HomeMy WebLinkAboutSP200500031 Legacy Document 2006-03-24COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
AGENDA TITLE: Edward P. Allen Home
Occupation Class B, SP 2005-31
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: The applicant
proposes to operate multiple businesses in S/F
residential dwelling; four employees
APPLICANT / OWNER: Holly W. and Edward P. Allen
STAFF: Amy Ransom Arnold
PLANNING COMMISSION DATE: February
14, 2006
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS DATE: March
15, 2006
PROPOSAL: The applicant currently operates two businesses at 4746 Sugar Hollow Road (TM 41
Parcel 1B), employing a total of four people, which is in violation of the Zoning Ordinance. The
applicant proposes continuance of the Home Occupation, Class B with no more than two employees
on site at any one time. On rare occasions when more than two employees may be present, the
applicant has offered to reduce the visibility of parking on site by arranging for off site parking. The
applicant has indicated that in addition to the activity associated with the businesses, they expect to
receive a single UPS delivery per day.
BACKGROUND: A Notice of Violation (2005-151) was sent to Mr. Allen on September 16, 2005 in
response to a citizen complaint regarding increased activity on the property. The businesses now in
operation include the administrative and managerial aspects of an asphalt driveway coating service
(equipment located elsewhere) and the design and production of real estate periodicals. Business
activities are confined within the house and include filing, answering / making phone calls, and
computer aided graphic design. The house includes 5,000 square feet under the roof with 3,200
square feet of finished living space, 1,000 square feet of which is dedicated to the Home Occupation.
The driveway and parking areas located near the house have been re -configured to allow for the
parking of employee vehicles at the rear of the house (north side) away from Sugar Hollow Road
towards Route 810.
DISCUSSION/FINDINGS:
Staff has identified the following factors favorable to this application:
1. Support of small business activity in the County.
2. Continuing support by the applicant of maintaining 8.723 acres of the property in the
production of livestock feed.
Staff has identified the following factors unfavorable to this application:
1. Inconsistency with the definition of Home Occupation, Class B.
2. Inconsistency with the purpose and intent of the Rural Areas ordinance.
3. Inconsistency with the Rural Areas section of the Comprehensive Plan in terms of scale
and intensity.
4. The impact of increased local traffic to and from the residential location on Rural Area
roads.
SP 2005-031
Edward P. Allen Home Occupation Class B
5. Increased presence of parked cars, above the quantity expected in a residential context,
clearly visible from nearby Route 810.
6. The inability of the County to confirm and enforce the numbers of employees on site at
one time.
In order for staff to support this proposal, changes to the proposal were suggested to the applicant.
The applicant has responded to staff's recommendations by re -stating his desire to pursue the
application as submitted.
RECOMMENDATION: Based on the findings contained in this staff report, staff recommends denial
of SP 2005-31 based on its inconsistency with the provisions of Section 31.2.4.1 of the Zoning
Ordinance, the purpose and intent of the Rural Area ordinance and the Comprehensive Plan.
SP 2005-031
Edward P. Allen Home Occupation Class B