not have illuminated or colored backgrounds. 13. Revise the note on the drawing to indicate illumination of electronic message signs shall not exceed a maximum luminance level of 300 cd/mz (Nits) during nighttime hours. 14. Revise the note on the drawing to indicate that illumination of electronic message signs shall not exceed a maximum luminance level of 5,000 cd/m2 (Nits) during daylight hours. 15. Provide external illumination for the static part of the sign. 16. If a photocell to dim brightness based on ambient conditions cannot be provided, propose an alternate method of adjusting brightness to ambient conditions. 17. Revise the note on the drawing to indicate that the sign shall be equipped with an integrated system that manages the identification of daytime and nighttime so that they are automatically determined by the actual time of sunrise and sunset at the sign location. 18. Add a note to the drawing stating that brightness and message change intervals shall be locked down by the manufacturer/installer at the time of electronic message sign installation. 19. Add a note to the plan stating that the sign shall fail to black in the event of a failure of the sign controller/system or lack of message to display.