Orange County — Board of Zoning Adjustment

VA-18-12-173 — KENCO SIGNS

Request: Variance in the P-D zoning district to allow a cumulative total of 431 sq. ft. of wall signage in lieu of 157.5 sq. ft.

Decision: Approved

Hearing: Staff noted that when the P-D for the center was originally approved in 198f6, the sign guidelines provided for 2 sq. ft. of copy area for wall signs per each linear ft. of store front. This would allow for 220 sq. ft. of sign area. However, when the P-D for the center was revised in 2018, the standard was changed to simple compliance with the sign code. Staff noted that since this center, including the bank out-parcel, equaled 15 acres, and the center had over 1,000 ft. of frontage, a Master Sign Plan (MSP) could be developed. This would allow the applicant to modify the amount of wall signage they would be permitted. Staff recommended that the MSP process be the mechanism to accomplish the applicant's needs, not the variance process. Staff had received correspondence from a property management company representing 3 residential subdivisions approx 1/3 mile to the north who opposed the variance. The tenant is relocating from a less desirable location. Also, large retailers are finding the market harder to compete in, noting the demise or financial distress of several historically nationally known retailers. They noted that they had attempted to get the owners of the center to file a MSP, however, they did not find the time or expense for one tenant to be worth the investment. It was only recently that they found out about the change in sign standards for the center, which left them in a position that the variance process was all that remained to attempt to improve the tenants visibility. There being no one in attendance to speak for or against the request, the public hearing was closed. The BZA found that given that they once were entitled to more signage, and that exposure to Goldenrod Rd. was essential, additional signage was warranted. The BZA offered a total of 275 Sq. ft., which the applicant accepted. A motion to allow a maximum of 275 sq. ft. of total wall signage, to be distributed as the tenant wished, passed unanimously.