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Minutes
BOARD OF ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW
MINUTES
February 21, 2008
The Board of Architectural Review met in regular session in the Council Room of the Vienna Town Hall, 127 Center Street, South, Vienna, Virginia, with Shirley Damon presiding as Chair. The following members were present: Roy Baldwin, Laine Hyde, David Lanphear, and Paul Layer. Staff members Linnea E. Fechter, Senior Planner and Board Clerk, Jennifer Murphy are present.
ROLL CALL:
Ms. Murphy called roll. All members are present.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Mr. Layer requested that a correction be made to the minutes, Item No. 2, page three. The sentence reading, “…there are other materials that are available that are less impervious.” He explained that it should read, “more impervious.”
Mr. Lanphear made a motion that the January 17, 2008, meeting minutes be approved with the correction requested by Mr. Layer. Ms. Hyde seconded the motion.
Motion: Lanphear
Second: Hyde
Carried: 4-0-1
Abstain: Damon
ITEM NO. 1:
Request for approval of a revised landscaping plan for The Bonacci Building located at 313 Maple Avenue, W, (Docket No. BAR-04-08), in the C-1 Local Commercial zoning district; filed by Christopher E. Bonacci, DDS, of The Bonacci Building.
Dr. Christopher Bonacci owner came forward to speak. Dr. Bonacci stated that he was before the Board two years ago presenting a plan that included an addition and landscape plan. It has been his goal to make the property look very tasteful and appealing improving the space. When trying to obtain an occupancy permit, he was contacted by the Town notifying him that the plantings did not match what had been approved on his landscaping plan. He is now re-presenting a landscape plan in order to obtain his occupancy permit. They replaced a lot of the “green” plantings for colorful flowers.
Chairwoman Damon asked if the stepping stones located to the rear of the building had been relocated. Dr. Bonacci answered no, explaining that they are pieces of slate that were original to the property. They added two pieces to the slate pattern. Chairwoman Damon asked if the changes included the installation of benches and slate to the flower bed. Dr. Bonacci answered that was approved at the 2006 meeting. He noted that a detail of the benches has been provided for review. The bench detail was passed around for review.
Mr. Layer asked if the current plan revises the old plan. Dr. Bonacci answered yes.
Mr. Baldwin asked for clarification on the cross-hatching shown on the plans. Dr. Bonacci answered that it denotes a ground covering. Mr. Baldwin stated that the plans indicate that several new trees will be planted. He asked if they will be at least 4 inch caliper. Dr. Bonacci answered yes.
Mr. Layer asked if the quantity of the proposed plantings will be more or less than originally submitted. Dr. Bonacci answered that it should be about the same.
There being no further questions a motion was in order.
Ms. Hyde made a motion that the request for approval of a revised landscaping plan for The Bonacci Building located at 313 Maple Avenue, W, (Docket No. BAR-04-08), be approved as submitted.
Motion: Hyde
Second: Lanphear
Carried: 5-0
ITEM NO. 2:
Request for approval of signage for Vienna Pediatric Dentistry located at 301 Maple Avenue, W, (Docket No. BAR-98-07), in the C-1A Special Commercial zoning district; filed by Sarah Ganjavi-Rejali, of Vienna Pediatric Dentistry.
Mr. Fred Rejali and Dr. Sarah Ganjavi-Rejali came forward to speak. Mr. Rejali stated that their item was continued due to the multitude of proposed colors for the sign. They have since reduced the amount of colors for the sign. They are proposing two options for signage. Option one, which they prefer, has burgundy and white but also uses a screened burgundy. Option two uses only burgundy and white colors. He stated that option one is more desirable as it will have better visibility from the road. They noted that one of the existing tenants in the building has a sign that has a logo in black, which does introduce a third color. They are not introducing a third color as it is still burgundy but only screened.
Ms. Fechter noted that option two is the one in the staff report. Additional discussion followed.
Chairwoman Damon stated that the application reads that the third color is pink. Ms. Fechter explained that the color was not indicated on the application but that it looked pink on the printout she received. She agreed that it could also be considered a faded burgundy.
Ms. Hyde stated that the new proposal is a much more effective sign as it has a cleaner look and will be more visible from the street. She has no issue with the applicant’s first choice.
Mr. Baldwin stated agreement with Ms. Hyde’s comments. The first choice is perfectly acceptable to him.
Mr. Layer stated that he would support whichever option the applicant chose.
There being no further questions a motion was in order.
Mr. Layer made a motion that the request for approval of signage for Vienna Pediatric Dentistry located at 301 Maple Avenue, W, (Docket No. BAR-98-07), be approved for option number one, which is the sign that utilizes the tinted burgundy on the children’s shirts that is shown on the logo.
Motion: Layer
Second: Baldwin
Approved: 5-0
ITEM NO. 3:
Request for approval of signage for Diamond Spa located at 108 Church Street, NE, (Docket No. BAR-02-08), in the C-1B Pedestrian Commercial zoning district; filed by James Moon, of Diamond Spa Inc.
Mr. James Moon of Diamond Spa, Inc. came forward to speak. Mr. Moon stated that he had brought a new sample to show to the Board. Mr. Moon presented a large color sample of the proposed sign. A sample of materials was also passed around for the Board to review.
Chairwoman Damon asked if the colors will be exactly as it is shown on the rendering. Mr. Moon answered yes. Chairwoman Damon asked for the color of the leaf that dots the letter “i.” Mr. Moon held up the sample for the Board to review. Chairwoman Damon stated that it appears to be multicolored with a solid blue dot in the center of the leaf. Mr. Moon agreed.
Mr. Baldwin asked if the letter “D” shown on the sign would be solid as opposed to the shading shown over the letter “i.” Mr. Moon answered yes, it will be solid.
Ms. Hyde asked if the lamp that they are proposing to install will be the Natural Copper option. Mr. Moon answered yes.
Mr. Layer stated that the sign sample, the drawing submittal and the color that the applicant has described are all different. He stated that at the last meeting he had expressed his concern that the plywood would delaminate when exposed to the weather. He has not seen any suggestions as to what would resolve the issue. It has been his experience that plywood, which is a laminated product, when exposed to weather delaminates. Normally flashing would be placed around the exposed edging to prohibit weathering. As a result he does not have enough information to review the application. Mr. Moon stated that the paint company has assured him that the paint is weather proof. Additional discussion followed and was determined that the applicant is proposing lettering in the size and shape as shown on the sample. The lettering will be solid blue rather than shaded. The applicant will have to provide a blue color sample along with a color number to staff. The color will have to be reviewed individually and approved by a majority vote.
With respect to concerns that the sign will delaminate, Mr. Moon stated that the sign board will be painted with three coats and completely sealed. The sign should not experience any damage. Mr. Layer asked that the top of the sign be flashed with a material that is similar in color to the field color of the sign. Ms. Fechter stated that staff would require that a sample of flashing be submitted also.
Mr. Layer noted that the bulbs proposed are 300 Watt bulbs. He stated that high of wattage will be very bright. He recommended that they lamp down to a maximum of 75 watts.
There being no further questions a motion was in order.
Ms. Hyde made a motion that the request for approval of signage for Diamond Spa located at 108 Church Street, NE, (Docket No. BAR-02-08), be approved with the following stipulations; that the gooseneck lamps will be Classic RLM Natural Copper number NC, the wattage of the bulbs in the three gooseneck lamps will be a maximum of 75 watts each. The blue paint on the lettering for the façade sign needs to be brought in to staff so that Board members can come in individually to review and/or approve the color by a majority vote. The applicant will also provide a material sample of the pre-finished white metal flashing to staff. The metal flashing is to be used at the top of the sign to provide additional weather proofing.
Motion: Hyde
Second: Layer
Carried: 5-0
ITEM NO. 4:
Request for approval of three (3) dumpster enclosures located at 301 Maple Avenue, W, (Docket No. BAR-07-08), in the C-1A Special Commercial zoning district; filed by Jim Crawford, of Trimark.
Mr. Jim Crawford of Trimark was present on behalf of the application. Mr. Crawford stated that they are proposing to build three small dumpster enclosures located at the Poplar, Birch, and Dogwood buildings.
Mr. Layer asked for clarification on the alternate board fence. He asked if it is to be an alternating board. Mr. Crawford answered yes.
There being no further questions a motion was in order.
Mr. Lanphear made a motion that the request for approval of three (3) dumpster enclosures located at 301 Maple Avenue, W, (Docket No. BAR-07-08), be approved as submitted.
Motion: Lanphear
Second: Baldwin
Carried: 5-0
ITEM NO. 5:
Request for approval of signage for Vienna Quilt Shop located at 396 Maple Avenue, E, (Docket No. BAR-08-08), in the C-2 General Commercial zoning district; filed by Charles Preston, of Vienna Quilt Shop.
Ms. Adel Asaro representing the application came forward to speak. Ms. Asaro stated that she is an employee of the Quilt Shop. She is present to answer any questions that the Board might have.
Chairwoman Damon stated that the lettering shown on the rendering has two sizes of letters. She asked which portion of the sign is 6 inches tall or if there will be two sizes of lettering. Ms. Asaro thought that the “aby” is 6 inches in height. The capital “B” is taller. Chairwoman Damon stated that if that is the case then they might exceed the allowable square footage. Additional discussion followed and was determined that the proposed size should not exceed the allowable space for a window sign. The applicant will contact staff to notify them of the exact size of the lettering.
There being no further questions a motion was in order.
Mr. Baldwin made a motion that the request for approval of signage for Vienna Quilt Shop located at 396 Maple Avenue, E, (Docket No. BAR-08-08), be approved with the stipulation that the applicant will provide the exact measurements of the lettering to staff. The lettering is not to exceed the allowable square footage and/or percentage of window area.
Motion: Baldwin
Second: Layer
Carried: 5-0
ITEM NO. 6:
Request for approval of exterior modifications to Westwood Country Club located at 800 Maple Avenue, E, (Docket No. BAR-06-08), in the RS-16 Single Family zoning district; filed by Eric Schultz, of Staudermier Sales and Services.
Mr. Eric Schultz of Staudermier Sales and Services representing the application came forward to speak. Mr. Schultz stated that they would like to place a tennis dome over the rest of the tennis courts.
Ms. Hyde asked for the color of the revolving door. Mr. Schultz answered that all of the exterior doors, including the revolving door are Bare Metal Aluminum and will not be painted. He noted that the fabric of the tennis dome will match the fabric of the existing one.
Mr. Baldwin noted that the application states that the dome covering will make the courts less of a burden on the neighborhood. He asked if he had been aware of any complaints made by neighbors. Mr. Schultz stated that he was not aware of any complaints. It is an athletic field so that there are lights on until 10 or 11 o’clock at night. There is also noise from the players. The covering will be in use year round so that the only noise to be heard will be the equivalent of an HVAC system outside of a house. Mr. Baldwin asked if the light polls will be removed. Mr. Schultz answered yes. Mr. Baldwin asked if the two very large poles that hold up netting will be removed. Mr. Schultz answered yes.
Ms. Fechter asked the applicant if the existing tennis dome stays up year round. Mr. Schultz answered yes. Additional discussion followed.
Mr. Lanphear asked for clarification on the height. Mr. Schultz answered that the original plans showed 36 feet. They have since corrected their plans to read 35 feet.
There being no further questions a motion was in order.
Ms. Hyde made a motion that the request for approval of exterior modifications to the Westwood Country Club located at 800 Maple Avenue, E, (Docket No. BAR-06-08), be approved with the condition that the color of the revolving door will match the other Bare Metal Aluminum doors used on the structure. The height is not to exceed the maximum allowable height of 35 feet.
Motion: Hyde
Second: Lanphear
Carried: 5-0
NEW BUSINESS:
There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 8:53.
Respectfully submitted by,
Jennifer M. Murphy
Board Clerk