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01SN0180-JAN24m.pdfJanuary 24, 2001 BS STAFF'S REQUEST ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATION 01SN0180 Chesterfield County Planning Cornmission Clover Hill Magisterial District 13900 Hull Street Road REOUEST: A Conditional Use Planned Development to permit a second freestanding identification sign for Clover Hill High School. PROPOSED LAND USE: A second freestanding sign incorporat'mg a changeable copy for the purpose of identifying school events is planned. PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION RECOMMENDS APPROVAL SUBJECT TO THE CONDITION ON PAGE 2. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Recommend denial for the following reasons: A. The current sign standards of the Zoning Ordinance provide adequate identification for uses on the property. B. Approval of this request could encourage other public or private institutions to seek a similar exception. 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.) CONDITION (CPC) The sign shall be a monument style and shall not exceed a height of ten (10) feet and an area of fifty (50) square feet, provided however, if changeable copy is incorporated into the sign face, the sign area may be increased by twenty-five (25) percent subject to the changeable component of the sign face occupying less than half the total area of the sign face. Illumination of the sign shall comply with Section 19-635 (e) of the Zoning Ordinance. The base of the sign shall be covered with a brick veneer similar in color to the brick used for the school building on this site. (P) GENERAL INFORMATION Location: North line of Hull Street Road, across from Chital Drive. Tax ID 726-673-1225 (Sheet I5). Existing Zoning: R-7 with Conditional Use Planned Development Size: 49.4 acres Existing Land Use: Public/semi-public (Clover Hill High School) Adjacent Zoning and Land Use: North - R-7 with Conditional Use Planned Development; Single family residential South - C-2 and A; Commercial or vacant East - R-7 with Conditional Use Planned Development, R-7 with Special Exception and R-7; Single family residential, public/semi-public (fire station) or vacant West - A; Single family residential 2 01SN0180/WP/JAN24M UTILITIES: ENVIRONMENTAL: AND PUBLIC FACILITIES The requested amendment will have no impact on these facilities. LAND USE Comprehensive Plan: Lies within the boundaries of the Upper Swift Creek plan which suggests the property is appropriate for single family residential use of 2.0 units per acre or less. Area Development Trends: Properties to the north and northeast are occupied by residential subdivision development and associated open spaces. Properties to the south are developed for commercial uses or are zoned Agricultural (A) and remain vacant. Properties to the southeast are zoned residentially and are vacant or developed for public/semi-public use (fire station). Parcels to the west, which contain single family residences, are subject to a pending zoning request for a mixed use development consisting of commercial, office and residential uses. (Case 01SN0121) Zoning History.: On February 9, 2000, the Board of Supervisors, upon a favorable recommendation from the Planning Commission, approved a Conditional Use Planned Development on this parcel to permit governmental offices related to school use. Subsequently, a mobile office uint was located on the property. Sign Design: Currently, two (2) freestanding signs are located on the property. One sign, located along Route 360 d/xectly in front of the school building, is externally illuminated and identifies the school's name. A second sign, located further east along Route 360, is proposed to be removed in favor of the proposed sign. The applicant has submitted a plan which proposes a second freestanding sign to be located along Route 360 in front of the existing school identification sign (See attached). The plan submitted with the application proposes a monument style sign of 60.3 square feet in area, 9.2 feet in height and incorporating changeable copy. The base of the sign is aluminum and black in color. (See attached) Currently, the Zoning Ordinance permits one (1) freestanding sign, fifty (50) square feet in area and fifteen (15) feet in height, for school identification. The sign area may be 3 01SN0180/WP/JAN24M increased to 62.5 square feet if changeable copy, occupying less than one-half the total area of the sign face, is incorporated into the sign face. With the exception of changeable copy, the background of the sign must be opaque. The base of the sign must be covered with material having a similar color and finish to that of the building. With respect to area, height and lighting, the proposed sign complies with the current design criteria for permitted freestanding signs. The condition noted on Page 2 will ensure the height, area and lighting of the proposed sign are consistent with the current Ordinance limitations. Further, this condition would require a monument style sign with a brick veneer base in lieu of the black aluminum base depicted in the attached elevation. CONCLUSIONS The purpose and intent of the Sign Ordinance, in part, is to protect and enhance the character of roadways and surrounding areas and to prevent excessive signage, to protect property values and to minimize visual distractions. The current sign standards of the Zoning Ordinance provide adequate identification copy for uses on the property. Specifically, the existing freestanding signs could be replaced with the proposed sign in compliance with Ordinance requirements. Approval of this request could encourage other public or private institutions to seek a similar exception. Given these considerations, denial of this request is recommended. CASE HISTORY Planning Commission Meeting (1/16/01): The applicant did not accept staff's recommendation, but did accept the Planning Commission's recommendation. There was one person present who, although not opposed the request, expressed concerns relative to adherence to Sign Ordinance requirements and the precedent for the approval of similar exceptions should this request be granted. Mr. Gulley indicated that the existing freestanding granite sign represented a historical marker for the school; that it was not easily visible from Route 360; and as a result, was not adequately addressing school identification needs along Route 360. 4 01SN0180/WP/JAN24M On a motion of Mrl Gulley, seconded by Mr. Litton, the Commission recommended approval of this request subject to the condition on page 2. AYES: Unanimous. The Board of Supervisors, on Wednesday, January 24, 2001, beginning at 7:00 p.m., will take under consideration this request. 5 01SN0180/WP/JAN24M ZG 0-2 A C-5 j A 01SN0180 6,00 0 60,0 Feet C.U.P.D. Sheet #: 15 Z © r~ © OISAIOI80-1 PROPOSED SIGN 0151k10180- ~.