07SN0362
July 17, 2007 CPC
September 18, 2007 CPC
October 24, 2007 BS
STAFF’S
REQUEST ANALYSIS
AND
RECOMMENDATION
07SN0362
Mt. Gilead Full Gospel International Ministries
Clover Hill Magisterial District
Off the north line of Hicks Road
REQUEST:Conditional Use to permit a computer-controlled variable message electronic sign.
PROPOSED LAND USE:
A computer-controlled variable message electronic sign incorporated into a
freestanding sign is planned to identify the church and associated activities.
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
RECOMMEND DENIAL. HOWEVER, SHOULD BOARD WISH TO APPROVE,
RECOMMEND THAT THE PROFFERED CONDITION NOT BE ACCEPTED AND THAT
THE CONDITIONS NOTED AS “ CPC“ ON PAGE 2 BE IMPOSED.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommend denial for the following reasons:
A.The proposed does not conform to the adopted Electronic Message Center Policy for
such signs which suggests that they should be prohibited within the Route 360
Corridor.
B.Further, the proposed sign does not comply with the Electronic Message Center
Policy relative to lines of copy and display colors.
(NOTE: CONDITIONS MAY BE IMPOSED OR THE PROPERTY OWNER(S) MAY
PROFFER CONDITIONS. THE CONDITIONS NOTED WITH "STAFF/CPC" WERE
AGREED UPON BY BOTH STAFF AND THE COMMISSION. CONDITIONS WITH ONLY
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A "STAFF" ARE RECOMMENDED SOLELY BY STAFF. CONDITIONS WITH ONLY A
"CPC" ARE ADDITIONAL CONDITIONSRECOMMENDED BY THE PLANNING
COMMISSION.)
CONDITIONS
(CPC)1.Any freestanding sign incorporating a computer-controlled variable-message
electronic sign shall be located as depicted on the plan identified as “Exhibit
A”. (P)
(CPC)2.Any computer-controlled variable-message electronic shall be subject to
the following standards:
a.Copy shall be limited to a maximum of two (2) lines which shall
not move, but may fade;
b.The message or display shall be programmed or sequenced to
change no more than once every ten (10) seconds;
c.The copy display color shall either be white or yellow;
d.Flashing and traveling messages shall be prohibited;
e.Bijou lighting and animation effects shall be prohibited; and
f.Such sign shall not be operational nor shall the electronic sign face
component be lighted between the hours of 10:00 PM and 6:00
AM. (P)
(CPC)3.This Conditional Use shall be granted for a period of two (2) years from
date of approval and may be renewed upon satisfactory demonstration that
the sign has not adversely affected area property owners. (P)
PROFFERED CONDITION
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 four (4) lines which shall not move, but
may fade;
b.The message or display shall be programmed or sequenced to change no more
than once every ten (10) seconds;
c.The copy display color shall either be red, white or yellow;
d.Flashing and traveling messages shall be prohibited; and Bijou lighting and
animation effects shall be prohibited. (P)
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GENERAL INFORMATION
Location:
Off the north line of Hicks Road, across from Lockhart Road. Tax ID 759-694-Part of
3145.
Existing Zoning:
A
Size:
4.1 acres
Existing Land Use:
Public/semi-public (church)
Adjacent Zoning and Land Use:
North, South, East and West – A; Public/semi-public (church), commercial or vacant
UTILITIES; ENVIRONMENTAL; AND PUBLIC FACILITIES
The proposed sign will have no impact on these facilities.
LAND USE
Comprehensive Plan:
Lies within the boundaries of theRoute 360 Corridor Plan which suggests the property is
appropriate for community mixed use uses.
Area Development Trends:
The area is characterized by commercial zoning and uses to the south along Hull Street
Road, while property to the north, east and west is zoned Agricultural (A) and is occupied
by church uses or remains vacant. ThePlan anticipates a mix of uses to continue in this
area.
Sign Design:
The applicant plans to incorporate a computer-controlled, variable message electronic sign
into a proposed freestanding sign. The proposed sign and computer-controlled, variable
message electronic sign would comply withthe requirements of the Zoning Ordinance
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which currently permit a freestanding sign 62.5 square feet in area (including changeable
copy) at a height of fifteen (15) feet. The proposal would comply with the adopted electronic
message center policy relative to timing of message changes and lack of flashing and
traveling messages, bijou lighting and animation (Proffered Condition). The proposal would
not comply with the Policy relative to the locational criteria, display color and lines of copy,
as discussed herein.
Location:
The Policy suggests that electronic message centers should not be permittedwithin the Hull
Street Road Corridor, between CourthouseRoad and ChippenhamParkway. The request
property is located within this area and,as such, the request does not meet the Policy.
Display Color:
The Policy suggests that display colors for electronic message centers be limited to white or
yellow. The applicant wishes to have red as an additional color. As such, the request does
not meet the displaycolor limitations.
Lines of Copy:
The Policy suggests that lines of copy for electronic message centers be limited to two (2).
The applicant wishes to be allowed up to four (4) lines of copy. As such, the request does
not meet the lines of copy restrictions.
CONCLUSION
The proposed computer-controlled variable message electronic sign does not conform to the
adopted Electronic Message Center Policy for such signs relative to locational criteria, lines of copy
and display color limitation. The requested exceptions to the Policy could set a precedent for
similar requests.
Given these considerations, denial of this request is recommended.
______________________________________________________________________________
CASE HISTORY
______________________________________________________________________________
Staff, Applicant, Area Property Owners, Clover Hill Commissioner (7/9/07):
A meeting was held to discuss this request. Concerns were expressed relative to the
location of the sign, hours the sign will be operational and impact on adjacent residents.
Area property owners scheduled a visit to the site with the applicant.
______________________________________________________________________________
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Planning Commission Meeting (7/17/07):
On their own motion, the Commissiondeferred this case to September 18, 2007.
______________________________________________________________________________
Staff (7/18/07):
The applicant was advised in writing that any significant new or revised information
should be submitted no later than July 23, 2007, for consideration at the Commission’s
September 18, 2007, public hearing.
______________________________________________________________________________
Staff (8/8/07):
To date, no additional or revised proffers have been received.
______________________________________________________________________________
Planning Commission Meeting (9/18/07):
The applicant did not accept the recommendation. There was support present indicating
the sign would allow the church to provide messages to the members.
There was opposition present indicating the proposal fails to comply with the policy;
could set a precedent for approval of other such signs in the area: and that is the sign’s
lighting would adversely impact area residents.
Mr. Gulley indicated he had attempted to reach a compromise to allow an electronic sign
under certain circumstances; however, to date the applicant had been unwilling to agree
to the typical design standards; restrict the timing of the message changes similar to the
limitation placed on a recent approval for a county school; nor to relocate the sign so as
to minimize the sign’s visibility from area residents.
Mr. Gecker indicated that he could support a sign subject to similar conditions as those
imposed on Midlothian High School
On a motion of Mr. Gulley, seconded by Mr. Bass, the Commission recommended denial.
However, the Commission indicated that should the Board wish to approve this request,
the Proffered Condition should not be accepted and that Conditions 1 through 3 on page 2
noted as “ CPC “ should be imposed.
AYES: Messrs. Gecker, Gulley, Bass, Litton and Wilson.
The Board of Supervisors, on Wednesday, October 24, 2007, beginning at 6:30 p.m., will take
under consideration this request.
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