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, June 16, 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, June 16, 2022, in the Vienna Town Hall at 127 Center St. S. Vice-Chair Michael Cheselka, Linda van Doorn, Patty Hanley, and Paul Layer were present in Council Chambers. Zoning Administrator Andrea West, and Board Clerk Yaska Camacho Castillo were also present in Council Chambers. Vice-Chair Mr. Cheselka called the meeting to order. Roll Call: Ms. van Doorn, Ms. Hanley, Mr. Layer, Mr.Cheselka were present Absent: Mr. Baldwin Approval of minutes Meeting minutes for May 19, 2022, were accepted as submitted. Meeting minutes for April 21, 2022, were accepted with some clarifications on item #8 and item #10. Ms. West introduced David Levy, the new Director of Planning and Zoning. Old Business 374 Maple Ave W - Sunrise Senior Living - Exterior Modification Revision Item No. 1 Revision to previously approved new construction of a mixed-use building with senior living and restaurant/café space, located at 374 Maple Ave W, in the MAC Maple Avenue Commercial district; filed by Jerry Liang, owner. Rhiannon Schroth & Scott Fleming – 1215 Cameron Street Alexandria, VA 22314 were present to represent the application. Ms. Schroth stated they had taken the board's comments into account from last month's meeting regarding a couple of things- one of them being the material for the exterior elevation. At the previous meeting, the board voiced their concern with the synthetic material used on Wade Hampton Drive elevation, which is within arm's reach, and potentially having someone damage the material. Ms. Schroth said they are proposing a heavier reinforcing mesh. She stated a standard ASTM E2486 test is used to determine the different levels of impact resistance. What they are proposing is called an Ultra- High impact resistance. Ms.van Doorn asked if the two samples provided to the board did not include the mesh – she asked if they were standard, and the applicant replied correct. Ms. van Doorn asked if the mesh would be applied over. The applicant said no. Ms. van Doorn asked how it would be applied. Mr. Fleming stated it would be applied underneath. He noted the mesh reinforces the different layers deep underneath. He provided more information Town of Vienna Page 1 Printed on 7/25/2022 Board of Architectural Review Meeting Minutes June 16, 2022 on the different layers and how the mesh is applied. Ms. van Doorn asked if this would make it appear like synthetic limestone. Mr. Fleming replied yes. The board continued to discuss the ultra-high impact resistance level, the final finish of limestone, and the colors. Ms. Hanley made a motion to approve the request for the revision to the previously approved exterior modification for Sunrise Senior Living located at 374 Maple Ave W, Docket No. PF- 2320-BAR in the MAC Maple Avenue Commercial zoning district be approved as presented. Motion: Ms. Hanley Second: Mr. Layer Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 Motion Carried 4-0 New Business 110 Market Sq NW - Solar Panels Item No. 2 Request for approval of Solar Panels, located at 110 Market Sq NW, Docket No. PF-773555-BAR, in the MAC, Maple Avenue Commercial zoning district, filed by Anthony Colella, EDGE Energy, project contact. Jodi Soler, Edge Energy- 7904 Foxhound Rd McLean, VA – was the representative for the application. Mr. Solar stated he is proposing the installation of solar panels on a flat roof. Ms. Hanley asked if the roof structure had to be modified. The applicant said they had to modify the roof by attaching it directly to the roof. Ms. Hanley then asked how it would be hooked up to the electrical panel. Mr. Soler replied with a wire that goes from the roof down to the back of the house. Ms. Hanley asked if it was the exterior of the house. Mr. Solar replied yes; he stated the builder made no provisions to allow running a wire from the roof to the garage where the electrical panel is located. Ms. Hanley asked where exactly on the exterior of the building are the wires coming down from and if there is a conduit it's encased in. Mr. Soler replied yes, it is a mega conduit. Ms. Hanley inquired about the colors. The applicant answered that the colors are typically galvanized, black, or white, the standard colors. He stated they would paint the conduit if required a different color. Ms. Hanley once again asked where in the exterior is it located. Mr. Soler answered there is no exact location on where it goes; they try to install it where it will be hidden from view as much as possible (i.e., corner of the building). Ms. Hanley asked Ms. West if there were documents showing it would be on the driveway side. Ms. West stated she was not aware. Ms. Hanley asked if it could be added to the motion, and Ms. West said it could be added as a condition to the motion, and they can check the document for that specific detail. Mr. Layer asked if the conduits were metal. Mr. Soler replied correct. Mr. Layer inquired about the colors. He asked what the finish is and what is the coating system for the black color. The applicant confirmed it was factory paint. Mr. Layer asked the applicant if he had used the color black before, to which the applicant replied they use it all the time. Mr. Layer asked if the black color has the same longevity as the galvanized. The applicant stated it is galvanized. It is painted on top. Mr. Layer asked how it is fastened, and Mr.Soler replied with standard galvanized clips that can easily be painted black. Mr. Layer recommended the clips remain the same color because having galvanized on black will stand out. Town of Vienna Page 2 Printed on 7/25/2022 Board of Architectural Review Meeting Minutes June 16, 2022 Furthermore, he asked about roof repairs and panels. Mr. Soler stated there is no plan to place walking pads on the roof. There is no maintenance to the solar panels except replacing them 40 years from now. If something happens underneath the roof, you remove the panel and repair the roof. They discussed the roof membrane and slope. Mr. Cheselka asked about the paint. He addressed the importance of priming galvanized paint. Ms. Hanley inquired about rooftop decks. She asked staff for clarification on this particular unit having a rooftop deck. Ms. West stated this was a unit with a flat roof without a deck. They continued to review the information, and Ms. West clarified there is a terrace on the third floor, but she didn’t see on the documents how the conduit would go around that space. The board discussed how they could word the motion Ms. van Doorn made a motion to approve the request for approval of Solar Panels, located at 110 Market Sq NW, Docket No. PF-773555-BAR, in the MAC, Maple Avenue Commercial zoning district with the following provision: • The conduits should be factory-finished powder-coated black galvanized material. • The conduit should be installed in a way to be least visible, i.e., in the corners and along the top portion of the terrace, and not on the floor and continued vertically in the least observable manner. Motion: Ms. van Doorn Second: Mr. Layer Ayes:4 Nays: 0 Motion Carried 4-0 438 Maple Ave E - Long and Foster - Sign Item No. 3 Request for approval of new sign, located at 438 Maple Ave E, Docket No. PF-758995-BAR, in the C-1, Local Commercial zoning district, filed by Gary Brent, MG Permit LLC., project contact. Gary Brent, MG permits - 19187 Foggy Bottom Rd. Bluemont, VA 20135 - was the representative for the application. Mr. Brent described the project. He stated an existing cabinet runs throughout the storefront length, and the plan is to reface and retrofit the lighting (LEDs) with the existing cabinet. The style out faces is a routed aluminum 0.080 with routed out lettering back with 316 acrylic. The lettering on the acrylic is perforated black vinyl. The daytime view will display black lettering, and the nighttime view will display white lettering. The LED modules are planned to be within the Towns limitation of 3500 kelvins and 150 lumens. Ms. Hanley asked for clarification on the current color of the sign. She asked Ms.West if the existing sign was from a previous exterior modification because the color was green when she last drove by it, and currently, it shows as white. Ms. West stated the facade came before the board for modifications, including changing the sign band's color. She said this application is to make the sign band white. Mr. Brent stated he drove by before the meeting, and the previous tenant's name, who is no longer there, flipped their sign over, which may be the color green Ms. Hanley saw. Ms. Hanley asked the applicant if the entire panel would be white. She commented she wanted to make sure everything matched. The applicant replied yes. Town of Vienna Page 3 Printed on 7/25/2022 Board of Architectural Review Meeting Minutes June 16, 2022 Mr. Layer wanted some clarification on the day and night view. He asked Mr. Brent if the letters would be black and the background would be white during the daytime. Additionally, he asked if the letters would glow white and if the background would be black during the nighttime. The applicant replied the background would be opaque routed aluminum. There is no light coming through except for the letter area. They continued to discuss the topic. Mr. Layer asked about the color of the building. Mr. Brent stated he wasn’t sure since it was not part of his application. Mr. Layer reviewed the color sample provided for the panel. He noted the sample color was not called bright white. Mr. Brent stated it is white acrylic. It would be for the lettering, which will then be covered in perforated black vinyl. The board discussed the proposed colors, the rendering, and prior modifications. Mr. Cheselka wanted clarification on the color for the rendering presented to the board. Mr. Brent stated he believes he/they forgot a sample. He explained that the border around the fascia is Sherwin Williams 7105 paperwhite and that the color they were looking at was beige. The board continued to discuss the missing color sample, the sample provided, and the fascia material (aluminum). The board discussed the importance of having the proposed color sample present. Mr. Lawyer stated the rendering won't be 100% accurate, but the samples will. The best way to see a pallet of colors is in a sample. Mr. Cheselka asked Ms. West if there was any other way they could see the missing sample (new color) without having the applicant return next month. Ms. West responded any color decision has to be made in a meeting. The board continued to discuss the colors. Mr. Brent asked if he could bring in more than one sample if he needed to return to the board. Mr. Cheselka stated they needed to see the exact color because the building is located on the main street. They continued to discuss the importance of knowing what color/material would be used. Mr. Layer stated he would drive down to the building with the samples to see what is in place to understand better what is being proposed; due to the mismatch between the rendering and what they were shown, the questions have multiplied, which has caused some confusion. Mr. Layer made a motion to differ the request for approval of a new sign located at 438 Maple Ave E, Docket No. PF-758995-BAR, in the C-1, Local Commercial zoning district, filed by Gary Brent, MG Permit LLC, until the board receives the following samples: • Paint color SW7105 • Paint color immediately above SW7105 • Paint color immediately below SW7105 Motion: Mr. Layer Second: Ms. van Doorn Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 Motion Carried 4-0 434 Maple Ave E - Diane T. Salon - Sign Item No. 4 Request for approval of new sign, located at 434 Maple Ave E, Docket No. PF-759099-BAR, in the C-1, Local Commercial zoning district, filed by Gary Brent, MG Permit LLC., project contact. Gary Brent, MG permits - 19187 Foggy Bottom Rd. Bluemont, VA 20135 - was the representative for the application. This application was deferred with item 3. Town of Vienna Page 4 Printed on 7/25/2022 Board of Architectural Review Meeting Minutes June 16, 2022 Ms. Hanley made a motion to defer the request for approval of a new sign located at 434 Maple Ave E, Docket No. PF-759099-BAR, in the C-1, Local Commercial zoning district, filed by Gary Brent, MG Permit LLC., while the Sherwin William samples are provided. Motion: Ms. Hanley Second: Ms. van Doorn Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 Motion Carried 4-0 527 Maple Ave E - VHC Health Physicians - Sign Item No. 5 Request for approval of new sign, for VHC Virginia Hospital Center Physicians, located at 527 Maple Ave E, Docket No. PF-777647-BAR, in the C-1, Local Commercial zoning district, filed by Gary Brent, MG Permit LLC., project contact. Gary Brent, MG permits - 19187 Foggy Bottom Rd. Bluemont, VA 20135 - was the representative for the application. Mr. Brent stated the building is multi-tenant, and they are proposing an internally illuminated channel letter sign with LED lighting within the limitations of the town of 3500 kelvins and 150 lumens- that will be attached to the second floor for VHC physicians. The sign is designed to be attached to an aluminum raceway, similar to the other signs in the plaza, and the measurement is 31.9 sq ft which will cause the total sq ft of all the tenant signs to be 136.9, which is roughly a dozen sq ft under what they are allowed as a building. Ms. van Doorn asked if the green color was part of the business branding. Mr. Brent said it is part of the corporate image/color. He confirmed that is what he uses consistently for the company. Ms. Hanley commented she likes the sign on that building because it’s not as cluttered as some of the other signs; it’s very classy and legible. Mr. Layer referenced the history of the building since it has a lot of signs and stated that at one point, it was divided so that each tenant had a slot along the front. He asked if what is remaining blank now is what is available. Mr. Brent answered he thinks so. Mr. Layer said he asked that question because if there is no future sign for the blank slot, then the placement for this sign seems odd. Mr. Brent stated he wasn’t sure if there is a sign for the empty slot. Mr. Cheselka said he likes the sign and believes the color green adds some pazzaz to it. It goes with the blue and white across the building and coordinates with the WDG sign. Ms. van Doorn made a motion to approve the request for approval of a new sign, for VHC Virginia Hospital Center Physicians, located at 527 Maple Ave E, Docket No. PF-777647-BAR, in the C-1, Local Commercial zoning district. Motion: Ms. van Doorn Second: Ms. Hanley Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 Motion Carried 4-0 252 Maple Ave W - Shell Gas Station - Signs Town of Vienna Page 5 Printed on 7/25/2022 Board of Architectural Review Meeting Minutes June 16, 2022 Item No. 6 Request for approval of updated signs for Shell Gas, located at 252 Maple Ave W, Docket No. PF-777680-BAR, in the C-1A, Special Commercial zoning district, filed by Gary Brent, MG Permit LLC., project contact. Gary Brent, MG permits - 19187 Foggy Bottom Rd. Bluemont, VA 20135 - was the representative for the application. Mr. Brent stated they are proposing two signs for this application. The freestanding identification sign will be replaced on the existing steel support poles with the existing concrete footing. The sign height is to remain the same. The sign is internally illuminated, and the white area is aluminum routed out opaque to give a nighttime view. The internal illumination has LED’s within the Town limitations of 3500 kelvins and 126 lumens per side as per the manufacturer's specification. Additionally, the replacement of the food mart sign. The sign is internally illuminated channel letters which are similar to the ones currently there. This sign is designed to be placed at the center of the wall. The LED’s have 3500 kelvins and 150 lumens. Mr. Layer asked what size are the letters. Mr. Brent stated it is 18 inc letter height. Mr. Cheselka asked the applicant if he would use light bulbs on the letters, and the applicant replied yes. Ms. van Doorn made a motion to approve the request for approval of updated signs for Shell Gas, located at 252 Maple Ave W, Docket No. PF-777680-BAR, in the C-1A, Special Commercial zoning district. Motion: Ms. van Doorn Second: Mr. Layer Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 Motion Carried 126 Branch Rd SE - Massage Envy - Sign Item No. 7 Request for approval of a new sign for Massage Envy, located at 126 Branch Rd SE, Docket No. PF-750619-BAR, in the C-2, General Commercial zoning district, filed by Kath Baker, Concept Unlimited Inc., project contact. Matthew Higgins- 10020 Farrow Road Columbia, SC 29203- was the representative for the application. Mr. Higgins stated massage envy is being replaced with new branding. The colors are being matched; the depth of the channel letters, white faces, black trim, black returns, and the raceway colors will match the façade color. The LED channel letters are 3000 kelvins. Mr. Layer commented it reads better in terms of clarity. Ms. van Doorn asked if the lumens were 107 and the applicant said yes. Mr. Cheselka commented it was simple but effective. Mr. Layer made a motion to approve the request for approval of a new sign for Massage Envy, located at 126 Branch Rd SE, Docket No. PF-750619-BAR, in the C-2, General Commercial zoning district, filed by Kath Baker, Concept Unlimited Inc., as submitted. Motion: Mr. Layer Second: Ms. Hanley Ayes: 4 Town of Vienna Page 6 Printed on 7/25/2022 Board of Architectural Review Meeting Minutes June 16, 2022 Nays: 0 Motion Carried 4-0 Meeting Adjournment The board discussed the following: Mr. Cheselka stated that he has noticed a consistency in the past few meetings with the applicants submitting the correct range for lumens and kelvins. Ms. West said she has explained to applicants who have submitted with a higher range for lumens and kelvins that the board prefers to have them within a specific range. She stated some applicants modify the application, and others leave the lumens and kelvins as requested to explain why to the board. Ms. West mentioned it is up to the applicant to decide since it is not a zoning code requirement. The board continued to discuss the topic. The board also commented and discussed codifying the range for kelvins and lumens. Mr. Layer made a motion to adjourn. Ms. Hanley seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 9:08 pm. Respectfully Submitted, Yaska Camacho Castillo 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 7 Printed on 7/25/2022