Home > Government > Boards and Commissions > Sign Review Board > 2011 > December 1, 2011

Sign Review Board

Black Eyed Susan Conference Room
December 1, 2011
2:00 a.m.

PUBLIC HEARING

SRB2012-00536 – 765-795 Rockville Pike, Ritchie Center

This modification request is for tenant names to be added to the shopping center’s freestanding sign.  The current sign says Ritchie Shopping Center only.  The sign face area will not increase with the tenant names being added.  The sign face area will remain at 100 square feet; the maximum sign face area that is permitted.  The letter height for the center’s name is proposed to be twelve inches and the proposed tenant names will be eight inches in height.  The proposed sign color would be reversed rom the approved sign concept color of green letters on a beige background, to white letters on a green background.  All the tenants in the center have green channel letter signs, except Llewellyn Realty and I-Hop that have existing sign modifications and are stand-alone buildings.

SRB2012-00537 – 725 Rockville Pike, Earth Treks Climbing Centers

This modification request if for 4 directional signs on the property.  Earth Treks is located in the rear of the property and does not have any frontage on Rockville Pike.  Earth treks is proposing four freestanding directional signs; one to be located at the main entrance off Rockville Pike, the second to be on the side of the parking lot, the third sign in the rear of the property at the rear entrance and the fourth sign on a wall in the rear of the property.  The proposed signs are three square feet in area and six feet in height and comply with the size and height requirement of the sign ordinance.

A directional sign as defined in the Rockville City Zoning Ordinance is a follows:  a noncommercial sign that contains only information assisting the flow of vehicular or pedestrian traffic or control of parking.  The proposed directional signs have the text “Earth Treks Climbing Centers” with an arrow.  This is clearly a commercial sign and would need to have a sign modification to be installed.  The applicant states that customers have a difficult time finding their business because it is located in the rear of the property.

Adam Erlich of Infinity Signs and Graphics is requesting placement of four directional signs for his business. He says there is no visible sign plans put in place, therefore signage is a problem. The first sign is double-sided on one post adjacent to Rockville Pike. The second sign will be in the parking lot which will also be double-sided and facing Richard Montgomery Drive. The last two signs are in the rear of the property. All signs will be six feet high.

Ms. Goehrung suggests that Mr. Erlich place a sign above the door of the business and possibly have the address changed to a Fleet Street address.

Ms. Hanessian does not like directional signs so close to Rockville Pike and would like the sign closer on the property. She also suggests that signage redirect patrons to the Fleet Street entrance.

Ms. Bozzonetti motioned to approve wall sign #3, seconded by Ms. Hanessian. 3-0.
Ms. Goehrung moved to approve sign #4 as a wall sign, seconded by Ms. Hanessian. 3-0.
Ms. Hanessian moved to deny sign #1, seconded by Ms. Bozzonetti. 3-0.
Ms. Hanessian moved to deny sign #2, seconded by Ms. Bozzonetti. 3-0.

SRB2012-00538 – 5 Choke Cherry Road, Gables Upper Rock

This is a modification request for temporary real estate signs.  Three banner signs are proposed, one sign will be erected on a garage building and the other two signs will be erected on temporary fencing that encompasses the project.

The sign ordinance permits one temporary real estate sign not exceeding 48 square feet in area per lot.  This is a planned development with separate ownership lots.

The proposed fence banner signs are 283 square feet in area, each. One sign would be facing I-270 and the other would be facing Choke Cherry Road.  The temporary banner sign on the garage building is 250 square feet in area.  This project also has an existing approved sign permit for a 32 square foot freestanding construction sign located at the corner of Shady Grove Road and Choke Cherry Road.

Bob Biroonak of Art Display Co., presenting for Bozutto / JBG, submits new drawings to the Board and Staff for the new development. He provides a description of the signs and their placement on the property. The signs will be temporary, approximately one year.

Ms. Goehrung asked how many units will be in the development.

Mr. Biroonak said that he is not sure.

Ms. Dietrich stated that there will be 275 units.

The Board, Staff and Mr. Biroonak go into further discussion about the size and placement of the mesh signs. The garage sign is 50 feet long and will be placed on the west side facing I-270, the second sign will be placed on the off- ramp of I-270, and the third sign will be placed along the fence surrounding the construction site on Choke Cherry Road. Mr. Biroonak says the signs are temporary and will be posted during construction.

Ms. Dietrich clarifies construction vs. leasing signs stating that the length of time construction signs can remain present is until construction is completed. Leasing signs are good for two years. These signs are considered construction signs.

Ms. Hanessian moved seconded by Ms. Bozzonetti to approve the garage sign. 3-0.

Ms. Goehrung thinks that the fence signs on Choke Cherry Road are too large. Ms. Hanessian doesn’t have an issue with the fence signs but feel the signs on the off-ramp will be a distraction to drivers exiting the ramp.  The distraction seems to be not so much the size of the banner but all the information printed on it, encouraging drivers to read the contents.

Ms. Goehrung moved seconded by Ms. Hanessian to approve the fence signs on Choke Cherry Road.   3-0.

Ms. Goehrung moved seconded by Ms. Hanessian to deny the mesh banners on the ramp. Ms. Bozzonetti agreed. 3-0.

MINUTES

Ms. Hanessian moved, seconded by Ms. Goehrung to approve the minutes of October 19, 2011.

NEW BUSINESS

Ms. Dietrich briefs the Board on the Talbot Center sign. Talbot Center wanted to come back before the Board because the meeting was tabled twice. The City is trying to change the sign ordinance to allow same-colored signs giving allowance to a highlight color, plus a logo 20% or less with any colors. Talbot Center redesigned their concept to go along with the new ordinance even though it has not been approved yet.

Legal looked at it and said Talbot Center could not reapply within a year for the same request because Talbot is asking for relief for the same code section, therefore Talbot has contacted the Mayor and Council as well as the Director of CPDS, Susan Swift. The City Attorney and the attorney for Talbot Center are in discussion.

Ms. Dietrich will keep the board informed on any updates.

OLD BUSINESS

No old business.

ADJOURN

The meeting adjourned at 3 p.m.

The next meeting of the Sign Review Board is scheduled for Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at 9:00 am in the Diamondback Terrapin Conference Room, located on the 3rd floor of City Hall.