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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSP201900005 Narrative 2019-06-12HIMPROJECT MANAGEMENT CIVIL ENGINEERING LAND PLANNING ENGINEERII G May 30, 2019 Department of Community Development 401 McIntire Road, North Wing Charlottesville, VA 22902 Flow Mazda 1 VW — Special Use Permit Application I Application Narrative This is a request for a special use permit in accordance with Sec. 30.6.3(a)2(b) in a Highway Commercial (HC) zoning district to allow for outdoor storage, display and/or sales of vehicles. Project Proposal: Parcel Acreage Existing Zoning Comp Plan Designation 78-5G 1.24 Highway Commercial, Urban Center, Community Mixed - EC Use 78-5C 1.37 Highway Commercial, Urban Center, Community Mixed - EC Use Total; 2.61 Flow Mazda/VW requests a special use permit for outdoor storage, display and/or sales of vehicles to operate their car dealership within an entrance corridor. The property is zoned highway commercial; a district intended to permit development of commercial establishments primarily oriented to highway locations. Located at the intersection of Route 250 and Route 20, the dealership establishes a use that is consistent with the intent of the highway commercial zoning district at a location that is desirable for highway commercial uses. A conceptual plan is provided with this application to show vehicle display locations. An initial site plan and an ARB plan are currently under review and these applications, along with this special use permit request, provide a holistic vision for redevelopment of the property. Outdoor storage, display and/or sales of vehicles is necessary to the success of an auto dealership located along an auto -oriented corridor, This proposed use achieves the intent of the highway commercial zoning district and will continue to generate commercial activity at this strategic corner. The auto dealership will benefit the public with tax dollars, employment opportunities, and as a convenient automobile service provider for Mazda and Volkswagen owner; and drivers in Albemarle and surrounding areas. The property has operated as an auto dealership for years and since this use is anticipated to continue there will not be a substantial detriment to adjacent lots. The character of the zoning district is not anticipated to change with approval of this special use permit request. Consistency with the Comprehensive Plan The site of the Flow MazdaNW dealership is an anchor point for this portion of the Route 250 corridor tagged as "Dealership Row." The draft Pantops Master Plan encourages redevelopment that "re-imagin[es] the form of the traditional highway oriented car dealership [that] allow[s] for a more appropriate scale of development." We have made an effort to design buildings that contribute to the urban character the draft master plan calls for however, the constraints on this site, largely due to the multitude of easements present on the site, prevent drastic relocation of building footprints from their existing locations. The structures, plantings, and uses allowed within the various easements on the site are restricted. The outdoor storage, display, and sale of vehicles is allowed and is one of the few uses that allows for the site to be utilized without inhibiting the service and function of any utilities located within the various easements. The various easements on the site have influenced the screening, buffering, and physical separation at Flow Mazda 1 VW and have informed creative solutions to bring the site into to compliance with Entrance Corridor Guidelines. The site design also establishes an internal pedestrian network that allows pedestrians to safely and comfortably navigate the site in a way that is currently not possible due to the lack of sidewalks and pedestrian paths. Description of Surrounding Properties The Site is located at the corner of Rt. 20 (Stony Point Rd) and Rt. 250 (Richmond Rd). Both Rt. 20 & 250 are major vehicular entryways into the City of Charlottesville. Adjacent uses are predominantly commercial, including gas stations, drivWcof restaurants, a car wash, car dealerships, and a shopping center. Currently under redevelopment just the site is Pantops Corner, which includes a mixture of uses including a hotel, gas station, and self -storage building. A car dealership fits in with the current use and make-up of the area. The site is in close proximity to the Rivanna River and Darden Towe Park. impacts on Public Facilities & Public Infrastructure There is an existing Mazda dealership on TMP 78-5GE. Stormwater detention pipes will likely be located under the proposed parking to best use the topographic challenges and provide required parking quantity and stormwater facilities. Impacts on Environmental Features TMP 78-5G and 78-5C both are existing vehicular display areas for Flow Mazda. The proposed two user (Mazda 1 VW) layout shown on the Initial Site Plan includes the removal of existing vegetation to accommodate service access. The landscape plan provides a net increase in canopy across the site with the streetscape and landscape island plantings. Dominion transmission power lines cross the site, preventing the planting of medium to large shade trees and building placement across a large portion of the site. The combination of parcels 5G and 5C have approximately 5,705 SF of managed slopes. Retaining walls will be implemented at a maximum height of 6' within the managed slopes area. E • Flow Mazda encourages infill development. • Vehicular display fits within the character of the surrounding area • Underground detention or possibly pervious pavers can be implemented to offset additional runoff. • The layout of the development will implement entry corridor planting in a creative way due to the amount of easements across the property • The development will improve a non -compliant streetscape condition to better meet Entrance Corridor guidelines and create a better pedestrian experience.