HomeMy WebLinkAboutHS201900026 Application 2020-06-02The house is set upon a large lot comprising just over 1.2 acres. The lot itself is the second lot
from Rio Road, and traffic to and from the proposed homestay use will undoubtedly travel to
and from Rio Road for almost all trips. There will be no noticeable new traffic going through
the neighborhood to the north.
Other steps have been taken. I will be residing at 2405 Northfield Road and as the owner, will
be present to supervise guests. Sufficient parking is available on site to handle guests' cars. A
solid privacy fence has been built that encloses the house, yard and parking area. This will limit
visibility of the parking area and yard from next door residences and limit noise.
As for the impact on property values, improvements made at 2405 Northfield Road have raised
the property's value. Neighbors can have confidence the property will be well maintained, as
this will be my residence and maintenance is also important to successfully operating a home
stay.
The suggestion that the line will be blurred between a home stay and a hotel is unfair. The
Manor's special exception request is permitted under the County's rules which were carefully
considered. Home stays offer an important option for visitors to the community. By having up
to five guest rooms, it will -be possible to offer lodging to very small groups of people who have
a mutual bond whether they are members of a family, or UVA alumni classmates visiting to
attend UVA related events, or guests visiting for weddings or other activities within the
immediate Charlottesville area. Home Stay guests are seeking companionship within a family
like setting different from what a hotel offers.
Some question was raised about holding ownership through an LLC. The LLC form of
ownership, much like a trust, is often chosen for personal reasons such as protecting the LLC
owner's interest in the specific property and estate planning. Choice of the type of ownership,
whether in a person's name, a trust (as Mr. Crutchfield owns his residence), or an LLC, should
not matter.
Many other assertions made by the few individuals who have sent in emails are without any
evidence. The allegation that there will be "a revolving door of rowdy revelers" is without
foundation and is simply rhetoric intended to prejudice people against our application.
I hope this is helpful to you in fairly evaluating the special exception application. Thank you for
the opportunity to respond.
Sincerely,
Darrick Harris