DRRC 06-29-06 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 Administrator 1141t '---
Subject: June Meeting and Agenda
Date: June 20, 2006
The Frederick County Development Review and Regulations Subcommittee (DRRS) will be meeting
on Thursday, June 29, 2006 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) Discussion of Amending Section 144-17 G (1) A of the Frederick County Code
(Subdivision). Staff has received a request from Artz and Associates P.L.0 to add cul-de-
sac length to this section of the Frederick County Code. Staff is seeking input from the
DRRS on this amendment. (See attachments)
2) 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. The current and proposed section(s) are located below. (See attachments)
3) 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 thefour-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.
MRC/bad
Attachments
107 North Dent Street, Suite 202 • Winchester, Virginia 22601-5000
Item #1: Section 144-17 G (1)
This is a request to amend this section of the subdivision to allow for cul-de-sac length to exceed
1,000 feet in the RA (Rural Areas) Zoning District. This change will allow cul-de-sac length to be
exempted from the requirements of Section 144-17 G (1) of the Code of Frederick County.
Currently, this section requires that the Planning Commission waive any cul-de-sac length more than
1,000 feet due to topography or other factors that make this length impractical. Staff would note that
this proposed amendment will not change the number of dwellings, twenty-five (25), allowed on a
cul-de-sac. This item was presented to the DRRS at its April meeting; a recommendation from the
committee was to study different scenarios of cul-de-sac lengths. These scenarios will be presented at
this meeting.
Staff is seeking DRRS input on this proposed amendment to the Code of Frederick County. It should
be noted that staff is working on implementing the Rural Areas Study, and this proposed amendment
may not be consistent with on-going policy study. Therefore, the DRRS may want
to table any proposed changes to this section of the Code of Frederick County. The current sections of
the code are included for your review.
F
§ 144-17 FREDERICK COUN TY ODE § 144-17
design of such features shall be determined based on traffic
safety considerations.
G. Culs-de-sac.
�MC�uls-d�e-sac, permanently designed as such, shall not exceed one
thousand (1,000) feet in length. The Planning Commission may
waive this requirement in cases where extreme topography or
other factors make it impractical. In no case shall the street serve
more than twenty-five (25) lots. The turnaround provided shall
have a right-of-way radius of not less than fifty (50) feet and a
paved radius of not less than forty-five (45) feet. Loop streets are
preferred to cuts -de -sac, where possible.
(2) Any street dead -ended for access to an adjoining property or
because of approved stage development, which is over two
hundred (200) feet in length, shall be provided with a temporary,
all-weather, fifty -foot turnaround. The plan shall note that the land
outside of the normal street right-of-way shall revert to the
adjoining landowners whenever the street is continued.
Temporary cols -de -sac used to accommodate approved phasing
or to provide access to adjoining properties shall not be restricted
in length to the one -thousand -foot requirement for cuts -de -sac.
The length of temporary culs-de-sac shall not exceed the length
specified by the phasing plan on an approved master
development plan.
H. Reserve strips. Reserved -land spite strips, serving solely to restrict
access to existing or planned streets, shall not be permitted, provided
that nothing herein shall prohibit areas for planting and landscaping
where adequate access is otherwise available.
1. Grades. Street grades shall not exceed ten percent (10%) on local
streets or eight percent (8%) on collector streets. Ditches on grades
greater than five percent (5%) shall be properly stabilized to prevent
erosion and ensure positive drainage. Catch basins shall be installed
where required under the current Virginia Department of
Transportation standards.
J. Widths. The right-of-way width for major streets shall conform to the
Frederick County Comprehensive Plan and the requirements of this
chapter.
14422 10-10-95
Item #2: Section 165-30
Staff is seeking input from the DRRS regarding this section of the ordinance regarding signage.
Changes of this section may be 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. This proposed
change to signage was presented to the committee in October of 2005. The committee required staff
present a draft of any proposed changes to this section. Staff will be presenting to the committee a
draft of proposed definitions and standards for signage in the commercial and industrial districts of
Frederick County. The current ordinance section is included for your review and the proposed
changes to this section.
PROPOSED SIGN DEFINITIONS AND STANDARDS FOR THE COMMERCIAL
AND INDUSTRIAL DISTRCTS OF FREDERICK COUNTY
CHANGES TO SIGNAGE DEFINITIONS IN THE COMMERCIAL AND
1NDUSTRICAL DISTRICTS
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.
Sign, Monument- A freestanding standing 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.
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 be five (5) feet and sign area of five (5) square feet.
Sign, On -Site Informational- As currently defined with a sign height of five (5) feet and
sign area of ten (10) square feet.
MEASUREMENT OF SIGN HEIGHTS AND FACE SIZE
Sign Height- Vertical distance measured from the lowest adjacent grade to the highest
point of the sign structure.
Sign Area- The total measured area of the surface area containing the information.
TYPES OF SIGNS ALLOWED IN THE COMMERICAL INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS
All freestanding signs shall be of monument type; shall not exceed twelve (12) feet in
height and fifty (50) square feet in size.
Interstate area overlay district signs shall comply with the requirements Section 165-127
of the Frederick County Zoning Ordinance.
Sign, Multi -Tenant Complex
Sign, Monument
Sign, Directional
Sign, Informational
Sign, Building
TYPES OF PROHIBITED SIGNAGE DEFINTIONS TO BE ADDED TO THE
FREDERICK COUNTY ZONING ORDINANCE
The signs listed below will be prohibited and will be added to Section (s) 165-30 and
165-156 of the Frederick County Zoning Ordinance. Any signs currently listed in
Section (s) 165-30 and 165-156 of the Frederick County Zoning Ordinance shall be
prohibited.
*Sign, Environmentally Activated- Any sign that is activated by the wind; to included
banners, flags, balloons, or other objects designed and fashioned to move when subjected
to wind pressure.
*Sign, Message Electronic- A sign with a fix or changing message display composed of a
series of lights that may be changed by electronic means.
*Sign, Light Electronic Diomode- A sign with a series of lights that maybe changed by
electronic means.
*Off -premises business sign- A sign that advertise a product or business not produced or
sold on the parcel which the sign is located. Not to include multi -tenant complex signs.
§ 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
I
§ 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 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 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. Business signs located in the
RA (Rural Areas) Zoning District shall not exceed 10 feet in height. 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. [Amended 12-14-2005]
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 and the RA (Rural Areas) Zoning
District, no business sign or directional sign shall exceed 50
square feet in area. [Amended 12-14-2005]
(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
9-12-2001]
(4) No freestanding building entrance sign shall exceed four square
feet in area.
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.
16549 02-10-2006
N
§ 165-30 FREDERICK COUNTY CODE
§ 165-31
(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.
§ 165-31. Protection of environmental features. [Amended 12-11-1991;
8-9-2000; 7-11-2001; 4-23-2003]
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
16550 02-10-2006