Subject:
Title
Request approval of a sign that does not comply with the master sign plan for 144 Church St., NW, in the CS-O Church Street Vision Incentive Overlay zone.
Body
DATE(S) OF PRIOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION OF THIS ISSUE: n/a
EXPLANATION AND SUMMARY:
The existing building at 144 Church St., NW, was developed in 2000 under the guidelines of the Church Street Vision zoning overlay. This zone allowed, and continues to allow, for expedited approval of projects that adhere to specific design, building, site, and parking requirements, bypassing the requirement for review by the Planning Commission and the Board of Architectural Review. Instead, these projects were, and are, subject only to Town Council approval.
For other Church Street Vision projects, a Master Sign Plan was approved when the project was approved. The Master Sign Plan establishes the location, colors, design and materials that are acceptable for the respective project. When 144 Church St., NW, was approved, the developer did not propose any Master Sign Plan. As a result, none was approved. Instead, each tenant needed to seek Council approval for each new sign until a Master Sign Plan was finally approved by the Council on April 25, 2016.
With the adoption of the Master Sign Plan, signs that conform to its guidelines can be approved administratively by staff. However, any signs that deviate from the Master Sign Plan still require Council approval. The new tenant occupying the second floor of the building is currently seeking approval for such a deviation. Details about the colors, location, materials and design are discussed and presented in Attachments 1 and 3.
Departmental Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the modification to permit the sign as presented in Attachment 3 by Concept Unlimited, Inc., on behalf of RTR Pilates.
Town Attorney Recommendation: Pursuant to the Church Street Vision zoning (previously the “C1-B” zone), the Town Council review and reviews requests to deviate from the site plan and architectural features for Church Street Vision projects.
Town Manager's Recommendation: I recommend the Town Council approve the requested deviations from the Master Sign Plan for 144 Church Street, NW, as presented.
PROPOSED/SUGGESTED MOTION
Recommended Action
"I move to approve the requested deviations from the Master Sign Plan for 144 Church St., NW, as presented."
Or
Other action deemed necessary by Council.