Herndon ARB approves conditioned HDU-foam sign for Montessori Country School at 621 Alabama Drive
July 15, 2026 | Herndon, Fairfax County, Virginia
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The Herndon Architectural Review Board voted to adopt a conditioned resolution permitting a freestanding sign made of high-density urethane (HDU) foam for the Montessori Country School at 621 Alabama Drive.
Ms. Jones, the town’s lead planner for design and development, told the board the application (ARB20) had been continued from June to allow the applicant to consult with clients and provide a physical sample and technical specifications. "HDU foam is generally not appropriate for the architectural control district, but the ARB determined upon inspection of a sample and material specifications that in this particular instance, it is appropriate," Ms. Jones said.
The staff presentation noted the sign would be finished to mimic a brick base and that the site plan waiver requires landscaping around the base and that the sign be installed at the location specified in the waiver. Ms. Jones said the board weighed the submitted technical specifications (which cited expected durability up to 15–25 years), the physical sample provided at the July 1 work session, and detailing that addressed how the brick wraps around corners.
The applicant, who identified himself as Burton and provided an address for the record, answered board questions about finish and longevity. When asked how the brick color was achieved, Burton said, "It's Matthews Paint." Asked about paint life, Burton indicated roughly 10 years. He characterized the review process as straightforward: "It was fairly painless."
A board member who said they had missed the work session asked staff what made this particular HDU application appropriate; Ms. Jones reiterated that the combination of the sample, technical specifications, expected material durability, and the sign’s low-pedestrian, drive-by context informed the board’s determination.
After brief final discussion, a member moved to adopt the draft resolution with conditions and the motion was seconded. The clerk called the roll; the transcript records ayes for Board Member Chaudhry, Board Member Ullenicht, Vice Chair Fetzke and Chair Blaker Glass, and the board approved the resolution.
Ms. Jones also told the board that a public workshop on sustainable retrofits for existing buildings — open to the public and Town staff — is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 13 at 7:00 p.m.
The meeting adjourned at 07:45.
Ms. Jones, the town’s lead planner for design and development, told the board the application (ARB20) had been continued from June to allow the applicant to consult with clients and provide a physical sample and technical specifications. "HDU foam is generally not appropriate for the architectural control district, but the ARB determined upon inspection of a sample and material specifications that in this particular instance, it is appropriate," Ms. Jones said.
The staff presentation noted the sign would be finished to mimic a brick base and that the site plan waiver requires landscaping around the base and that the sign be installed at the location specified in the waiver. Ms. Jones said the board weighed the submitted technical specifications (which cited expected durability up to 15–25 years), the physical sample provided at the July 1 work session, and detailing that addressed how the brick wraps around corners.
The applicant, who identified himself as Burton and provided an address for the record, answered board questions about finish and longevity. When asked how the brick color was achieved, Burton said, "It's Matthews Paint." Asked about paint life, Burton indicated roughly 10 years. He characterized the review process as straightforward: "It was fairly painless."
A board member who said they had missed the work session asked staff what made this particular HDU application appropriate; Ms. Jones reiterated that the combination of the sample, technical specifications, expected material durability, and the sign’s low-pedestrian, drive-by context informed the board’s determination.
After brief final discussion, a member moved to adopt the draft resolution with conditions and the motion was seconded. The clerk called the roll; the transcript records ayes for Board Member Chaudhry, Board Member Ullenicht, Vice Chair Fetzke and Chair Blaker Glass, and the board approved the resolution.
Ms. Jones also told the board that a public workshop on sustainable retrofits for existing buildings — open to the public and Town staff — is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 13 at 7:00 p.m.
The meeting adjourned at 07:45.
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