Purcellville board hears concerns over roundabout plan that would relocate Patrick Henry College sign

Purcellville's Board of Architectural Review on Monday heard public concerns about CDA 2601, a town capital-improvement project to design a roundabout at the Berlin Turnpike, Eastgate Drive and Patrick Henry Circle that would require relocation of the Patrick Henry College monument sign.

The discussion focused on stormwater impacts, sightlines and whether the town's gateway signage should mirror the college's monument design or instead emphasize a distinct Purcellville identity. Jessica, a town staff member presenting the plan, told the board the project is funded primarily by County CIP funds obtained in 2018 and that construction "will displace the existing Patrick Henry College monument sign located at the main entrance to Patrick Henry College." Staff recommended approval of CDA BAR 26-01 for the inner circle design and the relocation of the college signs, but the board did not vote because it lacked a quorum.

Why this matters: The roundabout affects public right-of-way, sightlines and an entrance feature that residents and the college both consider central to local identity. Residents said they had been notified about drainage work and sign relocation and want clear guidance on where a homeowners-association-maintained sign may be reinstalled without creating safety or maintenance problems.

Homeowners association leader Kathy Hottenstein spoke during public comment as the association secretary and said the HOA received a notice about stormwater work and a request to move its sign; she asked staff to meet with the HOA to identify acceptable locations and ensure sightline safety. "I am currently the secretary of the homeowners association," Hottenstein said, and asked that the board record concerns about stormwater runoff and drainage.

Resident Rick Travers urged the board not to default to materials that mirror Patrick Henry College's monument sign and asked staff to deliver alternative sign materials and layouts. "Please direct staff. Maybe you can't direct staff. Ask staff to come up with other alternatives for the signed materials," Travers said, arguing the town could consider simpler options and a separate design language for the town gateway.

Representatives of Patrick Henry College spoke as well, saying the college had collaborated with town staff on the designs and that the institution wanted to preserve a recognizable college entrance while contributing to a gateway that also serves the town. "How do we make this an entrance that's beautiful for Purcellville, but also maintains the beauty of the Patrick Henry College entrance?" a college representative asked.

Board members and staff discussed options. Several members said they were open to an "Option B" that would emphasize Purcellville-specific motifs (some suggested agricultural themes, distinct lettering or different materials) while keeping safety and sightlines in mind. Board members also asked whether the renderings had been drawn by the college or by town staff; staff said the town created the current designs and that alternate renderings could be produced in-house without substantial new funding, though scheduling constraints exist.

With no quorum, the board did not approve minutes or take a formal vote on CDA 2601. Vice Chair (who led the meeting) and staff said they will arrange follow-up meetings, including staff meeting with the HOA, and that the item has been pushed to the board's September agenda for further review.

The board's next steps are for staff to prepare additional sign renderings reflecting the board's feedback and for staff to meet with affected residents; the board will consider the item at a future meeting when a quorum is present.