00SN0272-JULY26.pdfJuly 26, 2000 BS
STAFF'S
REQUEST ANALYSIS
AND
RECOMMENDATION
00SN0272
Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors
Clover Hill Magisterial District
1501 South Providence Road
REOUEST: A Conditional Use Planned Development to permit a third freestanding
identification sign for Bethany Baptist Church.
PROPOSED LAND USE:
A third freestanding sign incorporating a changeable copy for the purpose of
identifying church news and service hours is planned.
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Recommend approval subject to the conditions on page 2.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommend denial for the following reasons:
A. The Zoning Ordinance permits one (1) freestanding church identification sign
located on site. Through the approval of a Variance, two (2) freestanding signs
currently exist on this property, Approval of this request would further exceed the
limitations established by the Ordinance.
Providing a FIRST CHOICE Community Through Excellence in Public Service.
The proposed sign exceeds the maximum square footage established by the
Ordinance for the one (1) permitted freestanding sign.
(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 "STAFF" ARE
RECOMMENDED SOLELY BY STAFF. CONDITIONS WITH ONLY A "CPC" ARE
ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS RECOMMENDED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION.)
However, should the Commission and Board wish to approve this request, imposition of the
following conditions would be appropriate:
CONDITIONS
(CPC) 1.
(CPC) 2.
Location:
The sign shall generally conform to the sketch received May 26, 2000, with
respect to height, square footage, design and lighting. (P)
The base of the proposed sign shall conform to Section 19-641 (a) of the
Zoning Ordinance. (P)
GENERAL INFORMATION
1501 South Providence Road. Tax ID 755-698-4828 (Sheets 7 and 11).
A
Size:
14.9 acres
Public/semi-public (Church)
Adjacent Zoning and Land Use:
North and East - A; Single family residential or vacant
South - R-7; Single family residential
West - R~12 with Conditional Use Planned Development; Vacant
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UTILITIES
This use will have no impact on these facilities.
ENVIRONMENTAL: FIRE: AND TRANSPORTATION
This use will have no impact on these facilities.
LAND USE
Comprehensive Plan:
The request property lies within the boundaries of the ~ which suggests
the site is appropriate for medium density residential uses with densities of 1.51 to 4.0
units per acre.
Area Development Trends:
Properties to the north and east are characterized by single family residential, and office
uses or are vacant. Properties to the south are occupied by single family residences.
Property to the west is vacant. It is anticipated that residential development will continue
along this portion of South Providence Road.
Zoning History:
On June 3, 1987, the Chesterfield County Board of Zoning Appeals, upon a unanimous
decision, approved three (3) Variances for this parcel (Case 87A065), two of which
addressed signage. These Variances permitted two (2) freestanding identification signs,
each measuring 41.76 square feet in area, which exceeded the permitted maximum of
twenty (20) square feet.
Subsequent to this approval, brick, wall-mounted freestanding signs were located on South
Providence Road at each of the two (2) entrances to the church.
Sign Design:
The proposed third freestanding sign is to be located along South Providence Road in front
of the church, midway between the two existing wall-mounted signs. The sign, which
measures seventy-two (72) square feet in area, is double faced with changeable copy on
each face.
The Zoning Ordinance permits one (1) freestanding sign, thirty-two (32) square feet in area
and fifteen (15) feet in height, for church identification. The sign area may be increased
3 00SN0272/WP/JULY26M
to forty (40) square feet if changeable copy, not exceeding one-half the total area of the
sign face, is incorporated into the sign face. With the exception of the changeable copy,
the background of the sign must be opaque. The base of the sign must be constructed of
a same or similar material to that of the building.
At seventy-two (72) square feet, the proposed sign exceeds the permitted sign area by
thirty-two (32) square feet. The changeable copy portion is thirty-six (36) square feet,
exceeding the Ordinance maximum by sixteen (16) square feet. The proposed sign logo
area is on a translucent rather than the required opaque background. The proposed height
of 7.7 feet is below the maximum permitted height of fifteen (15) feet.
CONCLUSIONS
The purpose and intent of the County 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 property fronts on South Providence Road for a distance of approximately 860 feet; however,
the Zoning Ordinance does not differentiate between large and small church sites with respect to
the size or number of permitted freestanding signs. Given the parcel's significant amount of road
frontage, this request would not result in a proliferation of signs along South Providence Road.
Given that the requested third freestanding sign exceeds the requirements of the Zoning Ordinance
with respect to number and square footage, denial of this request is recommended. However,
should the Commission and Board wish to approve this request, the recommended conditions
would be appropriate.
CASE HISTORY
Planning Commission Meeting (7/18/00):
The applicant did not accept staff's recommendation, but did accept the Planning
Commission's recommendation. There was no opposition present.
Mr. Gulley indicated that the property's large size and significant amount of road frontage
should factor into the determination of permitted signage for the church. On motion of
Mr. Gulley, seconded by Mr. Marsh, the Commission recommended approval of this
request subject to the conditions on page 2.
AYES: Unanimous.
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The Board of Supervisors, on Wednesday, July 26, 2000, beginning at 7:00 p.m., will take under
consideration this request.
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zc
C
C
R-12
A
A
S
400
0
400
800 Feet
Case #: 00SN0272
C.U.P.D.
Sheet #: 7 & 11
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