19SN0562
CASE NUMBER: 19SN0562
APPLICANT: Superior Signs, LLC
CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, VIRGINIA
BERMUDA DISTRICT
AND RECOMMENDATION
Board of Supervisors (BOS) Hearing:
MARCH 13, 2019
BOS Time Remaining:
365 DAYS
ALLEN TWEDT (804-271-5685)
Planning Department Case Manager:
DAVID DAMERON (804-768-7592)
2.3 Acres 2520 Willis Road
REQUESTS
REQUEST I Conditional use to permit a computer-controlled, variable message, electronic sign
(EMC) incorporated into a freestanding sign in a General Business (C-5) District plus conditional use
planned development to permit exceptions to ordinance requirements relative to sign height and
design.
REQUEST II Conditional use planned development to permit an exception to ordinance
requirements relative to surface treatment of driveways.
Notes: A. Conditions may be imposed or the property owner may proffer conditions.
B. Conditions and Exhibits are located in Attachments 1 - 3.
SUMMARY
The replacement of an existing freestanding sign for a sign installation business is proposed. This
new sign would include an EMC component, necessitating conditional use approval. The Ordinance
limits the height of this sign to 15 feet and requires that the EMC abut, or be integrated into, the sign
face. Conditional use planned development is requested to increase the sign height to 17 feet and 8
inches, and to allow the EMC to be a separate component of the sign (Exhibit B).
A graveled driveway is located north of the western building. The approved site plan for this building
reflects this driveway as serving the rear storage and loading areas. The Ordinance requires this
driveway to be paved with concrete, bituminous concrete or similar materials. Conditional use
planned development is requested for relief to this paving requirement to permit retention of a
gravel treatment.
Providing a FIRST CHOICE community through excellence in public service
RECOMMENDATIONS
APPROVAL
EMC height consistent with area signage and promotes sign visibility
PLANNING
Attractive sign design
COMMISSION
Graveled area used for storage/staging, not loading; views minimized
from Willis Road
REQUEST I (EMC) DENIAL
While sign is generally consistent with EMC Policy, proposal does not
satisfy Ordinance requirements relative to height and design
Exceptions could set precedent for similar requests
STAFF
REQUEST II (PAVING) DENIAL
Durable surface treatment prevents degradation
Exception is not of a temporary nature
SUMMARY OF IDENTIFIED ISSUES
Department Issue
No extenuating circumstances that would necessitate additional sign height.
Location of EMC separate from sign face results in appearance of two signs
Ordinance limitations on sign height and incorporation of changeable copy provide
PLANNING
adequate project identification
Paving exception does not provide for durable surface that protects driveway from
long-term degradation.
Proposed sign location is within an existing BMP easement. A license agreement
should be obtained from the County prior to issuance of a building permit for the
sign.
ENVIRONMENTAL
Proposed sign location is over an existing privately maintained storm sewer pipe,
ENGINEERING
which is shallow in the ground. The integrity of the pipe should not be impacted
with construction of the sign.
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Comprehensive Plan (Northern Jefferson Davis Special Area Plan)
Classification: REGIONAL MIXED USE
This designation suggests the property is appropriate for an integrated mixture of highly
concentrated corporate office, commercial, light industrial/research & development, and higher
density residential uses with public spaces located on large tracts of land.
Surrounding Land Uses and Development
Rams
Avenue
Jefferson
Davis
Highway
Interstate 95
Single-family
Residential
Commercial
Willis
Automobile Parts
Road
Store
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PLANNING
Staff Contact: David Dameron (804-768-7592) damerond@chesterfield.gov
Zoning History
Case Number Request
74SN0107 Rezoning to General Business (B-3) of 3.7 acres to include portion of request
Approved property.
(9/1974)
84SN0195 Rezoning to General Business (B-3) of 0.33 acres, representing western portion
Approved of request property.
(12/1984)
Rezoning to General Business (C-5) of 2.17 acres. A communications tower was
92SN0114
planned. Included properties zoned with Case 84SN0195 and a portion of Case
Approved
74SN0107. Remaining properties zoned with 74SN0107 later converted to C-5.
(3/1992)
EMC
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 new freestanding sign for an existing sign business. The overall sign area
would measure approximately 62.4 square feet, with the EMC component occupying no more than
half of the permitted sign area (Exhibit B Attachment 3). The sign would be located as generally
shown on Exhibit A (Attachment 2), replacing an existing freestanding sign located further east on
the property.
EMC Policy
request would comply with all provisions of the EMC Policy except that the sign would be visible
from two residentially-zoned lots on Willis Road that are located within 1,000 feet of proposed sign
(reference map on following page). Staff anticipates that future area redevelopment would be
consistent with the recommendations of the Comprehensive Plan, which suggest an integrated
mixture of concentrated corporate office, commercial, light industrial and higher density
residential uses. As such, staff is supportive of this deviation to the Policy.
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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
Copy Lines Maximum of three (3) lines
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30 second intervals
Frequency of Message Change
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Sequential, Flashing or Travelling Prohibited
Messages, Bijou Lighting & Animation /ƚƓķźƷźƚƓƭ Ћ͵ķ͵Ͳ Ļ͵ ğƓķ Ņ͵
Not to exceed 0.3-foot candles above ambient
light as measured at a distance of 81 feet
Requires a photocell to adjust sign brightness,
Brightness
based on ambient light conditions
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Exceptions to Ordinance Requirements
The proposed freestanding sign would not comply with two (2) requirements of the Ordinance
relative to height and design.
The Ordinance limits sign height to 15 feet above grade. As proposed, the sign would measure
17 feet and 8 inches in height above grade. Upon examining the anticipated location of the sign,
staff finds no extenuating circumstances that would necessitate this additional sign height. This
limitation has been consistently applied to other non-residential signs in the county. Further,
exceptions could set a precedent for similar requests.
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The Ordinance requires that changeable copy must either abut, or be integrated into, the sign face.
This requirement maintains the overall appearance of one sign, promotes a unified sign message
and minimizes motorist distraction. As proposed, the EMC would be located below, and separate
from, the sign face, resulting in the appearance of two business signs. Absent this integration, the
EMC functions as one full sign component rather than a percentage of the overall sign message as
intended by Ordinance requirements which limit the EMC to not more than fifty (50) percent of the
sign face. As such, staff is unable to support this exception.
Paving Exception
The Ordinance requires driveways be paved with concrete, bituminous concrete or similar
materials. The site plan for the western building, approved December of 2015, depicts a paved
driveway located to the north and east of this building to serve the rear storage and loading
areas. A portion of this driveway remains graveled (Exhibit A -Attachment 2). As such, a
Conditional use planned development is requested to permit retention of a gravel treatment.
The applicant notes that loading activities are conducted on the side of this building on an asphalt
surface; however, per the approved site plan, loading would also be permitted to the rear of the
building on the graveled surface.
Pavement would provide a durable, contained and permanent surface treatment that prevents
long-term degradation of the driveway. As such, staff is unable to support this exception. Should
the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors wish to support this exception, staff
recommends imposition of a condition requiring a minimum surface treatment consistent with
Ordinance requirements for graveled driveways. (Condition 3)
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.
Nearby Fire and Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Facilities
Fire Station The Centralia Fire Station, Company Number 17
EMS Facility The Centralia Fire Station, Company Number 17
VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Staff Contact: Jonathan Phillippe (804-674-2560) jonathan.phillippe@vdot.virginia.gov
curb along the roadway. The case does not affect state right of way as long as all construction
activities remain outside of the right of way.
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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.
ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
Staff Contact: Rebeccah Ward (804-748-1028) WardR@chesterfield.gov
The proposed sign location is within an existing BMP easement; therefore, a license agreement
should be obtained from the County prior to issuance of a building permit for the sign. In addition,
the proposed sign location is over an existing privately maintained storm sewer pipe, which is
shallow in the ground. Therefore, a detail of the proposed sign and foundation design clearly
showing that the integrity of the pipe will not be impacted with the construction of the sign should
be reviewed and approved by the Department of Environmental Engineering prior to issuance of a
building permit. (Condition 4)
COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Staff Contact: Steve Adams (804) 748-1037 adamsSt@chesterfield.gov
SCHOOLS
Staff Contact: Atonja Allen (804-318-8740) atonja_allen@ccpsnet.net
PARKS AND RECREATION
Staff Contact: Stuart Connock (804-751-4484) ConnockS@chesterfield.gov
This request will not impact these facilities.
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CASE HISTORY
Applicant Submittals
9/18/18 Application submitted
9/4/18 & Elevations, site plan submitted
9/13/18
Planning Commission
11/20/18 Action DEFERRED TO FEBRUARY 19, 2019
2/19/19 Citizen Comments:
No citizens spoke to this request.
Applicant Comments:
Large vehicles parked on property would impede view of the sign without
height exception
Attractive appearance of sign as two separate components
Original site design included loading area to rear, but not used; loading
occurs to side of building; graveled area (paving exception) used sign
storage/staging
Commission Discussion:
Mr. Sloan indicated support for the EMC and associated exceptions noting the sign
height was consistent with that of existing area signage; that traffic, particularly
large trucks, would impede the view of the sign without the height exception; and
the appearance of the sign as two separate components was a more attractive
option than integration into one sign face.
He also noted support for the gravel surface treatment of driveways, confirming its
use as a storage and staging area with a gate that minimizes views from Willis Road.
Recommendation APPROVAL SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS IN ATTACHMENT 1
Motion: Sloan Second: Jones
AYES: Jackson, Freye, Jones, Sloan and Stariha
The Board of Supervisors on Wednesday, March 13, 2019, beginning at 6:00 p.m., will
consider this request.
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ATTACHMENT 1
CONDITIONS
Note: The following conditions are recommended by the Planning Commission.
1.The EMC sign shall be located in accordance with Zoning Ordinance requirements and as
generally depicted on Exhibit A. (P)
2.Electronic Sign. The computer-controlled, variable message, electronic sign shall conform
to the following standards:
a. A maximum designed as
depicted on Exhibit B, prepared by Superior Signs and dated 5/15/2018.
b. Copy shall be limited to a maximum of three (3) lines, and shall not move but may
fade;
c. The message or display shall be programmed to change no more than once every
thirty (30) seconds;
d. Sequential messaging shall be prohibited;
e. Flashing and traveling messages shall be prohibited;
f. Bijou lighting and animation effects shall be prohibited; 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 81 feet.
The computer-controlled, variable message, electronic sign shall have a photocell
that automatically adjusts the brightness according to ambient light conditions.
(P)
3.Surface Treatment.
Exhibit A shall have a minimum surface depth of 6 inches of No. 21 or No. 21A stone.
(P)
4.Sign Location. A detail of the proposed sign and foundation design clearly showing that
the integrity of the pipe will not be impacted with the construction of the sign shall be
reviewed and approved by the Department of Environmental Engineering prior to
issuance of a building permit. (EE &P)
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ATTACHMENT 2
EXHIBIT A PROPOSED SIGN AND GRAVEL DRIVEWAY LOCATIONS
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ATTACHMENT 3
EXHIBIT B - SIGN ELEVATION
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