HomeMy WebLinkAboutDR-08-15 - Decision - 0007 Aspen DriveCITY OF SOUTH BURLINGTON
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING & ZONING
DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD
401 DORSET STREET
MASTER SIGNAGE PLAN #DR-08-15
FINDINGS OF FACT, CONCLUSIONS & DECISION
Charles Deslauriers, hereafter referred to as the applicant, is seeking to obtain a new
master sign permit for the subject property within the Dorset Street/City Center (DS/CC)
Sign District. The master signage permit would establish the design scheme for the
freestanding and wall signs on the property, 401 Dorset Street.
The South Burlington Development Review Board (DRB) reviewed the proposal on
January 20, 2009.
Based on testimony given at the above mentioned public hearing and on the plans and
supporting materials contained in the document file for this application, the DRB finds,
concludes and decides as follows:
FINDINGS OF FACT
The applicant is requesting to amend an existing Master Signage Plan for 401
Dorset Street within the Dorset Street/City Center (DS/CC) Sign District.
2. Dorset Hotel Associates LLC is the record owner of the property. The property is
identified as Tax Parcel 0570 00401 C.
CONCLUSIONS
Section 8 of the Sign Ordinance requires all property owners within the DS/CC
Sign District to obtain a Master Signage Permit prior to the issuance of any
individual sign permit for the subject property. Section 8(e)(1) requires that a
Master Signage Permit must be issued prior to the issuance of any individual
sign permit for the property.
2. Pursuant to Section 8 of the Sign Ordinance, a Master Signage Permit shall
establish consistent design parameters for the property to ensure that all signage
is in accordance with goals of the DS/CC Sign District. The Master Signage
Permit shall specify size ranges and the graphic elements to be used to relate
multiple signs to one another. The current application consists of a request for
one freestanding sign and three wall mounted signs, reflecting a change in
company name and associated logos and colors.
DESIGN REVIEW CRITERIA
In reviewing an application for signage, the DRC and DRB shall consider the following:
FILNGS OF FACT, CONCLUSIONS & Dt:CISION
401 DORSET STREET - #DR-08-15
Consistent Design
3. The design of a sign must be compatible and harmonious with the design of
buildings on the subject property and nearby. The applicant submitted renderings
of the signs as they would relate to the building. The Board finds that they meet
the intents of this requirement as the materials and color palette chosen are
highly complimentary of the existing materials and colors of the building.
Promotion of City Center Goals
4. Signs within the DS/CC Sign District should be of high aesthetic quality and
pedestrian oriented. The proposed signs are of high aesthetic quality oriented to
both vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Therefore, the signs are in keeping with
DS/CC Sign District goals.
Color & Texture
5. A maximum of three colors is encouraged. The proposed signs include white text
on a dark green background. Beige is proposed for use as a background color in
the freestanding sign. White is also sparsely used in the logo. The applicant is
also proposing a thin band of black molding around the edge of the sign. The
sign texture is smooth, which is in keeping with the vinyl siding of the structure.
The DRB concludes that the signs are compatible and harmonious with buildings
in the vicinity.
Materials Used
6. The proposed freestanding sign and wall sign are constructed of painted MDO.
The freestanding sign is mounted on finished Douglas fir, secured to a stone
base. The materials are appropriate and of adequate quality.
FREE STANDING SIGNS
7. Section 9(c) stipulates that the free standing signs shall be no closer than 5 ft. to
any property line. In addition Section 9(h) stipulates that free standing signs
along Dorset Street are to be located within a sign corridor that begins adjacent
to the right-of-way and runs 16 ft. from the edge of the right-of-way toward the
building face.
8. Pursuant to Section 9(e)(4), the total area of the support structure for the free
standing signs on the subject property shall not exceed 150% of the area of each
sign.
9. Pursuant to Section 9(h) of the Sign Ordinance, for lots in the DS/CC Sign
District, the area of each free standing sign shall not exceed 32 sq. ft.
10. Pursuant to Section 9(h), free standing signs in the DS/CC Sign District shall not
exceed 12 ft in height, measured from the average finished grade at the base of
the sign to the highest portion of any point of the sign structure.
K
FiLiNGS OF FACT, CONCLUSIONS & DECISION
401 DORSET STREET - #DR-08-15
The applicant is proposing a new freestanding sign. This master sign permit review
considers only the design elements of the application. The Code Officer shall ensure that
all requirements of location, quantity, and size are met when issuing individual sign
permits for the property.
11. Pursuant to Section 9(g)(2) of the Sign Ordinance, free standing signs shall have
a base condition that is attractively maintained year round. Photographs
submitted by the applicant show the free standing sign rests on an attractive
stone base. The DRB concludes that the base condition of the free standing sign
is adequate.
WALL MOUNTED SIGNS
12. Section 10 of the Sign Ordinance governs the size and location of wall mounted
signs. Pursuant to Section 10(b)(1) a wall mounted sign shall not exceed 5% of
the area of the principal public facade or 100 sq. ft., whichever is smaller. In
addition, pursuant to Section 10(b)(2), a wall sign may not exceed 15% of the
area of the fagade to which it is attached.
This master sign permit review considers only the design elements of the application.
The Code Officer shall ensure that all requirements of location, quantity, and size are
met when issuing individual sign permits for the property.
GENERAL SIGN STANDARDS
13. Section 20 of the Sign Ordinance requires signs to 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 signs appear to be of
substantial and sturdy construction.
14. There proposed lighting of the freestanding signs are in compliance with the
requirements and limitations of the sign ordinance.
DECISION
MOTION by v L�' ������ , seconded by lb6C-K to approve
Design Review Allplication #DR-0 -15 of Charles Deslauriers, subject to the following
conditions:
This Master Signage Permit must be issued to Dorset Hotel Associates LLC by
the DRB, prior to the issuance of the necessary individual sign permits for the
property.
2. All signs shall be kept in good repair, and painted or cleaned as necessary to
maintain a clean, safe, and orderly appearance.
3. Pursuant to Section 9(g)(2) of the Sign Ordinance, free standing signs shall have
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F/St,flvGS OF FACT, CONCLUSIONS & DLSION
401 DORSET STREET - #DR-08-15
a base condition that is attractively maintained year round.
4. The colors of the freestanding and wall signs shall be limited to: dark green may
be used for a background or cut out lettering; white may be used for lettering and
minor graphic details; beige may be used as a secondary background or accent
color. Black may be used for molding. Sign posts shall be finished with a natural
stain or painted dark green.
Mark Behr — e nay/abDenay/abstain/not
n/not present
Matthew Birmingham — present
Peter Plumeau — yea/nay/abstain of rese
John Dinklage — ea/nay/abstain not present
Roger Farley — e ay/abstain/not presen
Eric Knudson — nay/abstain/not present
Gayle Quimby — e nay/abstain/not present
Motion carried by a vote of
n
Signed this grd y o JAquA-v0( 2009, by
Mark Behr, Vice Chair
Please note: You have the right to appeal this decision to the Vermont
Environmental Court, pursuant to 24 VSA 4471 and VRCP 76 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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