PZC Packet 120187STAFF REPORT TO THE PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION - 12/1/37
LOT 20, BLOCK 2, Benchmark At Beaver Creek
Benchmark Plaza Sign Program
Amendment Request
Design Review
INTRODUCTION
The owners of the Benchmark Plaza Building are requesting an amendment to the
Comprehensive Sign Standards for the project that were approved by the Town
in December, 1982.
The amendment deals wi-h allowing the major tenant in the building to have
additional signage to be mounted on the northwest and southwest portions of
the building, facing Avon Road.
The applicant has submitted a rendering showing the proposed signage, a letter
outlining the request, and a draft of the amended sign standards for the project.
STAFF COMMENTS
The applicant is requesting that Avon National Bank be allowed to place approx
imently 60 square feet of signage on the two faces of the building facing Avon
Road. The proposed signs will be 15 inches high, individually lit, channel -type
letter. Although the applicant states that each sign contains 24.8 square feet,
they are actually slightly more: than 30 square feet each. The applicant's
designer calculated the square footage on the basis of the surface coverage of
each letter rather than enclosing the words and using the overall dimensions to
calculate the area as required by the Sign Code. Some questions that need to be
answered regarding this proposal are:
1. Does Avon National Bank plan on using their existing sign as well as the
proposed signage on the building?
2. Is it appropriate to remove their existing signage from the I.D. signs
at the northeast and northwest ends of the building if this request is
granted?
3. Since the existing sign standards for the project require that all
signage shall be interior -lit, channel -type, will future signage meet
this requirement? (No signs on the building currently conform to
this requirement).
LOT 20, BLOCK 2, Benchamark At Beaver Creek
Benchmark Plaza Sign Program
Amendment Request
Design Review
Page 2
4. What is the status of the "Benchmark Companies" sign located across
Avon Road from the project?
The amended sign standards state: "Any ground floor occupant leasing more than
15% of the total net rentable area of the entire building shall be allowed
additional signage to be mounted onto the redwood siding at the west end of
Benchmark Plaza, above the window area. The maximum area of building mounted
signage shall be 50 square feet". Staff feels that this additional signage
allowance should be limited to one major tenant, and in light of the actual
areas of the proposed signs, the 50 square foot limit does not work for this
proposal.
According to the Sign Code, the Commission has discretionary powers in approving
a Sign Program. The total sign allowance for a project may be increased and/or
reapportioned by a Sign Program approved by the Commission. Staff recommends
that the Commission review this submittal in conjunction with the following
"Sign Design Guidelines" from the Sign Code.
Section 15 28 060 Sign Design Guidelines:
A. Harmonious with Town Scale. Sign Location, configuration, design, materials,
and colors should be harmonious with the existing signs on the structure,
with the neighborhood, and with the townscape.
B. Harmonious with Building Scale. The sign should be harmonious with the
building scale, and should not visually dominate the structure to which it
belongs or call undue attention to itself.
C. Materials. Quality sign materials, including anodized metal; routed or
sandblasted wood, such -as rough cedar or redwood; iAterior-lit, individual
plexiglass -faced letters; or three dimensional individual letters with or
without indirect lighting, are encouraged.
Sign materials, such as painted plywood, interior -lit box type palstic, and
paper or vinyl stick -on window signs are discouraged, but may be approved,
however, if determined appropriate to the location, at the sole discretion
of the Commission.
D. Architectural Harmony. The sign and its supporting structure should be in
harmony architecturally, and in harmony in color with the surrounding
structures.
LOT 20, BLOCK 2, Benchmark At Beaver Creek
Benchmark Plaza Sign Program
Amendment Request
Design Review
Page 3
E. Landscaping. Landscaping is required for all freestanding signs, and
should be designed to enhance the signage and surrounding building
landscaping.
1. A minimum of five lineal feet out from, and around the perimeter of,
the sign shall be landscaped.
F. Reflective Surfaces. Reflective surfaces are not allowed.
G. Lighting. Lighting should be of no greater wattage than is necessary to
make the sign visible at night, and should not reflect unnecessarily onto
adjacent properties. Lighting sources, except neon tubing, should not be
directly visible to passing pedestrians or vehicles, and should be concealed
in such a manner that direct light does not shine in a disturbing manner.
H. Location. On multi -story buildings, Individual business signs shall
generally be limited to the ground level. (Ord. 86-3 S1(part)).
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:
1. Introduce project;
2. Presentation by Applciant;
3. Commission review submittal in conjunction with Sign Design Guidelines;
4. Formulate action by Commission.
Respectfully Submitted,
rig !/
K�
,,In ineering Technician
PLANNING & ZONING ACTION:
Approved as Submitted ( ) Approved with Recommended Conditions ( )
Approved with Modified Conditions (L --r Continued (. ) Deni ( ) Ilithdrawn ( )
Date Michael Blair, Secretary
Modified Cooditinn ThP last centence__n-Paragraph nnp of the nrnnncpr 1
Pmendmpnt to the Comprehensive Sign Standards is changed to state "The
maximum area of signage mounted on the redwood portion of the west end of the
building shall be 6.0 ;qijarp fppt