HomeMy WebLinkAboutSDP201900069 Correspondence 2020-07-06 (3)L I N E + G R A D E
C I V I L E N G I N E E R I N G
June 15, 2020
TO: Albemarle County
Community Development
401 McIntire Road
Charlottesville, VA 22902
ATTN: Paty Saternye
Senior Planner
RE: SDP201900069 (Afton Scientific — Minor Site Plan Amendment)
Dear Paty,
On behalf of Tom Thorpe, we offer the following responses and plan revisions to
comments dated May 26, 2020. Our Responses are in bold italic text below each
comment.
Paty Saternye — Senior Planner
Comment Subject + Location
2. [LOR #2 & #4] The proposed minor site plan amendment appears to not
match the LORs that have been previously approved. Address the following:
a. [LOR #4] The site plan does not show all of the improvements
approved in LOR #4. Address the following:
ii. The trellis shown on the LOR #4 drawings is not shown on
the site plan. From the original request letter for the LOR it
appears there was not the intention to build the trellis at
that time. If it is not to be built, then it does not need to be
shown included in the site plan. If it may be built in the
future more comments may be required.
Rev. 1: Comment not yet fully addressed. Although the
comment response letter states that the trellis was not built
and there is currently no intention of adding the trellis the
note on the coversheet states "As well as a trellis to be built
in the future". Please clarify this discrepancy and do one of
the following.
a) IF the trellis is not to be built in the future then the
following applies. It appears that the concrete wall,
and some form of a fence, have been constructed in
the terrace area based upon LOR #4. Therefore, for
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Comment Response Letter
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the portion of LOR #4 that has been built the labels
(like shown on sheet X1.7 but revised for what was
built) in the existing conditions sheet and a detail
(like shown on sheet X1.8 but revised for what was
built) needs to be included in the details sheet of the
current site plan (SDP2019-69). The attached
previously approved LOR is not a substitute for
adding this information into the proposed site plan.
b) IF the trellis will, or may, be built in the future then
follow the comment above for the existing
conditions sheet. Then also, in the proposed layout
sheet, show the future trellis being added. A note
should be added in that sheet that states "To be
added in the future by others". In the details provide
one detail for what was already built and then
provide the proposed revision (should be the same
as sheet X1.8). Ensure that that the second detail is
labeled as "Future Trellis Addition". Please note that
the labels and information shown in both of the LOR
#4 sheets (X1.7 & X1.8) should be included in this site
plan. Attaching the previously approved LOR is not a
substitute for adding this detail into the proposed
site plan.
Comment noted. See revised plans.
We have use the LOR #4 documents to re-create the
CAD linework of this area. We hope this addresses
your comment.
[Comment] A list of requested changes is needed for a Minor Amendment.
The "Scope of Work" note on the coversheet partially addresses this
requirement. Address the following:
a. Under "Minor Amendment changes to SDP2000-77:" List all
previously approved LOR separately in a bulleted list. A brief
description of the changes approved with each LOR is important. L
IERev. 1: Comment not yet fully addressed. Address the following:
ii. Revise the description of LOR #2 to state the approved GRADE
concrete pad width. A way to do this, without causing future
confusion, would be to state, "Addition of 14.5' x 40'
100
concrete pad adjacent to 6.5' existing sidewalk." STREET NE, sAE.
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA 2290902
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Comment noted. See revised plans.
SDP201900069 (Afton Scientific — Minor Site Plan Amendment)
Comment Response Letter
January 01, 20191 Page 3
iii. Add the four LORs to the "Project History' on sheet C0.1.
Comment noted. See revised plans. We assume you meant,
"Project Summary" on sheet CO. 1.
In the bulleted list mentioned above, individually list the two changes
already specified under "Scope of Work:".
Rev. 1: Comment not yet fully addressed. Address the following:
i. Revise the note to add back in the mention of the addition of
"asphalt paving". That change is still proposed on the site
plan.
Comment noted. See revised plans.
Revise the note to change "edition" to "addition".
Comment noted. See revised plans.
Include in that bulleted list all other changes, not approved in the 4
previous LORs, that where not approved with SDP2000-77 (see
attached PDF of approved site plan). Any and all changes not already
approved must be listed here. They include (but may not be limited
to):
ii. The removal of street trees and their replacement with
shrubs along Avon Street Extended. Including a very brief
description on why that change was made and allowed
would be helpful.
iii. Specify that the landscaping has been revised. Trees and
shrubs have been removed around the site. New trees and
shrubs will be added with this site plan amendment in order
to compensate for those previous changes from the
approved site plan. See comments on landscaping below.
iv. The addition of a dumpster enclosure and pad. Although the
hatching on sheet C2.0 appears to be showing the dumpster
pad as being approved with a LOR it does not appear to be
included in four LORs.
v. Changes to the parking layout, striping, removal or addition
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vi. Changes to the parking calculations and requirements.
Rev. 1: Comment revised. Remove this section on the cover
sheet. Staff will include a note in the permanent file on the
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first bulleted item, with the details of the past history. All the
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other items have been sufficiently incorporated in the site
plan with notes and clouds and therefore no longer need to
be specifically listed here.
SDP201900069 (Afton Scientific — Minor Site Plan Amendment)
Comment Response Letter
January 01, 20191 Page 4
Comment noted. See revised plans.
4. [Comment] There are items shown on the site plan that were not approved
with the original site plan or with LORs 1 through 4. Address the following:
a. Provide any documentation on the approval for the dumpster
enclosure and pad to the reviewer. Also, show it and list it in this site
plan amendment as a change being proposed with the amendment.
Rev. 1: Comment not yet fully addressed. The note has been added
to the cover sheet. Also include a dumpster enclosure detail within
the site plan showing the height, material, gates etc.
Comment noted. See revised plans. We have re-created the existing
dumpster enclosure per observations from a site visit.
c. Many of the parking spaces, especially along Avon Street
Extended, do not appear to meet the dimensions specified on the
approved site plan (SDP2000-77) or the current ordinance. Ensure
the spaces are as approved or meet current requirements. Although
the lines shown on the proposed amendment may be as they are
currently painted (as built) those paint lines will need to be revised,
to meet this site plan amendment once it is approved. Address the
following:
i. i. Revise the parking space width and depth to meet the
previously approved size or the current zoning ordinance.
SDP2000-77 shows both 9'x18' spaces and 9'x16' spaces
(when there is at least 2' of open space (without shrubs or
trees) in front of the space). There are many spaces that do
not appear to be either 9' wide or 16' deep.
Rev. 1: Comment not yet fully addressed. Address the
following:
a) Shift the 9 parking spaces along the edge of Avon
Court to be closer to Avon Street Extended. The
parking space on the right does not appear to meet
the minimum width requirements but there is
additional area on the left side that can be utilized.
Comment noted. See revised plans.
b) Clarify if the two handicapped (HC) spaces near the
entrance to Avon Court are being changed to be
three regular spaces. The two proposed paint lines
on either side of the hatched access aisle make it
unclear if these will remain as HC spaces or regular
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spaces. If they are to stay as HC spaces the ADA
space size requirements govern their size. If they will
be regular spaces the HC parking markings should be
removed.
These are to become traditional spaces. See revised
plans.
c) Either remove the single parking space near the
northern edge of the property, next to the ash tree
and in the vicinity of the dumpster, or remove it
from the Proposed Plan layout. It does not appear to
meet the minimum parking space size requirement.
Please note that it does not appear that there is
sufficient width of the travel way to extend the space
to the required depth. That travel way must be 24'
wide since the parking spaces on the other side of it
are only 9' wide.
Comment noted. See revised plans.
d) There are 22 parking spaces within TMP 77-9A
shown on this site plan. They also do not appear to
match the parking space layout shown on SDP2008-
30. Add a label in this area that states, "This area of
parking is not being reviewed with this site plan and
is part of SDP2008-30."
Comment noted. See revised plans.
Revise the parking calculations as follows:
iv. The parking required for the industrial portion of the building
does not include the required spaces for the
customers/public. There is supposed to be 1 space for every
500 SF of area open to the public, but there is also a
minimum of 2 customer spaces. Include this as part of the
calculation for the industrial parking requirements and
ensure the customer parking requirement is met.
Rev. 1: Comment not yet fully addressed. The calculation for
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the industrial parking requirement appears to be correct, but
the information required to determine if it is correct has not STREET NE, 00
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been included in the calculation on the site plan. Add a note LINE-GRADE.COM
below the calculation stating that no portion of the building
is open to the public.
SDP201900069 (Afton Scientific — Minor Site Plan Amendment)
Comment Response Letter
January 01, 20191 Page 6
Comment noted. See revised plans. Note has been added to
footnote 1 below the calculations.
g. See Inspections comment on the number of handicapped spaces
provided in the plan.
Rev. 1: Comment not yet fully addressed. Inspections has an
additional comment (5/22/2020) based upon the addition of the
temporary building. See their attached comment.
The temporary Building is being removed from the plan. The Owner
has made other arrangements.
The landscaping plan has changed from the approved site plan.
Address the following:
i. Provide a landscape schedule that specifies at least the
information specified on the approves site plan (SDP2000-77:
Tree species, quantity, caliper and symbol).
Rev. 1: Comment not addressed. Address the following:
a) The landscape plan appears to not be based upon
SDP2000-77 but on an earlier site plan (1991) that
was attached to the site plan submission. This has
only a small impact on the landscaping within the
parcel, but one tree (MSA near dumpster) and one
shrub (yew near entrance) are different. Revise the
landscaping and landscaping labels to be based on
SDP2000-77. See elsewhere in these comments on
impact outside of the parcel.
Comment noted. See revised plans.
b) Applicant has chosen to put information in labels
instead of a schedule. Since this is based upon a
previously approved plan prior to current
requirements this will be allowed. However, all of
the information shown in the previously approved
plan must be provided. The caliper of the tree at the
time of planting is not provided and is required.
Revise the labels for all trees that are to include the
caliper of the tree at the time of planting or provide
a schedule that includes this information along with
the tree type and quantity. Please note that 1 1/2"
caliper trees were the specified minimum on the
approved site plan. This information must be
provided to not only match the previously approved
site plan but also to provide the necessary
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information for any required tree replacements
needed in the future.
Comment noted. A planting schedule has been
developed. See revised plans.
iii. Ensure that all existing or proposed tree or shrub has a label,
for the tree type, that is referenced in the landscape
schedule.
Rev. 1: Comment not yet fully addressed. A tree schedule
has not been provided, and not all of the information
provided in the tree schedule on the approved site plan has
been included in the labeling for each existing and proposed
trees. See comment "ii." Above on how to address this
comment.
Comment noted. A planting schedule has been developed.
See revised plans.
v. The tree canopy provided is specified on the site plan.
However, it specifies "existing tree coverage preserved".
However, no trees are shown as preserved on the site plan. If
this is referring to the existing tree cover, going down the hill
to Moore's Creek, address the comment above and then:
c) 2. Include in that label if they are "deciduous",
"evergreen" or a "deciduous/evergreen" mix.
Rev. 1: Comment not yet addressed. This comment is
in reference to large preserved tree area on the
north side of the parcel and not the individual trees
within the developed portion of the site. Address this
comment by labeling the "Existing Tree Canopy to be
Preserved" as either "deciduous", "evergreen" or
"deciduous/evergreen mix".
Comment noted. See revised plans.
vii. In the approved plan there were three additional trees
(pines) along the Avon Court road frontage. If they are not to
be replanted, then plant two more Large Shade Trees along
Avon Court to meet the current street tree requirement.
These should be parallel to the road, line up with the existing
tree that is about 30' from the travel lane (which may be a
willow oak) and within the parcel.
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Rev. 1: Comment not yet fully addressed. Revise the location
of the proposed willow oak furthest southeast along Avon
Court to not impact the existing business sign. The trunk
appears to be less than 5' from the monument sign and will
be blocking the view of the sign.
Comment noted. Willow oak moved so as not to impede the
view from Avon Extended. See revised plans.
viii. In the approved plan there were 3 Japanese Yews and three
Red or Austrian Pines along the Avon Court parcel boundary.
These evergreens were meeting a requirement for mitigation
the view of the parking lot. If they are not to be replanted,
then at a minimum shrub should be planted between Avon
Court and the parking lot at 5' on center and at a height of
12' at time of planting.
Rev. 1: Comment not yet fully addressed. Although the 4
Japanese Yews shown on the approved site plan are shown
as being replaced (see below) they do accomplish the visual
mitigation that would have been provide by evergreen trees
between Avon Court and the parking. Fully address this
comment as specified above.
Comment noted. See revised plans.
Ensure that all existing landscaping on the parcel, and in the
VDOT right of way, is shown and labeled. It is possible that
some of the existing landscaping may be able to meet some
of the requirement mentioned above.
Rev. 1: Comment not yet fully addressed. Address the
following:
a) Show the existing shrubs along Avon Street Extended
in the "existing conditions and demolition plan"
sheet.
Comment noted. See revised plans.
b) If none of the 4 yews at the entrance from Avon
Court are currently existing, then they should not be
shown in the existing conditions sheet.
Comment noted. The 4 Japanese Yews are not
shown on the existing conditions sheet.
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Please contact us if this comment is not fully
addressed. WE're not sure we understood the
nature of this comment.
c) The proposed plan sheet should either show no
landscaping (existing or proposed since there is a
separate landscaping sheet) or show all existing and
proposed landscaping. Currently it is showing just
existing landscaping even though it is a "proposed
plan" sheet.
Comment noted. See revised plans.
d) The Proposed Layout sheet should not show trees
that were "removed per VDOT". They are neither
existing nor proposed and therefore should not be
shown in the plan at all.
Comment noted. See revised plans.
e) Removed any reference to trees "removed per
VDOT" in the site plan. As specified in a phone call on
5/18 county staff will include a note in the
permanent file about those previously allowed
changes.
Comment noted. See revised plans.
f) As specified in the comment elsewhere (and in a
phone call on 5/18), in reference to the "Site changes
not associated with SDP2000-77" note, special
treatment of these items not previously approved is
no longer being requested. Revise the labels for
these two shrub areas (along Avon Street Extended
and the yews near the entrance) to match those of
other existing and/or proposed landscaping. What is
ultimately provided will be compared against the
previously approved plan, but reference to that
previous approval in the labels is no longer
requested.
Comment noted. See revised plans.
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Please contact us if this comment is not fully
addressed. WE're not sure we understood the
nature of this comment.
There is an area shown on the approved site plan, going down to
Moore's Creek, that is no longer being shown on this site plan
amendment. Address the following:
iii. Show and label the Dam Inundation Area line and specify if it
is state or federal.
Rev. 1: Comment not yet fully addressed. Revise the labels to
specify if they are the state or the federal Dam Inundation
Area boundaries.
Comment noted. See revised plans.
iv. Show the full extents of the Steep Slopes overlay district.
Address the following:
b) 2. Provide labels or a legend for the hatched areas of
the steep slopes to specify if they are managed or
preserved. It appears that the hatches on the site
plan already show two different hatches for
managed and preserved steep slopes but there is no
key or legend clarifying what the two different
hatches represent.
Rev. 1: Comment not yet fully addressed. There is a
small area of "managed" steep slopes on the
property in the vicinity of the terraced patio. Show
this area, hatch it, and label it. There appears to be
some hatching in the appropriate area, but it is not
labeled, and the hatch symbol selected for
"managed" steep slopes is not obvious. Even if the
area is no longer graded as it once was, when
designated as "managed steep slopes", this is an
overlay district and the district applies even after the
grading has been modified.
Comment noted. See revised plans.
k. Rev. 1 [NEW COMMENT]: Show the location of all loading spaces in
the site plan. Address the following:
i. Show the spaces including hatching and labels.
ii. Include a calculation on the site plan specifying the required
and existing (or proposed) loading spaces
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Comment noted. See revised plans.
6. [32.5.2(a) & 32.6.2(a)] Address the following in reference to general
information on the site plan:
a. a. Revise the zoning information to also specify that this parcel is in
the:
i. Airport Impact Area
ii. Dam Inundation Area
iii. Flood Hazard Area (and include FEMA note)
iv. Steep Slopes: Managed and Steep Slopes: Preserved overlay
district.
Rev. 1: Comment not yet fully addressed. Although specific
comment above was addressed, the overall zoning of "Light
Industrial" was not correctly stated. It is "LI" (the letter "I")
not "L- 1". Revise this information in the zoning portion of
the cover sheet.
Comment noted. See revised plans.
b. Revise the setbacks to fully and accurately specify the setback
requirements.
v. Side and rear setbacks for parking are the same, so could be
stated together. However, the description of the setback
needs to be expanded. "None Required" is not complete.
There is a 30' setback for buildings if the adjoining lot is
zoned residential, rural areas, or Monticello Historic District.
Although the adjoining lots to not currently fall into that
category this information should be included.
Rev. 1: Comment not yet fully addressed. Although staff can
allow the reduction in detail level requested by the applicant,
the information provided on C0.1 is not correct. Revise the
"(Adjacent to R1)" to instead read either "(Adjacent to LI and
B-2)"
Comment noted. See revised plans.
d. For the adjoining parcels adjoining within the City of Charlottesville
provide the names of the owners, zoning district, tax map and parcel
number and present use.
Rev. 1: Comment not yet fully addressed. The information added to
sheet C0.1 was for Albemarle County parcels, which had already
been provided on sheet C1.0, and not the City of Charlottesville.
Address the comment for the adjacent parcels within the City of
Charlottesville. There are two adjoining parcels within the City on the
other side of Moore's Creek. Please provide this information on the
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existing conditions Sheet C1.0, as was done for the County parcels.
They have the parcel numbers of 590371000 & 590370000 and are
zoned B-2.
Comment noted. See revised plans.
7. [Comment] See the attached comments from the other reviewers. The site
plan will not be approved without the approval of the other reviewers.
Rev. 1: Comment addressed. Comments for Inspections were addressed, but
the addition of the temporary building has required additional comments.
See the attached comment from inspections.
Temporary Building has been removed from the scope of work.
8. Rev. 1: [New Comment — 5.8] Temporary Industrialized Building. The
"Proposed Temporary Modular Building" was not included in the 1st
submission of this minor site plan amendment. Therefore, if it continues to
be included in this minor amendment all requirements for 18-5.8 must be
met and additional revisions to the site plan are required. Address the
following:
a. It has been suggested by zoning that the temporary industrialized
building might be handled as a "Letter of Revision" (LOR) after the
minor site plan amendment has been approved. In that case the LOR,
the zoning clearance, and the building permit could be processed
together. By proposing the temporary building in the 2nd submission
of this minor amendment additional information is required that was
not requested in the 1st round of comments.
5.8(b) Provide a written statement from the owner to the zoning
administrator explaining the purpose of the temporary industrialized
building, the activities to be conducted therein, and the duration that
the temporary industrialized building will be located on site. This
letter should be submitted separately and also incorporated into the
site plan.
c. 5.8(d) Conditions to address the impacts arising from the temporary
industrialized building must be incorporated into the site plan for
review and approval to meet 5.8. Address the following:
i. Include the in the label for the temporary industrialized
building the period of time that the building will be allowed
to be on site. Ensure it is no more than specified in 5.8(f).
Include in the site plan information about the required
skirting (see 5.8(e)). This should be included as both part of
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the label for the building as well as a detail showing the
skirting. Ensure it meets the requirements specified in 5.8(e).
iii. Screening for the temporary building needs to be shown and
reviewed. There is existing landscaping on the adjoining
parcel TMP 77-9A which may meet some of that
requirement. Please note that SDP2000-77 showed
landscaping in this area but it appears changes have been
made. Therefore, information on the last approved final site
plan for TMP 77-9A (SDP1993-85), and its landscaping, must
be researched will be forwarded to the applicant once it is
scanned.
iv. Both a building permit and a zoning clearance are required
for a temporary industrialized building. That process takes
place after the approval of the minor amendment.
Temporary Building has been removed from the scope of work.
Rev. 1: [New Comment] Staff appreciates having access to the previously
approved minor amendment and LORs. However, they are not part of this
site plan and attaching them to it does not limit the amount of information
that is required to be within the proposed site plan itself. The attached
documents will not be considered, or kept, as part of the approved site plan
packet.
Comment noted. We will still keep them included.
Michael Dellinger — CDD Inspections
2020-03-25: Initial comment: "no objection"
2020-05-22: Comment Revised: Provide a description of what the temporary
building will be used for. Additional comments may be required depending
on the use.
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