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10SN0269CASE MANAGER: Jane Peterson ,• •'~'~'•_~i~ .h{fr ~f~ ..~~. .~{~ +,~..~,f ..~ f.r I~ STAFF' S REQUEST ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATION l OSN0269 Southshore Shop, LLC October 27, 2010 B S Clover Hill Magisterial District Northwest corner of Hull Street Road and Temie Lee Parkway RE VEST: Amendment of conditional use planned development (Case O l SNO l 21) to permit a computer-controlled, variable message, electronic sign and exceptions to Ordinance requirements relative to signage. PROPOSED LAND USE: A computer-controlled, variable message, electronic sign, incorporated into a freestanding project identification sign for a shopping center is planned. Exceptions are requested to permit the changeable copy component of the sign to exceed one- half ofthe proposed sign face. PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION RECOMMEND DENIAL. AYES: Messrs. Brown, Hassen, Bass and Gulley. NAY: Mr. Waller. 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 relative to location within the Hull Street Road Corridor, display color and lines of copy. B. The current sign standards of the Ordinance provide adequate area for changeable copy. Providing a FIRST CHOICE community through excellence in public service C. The requested exceptions to the Policy and Ordinance could set a precedent for similar request. (NOTE: CONDITIONS MAY BE IMPOSED OR THE PROPERTY OWNER(S) MAY PROFFER CONDITIONS.) PROFFERED CONDITIONS In addition to Ordinance requirements, any computer-controlled, variable message, electronic sign shall conform to the following standards: a. Copy and color shall not be restricted. b. The EMC sign copy may occupy no more than seventy (70) percent of the total copy of the freestanding sign. c. Displayed messages on an EMC sign shall be static, shall not change light intensity for the duration of each displayed message, and shall not change more frequently than once per three (3) minute time interval. d. The transition between messages on an EMC sign shall be either an instantaneous or a fade transition with only one (1) second of time between each displayed message. e. The brightness of the EMC sign shall not exceed a maximum illumination of one thousand (1,000) NITS during daylight hours and a maximum illumination of three hundred and fifty (350) NITS between sunset and sunrise as measured at the sign's face. EMC signs shall be equipped with a photo cell that automatically adjusts the illuminative brightness of the display according to this schedule. f. Such sign shall be located on Hull Street Road. (P) (Note: this application is for one (1) single EMC sign.) GENERAL INFORMATION T ,n~ati nn Northwest corner of Hull Street Road and Temie Lee Parkway. Tax IDs 725-672-0429, 1000 and 4203. Existing Zoning: C-2 and 0-2 with conditional use planned development Size: 8.5 acres Existing Land Use: Commercial 2 10SN0269-OCT27-BOS-RPT Adjacent Zoning and Land Use: North - R-9, R-12, C-2 and 0-2; Single-family residential or vacant South - C-3; Commercial (under construction) East - C-2; Commercial West - C-2, C-3, and R-9; Commercial or single-family residential T ITTT ,TTTF,~ The applicant is cautioned that the sign must not be placed so as to conflict with the existing public wastewater lines, or their easements, on this site. ENVIRONMENTAL; FIRE; AND COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION This request will have no impact on these facilities. Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT): Electronic outdoor advertising signs located adjacent to Federally assisted highways, such as U.S. Route 360, are subject to a VDOT permitting process. A design will be required to be submitted through the VDOT Richmond District, Central Region Permit Office, to be routed to the Richmond District Roadside Development Office for review and evaluation. The plan is to show the location of the sign relative to the right of way (and outside the appropriate clear zone) and operational details, as deemed necessary, for evaluation of the signage. Approval of signage is not necessarily assured. T,ANn TIFF. Comprehensive Plan: The subject property is located within the boundaries of the Upper Swift Creek Plan which suggests the property is appropriate for community scale commercial uses. Area Development Trends: The area is characterized by commercial uses along the north and south lines of Hull Street Road. Properties to the north along Southshore Drive and Temie Lee Parkway are developed as part of the Southshore and St. Clair Subdivisions or are zoned for office use and currently vacant. Zonin Hg istory: On February 26, 2003 the Board of Supervisors, upon a favorable recommendation by the Planning Commission, approved a rezoning to Neighborhood Business (C-2) and Corporate Office (0-2) with conditional use planned development on this tract plus adjacent C-2 and Agricultural (A) tracts, and an amendment to conditional use planned 3 10SN0269-OCT27-BOS-RPT development on an adjacent C-2 Tract (Case 01 SNO 121). Affected properties included thirty-seven (37) acres located on the north line of Hull Street Road, east of Southshore Drive and west of Clover Hill High School. The Agricultural (A) portion of the request was subsequently zoned Residential (R-12). Conditions of the case included requirements that all freestanding signs will be a monument style; use sign face shapes similar to those used for outparcel development at the Harbour Pointe Shopping Center; and have sign bases constructed of the same materials and colors as the buildings served. The subject property was part of this 2001 case and is subject to these sign design limitations. Sins: The applicant plans to incorporate acomputer-controlled, variable message electronic sign into a proposed freestanding project sign to identify an existing shopping center (Shops at Southshore). The proposed sign would comply with the overall size and height requirements of the Zoning Ordinance which currently permits a freestanding sign sixty-two (62) square feet in area (including changeable copy) at a height of fifteen (15) feet. Further, the sign depicted in the attached elevation complies with the conditions of zoning relative to sign design as discussed in the "Zoning History" section of the report. It is important to note that this specific elevation has not been proffered. The proposal would comply with the adopted Electronic Message Center Policy relative to spacing between signs and lack of flashing and traveling messages, bijou lighting and animation (Proffered Condition Items "c" and "d"). The proposed timing of message changes would be not more than once every three (3) minutes which is more restrictive than the Policy criteria of not more than once every ten (10) seconds (Item "c"). The Proffered Condition also requires that the sign be located along Hull Street Road and not Southshore Drive, consistent with the Policy relative to such signs not being visible from residentially- zoned properties (Item "f'). The Proffered Condition limits sign brightness which is currently not addressed by the Policy (Item "e"). The proposal would not comply with the Policy which prohibits such signs within the Hull Street Road Corridor. In addition, the proposal would not with comply with the Policy relative to display color and lines of copy (Item "a"), or Ordinance limitations regarding the size of changeable copy area (Item "b"), as discussed below. Display Color The Policy suggests that display colors for electronic message centers be limited to white or yellow. No limitation on color is proposed. (Proffered Condition Item "a") Lines of Copy The Policy suggests that lines of copy for electronic message centers be limited to two (2). No limitation on lines of copy is proposed. (Proffered Condition Item "a") 4 10SN0269-OCT27-BOS-RPT Size of Changeable Copy Currently, the Ordinance limits the area of changeable component of the sign face to fifty (50) percent or less of the total area of the sign face. An exception is requested to permit up to seventy (70) percent of the sign face to be occupied by changeable copy. (Proffered Condition Item "b") CONCLUSION The proposed computer-controlled, variable message, electronic sign does not conform to the adopted Electronic Message Center Policy for such signs relative to its location within the Hull Street Road Corridor, display color and lines of copy. The Ordinance limitations that restrict the changeable copy component of a sign were designed to provide maximum legibility without compromising motorists' safety. The current limitation of a maximum of fifty (50) percent changeable copy provides adequate identification for uses on the property. Approval of deviations to the Policy and the Ordinance could set a precedent for similar requests. Given these considerations, denial of this request is recommended. CASE HISTORY Planning Commission Meeting (9/21/10): The applicant did not accept the recommendation. There was opposition present expressing concerns relative to lack of compliance with the adopted Policy; and that existing Ordinance standards provide adequate and equitable identification for all usmesses. On motion of Mr. Gulley, seconded by Mr. Bass, the Commission recommended denial. AYES: Messrs. Brown, Hassen, Bass and Gulley. NAY: Mr. Waller. The Board of Supervisors, on Wednesday, October 27, 2010, beginning at 6:30 p.m., will take under consideration this request. 5 10SN0269-OCT27-BOS-RPT W , - N iI U ~ M ~~ ~ ~ m ~ ~~~~ ~ , _~ w a / ~ ~~ ~° o a N o ~ a N ~ i N i~ + . O N ~ ~ ~ Z O ~ U a ~ ~ , ~ ~a~~ 1 ~ ~ ,~P = t~ 1 ~ ~ .- ~ = 1 ~ L '~ ~ 1 ~ ~ U U ~ ~ 'Si ~ ~ o V ! ` ~ ~ 1 • m cv ° ~-~ 1 I 1 1 a ~ ~ ~ I r , N `/ U ,^ 1 • l ~ ~ ~~~ ~ "~ ~ ~ ~ ::::::: ~ U ~ 0 •~ r :.. ~ v m z 1 1 ~ O ~:: ~ ~ :::: t~ ~~ N ~~ ~ I 0 ~ ~ ~ `'~/ ~ ~ U V f i~ ~ ~ ~ © ~~ ~ 2 ~.~ •~ ~ ~ 1 ~ ~ (Y'~ I I ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Q ~ m J/ ~ t/~ ~ I N ~ U ^-ti /Y 'Y ~ U O N U s ~ ~ U ~ U N - W ° S ~ d ~~NI ~ N ~ ~ o~ M I ~ ~ ~ ~ r' ~ U ~ \ 1 ~ ~ I N ~ v Q U o ~ ~ a ~ ~ ~~~~r rr~~ ~ U ~ " ~ ~ O W ~ U ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ N w ~~ ~ ~ 0 ° ``~ . - -~ t~ Z o ~ ~ N W ~ ~ ~ -- ~ Z W ~~ ~ ~ ~ Q ~ O h ~ ~ I ~ U ~ \ U ~N V ~ N ._ • . ~ ^ r . Caste I U S/UvabS J} ~.s'~~ ,~ ~.~ SOUTHSHORE PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION President* Vice President* Secretary/Treasurer* Recording Secretary Bill Covil Byron Nelson David Barr Sue McMahon 739-6976 739-0093 639-7143 639-5382 *Board Member P.O. Box 1685, Midlothian, VA 23113 We, the undersigned owners of certain residential lots in Southshore, a subdivision located in the Clover Hill Magisterial District, are opposed to the placement of acomputer-controlled, variable message electronic sign at the northwest corner of Hull Street Road and Temie Lee Parkway as proposed by Southshore Shop, LLC in Case# lOSN0269. Printed Name -, . , Street Address ~S s,~ vy ~/C,K.r~ acv - •~--c_ ! 1'7!i! ~ .c.~(/~v/V/- Y~~ - `1 / Z ~ 30N Ttf.S f/n !' ~~~ ~0 '`~' to .3 Ld ~- ~ c t ~ ~ s ~~ ~ Boy-~ 39-3~1~ - -3 ~zG l*... P ...Te/ ~"'eeu D o ~'P ~~ D - ZZ~; / ~foi/ Jv~ ~~/~y~ Jz/ ~~ - G3 S- ~/s-s-1~ Pmt J .~ ~~ B t2 ~ so~- ~,~- t 4 ~ 2 s'sou.~.c G.wt~ /~ ~ a ~D o -~,~-3~~~ o ~ ~ 3 S- s P~ ~ .Jo~1 ~~dl~~ ~on~vR i4 D3DSa~r,~¢E Q~ ~~ f3lS- 323 ~ ~~ ~~ i ~•Q~i- ~!~/Z ,~~,r ~ilv~n $~RR /~f-!!~ Sa ~~; ~Oy - ~ ~G c~~?5'~ o _ 7~1~ Flo f 76 ~ ~~~-L-~ - /Yly~ Svu7"lrslc...c ~o/ S'oY- ?3 9 6~r 7,~ oy C~35 -cis ~ 3 t~`