[Added 5-10-1995; amended 8-13-1997]
The IA Interstate Area Overlay District is intended to provide commercial businesses within an identified area the ability to utilize business signs that are in excess of the limits specified in § 165-201.06 of this chapter. This flexibility is provided to inform the traveling public of business service opportunities at specific interstate interchange areas. The standards within this Part 704 are designed to allow for additional visibility for commercial businesses while minimizing negative impacts to view sheds, the traveling public and residential properties that are adjacent to or within the proximity of the overlay district. Established boundaries are based on reasonable sight distances and policies set forth in the Comprehensive Plan and are intended to designate each interstate interchange area and provide guidance for considering the addition of subsequent properties.
Properties that are included within the Interstate Area Overlay District shall be delineated on the Official Zoning Map for Frederick County. This map shall be maintained and updated by the Frederick County Department of Planning and Development.
A. 
The Frederick County Board of Supervisors may apply the Interstate Area Overlay District to properties within the proximity of interstate interchange areas upon concluding that:
(1) 
The property is in conformance with the idealized interchange development pattern recommendation of the Frederick County Comprehensive Plan.
(2) 
The placement of a sign meeting the requirements of this section will not have an adverse impact on adjoining properties whose primary use is residential.
(3) 
The property has met the requirements of Article I of this chapter, as well as the requirements of § 15.2-2286 of the Code of Virginia 1950, as amended.
[Amended 11-12-2003]
B. 
The Interstate Area Overlay District shall be in addition to and shall overlay all other zoning districts where it is applied so that any parcel of land within the Interstate Area Overlay District shall also be within one or more zoning districts as specified within this chapter. The effect shall be the creation of regulations and requirements of both the underlying zoning district(s) and the Interstate Area Overlay District.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 165-704.04, Qualifying criteria, was repealed 12-13-2023.
A. 
Permitted signs. Permitted signs shall be as follows:
(1) 
Interstate overlay signs.
(2) 
Signs permitted in the underlying zoning district(s).
B. 
Prohibited signs. Prohibited signs shall be as follows:
(1) 
Off-premises business signs.
(2) 
Signs prohibited in the underlying zoning district(s).
C. 
Number of freestanding commercial business signs. On any parcel within the Interstate Area Overlay District, one interstate overlay sign that complies with the requirements set forth in this Part 704 may be erected.
D. 
Setback requirements.
(1) 
All portions of an interstate overlay sign shall be set back a minimum of 10 feet from any lot line or property boundary line and shall meet all other applicable setback requirements.
(2) 
When any interstate overlay sign exceeds the height requirement of the underlying zoning district(s) and is located on property that adjoins or is across a right-of-way from property that is in the RP Residential Performance District, the HE Higher Education District or any property which has a residence as its primary use, the setback shall be the normal setback plus one foot for every foot over the maximum height of the underlying zoning district(s).
(3) 
The Board of Supervisors may waive any portion of the setback described in § 165-704.05D(2) if it can be demonstrated that the setback requirement cannot be met due to the irregular size or shape of the parcel.
[Amended 9-26-2012]
E. 
Spacing requirements. The spacing requirements between an interstate overlay sign and signs in the underlying zoning district(s) shall comply with the requirements in § 165-201.06F of this chapter and shall meet all other applicable spacing requirements.
F. 
Maximum size.
(1) 
No interstate overlay sign shall exceed a total of 300 square feet in area.
(2) 
When more than one qualifying use is located on a single parcel within the Interstate Area Overlay District, a single support structure may be erected which contains one or more signs, the total combined square footage of which shall not exceed 500 square feet in area.
G. 
Illumination. Neither the direct nor reflected light from any illuminated interstate overlay sign shall create an increase in the ambient footcandle at the property line, create glare into or upon other structures or create glare onto a public thoroughfare so as to create a traffic hazard for operators of motor vehicles.
H. 
Maintenance and permits.
(1) 
All signs that are erected in the Interstate Area Overlay District shall meet the maintenance and permit requirements as specified in § 165-201.06K and 165-201.06L of this chapter.
[Amended 12-10-2008]
(2) 
If required, appropriate easements shall be secured by any property owner that desires to erect an interstate overlay sign prior to the issuance of a sign permit in order to ensure that required maintenance can be performed.
I. 
Permitted heights.
(1) 
All interstate overlay signs shall be located a minimum of 25 feet in height above the base of the sign support structure.
(2) 
The maximum height for interstate overlay signs shall be determined by the nearest interstate exit number and shall be based on an elevation above mean sea level as set out below:
Exit Number
Maximum Business Sign Height
(feet above mean sea level)
302
(Middletown and Rt. 11 South)
760
307
(Stephens City and Rt. 277)
800
310
(Kernstown and Rt. 37)
805
313
(Rt. 50/17 and Rt. 522)
805
315
(Rt. 7 and Berryville Avenue
750
317
(Rt. 11 North and Rt. 37)
815
321
(Clearbrook and Rt. 11 North)
700
323
(Whitehall and Rt. 11 North)
710