HomeMy WebLinkAboutVA199000047 Action Letter 1990-07-11 irrt;N1�
COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE
Department of Zoning
401 McIntire Road
Charlottesville, Virginia 22901 4596
(804) 296-5875
July 11, 1990
County of Albemarle School Board
401 McIntire Road
Charlottesville, VA 22901
ATTN: David Papenfuse
RE: Board of Zoning Appeals Action
VA-90-47, Tax Map 31, Parcel 2
Dear Mr. Papenfuse:
This letter is to inform you that on July 10, 1990, during the
meeting of the Albemarle County Board of Zoning Appeals, the Board
unanimously approved your request for VA-90-47 .
This variance approval allows relief from Section 4 . 12 . 6. 6. 2 of
the Albemarle County Zoning Ordinance to reduce the off street
parking requirements from one (1) space per five (5) pupils to one
(1) space per twenty (20) pupils.
If you have any questions, please contact our office.
Sincerely,
John W. Grady,
Deputy Zoning Administrator
JWG/dlp
cc: VA-90-47
STAFF PERSON: John Grady
PUBLIC HEARING: July 10, 1990
STAFF REPORT - VA-90-47
OWNER/APPLICANT: County of Albemarle School Board (Broadus Wood
School)
TAX MAP/PARCEL: 31/2
ZONING: RA
ACREAGE: 11.74 acres
LOCATION: Located on the south side of Route 663 ,
approximately 1/2 mile west of its intersection
with Route 743 in the Earlysville area.
REQUEST:
The applicant requests relief from Section 4. 12 . 6. 6.2 of the
Albemarle County Zoning Ordinance, which states:
"4 . 12 off street parking and loading requirements. . . "
"4 . 12 . 6. 6.2 school: One space per five (5) pupils plus
one space per employee. "
A site plan has been submitted for a major building addition. It
will be designed for 600 pupils and 50 employees. The applicant
seeks a reduction of the number of off street parking spaces
required from 170 to 80 spaces. They propose to provide the
required employee parking, but seek a variance to reduce parking
based on the number of pupils. They seek a reduction from the
required one (1) space per five (5) pupils to 1 space per twenty
(20) pupils.
Applicant's justification includes the following:
1. The one (1) to five (5) parking ratio appears to be an
excessive amount required for elementary schools.
2 . Approximately 95% of elementary school student arrive to school
on buses. The remainder are driven by their parents.
RELEVANT HISTORY:
Staff recognizes that each variance is reviewed on its own merits,
and is not on its face, precedent-setting. The following history
is provided for information.
Page 2
Staff Report - VA-90-47
Similar variances were granted by the Board of Zoning Appeals on
December 13 , 1988 for Yancy School (VA-88-82) , on September 13,
1988 for the new Crozet Elementary School (VA-88-60) and on May
15, 1990 for Murray Elementary School (VA-90-36) when they
expanded enrollment.
RECOMMENDATION
Planning staff has commented:
"The County School Board has received similar variances to the
required number of parking spaces in the past and the Planning
staff can determine no particular aspect relative to the current
request to warrant disapproval. "
It is the intent of the Zoning staff to suggest an amendment to
the Zoning Ordinance to reduce the number of parking requirements
as they relate to elementary schools. If adopted, this change
will avoid any future requests for variances concerning elementary
school parking requirements.
Staff recommends approval for cause.
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Amelia Patterson 1
Page 2
June 22 , 1990
VA-90-34 Earlysville Family Health Center: This property is
situated in a PUD. While the sign regulations of a PUD may
or may not be viewed as adequate, the Board of Supervisors
expressed concern that in the Four Seasons PUD multiple sign
variances were granted over the years. In this case, the
commercial area consists of multiple lots and it may be
appropriate for the BZA to consider the future implications
of granting individual variances.
VA-90-45 Thomas P. or Lois H. Nottingham: Several variances
of this nature have been entertained in the past and appear
to result from inadequate or inaccurate inspection as to
setback and yard requirements. Electronic devices are
available at modest cost which can accurately measure
distance and require no judgement for usage. County
acquisition of such equipment could avoid future exposure of
the public to the uncertainty of variance as well as reduce
costs to every party involved.
VA-90-46 Virginia Land Trust: The applicant proposes
location of a three bedroom dwelling on a site which does
not meet County requirements for location of a three bedroom
dwelling. Reasonable usage of the land can be achieved by
location of a smaller dwelling. For areas not served by
central or public utilities, it is the County's policy that
development not exceed the support ability of the land.
There are many properties which cannot support a three
bedroom dwelling on well and septic system "in the same
zoning district" and there may be other properties in "the
same vicinity" (Section 34 .2) .
VA-90-47 County of Albemarle School Board: I believe that
for each public school developed or expanded since adoption
of this ordinance in 1980, the School Board has sought
variance. It would appear that if the School Board does not
agree with zoning regulation, an amendment would be
appropriate. This was suggested several years ago. I do
not think that "government" schools can be continually
granted variance, and then "government" regulation can be
successfully asserted against private schools of similar
character.
VA-90-48 Alma Ball , Etal: I have read the justification for
this request together with measures proposed by the
applicant and I would recommend that the applicant's
proposal be viewed as consistent with the intent of the RA
zone as well as specific language of Section 10. 3 . 1. In
this particular case I DO NOT BELIEVE VARIANCE IS REQUIRED.
RSK/jcw