DRRC 01-25-07 Meeting AgendaMEMORANDUM
COUNTY of FREDERICK
Department of Planning and Development
To: Development Review and Regulations Subcommittee
From: Susan K. Eddy, Senior Planner `;'Kt�_
Subject: January Meeting and Agenda
Date: January 18, 2007
540/665-5651
FAX: 540/665-6395
The Frederick County Development Review and Regulations Subcommittee (DRRS) will be meeting
on Thursday, January 25, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. in the BOARD ROOM of the County Administration
Building, 107 North Kent Street, Winchester, Virginia. The DRRS will discuss the following agenda
items:
AGENDA
1) Election of DRRS Chairman and Vice -Chairman. As stipulated in the DRRS Operating
Procedures, a chairman and vice-chairman will be elected during the first meeting of each
year.
2) Discussion of subcommittee work program priorities for 2007. Staff is seeking input
from the DRRS regarding the work program for 2007. A draft DRRS work program
priority list is attached.
3) Discussion of Section 165-30 of the Frederick County Zoning Ordinance. Staff is seeking
input from the DRRS regarding the interpretation and application of this section as related to
signage.
4) 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 four-story wing. I would encourage committee
members and interested citizens to park in the County parking lot located behind the new
addition or in the joint Judicial Center parking lot and follow the sidewalk to the back door of
the four-story wing.
SKE/bad
Attachments
107 North Kent Street, Suite 202 • Winchester, Virginia 22601-5000
Item #2: 2007 MRS Work Program Priorities
Staff is seeking input from the DRRS regarding the 2007 work program. This is an opportunity for
the subcommittee to set work priorities for the year. These priorities will be studied by staff and
forwarded to the subcommittee for action. Below is the list of DRRS related priorities that was
distributed at the 2006 Planning Commission retreat. Please take the time to fill out this work
program list and add others that you believe are important. This list will be discussed at the January
25th meeting.
MRS Work Program Priorities
Rank Project Title
Complete a comprehensive review and revision of Chapter 165- Zoning Ordinance of
the Frederick County Code.
Complete a comprehensive review and revision of Chapter 144 - Subdivision
Ordinance of the Frederick County Code.
Develop design standards for commercial corridors within the county, primarily those
leading into the City of Winchester.
Develop a process and standards for the implementation of proportional site
development improvements.
Development Ordinance Amendments to implement Long Range Planning projects (i.e.
UDA study)
Item #3: Section 165-130
Sign Ordinance
In order to avoid visual clutter and minimize visual distraction to motorists, a number of changes
to the sign regulations have already been endorsed by the DRRS. These include:
• Reduction in the size of freestanding business signs in the R -A, R5, B2, B3, MS, Ml, M2
and EM Zoning Districts from 100 square feet in area (150 square feet for standardized
franchise signs) to 50 square feet.
• Reduction in the height of freestanding business signs in the R5, B2, B3, MS, M1, M2
and EM Zoning Districts from the maximum height allowed in the zoning district to 12
feet.
• All freestanding business and subdivision entrance signs shall be monument signs.
• Limiting off -premise signs to multi -tenant complex signs and residential subdivision
entrance signs (with a CUP).
• Adding and clarifying sign definitions.
Staff is seeking the views of the DRRS on a number of other sign -related issues including:
• Restricting the number of freestanding monument signs in a development.
• Regulating wall mounted signs in other districts (B1, R5 & HE).
• Defining temporary signs (real estate, construction etc.).
• Simplifying the definitions of directional and informational signs.
• Expanding the number of signs not requiring a permit to include flags and small signs
(informational, directional), provided they meet the ordinance regulations.
• Limiting zoning districts where off -premise signs will be allowed.
• Should urban center signs (canopy sign, hanging signs) be considered now or when the
UDA related ordinances are drafted?
• Should cottage occupation signs be freestanding, wall mounted or both?
• Do directional and informational signs include both freestanding and wall mounted signs?
• Should we continue to ignore window signs?
• Should lighting be addressed?
• Re-evaluating the signs allowed in particular districts. (see table on next page).
Other changes already endorsed by the DRRS are primarily intended to add clarity to the existing
ordinance.
In addition, staff will need to revise all other sections of the ordinance that reference signs to
ensure compatibility.
Below, for consideration, is a simplified sign ordinance intent statement:
This section is established to regulate the erection, number, area, height, location, type and
maintenance of signs to promote the health, safety and general welfare of the public and the orderly
development of the county by protecting property values, minimizing visual distraction to motorists;
protecting and enhancing the image, appearance and economic vitality of the county; providing for
signage that is adequate but not excessive; and supporting the Frederick County Comprehensive
Policy Plan.
§165-30C
§165-30C of the Zoning Ordinance allows some signs only in certain districts, as stated in the
regulations for each district. The table below lists those currently allowed. Clarification of these
signs for the proposed ordinance is sought.
District
Business
Directional
Cottage
Occupation
Freestanding
Building
Entrance
On-site
Informational
RA
X
X
X
RP
Limited
X
R4 (same as
RP, B 1, 132,
133 & M1)
R5 (same as
B 1 and RS
MM
Limited
B1
X
X
B2
X
X
X
B3
X
X
X
Ml
X
X
X
M2
X
X
X
EM
X
X
HE
X
MS
E
Draft sign definitions, previously considered by the DRRS, to be added to Section 165-156
(Definitions) of the Frederick County Zoning Ordinance
Sign, Environmentally Activated - Any sign that is activated by the wind; to include banners,
balloons, or other objects designed and fashioned to move when subjected to wind pressure.
Sign, Flag - Flags of the United States, the Commonwealth of Virginia, Frederick County, other
countries and states, the United Nations Organization or similar organizations of which this nation is
a member, religious groups, civic organizations and service clubs, are allowed provided that there
shall be no more than three (3) flags on any one lot. In addition, any business zoned use, industrial
zoned use, and approved Condition Use Permit (CUP) may display its corporate or business emblem
in the form of a flag, provided that there is no more than one (1) such flag on any parcel
Sign, Light Electronic Diomode - A sign with a series of lights that may be changed by electronic
means.
Sign, Message Electronic - A sign with a fixed or changing message display composed of a series
of lights that may be changed by electronic means.
Sign, Monument - A freestanding ground mounted business or residential sign supported
primarily by an internal structural framework not supported by poles. Monument sign can be
internally or externally lighted. (*NOTE — this will replace existing monument sign definition)
Sign, Multi -Tenant Complex - A permanent on -premises or off -premises monument entrance
sign that identifies users in a shopping complex, office park, or industrial park. Limited to one
(1) sign per development.
Sign, Off -premises business - A sign that advertises a product or business not produced or sold
on the parcel which the sign is located. Not to include multi -tenant complex signs.
Sign, On -Site Directional - A sign containing directional messages concerning the distance or
direction of business located in a multi -tenant business or industrial complex. Sign height shall not
exceed five (5) feet and sign area shall not exceed five (5) square feet.
Sign, Residential Subdivision Entrance — A freestanding, monument style sign which identifies the
name of a single family residential subdivision or development, permitted at each major entrance to
the subdivision or development, and not to exceed fifty (50) square feet in area or twelve (12) feet in
height.
Current Sign Ordinance
§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.
(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
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 signs that advertise a business that is not located on
the 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 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
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. Business signs located in the RA (Rural Areas) Zoning District
shall not exceed ten 10 in height. All signs other than business signs shall be no more
than 10 feet in height. No freestanding business entrance sign shall exceed 5 feet in
height. [Amended 12-14-20051
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 franchise signs may exceed 100 square feet in area, but shall not exceed
150 square feet in area. In the B-1 (Neighborhood Business) District, no business
sign or directional sign shall exceed 50 square feet in area. [Amended 12-14-20051
(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 Zoning 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
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business sign does not exceed 200 square feet. [Amended 9-12-20011
(4) No freestanding building entrance sign shall exceed 4 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 6-9-19931
(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.
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