Home > Government > Boards and Commissions > Sign Review Board > 2011 > June 22, 2011

Sign Review Board

Black Eyed Susan Conference Room
June 22, 2011
9:00 a.m.

Re:  Public Hearings 

SRB2011-00527-1599 E. Jefferson Street, Rollins Park Apartments

This modification request is to replace an existing nonconforming freestanding sign located at the corner of Rollins Avenue and Congressional Lane.  The sign ordinance limits residential multifamily developments to a single freestanding sign.  Prior Sign Review Board approval (SRB2004-00443) was granted for an additional two freestanding signs. 

A representative of Art Display explained that the subject freestanding sign was not included in the Board’s previous approval.  He explained that they are proposing to update and reface the sign to match the other freestanding signs, which would not increase the sign face area of 24 square feet. 

In response to Ms. Goehrung, Ms. Dietrich explained that the subject sign is a nonconforming sign and was in place before the current sign ordinance was adopted. 

After further discussion, Ms. Goehrung moved, seconded by Ms. Hanessian to approve   SRB2011-00527-1599 E. Jefferson Street, Rollins Park Apartments as submitted.  The motion passed unanimously. 

SRB2011-00528 – 15245 Shady Grove Road, CSC

This modification request is for a building sign that does not meet the current sign concept plan for the property, which requires individual gold anodized letters, preferably Helvetica bold with back lit neon.  This proposed sign would have a red background color and white copy.  

Alan Nethan, Director of Permits for Gable Signs, presented his proposal.  Children’s National Medical Center building, which has prior approval from the Sign Review Board.  The colors of the sign are red and black.  Mr. Nethan explained that Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) is in the midst of rebranding all of their locations with the proposed logo with red letters.

Ms. Goehrung moved, seconded by Ms. Hanessian to approve SRB2011-00528 – 15245 Shady Grove Road, CSC as submitted.  The motion passed unanimously.      

SRB2011-00529 – 50 W. Edmonston Drive, Classic Homes of Maryland

This modification request is for a building sign to be erected between the second and third floor of the Tenely Building.  The sign concept for the property is box signs with white background and red lettering for the office building and red channel letters for the retail section of the property (901-905 Rockville Pike).  The owner/agent is in support of the proposed sign. 

Representatives from Classic Homes presented their request.  They have been given permission to put up a sign on the building because they are taking over the entire fourth floor.  The sign would match the neighboring signage on the site, and would have red channel lettering to match the other signs in the shopping center.  The sign would be placed on the center of the building on the fourth floor.   

The Board questioned the placement of the proposed sign; style of lettering on the sign, and whether signage would be allowed on each floor of the building.  Ms. Dietrich explained that signs could be placed on each floor of the building. 

Ms. Bozzonetti stated that when the trees are leafed out, drivers would not be able to see the proposed sign from the Pike.  Also, she feels the placement of the sign would set a precedent of signs being placed on the middle floors of buildings.  Ms. Bozzonetti also explained that, with the new Rockville Pike Plan, the placement of this sign would set a dangerous precedent for many things.  Ms. Dietrich stated that it is allowed in the sign ordinance.  Ms. Dietrich pointed out that if the Board denies the channel letters, this sign could still be approved without a variance as a box sign and erected between the floors.

The Board further discussed the application.  They favored the aesthetics of the box sign as opposed to the channel letters on the building.  The hardship was also discussed. 

Mr. Worthing moved, seconded by Goehrung to grant the variance for SRB2011-00529 – 50 W. Edmonston Drive, Classic Homes of Maryland.  The motion passed on a vote of 3-1 with Ms. Bozzonetti voting nay. 

SRB2011-00530 – 587-621 Hungerford Drive, Rockville City Center

Ms. Goehrung stated that she would be turning the gavel over to Mr. Worthing because Ms. Goehrung and Ms. Hanessian recused themselves from the application for business reasons.

This modification request is for tenant names to be added to the shopping center’s freestanding sign.  The shopping center’s name "Rockville City Center" is the only name on the sign.  The sign face area will not increase with the tenant names being added.  The letter height for the center's name is proposed to be 12 inches and the proposed tenant names will be 6 inches in height.  The sign color will also be changed to a blue background with white lettering.  Currently, the background color is red. 

Stacy Goehrung with Signs by Tomorrow presented the applicant’s request.  She explained that the owner is proposing to reface the entrance sign of the shopping center.  The applicant is requesting a variance on the size of the lettering on the Rockville City Center sign.  The square footage and the height of the lettering fall within the City’s sign regulations.  In order to include 18 tenant names on the sign, they are requesting that the type to be slightly smaller than what the City’s regulations require.  The letter height of the tenant names letters are proposed to be 6 inches in height and can be seen 200 feet away and 12 inch letters for the Rockville City Center sign, which can be seen 525 feet away. 

Ms. Bozzonetti moved, seconded by Mr. Worthing to approve SRB2011-00530 – 587-621 Hungerford Drive, Rockville City Center as submitted.  The motion passed on a vote of 2-0.       
               
Re:  Minutes

Ms. Bozzonetti moved, seconded by Ms. Hanessian to approve the minutes for April 27, 2011 as submitted. 

New Business

Discussion of Sign Review Board's Change of Meeting Times

The Board discussed the meeting times.  The decision was to table the discussion until the last meeting of the year. 

Mr. Mellander announced that the Mayor and Council adopted Zoning Text Amendment TXT2011-00230 at its meeting on June 6th.  They made one change addition to the Sign Ordinance requirement.  The language applies to signs in planned development zones.  Mr. Mellander read the revised language adopted by the Mayor and Council. 

In response to the Board, Ms. Dietrich stated that she would provide copies of the revised language to the Board.  

Mr. Worthing inquired why sign applications must be notarized.  Mr. Mellander explained that it may be a processing requirement.  He stated that staff would look into the matter. 

Re:  Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 9:28 a.m. 

The next meeting of the Sign Review Board is scheduled for Wednesday, July 27, 2011 at 2:00 PM in the Black Eyed Susan Conference Room, located on the 3rd floor of City Hall.