Orange County — Board of Zoning Adjustment

VA-02-08-098 — Gregory Snyder

Request: Variance in C-1 (retail commercial) zone to replace existing pole sign 90 ft. from residential zoning district in lieu of 100 ft. (NOTE: Applicant is replacing a 35 ft. high pole sign with a 22 ft. high pole sign).

Decision: Approved

Hearing: The property contains an automobile service station. It had been an Amoco station and is now converting to Sunoco. The pole sign has been existing before the current sign regulations. Sunoco wants to replace the sign in its entirety, which necessitates the variance. The residential district is a single family home directly abutting the station to the north on Turner Road. Due to the short depth of the station's lot, a variance is needed for a new pole sign. The sign will face perpendicular to the home and will not, therefore, have an impact on the residential area. The new sign will be about the same size but shorter in height than the existing sign. One commentary was received with concern about traffic visibility at the intersection. Staff noted the sign island is somewhat cluttered with some free-standing signs and other small objects around the base of the pole sign. Staff proposed a condition to clean up the island to mitigate that concern and to present a more appropriate appearance at the corner. The applicant agreed with the conditions.