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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZMA201900003 Correspondence 2020-06-25SHIMP ENGINEERING, P.C. Design Focused Engineering June 22, 2020 Andy Reitelbach County of Albemarle Department of Community Development 401 McIntire Road, North Wing Charlottesville, Virginia 22902 RE: ZMA 2019-00003 NMD SUBMIT March 16, 2020 Response Letter Dear Andy, Thank you for your review of the rezoning request for Albemarle Business Campus. This letter contains responses to County comments provided in response to the NMD application dated March 16, 2020. Our responses are as follows: 1. Responses to Francis MacCall & Kevin McCollum, Zoning 2. Responses to Margaret Maliszewski, are attached Zoning Francis MacCall and Kevin McCollum The following comments are provided as input from the Zoning Division regarding the above rezoning application. [Z.O. 20A.5(c)] Provides that the Code of Development shall establish the max number of residential dwelling units (addressed), dwelling units by type (not addressed), and delineating at least two housing types (addressed). a. Please provide information on how the code will establish a minimum number of at least two types of housing. Multiple housing types are provided in the use table, but Table C. "Residential Density" does not provide any minimums or maximums for specific housing types. RESPONSE: In accordance with Sec. 8.2(b) of the Albemarle County Zoning Ordinance, the applicant requests a waiver from the NMD requirement for a minimum of two housing types. In accordance with Sec. 20A(8) there are at least two housing types within'/4 mile of the proposed NMD and so the Board may consider this waiver for this application. A waiver request and'/4 mile radius housing types exhibit is included with this resubmittal. The Code of Development allows for a variety of housing types to take shape on the property however, a commitment to at least two housing types is not made within the COD. 2. [Z.O. 20A.5(g)] Please address the architectural standards that will apply in the NMD. RESPONSE: Thank you for this comment. Architectural standards are now detailed in the revised Code of Development. In accordance with 20A.5(g)l illustrations have been provided to outline the general form and mass of the development (see page 7 COD). The forms of the buildings are also regulated by Table E "Lot and Building regulations." In accordance with 20A.5(g)2, a requirement for a minimum of two fagade treatments excluding windows and doors is now included in the Code of Development. Since this property is subject to ARB review, fagade 912 E. High St. Charlottesville, VA 22902 1434.227.5140 1 shimp-engineering.com treatments will be further evaluated for consistency with ARB guidelines by the Architectural Review Board during site plan. No historic structures, sites, cemeteries, and archeological sites have been identified by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources on this property and therefore Sec.20A.5(g)3 is not applicable. We have not been made aware that it is necessary to establish architectural styles, materials, colors and textures in order for this proposed development to be compatible with its contiguous developed surroundings, and so these items are not provided in the COD. Moreover, the architectural styles, materials, colors and textures will be evaluated by the ARB during site plan review and so we do not feel it is appropriate to establish style, material, color, and texture regulations when, in this case for this particular property, the ARB will have the authority to review future development on this site. We would not want propose something in the COD that could limit the scope of the ARB review or would be in conflict with any future evaluation of proposed buildings on the property. We welcome Staff s perspective on this. 3. [Z.O. 20A.5(h)] Please address landscaping treatments. RESPONSE: Thank you for this comment. A note has been added to the COD stating that, "landscaping and screening shall be provided in accordance with Section 32.7.9 of the Albemarle County Code and in accordance with Entrance Corridor Design Guidelines." Additional landscape treatments may be required during ARB review (page 10 COD). Specific additional landscape treatments are outlined for screening of any future surface parking lots located in the southeastern corner of Block III (page 11 COD). 4. [Z.O. 20A.5(i)(5)] The location of sidewalks and pedestrian paths are addressed conceptually on the Application Plan, however, it is recommended that part of the Code of Development include a description of proposed sidewalks and pedestrian paths so that they are ensured if the development varies from what is shown as "conceptual" on the Application Plan. Address the location, width, materials, etc. of these paths as well as their relation to roads, buildings, connectivity, flow, etc. RESPONSE: Thank you for this recommendation; the COD has been revised to include descriptions of proposed sidewalks and pedestrian paths. A "figure" depicting the general locations of sidewalks and pedestrian paths is now included in the COD. The application plan has been revised to include additional sections to show design details for pedestrian paths (page 12 COD). [Z.O. 20A.5(i)(6)] Please provide the characteristics of green space, amenities, and recreational areas and facilities. RESPONSE: Thank you for this comment; in accordance with Sec.20A5(i)(6), characteristics of green space, amenities, and recreational facilities have been provided in the COD; recreational equipment and facilities must be provided in accordance with 4.16 provided that substitutions may be pursued at site plan (pages 5+6 COD). Table D provides general greenspace and amenities characteristics and Table D 1 provides for potential recreational equipment and facilities substitutions that may be pursued at site plan. In accordance with 4.16, any recreational facilities or equipment substitutions may be approved by the director of planning and community development, provided they offer a recreational amenity equivalent to the facilities listed in 4.16.2.1 and 4.16.2.2, and are appropriate to the needs of the occupants. 912 E. High St. Charlottesville, VA 22902 1434.227.5140 1 shimp-engineering.com 6. [Z.O. 20A.5(i)(7 and 9)] Please provide the location, acreage and characteristics of conservation areas and civic spaces. RESPONSE: There are no areas within the NMD that meet the definition of a "conservation area" as defined in the Albemarle County Zoning Ordinance. There are no identified cultural assets or natural features such as non -tidal wetlands, floodplain, slopes identified in the open space element of the comprehensive plan, or streams and stream buffers located on the property and so there are no conservation areas proposed on the property. Sec.20A5(i)9 lists libraries and their associated yards, schools and places of worship as examples of civic spaces. At this time, there are no clear areas within the NMD that would be considered civic spaces. The developer intends to provide many public benefits on the property as a result of rezoning approval; these public benefits include an enhanced pedestrian network which will feature a multi -use path adjacent to 5th St among other desired pedestrian connections, a dynamic transport pick-up for an enhanced rideshare experience, and an improved bus stop with lighting and a glass shelter. Although there are many public benefits that will be constructed on this property as a result of rezoning approval, it is our understanding that these improvements would not be considered civic spaces and therefore should not be explicitly called out as such in the code of development. 7. [Z.O. 20A.5(i)(8)] Like with the sidewalks, parking is shown conceptually on the Application Plan, but it may be helpful to include a description of all required parking. It is recommended that parking be relegated in the NMD RESPONSE: A description of all required parking is now provided in the Code of Development (see Sheet 10). Parking will be provided in accordance with 4.12 in the NMD however, after the completion of the required parking a loading needs study, the total parking provided on site may be reduced provided that the study demonstrates that reductions from the minimum parking requirement may be permitted. 8. [Z.O. 20A.9(c)(1)] Please show or provide in the Code of Development that at least 90% of the residential units in the NMD will be within a 1/4 mile walk of an amenity RESPONSE: A note has been added to the COD to demonstrate adherence to the requirements of Sec.20A.9(c)(1). Note 6 listed under Table D states, "at least 90% of the residential units in the NMD will be within a'/4 miles walk of an amenity." 9. [Z.O. 33.18(B)] Some elements of the Application Plan appear to be missing. Please show public areas, conservation areas, stormwater management facilities, central features and major elements, and green spaces and amenities. RESPONSE: Thank you for this comment and for allowing us the opportunity to make revisions to the application plan to incorporate elements required by Sec. 33.18 (B). We have now included a more robust amenities plan in the Application Plan. We previously had provided a general note about stormwater stating that the property is served by an existing regional stormwater facility; we have now revised the application plan to include more information about stormwater and we have depicted the general stormwater detention facility location for the portion of the property that is on the western side of Old Lynchburg Road and have shown the approximate stormwater pipe route for the portion of the property that is on the eastern side of Old Lynchburg Road. As aforementioned, there are no areas within the NMD that meet the definition of a "conservation area" as defined in the Albemarle County Zoning Ordinance. There are no identified cultural assets or natural features such as non -tidal wetlands, floodplain, slopes identified in the open space element of the comprehensive plan, or streams and stream buffers located on the property and so there are no conservation areas proposed on the property. 912 E. High St. Charlottesville, VA 22902 1434.227.5140 1 shimp-engineering.com Sec.20A5(i)9 lists libraries and their associated yards, schools and places of worship as examples of civic spaces. At this time, there are no clear areas within the NMD that would be considered civic spaces. The developer intends to provide many public benefits on the property as a result of rezoning approval; these public benefits include an enhanced pedestrian network which will feature a multi -use path adjacent to 5th St among other desired pedestrian connections, a dynamic transport pick-up for an enhanced rideshare experience, and an improved bus stop with lighting and a glass shelter. Although there are many public benefits that will be constructed on this property as a result of rezoning approval, it is our understanding that these improvements would not be considered civic spaces and therefore should not be explicitly called out as such in the application plan. Architectural Review Board Margaret Maliszewski 1. The applicant's narrative states that the commercial and service areas will not be internally oriented. It is recommended that this be clarified on the application plan with a note: Primary facades of buildings in Blocks 3 and 4 will be oriented to 5th Street. RESPONSE: Thank you for your comment. The suggested note, "primary facades of buildings in Blocks 3 and 4 will be oriented to 5th Street" has been added to the code of development as a note in Table E. If you have any questions or concerns about these revisions, please feel free to contact me at kelsey("himp-engineering com or by phone at 434-227-5140. Regards, Kelsey Schlein Shimp Engineering, P.C. 912 E. High St. Charlottesville, VA 22902 1434.227.5140 1 shimp-engineering.com