Orange County — Board of Zoning Adjustment

VA-19-04-013 — JAMES EDWARD CHEEK

Request: Variances in the P-D zoning district to allow a ground sign as follows: 1) To allow a maximum height of 15 ft. in lieu of 10 ft. 2) To allow a maximum clearance of 9 ft. in lieu of 2 ft. 3) To allow a maximum copy area of 88 sq. ft. in lieu of 80 sq. ft. 4) To allow a ground sign with changeable copy on a 200 ft. wide lot in lieu of a 1000 ft. wide lot. This is the result of code enforcement action.

Decision: Approved

Hearing: The applicant constructed a freestanding sign on the property without a building permit. The applicant states they re-built the previous sign which was removed when right-of-way along International Dr. was conveyed to the county. Staff explained the site plan, the signage allowed per code, showed photos of the sign in question, and recommended denial as they were no special conditions. The BZA had questions regarding the signage allowed per code in the Tourist Commercial Overlay District. The applicant stated the sign was built without a permit and that was an oversight on the owner's part. The applicant presented photos of the previous sign and stated they wish to keep what was previously on site. They also stated the sign is needed to direct visitors to the garage as there is a parking space deficit in the International Drive area. The applicant explained that the direction given to them by the county was to seek a variance as a Master Sign Plan is not allowed as the lot is not large enough to meet those requirements. No one spoke in favor or in opposition of the request, and staff did not receive any commentaries regarding the application. The BZA had a discussion on the new sign versus the old sign. It was stated the new sign was a brand new sign and was not a renovated version of the previous sign. Also, the new sign was shorter and included an electronic message, and the previous one did not. There was further discussion regarding non-conforming signs, the height allowed per code for ground signs, and what is acceptable in the I-Drive area. The BZA felt the request was reasonable and met the variance criteria, the request was approved unanimously.