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HomeMy WebLinkAboutVA198900096 Action Letter 1989-12-21 CLOY A //,1l COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE Department of Zoning 401 McIntire Road Charlottesville, Virginia 22901-4596 (804) 296-5875 December 21, 1989 Thomas B. Lincoln 1575 State Farm Blvd. Charlottesville, VA 22901 Re: Board of Zoning Appeals Action VA-89-96, Tax Map 61, Parcels 210 & 210A Dear Mr. Lincoln: This letter is to inform you that on December 19, 1989, during the meeting of the Albemarle County Board of Zoning Appeals, the Board unanimously approved your request for VA-89-96. This variance approval allows relief from Section 15. 3 of the Albemarle County Zoning Ordinance to allow an existing dwelling to be located "0" feet from a proposed 30 foot joint access easement (existing gravel drive) for a proposed subdivision, a variance of 25 feet. If you have any questions, please contact our office. r Sincerely, r)-n '4)(1.(46 Amelia M. Patterson Zoning Administrator AMP/st cc: VA-89-96 Inspections Department Planning Department STAFF PERSON: Kathy Dodson STAFF REPORT - VA-89-96 PUBLIC HEARING: 12/19/89 OWNER/APPLICANT: David C. and Susan G. Landin TAX MAP/PARCEL: 61/210 & 210A ZONING: R-4 , Residential ACREAGE: 6. 9 Acres (approximately) LOCATION: West side of Route 631 at Intersection with Agnese Street REQUEST: The applicant requests relief from Section 15. 3 of the Albemarle County Zoning Ordinance to allow an existing dwelling to be located 0 feet from a proposed 30 foot joint access easement (existing driveway) for a proposed subdivision, a variance of 25 feet. This section states: "15. 3 Area and Bulk Regulations . . . Yards Minimum: . . . Front 25 feet. . . " The applicant's justification states that the existing driveway has served these houses for many years and the topography of the property dictates the location of this driveway remain in its existing location. RELEVANT HISTORY: The property consists of approximately 6. 9 acres. Three lots are proposed, two of which will be served by a 30 foot joint access easement (existing gravel drive) . At present, there is an existing house on each of these two parcels and each are served by separate access. An existing entrance for parcel A-2 is to be closed thus creating the need for a joint access ease- ment. Pursuant to Section 18-36 of the Albemarle County Subdivision Ordinance, for two lots being served by an access easement, the surveyor must certify on the plat that the existing and/or proposed right-of-way will provide reasonable access. The ordinance does not specify what size right-of-way is considered to be reasonable. Therefore, 30 feet is normally recommended. According to the Department of Planning (William D. Fritz, Planner) smaller right-of-ways are possible. If a smaller right-of-way was approved in this case, a lesser variance would be required. It appears that the right-of-way could be shifted away from the dwelling on Parcel A-1, thereby relieving the need for a variance. STAFF REPORT - VA-89-96 David C. and Susan G. Landin Page 2 RECOMMENDATION: The application should be denied for cause: (1) The applicant has not demonstrated that his perceived hardship is unique to his property in contradistinction to other properties in the same zoning district. (2) The applicant has not provided sufficient evidence to show that a strict application of the zoning ordinance would produce a clearly demonstrable hardship approach- ing confiscation as distinguished from a special privilege or convenience.