08SN0130
October 16, 2007 CPC
October 24, 2007 BS
STAFF’S
REQUEST ANALYSIS
AND
RECOMMENDATION
08SN0130
Chesterfield County
Board of Supervisors
Matoaca Magisterial District
North line of Cosby 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 identification sign for Cosby High School is planned.
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
RECOMMEND APPROVAL SUBJECT TO THE CONDITION ON PAGE 2.
AYES: MESSRS. GECKER, BASS, LITTON AND WILSON.
ABSTENTION: MR. GULLEY.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommend approval forthe following reason:
While the proposed computer-controlled, variable message, electronic sign does not
conform to the adopted Electronic Message Center Policy which suggests that such signs
not be located within the Route 360 Corridor, the proposed sign, as conditioned, would have
no greater impact on the surrounding communitythan a sign which incorporates permitted
changeable copy.
(NOTE: CONDITIONS MAY BE IMPOSED OR THE PROPERTY OWNER(S) MAY
PROFFER CONDITIONS. THE CONDITIONS NOTED WITH "STAFF/CPC" WERE
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AGREED UPON BY BOTH STAFF AND THE COMMISSION. CONDITIONS WITH ONLY
A "STAFF" ARE RECOMMENDED SOLELY BY STAFF. CONDITIONS WITH ONLY A
"CPC" ARE ADDITIONAL CONDITIONSRECOMMENDED BY THE PLANNING
COMMISSION.)
CONDITION
(STAFF/CPC)InadditiontoOrdinance requirements, any computer-controlled, variable
message, electronic sign shall conform to the following standards:
a.Copy shall be limited to a maximum oftwo (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 twenty-four (24) hours;
c.The copy display color shall either be white or yellow;
d.Flashing and traveling messages shall be prohibited; and
e.Bijou lighting and animations effects shall be prohibited. (P)
GENERAL INFORMATION
Location:
North line of Cosby Road, west of Fox Club Parkway, and west line of Fox Club Parkway,
north of Cosby Road. Tax ID 714-672-8571
Existing Zoning:
A
Size:
87.2 acres
Existing Land Use:
Public/semi-public - school
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Adjacent Zoning and Land Use:
North and East- R-12, A with Conditional Use and A; Commercial or vacant
South – I-1 and A; Single family residential or vacant
West – A, R-MF and C-3 with Conditional Use and Conditional Use Planned Development;
Vacant
UTILITIES; ENVIRONMENTAL; AND PUBLIC FACILITIES
This request will have no impact on these facilities.
LAND USE
Comprehensive Plan:
Lies within the boundaries of theUpper Swift Creek Plan which suggests the property is
appropriate for mixed use corridor use and residential use of 2.0 units per acre or less.
Area Development Trends:
Surrounding properties to the north and west are zoned for residential and agricultural
development and are currently vacant. Properties to the south are zoned Agricultural (A)
and Light Industrial (I-1) and occupied by single family dwellings or are vacant. Properties
to the east are developed as a private school and a commercial recreational facility. The
Plan anticipates development of mixed uses to include office and residential uses of various
densities.
Signs:
The proposed sign and computer-controlled,variable message, electronic sign would
comply with the requirements of the Zoning Ordinance relative to sign size and height
which currently permit a freestanding sign 62.5 square feet in area (including changeable
copy) at a height of fifteen(15) feet. This proposal would comply with the adopted
electronic message center policy relative to copy display color, lines of copy, spacing
between signs and lack of flashing and traveling messages, bijou lighting and animation
(Condition). The proposal would not comply with the Policy relative to its location within
the Route 360 Corridor. The Plan suggests that such signs should be prohibited in the Route
360 Corridor. A condition isrecommended affecting the timing of message changes, as
discussed herein with this limitation, the sign functions much like a permitted, manual
changeable copy sign
Timing of Message Changes:
The Policy permits the timing of message changes for electronicmessage signs at a
minimum of ten (10) second intervals. The Condition would permit the message to change
no more than once during any twenty-four (24) hour period. This limitation results in the
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electronic message sign having no greater impact on area properties than a changeable copy
message board which is permitted under the current zoning.
CONCLUSION
While the proposed computer-controlled, variablemessage, electronic sign does not conform to the
adopted Electronic Message CenterPolicy relative to its location within the Route 360 Corridor, as
conditioned, the proposed sign would have no greater impact on the surrounding community than a
sign which incorporates permitted changeable copy.
Given these considerations, approval of this request is recommended.
______________________________________________________________________________
CASE HISTORY
Planning Commission Meeting (10/16/07):
The applicant accepted the recommendation. There was no opposition present.
On motion of Mr. Bass, seconded by Mr. Wilson, the Commission recommended
approval subject to the condition on page 2.
AYES: Messrs. Gecker, Bass, Litton and Wilson.
ABSTENTION: Mr. Gulley.
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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