19SN0524
CASE NUMBER: 19SN0524
APPLICANT: Karen S. Nuchols
CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, VIRGINIA
BERMUDA DISTRICT
STAFF’S ANALYSIS
AND RECOMMENDATION
Board of Supervisors (BOS) Public Hearing:
December 11, 2019
BOS Time Remaining:
365 DAYS
Applicant’s Contact:
KAREN S. NUCHOLS (804-796-9404)
Planning Department Case Manager:
JANE PETERSON (804-748-1045)
0.6 Acres – 1220 West Hundred Road
REQUEST
Conditional use to permit a computer-controlled, variable message, electronic (EMC) sign in a
Community Business (C-3) District and Conditional Use Planned Development to permit exceptions
to sign area and design.
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 abutting the top of an existing freestanding sign face is proposed. The existing sign
currently identifies a telephone answering service operating from the property.
An EMC sign is permitted as a restricted use within a C-3 District; however, a Conditional Use is
required to permit the proposed sign since Ordinance restrictions relative to sign design (monument
style, compatibility with architectural style of the building it serves and incorporation into a
permitted freestanding sign) cannot be met. In addition, a Conditional Use Planned Development is
requested because the sign exceeds the 50 square feet in area permitted for freestanding
identification signs on commercial properties outside of the mixed use area or non-residential
community. The sign is 60 square feet.
Providing a FIRST CHOICE community through excellence in public service
RECOMMENDATIONS
APPROVAL
Sign area in compliance with Ordinance prior to recent amendment
PLANNING
Conditions further limit sign messaging and use
COMMISSION
AYES: Freye, Jones, Sloan and Stariha ABSTENTION: Jackson
DENIAL
Fails to comply with newly adopted Sign Ordinance
STAFF
Reasonable alternatives exist to provide sign in compliance with
Ordinance requirements
SUMMARY OF IDENTIFIED ISSUES
Department Issue
Fails to comply with newly adopted sign ordinance relative to EMCs.
Specifically, the EMC is not incorporated into a permitted freestanding
PLANNING
sign, is not compatible with the building it serves, is not monument style.
Alternatives exist which would permit the sign in compliance with
ordinance
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Comprehensive Plan
Classification: COMMUNITY MIXED-USE
This designation suggests the property is appropriate for an integrated mixture of concentrated
commercial and higher density residential uses with public spaces.
Surrounding Land Uses and Development
Vacant
Vacant
Agricultural
Commercial
Safety-Kleen
Mini-storage
Warehouse
West Hundred
Road
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PLANNING
Staff Contact: Jane Peterson(804-748-1045) petersonj@chesterfield.gov
Proposal
An electronic message center (EMC) sign is proposed to be incorporated into the existing
freestanding sign identifying an existing phone messaging center. The sign would be located as
shown on Exhibit A – Attachment 2.
In July 2019, the Board of Supervisors adopted new sign ordinance standards. This ordinance
codified standards of the former EMC policy and clarified regulations such as permissions for EMCs
in commercial areas. Specifically, EMCs are now permitted in commercial areas as a restricted use,
provided:
Signs comply with restrictions for changeable copy signs and be incorporated into a
permitted freestanding sign
Signs are not incorporated into a nonconforming sign or a sign containing a manual copy
Interval of copy change is 1 minute
Copy changes simultaneously and does not move or give the illusion of movement (i.e.
blinking, flashing, scrolling or flashing) but may fade to transition to next copy
Copy is limited to still image or lines of text
Sign defaultsto blank copy if there is a malfunction in device
Sign does not display coordinated messages which are continued on opposite sign face,
other signs on-or off-site
A photocell or other device is used that automatically adjusts brightness according to
ambient conditions (not exceeding 0.3 foot candles) at a distance in feet dependent upon
the sign area
Approval of a Conditional Use is necessary because the EMC does not meet restrictions. Specifically,
the EMC is proposed to abut the top of the existing sign face instead of being incorporated into the
sign, the sign is not monument style and is not compatible with the architectural style of the
building it serves. In addition, a Conditional Use Planned Development is requested because the
sign exceeds the 50 square feet in area permitted for freestanding identification signs on
commercial properties outside of the mixed use area or non-residential community. The sign is
60 square feet and 12.8 feet tall. (Exhibit B – Attachment 3)
Staff does not support the proposed sign. The sign does not comply with ordinance requirements
and reasonable alternatives exist to bring the sign into compliance with ordinance standards.
However, should the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors determine it is appropriate
to approve this request, Staff recommends imposition of the conditions in Attachment 1which
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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.
COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Staff Contact: Steve Adams (804) 748-1037 adamsSt@chesterfield.gov
VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Staff Contact: Willie Gordon (804-674-2907) willie.gordon@vdot.virginia.gov
FIRE AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
Staff Contact: Anthony Batten (804-717-6167) battena@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
5/30/18 Application submitted
10/14/19 Application amended
Planning Commission
8/21/18 Action – DEFERRED TO OCTOBER 16, 2018 ON THE COMMISSION’S OWN
MOTION WITH THE APPLICANT’S CONSENT.
10/16/18 Action – DEFERRED TO DECEMBER 18, 2018 ON THE COMMISSION’S OWN
MOTION WITH THE APPLICANT’S CONSENT.
12/18/18 Action – DEFERRED TO MARCH 19, 2019ON THE COMMISSION’S OWN MOTION
WITH THE APPLICANT’S CONSENT.
3/19/19 Action –DEFERRED TO JUNE 18, 2019ON THE COMMISSION’S OWN MOTION
WITH THE APPLICANT’S CONSENT.
6/18/19 Action – DEFERRED TO OCTOBER 15, 2019ON THE COMMISSION’S OWN
MOTION WITH THE APPLICANT’S CONSENT.
10/15/19 Action –DEFERRED TO NOVEMBER 19, 2019 ON THE COMMISSION’S OWN
MOTION WITH THE APPLICANT’S CONSENT.
11/19/19 Citizen Comments
No citizens spoke to this request.
Mr. Sloan noted that while the sign area was originally compliant, recent
Ordinance amendments no longer permit additional square footage for
changeable copy, thereby requiring a sign area exception to retain the existing
sign with the incorporation of electronic messaging. He acknowledged additional
restrictions for text-only messaging and limiting use of the sign forthe existing
business operation.
Recommendation -APPROVAL SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS IN ATTACHMENT
1.
Motion: Sloan Second: Stariha
AYES: Freye, Jones, Sloan and Stariha
ABSTENTION: Jackson
The Board of Supervisors on Wednesday, December 11, 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 sign shall be permitted to have a maximum area of 60 square feet and shall be located
as generally shown on Exhibits A and B.(P)
2.The EMC shall comply with the Zoning Ordinance relative to copy and brightness except
that only two (2) lines of copy shall be permitted and such copy shall be lines of text only.
(P)
3.This Conditional Use and Conditional Use Planned Development shall be limited to A Tri-
Cities Connection, Inc. and Ms. Karen S. Nuchols. (P)
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ATTACHMENT 2
EXHIBIT A, SIGN LOCATION
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ATTACHMENT 3
EXHIBIT B, SIGN ELEVATION
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