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, September 19, 2024 7:30 PM Charles Robinson Jr. Town Hall, 127 Center St. South Roll Call The Board of Architectural Review met in a regular session on Thursday, September 19, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. in Town Hall, 127 Center St S, Vienna, VA 22180. Chair Ms. Hanley called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. Roll Call: Mr. Cheselka, Ms. van Doorn, Mr. O’Keefe, and Ms. Hanley were present. Members absent: Mr. Penati Staff present: Planner Sharmaine Abaied, and Board Clerk Yaska Camacho Castillo Approval of the Minutes: August 15, 2024, meeting minutes and September 4, 2024, work session minutes were accepted into the record. Regular Business: BAR24-532 1131 Moorefield Hill CT S.W - Solar Panels Request for approval for installation of solar panels, located at 1131 Moorefield Hill Ct. SW, Docket No. PF-1426305-BAR, in the RMU, Residential – Multi-Unit zoning district, filed by ION Solar, project contact. Applicants present: No one was present. Ms. Abaied stated that the applicant notified staff that no one would be present at the meeting. Ms. van Doorn made a motion to defer the request for approval for the installation of solar panels, located at 1131 Moorefield Hill Ct. SW, Docket No. PF-1426305-BAR, in the RMU, Residential – Multi-Unit zoning district, filed by ION Solar, project contact. Motion: Ms. van Doorn Second: Mr. Cheselka Motion Carried Ms. Hanley requested that for future applications for solar panels, the homeowners can be present at the meeting and the contractor can be on the phone to make the process easier. Town of Vienna Page 1 Printed on 10/24/2024 Board of Architectural Review Meeting Minutes September 19, 2024 BAR24-533 543 Beulah Rd NE - Church of the Holy Comforter - Solar Panels Request approval for installation of Solar Panels at Church of the Holy Comforter, located at 543 Beulah Rd NE, Docket No. PF-1451360- BAR, in the RS-12.5, Residential – Single Unit, 12,500 sq. ft. zoning district, filed by Julien Myefroidt, Ipsun Solar, project contact. Applicant Present: Jim Cahill (Ipson Solar) & Jon Strand (Director of Holy Comforter). Mr. Cahill reminded the board members that the Board of Architectural Review approved the carport structure of the project a few months ago. This application is for the electrical part of the project, the installation of solar panels on two roof locations for the church. 42 panels on the chapel building and 48 panels on the parish hall building. The solar panels proposed are Q. Peak Duo XL-G10 Series panels measuring approximately 7.25 feet long by 3.4 feet wide, including the anodized aluminum alloy frame. The equipment that produces the power will be at the front of the building. The total system size is about 179 kilowatts of energy for the church. Ms. van Doorn voiced her concerns about the number of solar panels being installed and wondered if the energy that’s going to be derived from the solar panels would feed the grid or for the church to use. Mr. Cahill said that the energy would be used by the church first and whatever is excess goes to the grid. The discussion continued. Mr. O’Keefe asked if the rooftops would be visible from Beulah Rd to which Mr. Strand responded that the only location where you would see the panels is in the playground area. Ms. Hanley wondered how the conduits would be installed since the application did not provide information about the installation of the conduits. Ms. Hanley stated that she would prefer that any exposed conduits run with an appropriate trim board or color match the boards as appropriate, and the applicants agreed. Ms. van Doorn made a motion to approve the installation of Solar Panels at Church of the Holy Comforter, located at 543 Beulah Rd NE, Docket No. PF-1451360- BAR, in the RS-12.5, Residential – Single Unit, 12,500 sq. ft. zoning district, with the provision that the exposed conduit runs along the trim boards and that the color of the conduit matches the adjacent features. Motion: Ms. van Doorn Second: Mr. O’Keefe Motion Carried Town of Vienna Page 2 Printed on 10/24/2024 Board of Architectural Review Meeting Minutes September 19, 2024 BAR24-534 146 Church St NE - Sanctuary Interior Design - Sign Item No 3: Request for approval of a new sign, located at 146 Church St NE, Docket No. PF-1264907-BAR, in the CS, Church Street zoning district; filed by Jill Rakicsany of Sanctuary Interior Design, Project Contact. Applicant Present: Jill Rakicsany & Tommy Staats. Ms. Rakicsany stated that she is proposing a blade sign that will be adjacent to the building facing the Church Street sign. The sign will project out about 27 inches and drop down the same distance (27 inches). The sign will be mounted to the building with a bracket, 4 dowels, and screws. The proposed color for the sign lettering is Black Beauty 212810 Benjamin Moore and Celery Salt 938 Benjamin Moore for the sign’s background. Ms. Hanley wondered if the height for the clearance underneath the bottom of the sign which the applicant stated was greater than 7 feet. The board felt the sign worked well with the surrounding signs. Mr. Cheselka made a motion to approve the request for a new sign, located at 146 Church St NE, Docket No. PF-1264907-BAR, in the CS, Church Street zoning district; filed by Jill Rakicsany of Sanctuary Interior Design, Project Contact, as presented. Motion: Mr. Cheselka Second: Ms. van Doorn Motion Carried BAR24-535 139 Church St NW - Bognet Properties - Sign Request for approval of an update to the monument sign for Bognet Construction, located at 139 Church St NW., Docket No. PF-1461424-BAR, in the CS, Church Street zoning district; filed by Steve Kenney, RV Architecture, Project Contact. Applicant Present: Stephen Kenney The applicant proposes repainting the existing monument sign in dark gray to match the front feature of the 139 building. The board reviewed the application and had no concerns. Mr. O’Keefe made a motion to approve the update to the monument sign for Bognet Construction, located at 139 Church St NW., Docket No. PF-1461424-BAR, in the CS, Church Street zoning district, as submitted. Motion: Mr. O’Keefe Second: Ms. van Doorn Motion Carried Town of Vienna Page 3 Printed on 10/24/2024 Board of Architectural Review Meeting Minutes September 19, 2024 BAR24-536 139 Church St NW - Bognet Properties - Exterior Modification - Revision Request for approval of a revision to exterior modifications for Bognet Construction, located at 139 Church St NW., Docket No. PF-1461464-BAR, in the CS, Church Street zoning district; filed by Steve Kenney, RV Architecture, Project Contact. Applicant present: Stephen Kenney & Jim Bognet. The applicant stated that the original application for the dumpster enclosure showed steel posts along the fence line. He now requests to change the material from steel posts to wood posts and noted that they would still use steel posts for the gates due to the weight and the cladding that goes around will remain which is a light grey trex material that is the same as the ramp. Mr. Cheselka asked about the underground tank behind the dumpster. He asked if the tank was taken out for evaluation as stated on the application. Mr. Bognet said it is an old storage tank for fuel. They did not remove the tank because the area where it is located was not excavated. The tank came with the property. The bank had an environmental report done for the tank and all was fine. After further discussion, the board had no additional questions. Mr. Cheselka made a to approve the revision to exterior modifications for Bognet Construction, located at 139 Church St NW., Docket No. PF-1461464-BAR, in the CS, Church Street zoning district, as submitted. Motion: Mr. Cheselka Second: Mr. O’Keefe Motion Carried Town of Vienna Page 4 Printed on 10/24/2024 Board of Architectural Review Meeting Minutes September 19, 2024 BAR24-537 205 Maple Ave E - Call Your Mother - Sign Request for approval of a new sign, located at 205 Maple Ave E, Docket No. PF-1430005-BAR, in the AC, Avenue Center zoning district; filed by Bob Biroonak, Art Display Co., Project Contact. Applicants present: Bob Biroonak (Art Display Company) & Michael Barnes. Mr. Biroonak proposes a non-illuminated sign for the front of the building. Samples were provided for the board to review. Ms. van Doorn asked if the preferred color for the background was the aqua color to which the applicant said yes. He clarified that the pink color option is for the awnings which is the next item on the agenda. The board reviewed the application and voiced their concerns about the sign being incongruent in size with the adjacent signs. The applicant noted that the rendering was not to scale. After further discussion, the board suggested increasing the size of the sign and having it pass the ridgeline of the building so that it is proportionate to the adjacent signs. Ms. van Doorn made a motion to approve a new sign, located at 205 Maple Ave E, Docket No. PF-1430005-BAR, in the AC, Avenue Center zoning district; filed by Bob Biroonak, Art Display Co., Project Contact, with the following provision: • The sign letters are increased as much as possible within the total sign area restriction and proportionate to adjacent signs. • The sign is placed in the same area as the adjacent signs. • The height of the backer board is 3 ft 4 inches in height and the width be no greater than the width of the awning. Motion: Ms. van Doorn Second: Mr. Cheselka Motion Carried Town of Vienna Page 5 Printed on 10/24/2024 Board of Architectural Review Meeting Minutes September 19, 2024 BAR24-538 205 Maple Ave E - Call Your Mother - Exterior Modification Request for approval of an awning for Call Your Mother, located at 205 Maple Ave E, Docket No. PF-1438787-BAR, in the AC, Avenue Center zoning district; filed by Bob Biroonak, Art Display Company, Project Contact. Applicants present: Bob Biroonak (Art Display Company) & Michael Barnes. The applicant proposes to recover the existing awning frame with a different fabric. The proposed colors for the fabric are option 1 (Shell Pink) or option 2 (Island Turquoise). There was a discussion on the applicant’s initial proposal which included matching mullions with the pink awning like their Alexandria location. The applicant was informed that the board oversees keeping things harmonious with the surroundings and they had to consider the other tenants in the building. Ms. Hanley suggested using vinyl signage on the window to allow him to incorporate the pink color. She noted that only 25% of the window can be used for signage. Mr. O’Keefe questioned the color options, and the applicant clarified that the only color he was proposing was pink. The turquoise color was supposed to be taken out of the application. The discussion continued. Mr. Cheselka commented on the pink color saying that the awning will be exposed to the sun which may turn the pink to an off-white color. He told the applicant to ensure he uses a good manufacturer that would provide good quality material. Mr. Barnes inquired about temporary signs to which Ms. Abaied said that if the signs are seasonal, they don’t have to come before the board. After further discussion about possibly using paint for the windows, Mr. Barnes stated that he would stick with vinyl for the windows. Mr. O’Keefe made a motion to approve an awning for Call Your Mother, located at 205 Maple Ave E, Docket No. PF-1438787-BAR, in the AC, Avenue Center zoning district; filed by Bob Biroonak, Art Display Company, Project Contact with the condition that the awnings be Shell Pink color (option 1). Motion: Mr. O’Keefe Second: Mr. Cheselka Motion Carried Town of Vienna Page 6 Printed on 10/24/2024 Board of Architectural Review Meeting Minutes September 19, 2024 BAR24-539 513 Maple Ave W - Lash and Spa By Neda - Sign Request for approval of a new sign for Lash and Spa by Neda, located at 513 Maple Ave W., Docket No. PF-1476338-BAR, in the AW, Avenue West zoning district; filed by Gloria Walker of Signarama, Project Contact. Applicant present: Safdari Safdar The applicant is proposing to replace the former Clyde’s Hemp Shop sign. Ms. Abaied stated that the sign was going to be in the same sign box with the same lighting. Mr. Cheselka commented about not liking the brown color that has been used on the building for years. He said that box signs are outdated. He understands that the applicant is keeping what was already there, but he wanted to voice his opinion on the record. The board did not have any concerns with the application. Ms. van Doorn made a motion to approve a new sign for Lash and Spa by Neda, located at 513 Maple Ave W., Docket No. PF-1476338-BAR, in the AW, Avenue West zoning district; filed by Gloria Walker of Signarama, Project Contact. Motion: Ms. van Doorn Second: Mr. Cheselka Motion Carried The regular meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m. Other Business: BAR24-540 Outdoor Dining Discussion 8:55 p.m. Work Session – Outdoor Dining • The board selected a few options for the railings, umbrellas, and dining furniture that would be available for the business owner to select when submitting their outdoor dining application under the administrative process. • Ms. van Doorn informed the board that she will be stepping down from the Board of Architectural Review after the October meeting depending on if her replacement was found. • Ms. Abaied informed the board that the lighting consultant (Clanton & Associates) will be in the Town of Vienna from October 21- 23. The contractor would like to meet with the BAR for a work session on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, at 8 a.m. Meeting Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 9:43 p.m. Yaska Camacho Castillo Board Clerk Town of Vienna Page 7 Printed on 10/24/2024 Board of Architectural Review Meeting Minutes September 19, 2024 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 8 Printed on 10/24/2024