08SN0235
STAFF' S
REQUEST ANALYSIS
AND
RECOMMENDATION
08 SN023 5
Holiday Signs, Inc.
Midlothian Magisterial District
North line of Hull Street Road
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Apri129, 2009 B S
REQUEST: Conditional Use to permit acomputer-controlled, variable message, electronic sign.
PROPOSED LAND USE:
A computer-controlled, variable message, electronic sign, incorporated into a
freestanding identification sign for aself-storage facility is planned.
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
RECOMMEND APPROVAL AND ACCEPTANCE OF THE PROFFERED CONDITION ON
PAGE 2.
AYES: MESSRS. BASS, BROWN, HASSEN AND WALLER.
ABSENT: MR. GULLEY.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommend denial for the following reasons:
A. The proposed computer-controlled, variable message, electronic sign does not
conform to the adopted Electronic Message Center Policy for such signs.
Specifically, the Policy suggests such signs should not be permitted within the
Route 360 Corridor.
B. The requested exception to the Policy could set a precedent for similar requests.
Providing a FIRST CHOICE community through excellence in public service
(NOTE: CONDITIONS MAY BE IMPOSED OR THE PROPERTY OWNER(S) 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 CONDITION
(CPC) In addition to Ordinance requirements, any computer-controlled, variable
message, electronic sign shall conform to the following standards:
a. Copy shall be limited to a maximum of two (2) lines which shall not
move, nor fade;
b. The message or display shall be programmed or sequenced to change no
more than once every ten (10) seconds;
c. The copy display color shall either be white or yellow;
d. Flashing and traveling messages shall be prohibited; and
e. Bijou lighting and animations effects shall be prohibited.
f. Such sign shall be located on Hull Street Road.
g. The base of the sign shall be constructed of brick or brick veneer as
depicted in the sign elevation titled "Mini Price Self Storage -Hull
Street", prepared by Holiday Signs and dated May 28, 2008. (P)
GENERAL INFORMATION
Location:
North line of Hull Street Road, east of Turner Road and east line of Turner Road, north of
Hull Street Road. Tax ID 765-698-Part of 9008.
Existing Zoning:
C-5
Size:
Part of 11.2 acres
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Existing Land Use:
Vacant
Adjacent Zoning and Land Use:
North - A; Single family residential
South - C-3 and C-5; Commercial
East - C-5; Commercial
West - C-5 and R-7; Commercial or single family residential
UTILITIES; ENVIRONMENTAL; AND PUBLIC FACILITIES
This use will have no impact on these facilities.
LAND USE
Comprehensive Plan:
Lies within the boundaries of the Route 360 Corridor Plan which suggests the property is
appropriate for general commercial, light industrial and mixed use corridor uses.
Area Development Trends:
The area is characterized by commercial uses along the north and south lines of the Hull
Street Road Corridor, with single family residential developments north along Turner Road
as part of the Forestdale, Woodfield and Providence Farms developments or on acreage
parcels.
Zoning History:
On April 28, 2004, the Board of Supervisors, upon a favorable recommendation by the
Commission, approved the rezoning of a 10.9 acre tract to General Business (C-5).
Commercial uses, to include aself-storage facility, were planned (Case 04SN0187).
Proffered conditions require that freestanding signs be monument style and, if lighted,
internally lit. This case affected a majority of the property that is the subject of the
current request.
It should be noted that the existing freestanding sign identifying the self-storage facility
currently does not comply with the monument-style sign condition of Case 04SN0187
and would need to be modified, accordingly.
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Sins:
Currently, the Ordinance permits two (2) freestanding signs identifying the self-storage
facility, fifty (50) square feet in area and twenty (20) feet in height, one along Turner Road
and the second along Hull Street Road provided that both signs are not legible at the same
time from any one direction. The area of each sign may be increased up to twenty-five (25)
percent provided such increase is for the purpose of including changeable copy.
The applicant plans to incorporate acomputer-controlled, variable message electronic sign
into a proposed freestanding sign. The proposed sign and computer-controlled, variable
message electronic sign would comply with the requirements of the Zoning Ordinance
which currently permits a freestanding sign 62.5 square feet in area (including changeable
copy) at a height of fifteen (15) feet. The proposal would also comply with the adopted
electronic message center policy relative to lines of copy, display color, timing of message
changes and lack of flashing and traveling messages, bijou lighting and animation. Further,
at the request of the Midlothian District Commissioner, proffers would prohibit the copy
from moving or fading with message changes, whereas the Policy would permit the latter.
The Proffered Condition also requires that the sign be located along Hull Street Road and
not Turner Road, consistent with the Policy relative to such signs not being visible from
residentially or agriculturally zoned properties. (Proffered Condition)
In response to a request by the Midlothian District Commissioner, the Proffered Condition
(Item "g") addresses the treatment of the Sign base as reflected in the attached elevation.
The proposal would not comply with the Policy relative to location within the Route 360
Corridor.
CONCLUSION
The proposed computer-controlled, variable message, electronic sign does not conform to the
adopted Electronic Message Center Policy relative to its location within the Route 360 Corridor.
Approval of this requested exception to the Policy could set a precedent for similar requests along
the Corridor.
It should be noted that the Commission and Staff are currently evaluating the Electronic Message
Center Policy and related ordinances. The applicant may wish to seek to defer this request pending
any revisions to the Policy and Ordinance. Future amendments could affect whether or not this
proposal is appropriate.
Otherwise, given these considerations, denial of this request is recommended.
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CASE HISTORY
Planning Commission Meeting (6/17/08):
At the request of the applicant, the Commission deferred this case to their September 16,
2008 public hearing.
Staff (6/18/08):
The applicant was advised in writing that any significant, new or revised information
should be submitted no later than July 7, 2008 for consideration at the Commissions
September public hearing.
Also, the applicant was advised that a $130.00 deferral fee was due.
Applicant (6/26/08):
The deferral fee was paid.
Area Property Owners, Applicant, Staff and Midlothian and Clover Hill Districts Commissioners
(8/12/08):
A meeting was held with the Route 360 Corridor Committee to discuss this case.
Concerns were expressed relative to the size, height and lighting of the proposed sign;
architectural treatment of the sign base; pattern of electronic message changes; impact on
traffic safety; and precedent for future requests along the Hull Street Road Corridor.
It was generally agreed that the Committee members in attendance were not in support of
this request
Staff (8/14/08):
To date, no new information has been submitted.
Applicant (9/12/08 and 9/16/08):
The Proffered Condition was amended.
5 08SN0235-APR29-BOS-RPT
Planning Commission Meeting (9/16/08):
On their own motion, the Commission deferred this case to their October 21, 2008 public
hearing.
Staff (9/17/08):
The applicant was advised in writing that any significant, new or revised information
should be submitted no later than September 22, 2008 for consideration at the
Commission's October public hearing.
Staff (9/25/08):
To date, no new information has been submitted.
Planning Commission Meeting (10/21/08):
The applicant accepted the Commission's recommendation, but did not accept Staff's
recommendation. There was no opposition present.
Dr. Brown questioned the benefit to the County of prohibiting electronic message center
signs along the Route 360 Corridor when the Ordinance permitted lighted signs with
manual copy change along this same Corridor.
Messrs. Bass and Hassen noted the improved appearance of the electronic message center
over a standard manual copy change panel.
Mr. Waller indicated that this proposal, as conditioned, aligned with his position on
revisions to the Electronic Message Center Policy.
On motion of Mr. Waller, seconded by Dr. Brown, the Commission recommended
approval and acceptance of the Proffered Condition on page 2.
AYES: Messrs. Bass, Brown, Hassen and Waller.
ABSENT: Mr. Gulley.
Board of Supervisors (11/19/08):
On their own motion, the Board deferred this case to their Apri129, 2009 meeting.
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Staff (11/20/08):
The applicant was advised in writing that any significant, new or revised information
should be submitted no later than February 4, 2009 for consideration at the Board's April
public hearing.
Staff (3/19/09):
On December 16, 2008, the Planning Commission appointed a committee to include
representatives from the business and residential communities to evaluate the Electronic
Message Center Policy and provide recommendations to the Commission. The
Committee has met bi-weekly since January 23, 2009. An update on the status of the
Committee's recommendations has been scheduled for the Commission's April 21, 2009
work session. It is anticipated that proposed modifications to the Policy will not be
available for the Commission's consideration until at least June 2009.
Staff (3/20/09):
To date, no new information has been submitted.
The Board of Supervisors, on Wednesday, April 29, 2009, beginning at 6:30 p.m., will take
under consideration this request.
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60.83 Sq. Ft.
Total
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15'-D"
SELF STORAGE
V.O. 56" x 116"
45.11 Sq. Ft.
V.O. 21.28" x 106.4"
15.72 Sq. Ft.
All concepts, designs, and plans represented by this document are the property of Holiday Signs and may not be reproduced, copied, ar ~ 08SN0235-1
without written aansent from an authorized afifiaer of the company. Oc Capyri