13SN0540
CASE MANAGER: Ryan Ramsey
August 20, 2013CPC
September 18, 2013 BS
STAFF’S
BS Time Remaining:
REQUEST ANALYSIS
365 days
AND
RECOMMENDATION
13SN0540
Holiday Signs
MidlothianMagisterial District
West line of Watkins Centre Parkway
REQUEST:Conditional use to permit a computer-controlled, variable message, electronic signin
a General Industrial (I-2) District.
PROPOSED LAND USE:
A computer-controlled, variable message, electronic sign, incorporated into a
freestanding project identification sign for a nonresidential community (The
Shoppes at Westchester) is proposed.
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
RECOMMEND APPROVALAND ACCEPTANCE OF THE PROFFERED CONDITIONS ON
PAGE 2.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommend approval for the following reason:
The proposed computer-controlled, variable message, electronic sign conforms to the
adopted Electronic Message Center (EMC) Policy.
(NOTE: CONDITIONS MAY BE IMPOSED OR THE PROPERTY OWNER(S)MAY
PROFFER CONDITIONS. CONDITION(S) NOTED “STAFF/CPC” WERE AGREED UPON
BY BOTH STAFF AND THE COMMISSION.)
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PROFFERED CONDITIONS
(STAFF/CPC)1.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 three (3) lines and
shall not move but may fade;
b.The message or display shall be programmed to change no
more than once every thirty (30) seconds;
c.Sequential messaging shall be prohibited;
d.Flashing and traveling messages shall be prohibited;
e.Bijou lighting and animation effects shall be prohibited;
f.The electronic message center shall be incorporated into an
architecturally designed sign structure that is compatible and
complimentary to the building it serves; and
g.Brightness shall be limited so as not to exceed 0.3 foot
candles above ambient light as measured using a foot candle
meter at a distance of 100feet. The computer-controlled,
variable message, electronic sign shall have a photocell that
automatically adjusts the brightness according to ambient
light conditions. (P)
(STAFF/CPC)2.The sign location shall be limited to Tax ID 715-711-8015. (P)
GENERAL INFORMATION
Location:
The request properties liein two (2) placeson the west line of Watkins Centre Parkway,
north of Midlothian Turnpike. Tax IDs 714-711-9668; 715-711-4068, 8015, 8238; and
715-712-3410.
Existing Zoning:
I-2 with conditional use planned development
Size:
26acres
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Existing Land Use:
Commercialor vacant
Adjacent Zoning and Land Use:
North –C-3 with conditional use planned development; Vacant
South, East and West–I-2 with conditional use planned development; Commercial or
vacant
UTILITIES
Public Water and Wastewater Systems:
There is a twenty-four (24) inch water line extending along the north side of Midlothian
Turnpike. There is a twelve (12) inch wastewater line extending along Watkins Center
Parkway. While installation of the proposed sign will not impact the public water and
wastewater systems, the applicant is cautioned that the proposed sign must not be placed so
as to conflict with the existing public water and wastewater lines, or their easements, on this
site.
ENVIRONMENTAL
Drainage and Erosion:
Thisrequest will have no impact on these facilities.
PUBLIC FACILITIES
Fire Service:
The Midlothian Fire Station, Company Number 5, and Forest-View Volunteer Rescue
Squad currently provide fire protection and emergency medical service (EMS). This request
will have a minimal impact on Fire and EMS.
County Department of Transportation:
This request will have no impact on these facilities.
Virginia Department of Transportation(VDOT):
VDOT has no comment on this request as the sign is located outside of the right-of-way
limits. No permit is required for sign installation.
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LAND USE
Comprehensive Plan:
The Comprehensive Plandesignates the request properties for RegionalMixed usewhere
an integrated mixture of highly concentrated corporate office, commercial, light
industrial/research and development, and higher density residential uses with public
spaces, located on large tracts of land generally at the interchange of arterials and limited
access roadsis appropriate.
Area Development Trends:
The subject and surrounding properties are zoned Industrial (I-2) and are occupied by
commercial and office uses as part of The Shoppes at Westchester and Westchester
Commons. It is anticipated that a mix of commercial, office, light industrial/research and
development, and higher density residential uses will continue in the area as recommended
by the Plan.
Zoning History:
On February 22, 2006 the Board of Supervisors, upon a favorable recommendation from
the Planning Commission, approved rezoning of the request property from Agricultural
(A) and Corporate Office (O-2) to General Industrial (I-2) plus conditional use planned
development to permit use and bulk exceptions on this tract plus adjacent property (Case
06SN0191). Conditions of approval addressed roadimprovements, utilities, and density
restrictions for commercial, office and industrial development.
SignDesign:
The applicant plans to construct a new project identification sign with an electronic message
board to identify a nonresidential community commonly known as The Shoppes at
Westchester(Attachment 1). The proposed sign would comply with the size and height
requirements of the Ordinance which currently permit a freestanding sign 125square feet in
area (including changeable copy) and twenty(20) feet in height.
The proposal would comply with the Electronic Message Center (EMC) Policy relative to
lines of copy, timing of message changes with no sequential messaging, sign appearance,
brightness and lack of flashing and traveling messages, bijou lighting and animation
(Proffered Condition 1). The Policy requires a1,000foot spacing between Electronic
Message Centers (EMC’s). Currently, the closestEMC sign is located approximately three
(3) miles away on Charter Colony Parkway for Midlothian High School (401 Charter
Colony Parkway). Proffered Condition 2 would limit the location of the proposed EMC to
the property on which the current project sign is located, being the southeastern-most subject
parcel.
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CONCLUSION
The proposed computer-controlled, variable message, electronic sign conforms to the adopted
Electronic Message Center (EMC) Policy.
Given these considerations, approval of this request is recommended.
CASE HISTORY
Planning Commission Meeting (8/20/13):
The applicant’s representative accepted the recommendation. There was no opposition
present.
On motion of Mr. Waller, seconded by Dr. Wallin, the Commission recommended
approvaland acceptance of the proffered conditions on page 2.
AYES: Messrs. Brown, Wallin, Gulley, Patton and Waller.
The Board of Supervisors, on Wednesday, September 18, 2013 beginning at 6:30 p.m., will take
under consideration this request.
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