PUBLIC HEARING AGENDA REQUEST

Sponsor:

 Board of Supervisors Meeting Date:

Planning Commission

September 8, 2005

Staff Lead:

Department:

W. Todd Benson, Assistant Zoning Administrator

Community Development

Topic:

A Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment to Section 8-1401 to Permit Additional Identification Signs in Conservation, Agriculture, Village, Residential, and Mobile Home Zones

Topic Description:

At present, convents, monasteries, seminaries, country clubs, sanitariums, cemeteries, children's homes, orphanages, fraternal organizations, hospitals (or other similar establishments) may have one sign, not exceeding thirty two (32) square feet in area, for the purpose of showing the name and use of the establishment.  There is no provision for other entities, institutions, or businesses to have such signs. The proposed amendment would allow any lawful establishment to have up to 32 square feet of signage.

Requested Action of the Board of Supervisors:

Conduct a public hearing and consider adoption of the attached Ordinance.

Financial Impact Analysis:

None

Summary Staff Report:

At present, only a limited group of entities are allowed to have identification signs within conservation, agriculture, village, residential, and mobile home zoning district classifications. However, there are additional entities that may lawfully exist in such zones but are not currently allowed such signage.  Accordingly, it seems that the class of entities entitled to signs should be expanded to the class of entities permitted in such zones.

In addition, reliance upon one sign may force property owners to opt for the maximum size – 32 square feet - when one or two signs, not exceeding 32 square feet total may be less obtrusive and more communicative.  The Bealeton Library is an example of this situation.  It prefers a 16 square foot freestanding sign, which it has adjacent to the street, and an additional 10 square foot wall sign. The proposed amendment would allow the library to have the additional sign because the cumulative area is less than the 32 square feet allowed (refer to the attached Ordinance).

This proposed text amendment was initiated on June 30, 2005. After a public hearing on July 28, 2005, the Planning Commission recommended adoption of the text amendment.

Identify any other Departments, Organizations or Individuals that would be affected by this request:

Department of Economic Development

Attachment

Proposed Text Amendment