13SN0142
CASE MANAGER: Jane Peterson
December 10, 2012CPC
January 23, 2013 BS
STAFF’S
BS Time Remaining:
REQUEST ANALYSIS
365 days
AND
RECOMMENDATION
13SN0142
(AMENDED)
Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors
DaleMagisterial District
Chesterfield Government Center Complex Area
REQUEST:(AMENDED) Conditional use planned development to permit exceptions to
ordinance requirements relative to off-site directional signs and sign setbacks in
Agricultural (A), Neighborhood Business (C-2) and Community Business (C-3)
Districts.
PROPOSED LAND USE:
Off-site directional signs for destinations in the County Government Center are
planned.
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
THE COMMISSION ACKNOWLEDGED WITHDRAWAL OF THE REQUEST FOR
AMENDMENT OF CONDITIONAL USE. (CASE 77SN0036)
RECOMMEND APPROVAL SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONSON PAGE2.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommend approvalfor the following reasons:
The proposed signage would permit clearer identification of buildings within the County
Government Center area.
(NOTE: CONDITIONS MAY BE IMPOSED.CONDITIONSNOTED “STAFF/CPC” WERE
AGREED UPON BY BOTH STAFF AND THE COMMISSION.)
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CONDITIONS
(STAFF/CPC)1.Sign Use, Number and Location.In addition to off-site directional
signs permitted by the Zoning Ordinanceas located internal to the
County Government Center area,twelve(12) off-site directional
signs identifying the indicated facilities, all shown as to their
general location on the exhibit titled “Off-site Directional Sign
Exceptions”(Exhibit), shall be permitted.(P)
(STAFF/CPC)2.Sign Areaand Height.Exceptions to the maximum sign area of
seven (7) square feet and sign height of seven (7) feet shall apply
to the following signs as noted on the Exhibit:
a.Signs 3, 5 and 10 shall not exceed eleven (11) square feet
in area.
b.Signs 1and 9 shall not exceed nine (9) square feet in area.
c.Signs 1, 10 and 12 shall not exceed eleven (11), twelve (12)
and nine (9) feet in height, respectively. (P)
(STAFF/CPC)3.Sign Setbacks. Exceptions to the minimum twenty (20) foot sign
setback from edge of pavement or face of curb shall apply to the
following signs as noted on the Exhibit:
a.Signs 2, 3, 5, 10 and 12 shall be setback a minimum of two
(2) feet.
b.Signs 1 and 9 shall be setback a minimum of six (6) feet.
c.Signs 4 and 6 shall be setback a minimum of ten (10) feet.
d.Signs 7 and 8 shall be setback a minimum of fifteen (15)
feet.(P)
GENERAL INFORMATION
Location:
The request property is located along Iron Bridge, Krause and Lori Roads, and Mimms
Drive within and around the Chesterfield Government Center Complex. Tax IDs 770-662-
9727; 771-661-1573; 771-662-6181; 772-661-6867; and within the right-of-way adjacent to
770-661-4379; 771-662-6324 and 9506; 772-663-9929; and 771-662-6181.
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Existing Zoning:
A, C-2 and C-3
Size:
0.8acre
Existing Land Use:
Public/semi-public and public rights-of-way
Adjacent Zoning and Land Use:
North –A and C-2; Commercial; Offices
South–A, O-2, C-2, and C-3; Commercial; Offices
East –A, C-2, and C-3; Commercial; Offices
West –A, C-2, and C-3; Commercial; Offices
UTILITIES
Public Water and Wastewater Systems:
While installation of the proposed signs will not impact the public waterand wastewater
systems, the applicant is cautioned that the proposed signs must not be placed so as to
conflict with the existing public water lines or their easements, on these sites.
ENVIRONMENTAL, FIRE AND COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
This request will have no impact on these facilities.
Virginia Department of Transportation(VDOT):
With regard to signage within VDOT maintained right-of-way, the following conditions
generally apply:
Signage within VDOT right-of-way will not be for advertising of private interests of
any nature. (see 24 VAC 30-151-580 and the VDOT Land Use Manual)
All posts/signs are to meet VDOT breakaway requirements or be erected outside of
the clear zone for the posted speed limit.(see Appendix –A, of the VDOT Road
Design Manual)
The permittee shall be responsible for maintenance of the non-transportation related
elements of signage in perpetuity (see 24 VAC 30-151-580 and the VDOT Land Use
Manual). The proposed signage may be allowed within VDOT maintained right–of-
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way based on the premise that Chesterfield County obtains a permit to maintain the
signs and adjacent ground in perpetuity within VDOT maintained right-of-way.
The proposed signage along VDOT maintained right-of-way is to adhere to the
current Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) to meet the clearance
height of seven (7)foot. (The specific requirements can be found in the current
edition of the MUTCD Section 2-M.)
In general, the signage is to conform to the requirements of the MUTCD.
In general, signage is to be kept out of the median divider where such a median exists.
In general, signage is to show information and direction (such as to fixed historical
landmarks).
LAND USE
Comprehensive Plan:
The ComprehensivePlansuggests the property is appropriate for corporate office (all
proposed signs except for Sign 1) and community mixed use(proposed Sign 1).The
corporate office designation supports professional and administrative offices or similar
uses. The community mixed use designation supports commercial and integrated
residential uses with pedestrian-scale streetscape and streetlight design, signs and other
similar features. In addition, the subject property is located within the Plan’sHistoric
Courthouse Design Area.This design area isintended to ensure visual compatibility and
appropriately reflect the historic significance of the Courthouse area, and promotes
flexible zoning standards to encourage innovative and creative design and high-quality
development.
Area Development Trends:
The area is characterized by office development of the County Government complex and
supporting commercial uses.
Directional SignStandards:
Overview:
The County Government Complex includes a variety of public uses (such as County
Administration and Police headquarters), historical/cultural attractions (e.g.
Castlewood, County Museum, Magnolia Grange), and offices located within the
complex (e.g. the Oliver Rudy Law Building). As a result of recent road
improvements to Route 10, traffic patterns and access choices were modified in the
project area. The County is seeking to improve visibility and awareness of these
uses, to improve access and public convenience, by installing a series of off-site
directional signs that are the subject of this zoning request.
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Off-site directional signs are defined assigns that direct traffic to a site other than
the site on which thesign is located.Use of off-site directional signs is limited to
churches, schools, hospitals, parks, libraries, scenic areas, historic areas, train
stations, airports, group care facilities, and meeting or convention halls which
exceed 10,000 square feet. The current code is not structured to address a multi-site
campussuch as the County Government Complex which is served by a tight
networkof public and private roads to includeBeach,Lori,Iron Bridge,Krause
Roads,Mimms DriveandWagners Way.
Use, Number and Location:
The twelve (12) proposed signs would provide directional assistance to
Castlewood, Chesterfield Museum, 1892 Jail, Magnolia Grange, Oliver Rudy
Law Building, and the Police Departmentand Fire and Emergency Medical
Services (EMS) Administration, all being part of the overall Government Center
and are identified on the attached Exhibit. Exceptions are also requested to
ordinance requirements for the number and location of these signs (Condition 1):
The ordinance permits directional signs for churches, schools, hospitals,
parks, libraries, scenic areas, historic areas, train stations, airports, group
care facilities and meeting or convention halls which exceed 10,000
square feet. The signs identifying the law building and Police Department
and Fire and EMS Administration require an exception to this requirement.
(Signs 3, 5, 10, 11 and 12)
The ordinance does not permit off-site directional signs for facilities with
entrances on an arterial that is constructed with four(4)or more lanes.All
of the proposed signs identify a facility with an entrance on an arterial road
with four(4)or more lanes.
When off-site directional signs are permitted along arterial roads with four
(4)or more constructed lanes, the ordinance permits two(2)directional
signs along each arterial provided there is not more than one(1)sign on
each side of the road.Two(2) signs (Signs 7 and 10) exceed the limitation.
Area, Height and Setbacks:
Off-site directional signs are limited to seven(7)square feet in area and seven(7)
feet in total height. An exception is requested to permit five(5)signs to exceed
this seven (7) square foot in area limitation (Signs 1, 3, 5, 9 and 10). Further, three
(3) signs located within the right-of-way along Iron Bridge Road will exceed the
seven(7)foot height limitation to comply with VDOT standards (Signs1, 10 and
12). (Condition 2)
Such signs must belocated at least twenty (20)feet from the edge of pavement or
face of curb.Eleven (11) of the proposed signs will have reduced setbacks,
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ranging from two(2)to fifteen(15)feet (Signs 1 through 10 and 12-Condition
3). It should be noted that subjectto approval by VDOT, the ordinance permits
signs posted by or on behalf of a government body to be located within public
right-of-way. Six (6) of the proposed signs, while located behind the curb, will be
within VDOT right-of-way.(Signs 1, 4, 5, 6, 10 and 12)
Certificate of Appropriateness:
Asadesignated historic landmark, any signage located on the Castlewood propertymust
receive aCertificate of Appropriateness from the Preservation Committee. This
certificatehasbeen issued for the proposed off-site directional signage.
CONCLUSION
The applicant indicates that residents and citizens who frequent the County Government Complex
area have experienced difficulty in locating facilities and services. The proposed signage would
permit clearer identification of the buildings, uses and services within the complex.
Given these considerations, approvalof this request is recommended.
CASE HISTORY
Applicant (12/3/12):
Upon a determination by staff thatan amendment of conditional use approval (Case
77SN0036) would not be required as part of this request, the applicant’s agent withdrew
this component of the request.
______________________________________________________________________________
Planning Commission Meeting (12/10/12):
The applicantaccepted the recommendation. There was no opposition present.
On motion of Dr. Brown, seconded by Dr. Wallin, the Commission acknowledged
withdrawal of part of the request to amend conditional use approval (Case 77SN0036)
and recommended approval subject to the conditions on page 2.
AYES: Messrs. Gulley, Waller, Brown, Patton and Wallin.
The Board of Supervisors on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 beginning at 6:30 p.m., will take
under consideration this request.
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