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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHS201900026 Application 2020-08-20August 17, 2C20 Rebecca Ragsdale, Principal Planner Community Development County of Albemarle 401 McIntire Road Charlottesville, VA 22903 Re: The Manors Home Stay Special Exception Request (HS201900026) Dear Ms. Ragsdale, There were a few points you have raised that you felt were unfavorable to the Homestay Special Exception request I have applied for. I have taken several steps to address these points. First, I am withdrawing the special exception request to waive the owner occupancy requirement under the County's zoning ordinance Section 5.1.48(j)(1)(iv). I will be residing in the primary dwelling (2405 Northfields Road) which will be my personal home. I informed you of this in my previous letter to you in April but wanted to make certain you take note of this. You previously have suggested that "the sole use of the primary dwelling (#2405) would be for homestay use." This is not true as the principal use of 2405 will be as my residence, with guest rooms in my residence being occasionally occupied as part of the proposed homestay use. You have repeatedly raised a concern that the property at 2405 Northfields Road was owned in the name of a corporate entity (my limited liability company, The Manors LLC). I don't agree that the type of ownership should have anything to do with how the proposed homestay use is reviewed or approved. However, in order to address any concerns you or others may have with the form of ownership, I have transferred the property's ownership back into my own name. The recent deed is attached. There should no longer be any concerns expressed about the form of ownership. A concern was also expressed that the proposed homestay use "would be commercial in nature and appear out of character with the surrounding neighborhood." A homestay is, by its very definition in Section 3.1 of the County's Zoning Ordinance, recognized as "an accessory residential use." It is thus by definition a "residential use" and conforms with the Places 29 master plan that designates the area for neighborhood residential uses. It is important to keep in mind that the use of the property will remain entirely residential as it will be my home. The property will4ontinue to appear residential in nature in all aspects. No one objectively viewing the property from Northfields Road or any other vantage point will notice anything "commercial" about the property. As for the scale and character, the improvements I have made to the residence at 2405 Northfields Road cannot fairly be said to have any negative impact on the neighborhood. While I've expanded the size of the residence from what it was before, my newly renovated residence is not at all out of line with some of the larger homes in the neighborhood such as the one directly across the road at 2406 Northfields Road or the residences at 2418 Northfields Road and 1430 Old Brook Road. Prior to my renovations, the residence was more of an eyesore that hurt the neighborhood's character because it was in need of substantial repairs and yard maintenance (see photo of prior condition attached). The improvements I have made to the residence at 2405 Northfields Road have resulted in a much more attractive and up -scale residence which only enhances the character of the neighborhood. (see photo of renovated residence attached). As for the homestay use, it is unlikely thanhe neighbors will even notice it. The homestay will have occasional guests, mostly over weekends. Guests will likely spend much of their time away from my residence attending events they have traveled to Charlottesville for. All guests will be directed to access the homestay directly from Rio Road so there will not be any noticeable additional traffic going through the neighborhood. Guests will generally park their vehicles in the rear of the residence. The parking area will not be visible from Northfield Road as it is fenced on all sides and there will be a gated entrance. The yard areas are fenced and heavily landscaped for my privacy and enjoyment, but they will also serve to protect my immediate neighbors. - I ask you to carefully re-evaluate my application for an increase in the number of guest rooms permitted from two to five. Given the changes I have outlined, there should no longer be any concerns related to owner occupancy, the form of ownership, the nature of the homestay use, or its scale and character. Darrick Harris, Owner 202000009269.002 Tex Map / Parcel : 062A 1-00.OG-01800 Prepared by and return to: Consideration: Deed from LLC, exempt pursuant to Lair D. Haugh, VSH 9 25187 Code of Virginia Section 59,1-9 1 I(A)(I 1). Haugh & Haugh, P.C. Title insurer for this transaction: None. This deed is 435 Park Street prepared without benefit of title examination. No opinion on title Charlottesville, Virginia is provide. 22902 THIS DEED OF GIFT dated this the 15th day of July, 2020, by and between TFTF MANORS. LLC, a Virginia IimitvA liability company, GRANMR and DARRICK dit KRIS, GRANTEE, whose address is 255 Lakeview Dr., Charlottesville, Virginia 22901. WITNESSETH: THAT for and in consideration of $10.00, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the said Grantor dues hereby GIVE, GRANT, and CONVEY, with GENERAL WARRANTY and ENGLISH COVENANTS OF TITLE unto the Grantee, all that certain lot or parcel of land, with the improvements thereon and appurtenances thereto belonging as described in Schedule A attached hereto. This conveyance is made expressly subject to any and all easemems, conditions, restrictions, covenants, and reservations contained in duty recorded deeds, plats, and other instruments constituting constructive notice in the chain of title to the said property hereby conveyed, as the same may lawfully apply, which have not expired by a time limitation contained therein or have not otherwise become ineffective. WITNESS the following signatures and seals: 202000009269.003 TIiL C LLC BY: — Its:_._, ONWEALTFI I. CITY OUNTY' OF (:. 2`t ii�°h aI .: to -wit: .S The foregoing was Big9�d and 1 owtedged before me this the 1f day of oil 2020,by ir,ct tftt5 The Manors, LLC, on behalf of said company. My commission r AIUNCIUHifiO`dAiF2 KIWX PUBLIC 7559489 ;`,'�i7�t WMMOMYfN7HOF YNGLWi MY t%7M AWONEVIR3FFEBRUUARY 212WI I 11 y AgLifad loll 1� ..........