HomeMy WebLinkAboutARB201900032 Review Comments Architectural Review Board Approval 2019-04-09COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE
Department of Community Development
401 McIntire Road, North Wing
Charlottesville, Virginia 22902-4596
Phone (434) 296-5832 Fax (434) 972-4126
April 9, 2019
Dustin Greene
Roudabush, Gale & Associates
172 South Pantops Dr.
Charlottesville, VA 22911
RE: ARB-2019-32: Rivanna Plaza [Dogtopia], minor amendment [fencing, lighting, equipment]
Dear Dustin,
We have received the above -noted application for a county -wide Certificate of Appropriateness. The following revisions
are requested to make the proposal consistent with the design criteria that apply to the County -wide Certificate.
1. Building elevations of the west, south, and east elevations of the existing building with proposed changes must be
submitted for review. Revised building elevations must include the west, south, and east elevations of the proposed
fence as well as the locations of the proposed wall -mounted light fixtures.
2. Provide the note about no tinted or reflective films will be applied to windows visible from the EC on revised
architectural elevations.
3. The landscape plan provided on S6 does not meet the previous recommendation that the "landscape plan [be] denser
[and] layered." A single row of evergreen shrubs interspersed by deciduous shrubs does not look naturalistic and is
not an appropriate arrangement for screening. Screening landscaping should be staggered in a minimum depth of two
rows: should be layered (i.e., tallest ornamental trees in back, smaller shrubs in front); and should have a naturalistic
appearance. Revise the landscape plan to provide appropriate screening and to meet previously stated
recommendations.
4. The landscape plan as well as the additional plant schedule on S6 suggests that 5 new MV (Sweetbay magnolia) are
proposed. However, the MV cannot be located on the plan. The label and arrow appear to point to four existing shrubs
on the property that are not labeled. Rectify this discrepancy and provide a larger landscape plan that is more legible.
5. Revise the plant schedule on S6 to correctly categorize the proposed plant species: glossy abelia is a deciduous shrub
and the Castle Spire blue holly is an evergreen shrub.
6. Note that two out of three species proposed are deciduous and will not provide year -around screening. With the
minimal amount of landscaping proposed, this is not acceptable. The landscape plan must provide a base of evergreen
screening in which deciduous and ornamental trees and shrubs are added for visual variety.
7. Note that only one of three proposed species is native to the region, the other two are non -natives to North America.
Also note that an ARB standard is that no proposed plant species exceed 25% of the total amount of proposed shrubs
and trees. This is to ensure that a monoculture will not be planted for health and sustainability reasons as well as to
provide the naturalistic planting pattern desired. The only way to achieve this is to add more species and variety to the
planting plan. Please promote natives (and especially natives that are local to the Virginia Piedmont) in a more diverse
planting plan. A list of plants native to the region can be found here: http://www.albemarle.org/NativePlants/list.asp
8. The landscape plan (S6) shows trees on the southern property line with tree -protection fencing. At staff s last site visit
in December, staff was unable to locate those trees on the ground. Conversely, the existing three Amelanchier
canadensis and one crapemyrtle mentioned in a note on S6, which are north of the southern property line, on the slope
and in the approximate location of the fence, are not labeled or marked "to be removed" on the plan. A site visit
would clarify what exists on the property today. Please rectify the planting plan to clearly show what has been
planted, what is proposed to be planted, and what is to be removed.
9. There are 20 ICST shrubs shown on the southern elevation of the building, which will fall inside the proposed
enclosed area. If these are to be removed, this must be shown on the landscape plan (S6).
10. No stormwater easement has been depicted on the plan set; if an easement around the 42" storm pipe exists, it must be
shown on the plans.
11. The luminaire schedule on S7 must be revised to include the three new proposed wall -mounted light fixtures. The
Numeric Summary table on S7 should also be updated to reflect the additional light values added to the site plan.
12. One proposed wall -mounted light appears (in plan view on S7) to lie east and outside of the enclosed area. Clarify
why this light is necessary if it lies outside of the fenced area.
13. The manufacturer's specifications for the lighting fixtures provided on S7 are too small and are illegible. Provide the
manufacturer's specifications on 8.5 x 11" paper for review.
Within 15 days of the date of this letter, please send me a letter (by email is acceptable) indicating whether you will or
will not proceed with these revisions. If you choose not to proceed with these revisions, staff will be unable to approve
your application. If you choose to proceed with the revisions, please forward me one set of revised drawings together with
a memo summarizing the revisions you've made. Your decision to make the revisions will suspend the 60-day review
period associated with your original submittal. However, I expect to complete the review of your revised proposal within
2 weeks of your re -submittal.
If you have any questions about this action, please contact me as soon as possible. I look forward to receiving your
revisions and completing this review with an approval letter.
Sincerely,
9d1b0*_*0
Heather McMahon, Senior Planner
hmcmahon@albemarle.org
434-296-5832 x3278
cc: ARB-2019-32 File
Rivanna Plaza SPE LLC
Attn: Mark Green
1208 Preston Ave.
Charlottesville, VA 22903