Orange County — Board of Zoning Adjustment

VA-19-09-106 — M. Rebecca Wilson

Request: To approve a Master Sign Plan in the C-2 zoning district, with the following variances: 1) To allow a total of 5 ground signs in lieu of 2. 2) To allow a height of 12 ft. in lieu of 10 ft. for ground signs (applicable to signs #3 and #14 on plan). 3) To allow a separation of 48.67 ft. between ground signs in lieu of 100 ft. (applicable only to separation between signs #10 and #13 on plan). 4) To allow individual tenant panels on a multi-tenant ground sign to be a minimum of 5 sq. ft. of copy area, in lieu of having a minimum of 12 sq. ft. of copy area (applicable to signs #3, #13, #14, and #18 on plan). 5) To allow a wall sign to extend above the roof line of the wall of the building on which it is erected (applicable to sign #4 on plan). 6) To allow a cumulative total of 137 sq. ft. of copy area for wall signage on Valet Plaza #1 (as depicted on plan), in lieu of 71.67 sq. ft. of copy area (this includes the copy area of 3 total signs: signs #4, #5a, and #5b on plan). 7) To allow a total of 4 wall signs to include changeable copy and for wall signs to be permitted as EMCs, in lieu of wall signs not including changeable copy, and EMCs only being permitted as a ground or pole sign. (applicable to signs #5a, #5b, #7a, and #7b on plan).

Decision: Approved

Hearing: Staff gave a presentation on the case covering the location of the property, the site plan and elevation drawings of the proposed signs, and photos of the site. Staff recommended approval of Variances #1-5, a lesser approval of Variance #6, and denial of Variance #7.

Staff received no correspondence and there were no members of the public present to speak on this request.

The applicant stated that they were in agreement of the staff recommendation, but still hoped that everything they have requested could be approved.

The BZA noted that this site is unique, and that the additional signage would help the many pedestrians and visitors who visit the site. The BZA noted that while the EMC signs go against the intent of the code, as the site directly serves the conventioneers, additional signage was needed. The signs as shown would be helpful to pedestrians.

An initial motion to approve staff recommendation was made, but did not pass.

A second motion was made by the BZA to approve the applicant¿s request with all seven (7) variances. The motion was seconded and received unanimous approval.