HomeMy WebLinkAboutDR-09-05 - Decision - 0325 Dorset Street#DR-09-05
CITY OF SOUTH BURLINGTON
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING & ZONING
MITCHELL SCHWARTZ - 325 DORSET STREET
MASTER SIGNAGE PERMIT #DR-09-05
FINDINGS OF FACT AND DECISION
Mitchell Schwartz, hereafter referred to as the applicant, is requesting sign design review
approval for a master sign permit for freestanding and wall signs for the property located
at 325 Dorset Street in the Dorset Street/ City Center Sign District. The master signage
permit would also establish the design scheme for future tenants.
The Design Review Committee held a public meeting on July 27, 2009. The
Development Review Board held a public meeting on August 18, 2009.
Based on testimony provided at the above mentioned public hearing and the plans and
supporting materials contained in the document file for this application, the Development
Review Board finds, concludes, and decides the following:
Pursuant to Section 6 of the City of South Burlington Sign Ordinance, the erection,
alteration, or relocation of any sign within this district shall require design review by the
South Burlington Design Review Committee (DRC) and Development Review Board
(DRB). Section 8 of the Sign Ordinance requires all property owners within the DS/CC
Sign District to obtain a Master Signage Permit.
Based on testimony provided at the above mentioned public hearing and the plans and
supporting materials contained in the document file for this application, the Development
Review Board finds, concludes, and decides the following:
FINDINGS OF FACT
1. The applicant is seeking design review approval for a master sign permit for
freestanding and wall signs for the property located at 325 Dorset Street in the Dorset
Street/ City Center Sign District. The master signage permit would also establish the
design scheme for the wall signs for the tenants, though no changes to those signs are
proposed herein.
2. The property is located in the Central District 3 (CD3) zoning district.
3. The owner of record of the subject property is Diane Weisburg.
4. The applicant has submitted renderings of the signage for the property.
DESIGN REVIEW CRITERIA
In reviewing an application for signage, the DRC and DRB shall consider the following:
(a) Consistent Design
The design of a sign must be compatible and harmonious with the design of
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buildings on the subject property and nearby. The design of all signs on a
property shall promote consistency in terms of color, graphic style, lighting,
location, material and proportions.
The proposed signs are compatible with the existing building and the surrounding
buildings. The applicant is proposing to mirror the general design and color scheme of
the abutting property to the south which will be part of the same business. Signs on both
properties will have a dark green background with white or cream colored lettering. Cut
out letters also tie the signs together.
No new lighting has been proposed for the signs as part of this application.
(b) Promotion of City Center Goals
Signs within the DS/CC Sign District should be of high aesthetic quality and
pedestrian oriented.
The proposed signage is in compliance with this requirement. The freestanding sign is
proposed to be constructed of mahogany or sign foam. Graphics are legible and would
be easily viewed and understood by motorists and pedestrians.
(c) Color & Texture
The applicant is proposing to utilize the color scheme which currently exists in signs on
the abutting property: dark green background with white or cream colored lettering.
Black and gold/copper would be utilized as accent and graphic colors.
The proposed color scheme for the freestanding and wall signs complies with the
standard in Section 6(b)(3) that states, "The use of a maximum of three (3) predominant
colors is encouraged to provide consistent foreground, text, and background color
schemes."
The satin texture of the proposed signs is compatible and harmonious with buildings on
the property and nearby.
1. The background colors of signs on the property shall be limited to dark green.
The color of the text shall be limited to white or cream. The colors of the graphics
shall be limited to metallic colors such as gold and copper. Black may be used as a
graphic, border, or accent color. Support structures and frames shall be white or
cream.
(d) Materials Used
Pursuant to Section 20 of the Sign Ordinance, all signs shall be of substantial and
sturdy construction, kept in good repair, and painted or cleaned as necessary to
maintain a clean, safe, and orderly appearance.
The proposed signs are compatible with the existing building and the surrounding
buildings.
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2. All signs shall be kept in good repair, landscaping surrounding the freestanding
signs shall be kept trimmed and neat and shall not obscure the text of the signs.
(e) Wall Mounted Signs
Section 10 of the Sign Ordinance governs the :size and location of wall -mounted
signs.
Pursuant to Table 10-1 of the Sign Ordinance, a wall -mounted sign for a multi -
tenant building or a multi -building lot with a master signage permit in any district
with freestanding or landscape sign shall not exceed 15% of the area of the facade
to which it is attached or 100 sq. ft., whichever is smaller.
Pursuant to Table 10-1 of the Sign Ordinance, the total area of all wall -mounted
signs on the subject property shall not exceed 10% of the area of principal public
facade of each building.
Section 10(c) states that a wall -mounted sign shall not project above the roof or
parapet of the building nor below the top of any first floor doorway unless
permitted through the design review approval process.
Pursuant to Section 10(d), a wall -mounted sign shall not cover any opening or
project beyond the top or end of any wall to which it is attached.
(t) Freestanding Signs
Section 9(h) states that free-standing signs along Dorset Street are to be located
in a sign corridor that begins adjacent to the road Right -of -Way and runs sixteen
(16) feet from the edge of the Right of Way toward the building face.
The proposed sign is in compliance with this requirement.
Section 9(h) states that free-standing signs in the Dorset Street/City Center
District may not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in overall dimensions and may
be no higher than twelve (12) feet, measured from the average finished grade at
the base of the sign to the highest point of any part of the sign structure.
The Master Sign Permit considered herein is intended only to address design issues.
Compliance with the sign ordinance with respect to quantity, location and dimensions of
signs shall be determined by the Code Officer upon application for a sign permit. The
applicant is not seeking any waiver or other consideration by the Design from these
provisions. No sign permits may be issued without a Master Sign approval.
DECISION
Motion by Gayle Quimby, seconded by Matt Birmingham, to approve Design Review
Application #DR-09-05 of Mitchell Schwartz subject to the following conditions:
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1. All previous approvals and stipulations which are not superseded by this approval
shall remain in effect.
2. This project shall be completed as shown on the plans submitted by the applicant and
on file in the South Burlington Department of Planning and Zoning.
3. The free-standing sign shall be constructed of mahogany or sign foam.
4. The sign shall have a dark green background with white or cream colored lettering -
black and gold/copper shall be utilized as accent and graphic colors.
5. Any change to the site plan shall require approval by the South Burlington
Development Review Board or the Administrative Officer.
Mark Behr — yea/nay/abstain/not present
Matthew Birmingham — yea/nay/abstain/not present
John Dinklage — yea/nay/abstain/not present
Roger Farley — yea/nay/abstain/not present
Eric Knudsen — yea/nay/abstain/not present
Gayle Quimby— yea/nay/abstain/not present
Bill Stuono — yea/nay/abstain/not present
Motion carried by a vote of 4-0-0
Signed this `day of 2009, by
6/ohn Dinklage, Chairman
Please note: You have the right to appeal this decision to the Vermont Environmental
Court, pursuant to 24 VSA 4471 and VRECP 5 in writing, within 30 days of the date this
decision is issued. The fee is $225.00. If you fail to appeal this decision, your right to
challenge this decision at some future time may be lost because you waited too long.
You will be bound by the decision, pursuant to 24 VSA 4472 (d) (exclusivity of remedy;
finality).
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