Board of Architectural Review

Town of Vienna 127 Center Street South Vienna, Virginia 22180 p: 703.255.6341 TTY 7111 Meeting Minutes Board of Architectural Review Thursday, January 20, 2022 7:30 PM COUNCIL CHAMBERS-VIENNA TOWN HALL Roll Call The Board of Architectural Review met in regular session at 7:30 PM on Thursday, January 20, 2022, in the Vienna Town Hall at 127 Center St. S. Chairman Roy Baldwin, Vice-Chair Michael Cheselka, Patty Hanley, Paul Layer were present in Council Chambers, Linda van Doorn was absent. Principal Planner Kelly O’Brien and Board Clerk Sharmaine Abaied were present in Council Chambers. Mr. Baldwin called the meeting to order. Roll Call: Mr. Layer, Mr. Baldwin, Mr. Cheselka and Ms. Hanley were present. Ms. van Doorn was absent Approval of the Minutes Meeting Minutes: The meeting minutes were accepted as submitted Old Business 315 Maple Ave E - Chase Bank - Exterior Modifications Item No. 1: Request for approval of façade of a new building, lighting, landscaping, and signs for Chase Bank, located at 315 Maple Ave E, Docket Nos. PF-668922 & 668778-BAR, in the C-2 General Commercial zoning district, filed by Aaron West of OTJ Architects, project architect. Ms. O’Brien reminded the Board that they had stated the applicant did not need to be present for the hearing as their submission was for the Board to choose the brick that best represented the rendering. The applicant had also submitted a revised rendering of what had been approved by the Board during the December hearing. The applicant had also submitted the amendments to the lighting. The Board reviewed the four brick samples submitted by the applicant. Mr. Cheselka asked to confirm the 4000 kelvins for the lighting. Ms. O’Brien stated it would be 4000 kelvins and lumens at 150 with the dimming module and 162.6 without the dimming module. Mr. Layer commented on the brick stating the brick that was closest to the rendering was the French gray brick. The Board was not in favor of the white brick and the gray brick too drab. The Boards continued discussion found that the French Gray brick was the brick the Board preferred. Ms. O’Brien asked the Board if they preferred the 150 lumens with a dimmer or if they Town of Vienna Page 1 Printed on 4/27/2022 Board of Architectural Review Meeting Minutes January 20, 2022 would be comfortable with 162.6 lumens. Mr. Layer stated he preferred the dimmer, giving an option if the 162.6 lumes were too bright. The Board members decided the 150 lumens with the dimmer was preferred. Ms. Hanley made a motion to approve façade of a new building, lighting, landscaping and signs for Chase Bank, located at 315 Maple Ave E, Docket Nos. PF-668922 & 668778-BAR, with the French Gray color brick named Talus, and the lighting dimmer be included with the approval. Motion: Ms. Hanley Second: Mr. Cheselka Ayes: Ms. Hanley, Mr. Cheselka, Mr. Layer, and Mr. Baldwin Absent: Ms. van Doorn Motion passes: 4 to 0 New Business 360 Maple Ave W - RX Wellness - Sign Item No. 2: Request for approval of signs for RX Wellness, located at 360 Maple Ave W, Docket No. PF-676459-BAR, in the C-1 General Commercial zoning district, filed by Jason Alexander of Vision Sign, Inc., project contact. There was no applicant present to represent the application, the Board members decided to review the application. Ms. O’Brien stated that the applicant had three color scheme options, and one of the options was preferred. There would be no lighting for the sign. The Board members reviewed the three sign color scheme options. It was determined the sign was made from aluminum. Ms. O’Brien identified the locations of signs two and three. She then explained the three-color schemes for signs two and three. Mr. Layer and Ms. Hanley indicated their preference was color scheme number one which was the applicants preferred color scheme (found on sheet three) Mr. Baldwin determined they would split the motion between the façade and pylon signs. Mr. Layer made a motion to approve the request for two facade signs for RX Wellness, located at 360 Maple Ave W, Docket No. PF-676459-BAR, with the preferred color scheme for signs two and three. Motion: Layer Second: Cheselka Ayes: Mr. Layer, Mr. Baldwin, Mr. Cheselka, and Ms. Hanley Absent: Ms. van Doorn Motion passes: 4 to 0 There was some discussion regarding the images of the sign (before and after photos). Ms. Hanley made a motion to approve the request for a pylon sign for RX Wellness, located at 360 Maple Ave W, Docket No. PF-676459-BAR, as submitted Town of Vienna Page 2 Printed on 4/27/2022 Board of Architectural Review Meeting Minutes January 20, 2022 Motion: Hanley Second: Layer Ayes: Mr. Layer, Mr. Baldwin, Mr. Cheselka, and Ms. Hanley Absent: Ms. van Doorn Motion passes: 4 to 0 431 Maple Ave W - Removery Tattoo - Sign Item No. 3: Request for approval of building mounted sign and pylon sign for Removery Tattoo, located at 431 Maple Ave W, Docket No. PF-663506-BAR, in the C- 1 Local Commercial zoning district, filed by William Rosenberg of Econo Signs, Inc., project contact. Mr. Chris Daly was present to represent the application. Ms. Hanley stated she was concerned about the fact that the sign was already installed as well as the lighting levels as the kelvins on the application indicated 7000. Ms. Hanley asked Ms. O’Brien to show the picture of the storefront. She pointed out the architectural design of the original signs and how the other signs differ from the original signs. Mr. Layer stated the new sign was an improvement from the former sign and felt the upper signs were different, channel letters, and the lower signs were cabinet signs. Mr. Layer also commented that the sign appeared to back / halo lit. Ms. O’Brien clarified that the mesh material submitted shows the sign as black during the day and at night it would be white. Mr. Daly confirmed what Ms. O’Brien stated. Mr. Baldwin inquired about the logo. Mr. Layer asked if the lighting was halo and had a perforated vinyl face, changing from black during the day to white at night. Mr. Daly stated he was not sure as he was there to represent the application but had not processed the design. He asked if he could step away from the meeting to inquire with the originator of the application about the lighting. Mr. Daly returned stating he was not able to obtain the information requested. He followed up by saying that the background is a black mesh halo lit sign. Mr. Layer asked what it meant that the documents, stated in “A”, that the sign was a five-inch-deep reverse aluminum returns. Ms. Hanley stated she was confused by what is presented versus what she had seen, as the sign had been installed prior to going before the Board. The sign was white and coming out of the back and sides of the sign. She stated that she was very concerned by the lighting level. Mr. Layer asked if we could move to the pylon sign as it seemed more straight forward and mentioned deferring the façade sign until more information regarding the lighting was provided. There was some discussion by the Board with the applicant regarding deferral in which they all agreed it would be beneficial to defer the decision for the façade sign. Mr. Baldwin asked for comments regarding the pylon sign. There were no comments. Town of Vienna Page 3 Printed on 4/27/2022 Board of Architectural Review Meeting Minutes January 20, 2022 Mr. Cheselka made a motion to defer the request for approval of building mounted sign and a motion to approve the pylon sign for Removery Tattoo, located at 431 Maple Ave W, Docket No. PF-663506-BAR. Motion: Cheselka Second: Hanley Ayes: Mr. Layer, Mr. Baldwin, Mr. Cheselka, and Ms. Hanley Absent: Ms. van Doorn Motion passes: 4 to 0. Mr. Layer added that the Board was seeking clarification of the technical drawing of the sign versus the sign that had been installed. Regular Meeting Board of Architectural Review - Electronic Participation Policy Resolution The Board discussed making a decision on electronic participation policy resolution Mr. Layer asked if the Board was allowed to amend the legal document. Ms. O’Brien stated it was a document created by the Town Attorney. Ms. Hanley stated she thought that if there were any recommendations for changing the document that perhaps they could make that request. Mr. Baldwin stated that if there were changes a member would like to take up with the Town Attorney then the Board could make a decision on the electronic participation. Ms. O’Brien stated that the Board would need to have the policy in place sooner if a Board member would like to utilize the electronic policy at any upcoming meetings. Ms. Hanley stated she thought the Board should discuss whether they would even want the resolution. Would work session be excluded as only two electronic participation allowances are granted in a calendar year, unless there is a medical condition prohibiting a member’s physical presence at a meeting. Ms. Hanley also asked if Zoom was allowed during those meetings. Ms. O’Brien stated her understanding was that Zoom was allowed for electronic participation upon request. There was question if the electronic participation was only by phone which would be difficult for the Board of Architectural Review. Ms. Hanley also asked if the quorum was those members present, Ms. O’Brien stated that was correct. There was continued discussion. Mr. Layer made a motion to accept the electronic participation policy as submitted. Motion: Layer Second: Hanley Ayes: Mr. Layer, Mr. Baldwin, Mr. Cheselka, and Ms. Hanley Absent: Ms. van Doorn Motion passes: 4 to 0. Mr. Layer asked if the comments about the document from Ms. van Doorn could be passed along to the Town Attorney. Ms. Hanley inquired about the temporary signs which had been discussed at the previous meeting. The signs in the commercial district appear to be a bit excessive. Ms. Hanley Town of Vienna Page 4 Printed on 4/27/2022 Board of Architectural Review Meeting Minutes January 20, 2022 asked how the follow up and execution of the temporary sign removal was moving along. Ms. O’Brien stated the Zoning Administrator and Economic Development Manager would be working on a mailer and a weekly business email. Mr. Layer asked if the sign guideline would change, Ms. O’Brien stated there were not immediate changes. It would be looked at during Code Create with public hearings close to the end of the year. It is proposed that there would be a residential sign section and a commercial sign section. Mr. Layer inquired about the start and end date for temporary signs and their regulation as well as temporary signs that are in poor condition and the need for them to be removed. Mr. Layer also inquired about “content neutrality” of signs in conjunction of “community standards” and their interpretations. Ms. Hanley asked about a guideline or signs versus the code. There was continued discussion regarding temporary signs. Mr. Baldwin asked about the temporary sign for Tobacco Hut. Ms. O’Brien stated they had submitted the sign application for BAR review and should be at the following months meeting. She also stated the Zoning Administrator and Zoning Compliance Officer have been out to the business 0n several occasions regarding different signs they have had posted that were not in compliance with the town code. Meeting Adjournment Mr. Layer made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Hanley seconded the motion. With no objections the meeting adjourned at 8:44 Respectfully Submitted, Sharmaine Abaied Board Clerk THE TOWN OF VIENNA IS COMMITTED TO FULL COMPLIANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT STANDARDS. TRANSLATION SERVICES, ASSISTANCE OR ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS FROM PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ARE TO BE REQUESTED NOT LESS THAN 3 WORKING DAYS BEFORE THE DAY OF THE EVENT. PLEASE CALL (703) 255-6304, OR 711 VIRGINIA RELAY SERVICE FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED. Town of Vienna Page 5 Printed on 4/27/2022