99SN0274.pdfSeptember 8, 1999 BS
ADDENDUM
99SN0274
Holiday Signs, Inc.
Clover Hill Magisterial District
South Line of Midlothian Turnpike
REQUEST: Conditional Use to permit a computer-controlled, variable message, electronic sign
in a General Business (C-5) District.
The "Request Analysis" which the Board received in their packet, reflects an incorrect square
footage for the proposed electronic message sign. The correct square footage is thirty-two (32)
square feet versus 18.4 square feet. The attached report makes those corrections.
Providing a FIRST CHOICE Community Through Excellence in Public Service.
99SN0274/WP/SEPTSII
September 8, 1999 BS
STAFF'S
REQUEST ANALYSIS
AND
RECOMMENDATION
99SN0274
Holiday Signs, Inc.
Clover Hill Magisterial District
South Line of Midlothian Turnpike
REQUEST: Conditional Use to permk a computer-controlled, variable message, electronic sign in a
General Business (C-5) District.
PROPOSED LAND USE:
The request property is currently developed with commercial uses. The applicant wishes to
incorporate an 18.4 square foot computer-controlled, variable message, electronic sign into an
existing freestanding sign located on the property.
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
RECOMMEND DENIAL.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommend approval subject to the proffered conditions listed in the staffreport. The proffered conditions
would allow the proposed electronic message center to conform to the adopted Board of Supervisors'
policy for computer-controlled, variable message, electronic signs.
Providing a FIRST CHOICE Community Through Excellence in Public Service.
(NOTE: CONDITIONS MAY BE IMPOSED OR THE PROPERTY OWNER MAY PROFFER
CONDITIONS. THE CONDITIONS NOTED WITH "STAFF/CPC" WERE AGREED UPON BY
BOTH STAFF AND THE COMMISSION. CONDITIONS WITH ONLY A "STAFF" ARE
RECOMMENDED SOLELY BY STAFF. CONDITIONS WITH ONLY A "CPC" ARE
ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS RECOMMENDED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION.)
PROFFERED CONDITIONS
(STAFF) 1.
(STAFF) 2.
(STAFF) 3.
Location:
Flashing & traveling messages shall be prohibited.
Bijou lighting effects shall be prohibited.
The message or display shall be progranuned or sequenced to change no more
than once while legible to a motorist traveling at the maximum posted speed limit
on Midlothian Turnpike.
GENERAL INFORMATION
South line of Midlothian Turnpike, west of Turner Road. Tax ID 762-706-0354 (Sheet 7).
Existing Zoning:
C-5
Size:
.6 acre
Existing Land Use:
Commercial
Adjacent Zoning & Land Use:
North - A and C-3; Public/semi-public (VA State Police Headquarters) and commercial
South - C-5; Commercial
East - C-5; Commercial
West - C-5; Commercial
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UTILITIES; ENVIRONMENTAL; AND PUBLIC FACILITIES
This request will have no impact on these facilities.
LAND USE
Comprehensive Plan:
This request lies within the boundaries of the Eastern Midlothian Land Use Plan which suggests the
property is appropriate for community mixed use, community-scale development, including
shopping centers, other commercial and office uses, not to include residential development, are
appropriate for this area.
Area Development Trends:
The request property and surrounding ama, in the vicinity of the Mktlothian Turnpike and Turner
Road intersection, are characterized by commercial zoning and land uses. The Eastern Midlothian
Corridor area is highly developed.
Freestanding Signs:
The applicant wishes to incorporate an 18.4 square foot computer-controlled, variable message,
electronic sign into an existing non-conforming freestanding sign. Spedfically, the applicant wishes
to make a face change on an existing manual reader board and replace the face with an electronic
message board. The sign will be incorporated into an existing non-conforming freestanding sign
which is approximately 182 square feet to include the existing thirty-two (32) foot reader board.
The Zoning Ordinance today allows a total area of fifty (50) square feet of freestanding signage for
retail uses which can be increased to 62.5 square feet with incorporation of a reader board.
Therefore, the existing freestanding sign is non-conforming. A face change can be made and not
affect the non-conforming status of the freestanding sign. With the proposed face change, the total
aggregate area of the freestanding sign will be approximately 168 square feet.
As noted herein, with the approval of this request, the size and location of the sign would not be
restricted to the size and location indicated by the applicant. Rather, if approved, the size and
location will be subject to the requkements of the Zoning Ordinance for such signs and any
conditions imposed with the approval of this request unless there are modifications to the existing
non-conforming freestanding sign which complies with the limitations of the Ordinance for changes
to non-conforming signs. The Zoning Ordinance allows commercial centers to have one (1)
freestanding sign, not to exceed a total of fifty (50) square feet. The Ordinance allows an additional
12.5 square feet to accommodate changeable copy, such as a computer-controlled variable
message. The Zoning Ordinance also requires computer-controlled, variable message, electronic
3 99SN0274/WP/SEPT8I
signs to be incorporated into, or located adjacent to, a permitted sign face and requires that the
lettering be of a single style and of uniform color and size.
CONCLUSIONS
In addition to the requirements of the Zoning Ordinance, the Board of Supervisors has adopted policy
guktelines for the location, design and operation of computer-controlled signs. The proffered conditions
conform to the Board of Supervisors' policy for such signs.
It should be noted that the Planning Commission also has adopted policy guidelines for the location, design
and operation of computer-controlled, variable message, electronic signs which varies from the Board's
policy in several respects. A chart compar'mg the Commission's and Board's policies is attached to this
report. The applicant's proffered conditions are designed to address the Board's, rather than the
Commission's policy relative to timing ofmessages and the spacing between electronic message signs. The
closest other electronic message sign is located at Richmond Honda which approximately 1300 feet from
the proposed sign.
CASE HISTORY
Planning Commission Meeting (6/15/99):
On their own motion, the Commission deferred this case to their August 17, 1999, meeting to allow
the applicant and the Clover Hill District Commissioner to meet and discuss the proposal.
Applicant, Clover Hill District Commissioner and Staff (7/28/99):
A meeting was held to discuss the proposal. The applicant indicated that he would explore
alternative sign designs with the property owner.
Planning Commission Meeting (8/17/99):
The applicant did not accept the Planning Commission's recommendation. There was no
opposition present.
Mr. Gulley indicated that he had suggested that the applicant give consideration to br'mging the
existing sign into closer conformance with the Zoning Ordinance and incorporating into a new sign
the electronic message center. He indicated that if the existing sign was brought into closer
4 99SN0274/WP/SEPT8I
conformance with the Zoning Ordinance, he may be in a better position to recommend approval
of this request. In response to the applicant's desire to allow the messages to change every four
(4) seconds in accordance with VDOT' s cunent standards, Mr. Gulley indicated that the VDOT
sign' s propose is to notify people of a potentially dangerous skuation, rather than advertise goods.
Mr. Shewmake reinforced Mr. Gulley's comments. He further expressed concerns that the
limitation on timing of message changes is virtually impossible to enforce.
Messrs. Miller, Marsh and Cunningham expressed concerns that the proposal does not comply
with the Commission's policy and that the existing sign is non-conforming.
On motion of Mr. Gulley, seconded by Mr. Cunningham, the Commission recommended denial
of this request.
AYES: Unanimous.
The Board of Supervisors, on Wednesday, September 8, 1999, beginning at 7:00 p.m., will take under
consideration this request.
5 99SN0274/WP/SEPT8I
ATTACHMENT
Sununary of Board and Commission policies relative to the location and design of
computer controlled, variable message, electronic signs (Electronic Message Centers)
Electronic Message Centers
1. Spacing between signs
2. Distance from residentially
zoned/occupied properties
3. Lines of copy
4. Display color limitation
5. Flashing/Traveling messages
6. Bijou lighting effects
7. Animation
8. Timing of messages
9. Freestanding sign limitations
10. Building-mounted
sign limitations
11. Within village districts
12. Within historic districts
13. Within emerging growth
14. Within Jeff Davis Corridor
15. Within Hull St Post Devt
16. Within Courthouse Rd
Post Devt Area
17. Within Huguenot Rd
Post Devt Area
18. Within Midlothian/Chester/
Bon Air/Ettrick/Matoaca
Villages
CPC Policy (2/21/95)
2,000 feet
1,000 feet
2 lines: cannot move
but copy may fade
one color: white or yellow
Not permitted
Not permitted
Not permitted
20 second intervals
BOS Policy (4/12/95)
1,000 feet
N/A
N/A
Restricted to limitations for
interchangeable copy signs
when incorporated into a
freestanding sign
20 sq fi area when mounted N/A
on buildings or structures
Not permitted Not permitted
N/A Not permitted
Not permitted N/A
Not permitted N/A
Not permitted N/A
Not permitted N/A
Not permitted N/A
Not permitted N/A
N/A
Not permitted
Not permitted
N/A
No more than one change
while legible to motorist
at max / min speed limit
N/A
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