HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 05A DR-19-01_321 Dorset St_Mitchwartz_sign_ffd_draft#DR-19-01
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CITY OF SOUTH BURLINGTON
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND ZONING
SB SIGNS, INC – 321 DORSET ST
MASTER SIGNAGE PERMIT #DR-18-08
FINDINGS OF FACT AND DECISION
Design Review application #DR-19-01 of SB Signs, Inc. to obtain an initial Master Signage Permit (MSP)
for four (4) building signs in black, red and white, 321 Dorset Street.
The Development Review Board held a public hearing on May 7, 2019. The applicant was represented by
Courtney Boutin.
Based on the plans and 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, SB Signs Inc, seeks to obtain an initial Master Signage Permit (MSP).
2. The permit includes four wall signs in black, red and white.
3. The owners of record of the subject property is Mitchwartz Properties.
4. The application was received on March 25, 2019.
5. The applicant submitted a rendering of the proposed signs which consists of one emblem in black
and white, one set of text in blue, one set of text in blue and red, and one set of text in white. The
applicant has represented verbally that they do not wish for approval for blue signs and will be using
black for the signs shown represented in blue. The signs are proposed to range from 9 sq ft to 23 sq
ft.
6. The property lies within the Dorset Street/City Center Sign District.
7. The Master Sign Permit does not approve specific signs. The approvability of the exact signs shown
must be evaluated separately in a Permanent Sign Application.
SIGN ORDINANCE
Section 6: Dorset Street/City Center Sign District of the South Burlington Sign Ordinance reads in part
that the Development Review Board must consider the following standards:
(1) Consistent Design: the design of a sign shall consider and be compatible and harmonious with
the design of buildings on the 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.
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(2) Promote City Center Goals: signs shall be designed and located in a manner which reinforces
and respects the overall stated goals of the sign district and City Center Plan, including a high
aesthetic quality and pedestrian orientation.
(3) Color and Texture: the color and texture of a sign shall be compatible and harmonious with
buildings on the property and nearby. The use of a maximum of three (3) predominant colors
is encouraged to provide consistent foreground, text and background color schemes.
(4) Materials Used: signs shall be designed and constructed of high-quality materials
complimentary to the materials used in the buildings to which the signs are related.
The applicant’s proposed signs use a consistent typeface which varies in boldness and whether the letters
are capitalized or not. The Board finds the applicant’s boldness variation acceptable but finds applicant
must amend their proposal to use only capital letters on the Dorset Side of the building. The signs are
proposed to be constructed of painted aluminum or acrylic with applied vinyl. The signs are wall
mounted therefore pedestrian scale is not an issue. The applicant is proposing only three predominant
colors, black, white and red. The Board finds these criteria have been met.
Section 8(d) reads in part that the Board must consider the following:
(1) The initial application for a Master Signage Permit shall establish a consistent set of
parameters for the shapes, materials, foreground and background color schemes, typefaces,
sizes, installations and sign types to be utilized for a property and shall include color
illustrations thereof.
(2) Applicants are strongly encouraged to specify parameters that will lead over time to creating
a strong consistency of shape, foreground and background color scheme, typeface, size, and
installation in order to ensure that all signage on a property is in accordance with the goals of
the Dorset Street/City Center Sign District.
(3) All Master Signage Permit applications shall specify how one or more of these graphic
elements will be used to relate all of the signs to each other visually.
(4) Applicants may request a review and approval of a range of potential sizes for individual
signs, so that an application for an individual sign of approved materials, color and design that
is within an approved size range will require only approval of the Code Officer.
The proposed text signs use a sans serif font with individual cut-out letters. The proposed logo sign is an
illuminated sign cabinet. The text signs are proposed to be either halo lit or unlit. The signs are
proposed to be between 9 and 23 sq ft. There are no freestanding signs proposed. The Board finds
these criteria have been met.
Section 9(h) addresses standards specifically for free-standing signs within the Dorset Street/City
Center Sign District. No freestanding signs are proposed.
Section 21(e) pertains to lighting:
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(e) In the Dorset Street/City Center Sign District, internally illuminated signs shall utilize opaque
backgrounds and translucent letters, logos and/or graphics, so as to insure that the lettering, logos
and/or graphics are illuminated rather than the background. Translucent backgrounds utilizing dark
colors may be used with white, clear or other light translucent letters, logos and/or graphics, provided
the Design Review Committee determines that the effect will be consistent with the intent of this
provision.
The applicant has indicated that the textual signs will be halo lit or unlit. The logo sign will be an
illuminated sign cabinet with a white sign on a black background. The Board finds this criterion met.
DECISION
Motion by __, seconded by __, to approve sign design review application #DR-19-01 of SB Signs, Inc
subject to the following conditions:
1. All previous approvals and stipulations which are not changed by this decision, will remain in full
effect.
2. The sign colors permitted are white, black and red.
3. The final plans must be revised to show the change below and three full-size copies must be
submitted to the Administrative Officer prior to obtaining a permanent sign permit. Any
additional changes to any of the plans will require approval of the South Burlington
Development Review Board.
a. The signs on Dorset Street must be revised to use only capital letters.
4. The applicant must obtain sign permits consistent with the master sign approval and specific
standards of the Sign Ordinance in effect at the time of application from the Code Officer prior to
installation of any signs on the property.
5. Any changes to the approved plan require approval by the South Burlington Development Review
Board or the Administrative Officer.
6. Pursuant to Section 20 of the Sign Ordinance, all signs must be of substantial and sturdy
construction, kept in good repair, and painted or cleaned as necessary to maintain a clean, safe,
and orderly appearance.
Mark Behr Yea Nay Abstain Not Present
Matt Cota Yea Nay Abstain Not Present
Frank Kochman Yea Nay Abstain Not present
Bill Miller Yea Nay Abstain Not Present
Brian Sullivan Yea Nay Abstain Not Present
Jennifer Smith Yea Nay Abstain Not Present
John Wilking Yea Nay Abstain Not Present
Motion carried by a vote of _ – _ – _.
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Signed this ____ day of May, 2019 by
_____________________________________
Bill Miller, Chair
Please note: An appeal of this decision may be taken by filing, within 30 days of the date of this
decision, a notice of appeal and the required fee by certified mail to the Superior Court, Environmental
Division. See V.R.E.C.P. 5(b). A copy of the notice of appeal must also be mailed to the City of South
Burlington Planning and Zoning Department at 575 Dorset Street, South Burlington, VT 05403. See
V.R.E.C.P. 5(b) (4)(A). Please contact the Environmental Division at 802-828-1660 or
http://vermontjudiciary.org/GTC/environmental/default.aspx for more information on filing
requirements, deadlines, fees and mailing address.
The applicant or permittee retains the obligation to identify, apply for, and obtain relevant state
permits for this project. Call 802.477.2241 to speak with the regional Permit Specialist.