DRRC 07-28-05 Meeting AgendaCOUNTY of FREDERICK
Department of Planning and Development
540/665-5651
FAX: 540/665-6395
MEMORANDUM �
To: Development Review and Regulations Subcommittee
From: Mark R. Cheran, Zoning Administratory
Subject: July Meeting and Agenda
Date: July 21, 2005
The Frederick County Development Review and Regulations Subcommittee (DRRS) will be meeting
on Thursday, July 28, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. in the first floor conference room (purple room) of the
County Administration Building, 107 North Kent Street, Winchester, Virginia. The DRRS will
discuss the following agenda items:
AGENDA
1) Discussion of Section 165-30 Signs, of the Frederick County Zoning Ordinance. Staff
is seeking input from the DRRS regarding the interpretation and application of this section.
The current section is located below. (See attachments)
2) Other
Access to this building is limited during the evening hours. Therefore, it will be necessary to enter
the building through the rear door of the./our-story wing. I would encourage committee members
and interested citizens to park in the County parking lot located behind the new additionor in the
joint Judicial Center parking lot and follon, the sidewalk to the back door of the four-story wing.
MRC/bad
Attachments
107 North Kent Street, Suite 202 - Winchester, Virginia 22601-5000
Item # 1 Section 165-30
Staff is seeking input from the DRRS regarding this section of the ordinance regarding signage.
Changes of this section maybe needed to avoid any confusion and add clarification to this section of
the ordinance. Staff believes that this section of the ordinance is difficult to understand and read for
the general public. Currently the ordinance lacks design or performance standards. Staff will be
presenting illustrations of the different of sign types that currently allowed in Frederick County. The
current ordinance section is included for your review.
§ 165-29 FREDERICK COUNTY CODE § 165-30
(2) In such cases, the Zoning Administrator may require a "traffic
access plan which describes existing traffic, conditions and
design on the streets abutting the site and the methods proposed
to ensure that the intent of this section has been met.
C. Internal circulation. A complete system of internal traffic circulation
shall be provided to serve all uses in any shopping center, industrial
park or any development included in a single master development
plan, site plan or subdivision plat approved by Frederick County. In
such developments, internal access shall be provided in a fashion so
that all uses can be mutually accessed without entering onto arterial or
primary highways. In such cases, a pattern of internal circulation shall
be designed to ensure that conflicts are avoided between moving
vehicles, parking areas, pedestrian areas, loading areas and the various
uses provided.
D. Pedestrian access. Safe pedestrian walkways shall be provided to all
uses on land included in a master plan or site plan approved by
Frederick County. Sidewalks shall be provided in conformance with
adopted corridor or walkway plans or approved master development
plans. The Planning Commission may require additional sidewalks or
walkways on master plans or site plans to promote a general system
of pedestrian access in residential neighborhoods or business
corridors.
E. Fire lanes. Fire lanes shall be required as set forth in Chapter 90, Fire
Prevention. [Added 12-9-19921
7 § 165-30. Signs.
Signs shall be allowed or prohibited according to the following requirements
in order to promote safety, to protect property values, to create an atmosphere
conducive to orderly economic growth and to meet the intentions of this
chapter:
A. Signs prohibited in all districts. The following types of signs shall be
prohibited in all zoning districts:
(1) Animated or flashing signs.
(2) Signs painted directly onto the exterior of buildings.
16546 12-15-99
§ 165-29 FREDERICK COUNTY CODE § 165-30
(2) In such cases, the Zoning Administrator may require a "traffic
access plan which describes existing traffic, conditions and
design on the streets abutting the site and the methods proposed
to ensure that the intent of this section has been met.
C. Internal circulation. A complete system of internal traffic circulation
shall be provided to serve all uses in any shopping center, industrial
park or any development included in a single master development
plan, site plan or subdivision plat approved by Frederick County. In
such developments, internal access shall be provided in a fashion so
that all uses can be mutually accessed without entering onto arterial or
primary highways. In such cases, a pattern of internal circulation shall
be designed to ensure that conflicts are avoided between moving
vehicles, parking areas, pedestrian areas, loading areas and the various
uses provided.
D. Pedestrian access. Safe pedestrian walkways shall be provided to all
uses on land included in a master plan or site plan approved by
Frederick. County. Sidewalks shall be provided in conformance with
adopted corridor or walkway plans or approved master development
plans. The Planning Commission may require additional sidewalks or
walkways on master plans or site plans to promote a general system
of pedestrian access in residential neighborhoods or business
corridors.
E. Fire lanes. Fire lanes shall be required as set forth in Chapter 90, Fire
Prevention. [Added 12-9-19921
§ 165-30. Signs.
Signs shall be allowed or prohibited according to the following requirements
in order to promote.. safety, to protect property values, to create an atmosphere
conducive to orderly economic growth and to meet the intentions of this
chapter:
A. Signs prohibited in all districts. The following types of signs shall be
prohibited in all zoning districts:
(1) Animated or flashing signs.
(2) Signs painted directly onto the exterior of buildings.
16546 12-15-99
§ 165-30 ZONING § 165-30
(3) Inflatable signs. [Added 9-12-20011
(4) Roof signs. [Added 9-12-20011
(5) Portable signs. [Added 9-12-20011
B. Signs allowed in all districts. The following types of signs shall be
allowed in all zoning districts:
(1) Signs indicating the names or addresses of the occupants of
residences.
(2) Signs or bulletin boards associated with public institutions,
churches, schools or community centers.
(3) Commemorative plaques and historical markers.
(4) Signs identifying civic, social or other nonprofit organizations.
(5) Private road signs.
(6) Signs erected or required by a governmental agency.
(7) Temporary yard sale signs.
(8) Temporary real estate signs.
(9) Temporary window signs.
(10) Temporary construction signs.
(11) Temporary campaign signs. [Added 9-12-20011
(12) Entrance signs for developments or subdivisions. [Amended
9-12-20011
(13) Monument signs. [Added 9-12-20011
C. Signs allowed in certain districts. The following types of signs are
allowed only if they are specifically listed under the list of allowed uses
for the zoning districts in which they are located:
(1) Business signs.
(2) Directional signs.
(3) Cottage occupation signs.
(4) Freestanding building entrance signs.
(5) On-site informational signs. [Added 9-12-20011
16547 10-25-2001
§ 165-30 FREDERICK COUNTY CODE § 165-30
D. Off -premises business signs. Signs that advertise a product not
produced or for sale on the lot or parcel on which the sign is located
and sirens that advertico an busincss that + ' + 1 + ul +i�
Z:1 vv u . 1111-oo a at is not locate on U G premises
shall be allowed as a conditional use only. Such signs shall be allowed
only if a conditional use permit for that sign has been granted. In
considering such a sign, the following standards should be considered:
(1) No off -premises business sign shall be allowed in the RP
Residential Performance, the R4 Residential Planned Community,
R5 Residential Recreational Community or the MH1 Mobile
Home Community District.
(2) Appropriate separation shall be provided between the off -
premises business sign and surrounding residences and other
uses. The Board of Supervisors may require that such signs not
be visible from surrounding residences.
(3) Off -premises business signs shall be limited to a size, scale and
height that does not detract from surrounding properties and
uses.
(4) Off -premises business signs shall be properly separated from
each other to avoid clutter along road corridors.
(5) Off -premises business signs shall not be of a type that will
distract motorists or cause other safety hazards.
(6) Off -premises business signs shall be properly maintained.
E. Setbacks. All freestanding signs shall be set back at least 10 feet from
lot lines or property boundary lines. Signs that are attached to
buildings shall meet the required setbacks for that building. In general,
freestanding building entrance signs shall not be located in front yard
setback areas. However, freestanding building entrance signs may be
located in front yard setback areas as long as they are no more than
five feet from the entrance to the building or use designated.
F. Minimum spacing between freestanding business signs. The
minimum distance separating new from existing freestanding
business signs or separating new freestanding business signs shall be
50 feet. The Zoning Administrator may allow two signs to be
separated by less than 50 feet in order to allow the signs to share an
appropriate location. In such cases, the two signs shall be separated
from other signs by a distance of 50 feet plus the distance by which
16548 10-25-2001
§ 165-30 ZONING § 165-30
the separation between the two signs was reduced from the required
50 feet.
G. Height. No sign shall exceed the maximum height requirement for the
zoning district in which they are located. All signs other than business
signs shall be no more than 10 feet in height. No freestanding
business entrance sign shall exceed five feet in height.
H. Size. The following restrictions shall apply to the size of signs:
(1) No business sign or directional sign shall exceed 100 square feet
in area. Standardized, -franchised signs may exceed 100 square
feet in area but shall not exceed 150 square feet in area. In the
131 Neighborhood Business District, no business or directional
sign shall exceed 50 square feet in area.
(2) Cottage occupation signs shall not exceed four square feet in
area.
(3) Wall -mounted business signs in the B2 Business General, the B3
Industrial Transition, M1 Light Industrial, the M2 Industrial
General or the MS Medical Support Districts shall be permitted to
encompass 20% of the area of the wall to which the sign is
attached, provided that the total area of the wall -mounted
business sign does not exceed 200 square feet. [Amended
9-12-20011
(4) No freestanding building entrance sign shall exceed four square
feet in area.
I. Maintenance. All signs shall be maintained in a state of good repair.
Signs that are damaged, structurally unsound or poorly maintained
shall be repaired or removed within 30 days.
(1) If an off -premises sign advertises a business or activity that is no
longer being operated or conducted or if a directional sign refers
to a location where the advertised activities no longer exist, that
sign shall be considered to be abandoned and shall be removed
by the owner within 30 days.
(2) If the message portion of a sign is removed, the supporting
structural components shall be removed or the message portion
replaced within 30 days.
J. Sign permits. [Amended 6-9-1993]
16549 6-10-2003
§ 165-30 FREDERICK COUNTY CODE
§ 165-31
(1) Before a sign may be constructed, reconstructed or altered, a
sign permit shall be obtained from the Frederick County Building
Official.
(2) Commemorative plaques and historical markers shall be exempt
from obtaining sign permits.
§ 165-31. Protection of environmental features. [Amended 12-11-1991;
8-9-2000; 7-11-2001; 4-23-20031
In order to protect those areas of a parcel which have environmental
characteristics that make them unsuitable for development, certain portions of
a development shall remain undisturbed or be protected. It is the intention of
this section that the disturbance of such areas by the development process be
limited. It is also the intention of this section that the large portions of the
areas with such environmental characteristics be placed in open space,
environmental easements, the portion of the parcel left undivided or other
areas where they will remain undisturbed. It is intended that the environmental
conditions on a property be reviewed as the first step in the planning process
before lots or dwellings are located.
A. The requirements of this section shall apply to land in the following
zoning districts:
RP Residential Performance District
R4 Residential Planned Community District
R5 Residential Recreational Community District
MH1 Mobile Home Community District
B1 Neighborhood Business District
B2 Business General District
B3 Industrial Transition District
M1 Light Industrial District
M2 Industrial General District
HE Higher Education District
RA Rural Areas District
MS Medical Support District
B. All developments which require a master development plan,
subdivision design plan, site plan, or preliminary sketch plan shall
preserve the following environmental features as described:
16550 6-10-2003