18SN0533
CASE NUMBER: 18SN0533
APPLICANTS: Larae Tucker
CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, VIRGINIA
BERMUDA DISTRICT
AND RECOMMENDATION
Board of Supervisors Hearing:
NOVEMBER 15, 2017
Board of Supervisors Time Remaining:
365 DAYS
LARAE TUCKER (214-601-5495)
Planning Department Case Manager:
0.7 Acre 6129 and 6131 Jefferson Davis
DREW NOXON (804-796-7122)
Highway
REQUEST
Conditional use to permit an electronic message center (EMC) sign incorporated into a freestanding
sign in a General Business (C-5) District.
An EMC incorporated into a permitted freestanding sign is planned. The applicant has indicated the
sign will display gas prices.
Notes: A. Conditions may be imposed or the property owner may proffer conditions.
B. Conditions and Exhibits are located in Attachments 1 - 3.
SUMMARY
An EMC sign is planned on the subject property. The sign would be located on the northern portion
of the property.
RECOMMENDATIONS
APPROVAL
PLANNING
COMMISSION
APPROVAL
Satisfies Ordinance requirements for area, height and setbacks
STAFF
Providing a FIRST CHOICE community through excellence in public service
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Comprehensive Plan: NORTHERN JEFFERSON DAVIS CORRIDOR PLAN
Classification: GENERAL COMMERCIAL
The designation suggests the property is appropriate for community scale commercial, motor
vehicle oriented commercial and light industrial uses.
Surrounding Land Uses and Development
Industrial uses
Station Rd
and vacant
industrial land
Residential use (Falling
Creek Hills subdivision)
Commercial uses
Jefferson Davis Hwy
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PLANNING
Staff Contact: Drew Noxon (804-796-7122) noxona@chesterfield.gov
Proposal
The ordinance permits an EMC, with approval of a conditional use, as a changeable copy sign to be
incorporated into a freestanding sign. The applicant requests approval of a Conditional Use to
incorporate an EMC into a freestanding sign for a convenience store with gasoline sales. The overall
sign area would measure approximately 50 square feet, with the EMC component occupying no
more than half of the permitted sign area. The sign would measure 15 feet in height above grade.
The sign would be located as generally shown on Exhibits A and B (Attachments 2 and 3). The
applicant has indicated that a portion of the proposed sign would provide information on gasoline
prices as an electronic numerical display. (Exhibit B, Attachment 3)
request would comply with all provisions of the EMC Policy including placement requirements:
Sign would not be visible from properties zoned R, R-TH, RMF or A
The sign would not be located and visible along a corridor where the EMCs are prohibited
The sign would not be located closer than 1,000 feet to an y other EMC.
The EMC Policy includes additional measures intended to reduce visual impacts of such signs. The
following chart provides an overview of the conditions acceptable to the applicant to mitigate the
impact of the sign on area properties:
Electronic Message Center (EMC) Component Overview
Requirements Details
Limited to numerical display as depicted
Copy Lines
/ƚƓķźƷźƚƓ Ћ͵ğ͵ ğƓķ 9ǣŷźĬźƷ .
Twice daily
Frequency of Message Change
/ƚƓķźƷźƚƓ Ћ͵Ĭ͵
Prohibited
Sequential, Flashing or Travelling
Messages, Bijou Lighting & Animation
/ƚƓķźƷźƚƓƭ Ћ͵ĭ͵Ͳ ķ͵ ğƓķ Ļ͵
Not exceed 0.3 foot candles above ambient light
as measured at a distance of 71 feet
Brightness
Require a photocell to adjust sign brightness,
based on ambient light conditions
/ƚƓķźƷźƚƓ Ћ͵Ņ͵
Numeric Display of Gasoline Prices
Historically, changeable copy signs displaying numerical gasoline prices electronically were
permitted without conditional use approval, under an interpretation by the Planning Director
finding them similar to the by-right permission in the ordinance for numeric time and temperature
displays. As a result, changeable copy signs displaying gasoline prices electronically did not have to
meet the EMC Policy and the policy was not drafted with those in mind. Today, numerous
changeable copy signs displaying gasoline prices electronically exist in the County.
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In September 2015, the County amended Article IV Division 6, Signs as a result of a United States
Supreme Court ruling which prohibited regulation of signs based on content. As a result of that
nance or interpretation;
accordingly, electronic changeable copy signs for gasoline prices now require conditional use and
are, for the first time, subject to the EMC Policy.
FIRE AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
Staff Contact: Anthony Batten (804-717-6167) battena@chesterfield.gov
This request will have minimal impact on Fire and EMS.
UTILITIES
Staff Contact: Jamie Bland (804-751-4439) blandj@chesterfield.gov
Installation of the proposed sign will not impact the required use of the public water and
wastewater systems, the applicant is reminded that signs are not permitted within water and
wastewater easements.
COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Staff Contact: Jim Banks (804-748-1037) banksj@chesterfield.gov
ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
Staff Contact: Rebeccah Ward (804-748-1028) wardr@chesterfield.gov
This request will not impact these facilities.
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CASE HISTORY
Applicant Submittals
07/26/17 Application submitted
Planning Commission
10/17/17 Citizen Comments:
No citizens spoke to this request.
Recommendation APPROVAL SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS IN
ATTACHMENT 1
Motion: Freye Second: Wallin
AYES: Sloan, Jackson, Freye, Jones and Wallin
The Board of Supervisors on Wednesday, November 15, 2017, beginning at 6:00 p.m., will
consider this request.
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ATTACHMENT 1
CONDITIONS
Note: The following conditions are recommended by both the Planning Commission and Staff.
1.The EMC sign shall be located in accordance with Zoning Ordinance requirements and as
generally depicted on Exhibits A and B, provided by Cummings Signs and dated March 10,
2017. (P)
2.Electronic Sign. The computer-controlled, variable message, electronic sign shall conform
to the following standards:
a. Copy shall be limited to a numerical display as generally depicted on Exhibit B and
shall not move but may fade;
b. The message or display shall be programmed to change no more than twice every
twenty-four (24) hours;
c. Sequential messaging shall be prohibited;
d. Flashing and traveling messages shall be prohibited;
e. Bijou lighting and animation effects shall be prohibited; and,
f. 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 71 feet. The
computer-controlled, variable message, electronic sign shall have a photocell that
automatically adjusts the brightness according to ambient light conditions. (P)
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ATTACHMENT 2
EXHIBIT A, SIGN LOCATION
Proposed EMC Sign
818SN0533-2017NOV15-BOS-RPT
ATTACHMENT 3
EXHIBIT B, SIGN ELEVATION
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