HomeMy WebLinkAboutSP200500035 Executive SummaryCOUNTY OF ALBEMARLE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
AGENDA TITLE:
PROJECT: SP -2005-35: Outdoor
Furniture Display (Classic Furniture)
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REOUEST:
A special Use Permit is requested for the
outdoor sale/storage/display of furniture in
the Route 29 North Entrance Corridor.
Applicant/Owner:
Classic Furniture (Arthur Cox)/Kannon LLC
STAFF:
Margaret Maliszewski
PLANNING COMMISSION DATE:
April 11, 2006
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS DATE:
May, 2006
Proposal:
The applicant proposes to display furniture outdoors in two areas measuring approximately 20' x
20' in an existing parking lot on the north side of the Classic Furniture building.
Background:
The intent of the special use permit requirement is based on potential impacts to the Entrance
Corridor. The ARB has reviewed this proposal for its impact on the Route 29 North Entrance
Corridor. The ARB had no objection to the request for the Special Use Permit and has
recommended conditions of approval.
Discussion/Findings:
By limiting the type and method of display, and by adding planting to the site, the impacts of the
proposed furniture display are expected to be limited and the overall development is expected to
be compatible with the district.
Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of this Special Use Permit with conditions related to the type and
method of display, illumination, and planting.
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STAFF PERSON:
PLANNING COMMISSION:
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS:
Margaret Maliszewski
April 11, 2006
May 3, 2006
OUTDOOR FURNITURE DISPLAY (CLASSIC FURNITURE)
SP -2005-35: Special Use Permit for outdoor sales, storage and display of furniture
Applicant's proposal:
The applicant proposes to display furniture in two areas measuring approximately 20' x 20' in an
existing parking lot on the north side of the Classic Furniture building. The furniture display
would be accommodated in a total of 4 existing parking spaces currently located on the north
side (front) of the building. (A sketch plan is included as Attachment A. An enlargement of the
display area plan is included as Attachment B.) The display is intended to have the appearance of
a furnished patio, enhanced by planters and pavers. The sketch shows a variety of seating (dining
chairs, lounge chairs, sofas, etc.) and tables (dining tables, coffee tables, etc.), and the applicant's
description notes that "accessories" would also be displayed. Accessories could include items
such as serving carts, umbrellas, tables, table tops, and table bases. (The applicant's illustration
of the proposed display is included as Attachment C.) No new lighting is proposed.
Petition:
Request for special use permit to allow outdoor display of furniture in accordance with Section
30.6.3.2(b) of the Zoning Ordinance which allows for outdoor sales, storage and/or display
associated with permitted uses, when visible from an EC Entrance Corridor Overlay Zoning
District street. The property contains approximately .918 acres zoned EC Entrance Corridor and
C1 Commercial. It is described as Tax Map 61M, Parcel 2 and is located in the Rio Magisterial
District at 460 Premier Circle on the west side of Seminole Trail (Rt. 29 North) across from
Branchlands Boulevard. The Comprehensive Plan Land Use/Density for this property is
designated as Community Service — community -scale retail, wholesale, business and medical
offices, mixed use core communities and/or employment services, and residential (6.01-34
units/acre).
Character of the Area:
The site of the proposed development is located on Premiere Circle, on the west side of Route 29
North, across from Branchlands Boulevard. It is located just south of the Waffle House site and
just north of a small office building occupied by DePaul Family Services. Nearby sites that have
approved outdoor display areas include the Toys -R -Us store and the Food Lion, both at
Branchlands across Route 29 to the east. Other development in the area includes motels, banks,
shopping centers, restaurants, and automobile related uses.
By-ri!ht use of the Property:
The property is located within a CI Commercial Zoning District, which permits a number of
retail sales and service uses, personal service uses, office and dwelling units. A special use
permit is required for the proposed areas of outdoor storage and display on this site due to its
location within the EC overlay district. The focus of the Special Permit review is on the impacts
to the Entrance Corridor, not on the use itself.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff has reviewed this proposal for conformity with the Comprehensive Plan and compliance
with Section 30.6.3.2 (b) of the Zoning Ordinance and recommends approval of the special use
permit with conditions.
Planning and Zoning Historv:
SDP -1987-68: Premier Plaza Preliminary Site Plan: Preliminary plan approved with conditions
December 8, 1987.
SDP -1988-16: Premier Plaza Administrative Final Site Plan: Plan signed administratively
February 18, 1988.
ARB -2000-12: Mattress Gallery Sign: Certificate of Appropriateness granted for an internally
illuminated wall cabinet sign.
ARB -2000-31: Cavalier Sports Sign: Certificate of Appropriateness granted for an internally
illuminated wall cabinet sign.
CLE -2005-150: Zoning Clearance approved 6/6/05.
CLE -2005-177: Zoning Clearance approved 6/29/05.
ARB -2005-171: Outdoor Furniture Display (Classic Furniture): ARB recommended no objection
to the special use permit; recommended conditions of approval; and approved a Letter of
Revision, pending staff approval of conditions.
ARB -2006-23: Mattress Gallery/Classic Furniture Signs: Applications under review for wall sign
refacings and new channel letter wall sign for the east wall (facing Route 29) of the building.
STAFF COMMENT:
Comprehensive Plan:
Chapter 2 of the Comprehensive Plan, entitled Natural Resources and Cultural Assets,
establishes the goals for preserving scenic resources that are recognized as being essential to the
County's character, economic vitality and quality of life. The Entrance Corridor Overlay District
is intended to further the County's efforts toward attaining the Comprehensive Plan objective for
maintaining the visual integrity of all roadways. The Architectural Review Board addresses
potential adverse aesthetic impacts by applying the County's Entrance Corridor Design
Guidelines on their review of development proposals. The Architectural Review Board has
reviewed the subject request for conformance with the Design Guidelines. (See Attachment E for
the ARB's full action on the proposal.) At its meeting on February 6, 2006, the ARB voted 5:0 to
forward the following recommendation to the Planning Commission:
The ARB has no objection to the request for the Special Use Permit for the outdoor display
of furniture based on a Classic Furniture plan dated February 6, 2006, with the following
conditions:
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1. Items shall be displayed only in the areas marked for display on the plan entitled
"Classic Furniture Outdoor Display" and dated 2-6-06.
2. Items shall be displayed to achieve the appearance of a furnished patio. Beds and
mattresses shall not be displayed.
3. Items for display shall not be stacked one atop another.
4. Items for display shall not be elevated anywhere on site.
5. Planters joined by black chain shall be used to delineate the boundaries of the display
areas.
6. No new lighting is approved for the new display areas.
7. Add one 21/2" caliper tree to the island located at the interior of the parking row in
front of the building and add one 21/2" caliper tree to the island at the east end of the
parking row in front of the building.
8. Along the EC frontage, replace the row of shrubs closest to the parking spaces with
evergreen screening shrubs to screen the parking lot. A holly that grows to a
minimum of 2-3' in height would be appropriate.
9. Replace the missing tree along the EC frontage with a Kwanzan Cherry at 21/2"
caliper.
10. Add one flowering Cherry tree along the EC for balance.
Zoning Ordinance Review
Following is an analysis of how the request for outdoor sales and display complies with the
requirements of Section 31.2.4.1 of the Zoning Ordinance:
The board of supervisors herby reserves unto itself the right to issue all special use permits
permitted hereunder. Special use permits for uses as provided in this ordinance may be issued
upon a finding by the board of supervisors that such use will not be of substantial detriment to
adjacent property, that the character of the district will not be changed thereby
Two primary features of the proposed development have relevance to the character of the
district: 1) the location and visibility of the furniture display, and 2) the treatment and character
of the furniture display.
Location and visibility of furniture displaX: The segment of the Entrance Corridor in which the
subject parcel resides has a strong commercial character. Nearby sites that have approved
outdoor display areas include the Toys -R -Us store and the Food Lion, both at Branchlands across
Route 29 to the east of the Classic Furniture site. These display areas are located at much greater
distances from the EC than the proposed Classic Furniture display would be. Although the
introduction of furniture display on the subject parcel expands this use to a location much closer
to the corridor, the display area is relatively small area of site. The existing parking lot is raised a
few feet above the elevation of Route 29. Cars parked in the parking lot could block the view of
the display area from the EC. The trees on site would also help minimize visibility of the display
area during the spring, summer and early fall months. The proposal is expected to sufficiently
minimize the impacts of the display on the EC.
Treatment/character of furniture display: The type and character of the items proposed for
display do not have an inappropriate appearance for the EC. However, some items, like
mattresses, do have an inappropriate appearance for outdoor display, and items could be
displayed in an inappropriate manner. For example, chairs and tables could be stacked on each
other, or table tops could be stored in groups on end. This type of display would have a sloppy,
disorganized appearance that would not be appropriate for the EC. The ARB has recommended
conditions of approval to ensure appropriate methods of display.
and that such use will be in harmony with the purpose and intent of this ordinance,
Staff has reviewed this proposal for compliance with the purpose and intent as set forth in
Section 1.4 of the Zoning Ordinance and finds no conflict that would arise from the approval of
the special use permit. According to section 30.6 of the Zoning Ordinance, the intent of the EC
Overlay District is, in part, to ensure a quality of development that is compatible with the
county's important scenic, architectural and cultural resources through the architectural control
of development. The ARB has applied the County's adopted guidelines for development within
the EC to the review of this request; the ARB had no objection and has recommended conditions
of approval.
with the uses permitted by right in the district,
The property is located within a Cl Commercial zoning district along Route 29 North. This
zoning district permits a number of retail sales and service uses, personal service uses, office and
dwelling units. The proposed display is in harmony with the commercial uses that have
developed in the district. The proposed use is not expected to have a negative impact on nearby
properties and is expected to maintain a compatible appearance.
with additional regulations provided in Section S.0 of this ordinance,
There are no additional regulations provided in section 5.0 of this ordinance related to furniture
storage or display.
and with public health, safety and general welfare.
The intent of the special use permit requirement for outdoor storage and display is based on the
need to mitigate the potential negative impact of this use on the aesthetics of the Entrance
Corridors and to mitigate the potential for development that is incompatible with the historic
resources of the County. This intent is directly related to the promotion of public health, safety
and welfare. The ARB has reviewed the proposal with this intent in mind. The ARB had no
objection to the proposed use and has recommended conditions of approval.
The Site Review Committee has provided comments on the proposal. The SRC review addresses
compliance with the relevant development review regulations that are also set forth to protect the
public health, safety and general welfare. The SRC recommended a physical barrier along the
perimeter of the display area to delineate the display area and to prevent encroachment of the
display into other parking spaces, travelways, and planting areas. The ARB has recommended a
condition of approval regarding the barriers. The SRC review has also confirmed that on-site
parking requirements can still be met with the loss of four parking spaces to display area. The
SRC has also noted that a site plan amendment/letter of revision will be required for the
proposed development, should the SP be approved, to update the plan regarding the location of
display areas and revised planting.
Finally, staff requested comment from the County's Police Department on this proposal due to
the sometimes rowdy nature of the late-night crowd at the Waffle House restaurant, which is
located just to the north. The police have recommended that the applicant secure the Classic
Furniture parking lot after business hours, mark the lot for "no trespassing," and give the police
full authority to enforce the no trespassing regulation.
Summary:
The intent of the special use permit requirement is based on potential impacts of the use on the
Entrance Corridors. The ARB has reviewed this proposal for its impact on the Route 29 North
Entrance Corridor. The ARB had no objection to the request for the Special Use Permit and has
recommended conditions of approval related to the type and method of display, illumination, and
planting.
Staff has identified the following factor that is favorable to this request:
1. The Architectural Review Board has reviewed the request for outdoor storage and display
and the ARB had no objection.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Staff recommends approval of this special use permit, subject to the following conditions that
reference the "Classic Furniture Outdoor Display" sketch plan dated 2-6-06.
1. Items shall be displayed only in the areas marked for display on the plan entitled "Classic
Furniture Outdoor Display" and dated 2-6-06.
2. Items displayed shall be limited to patio furniture. Beds and mattresses shall not be
displayed.
3. Items for display shall not be stacked one atop another.
4. Items for display shall not be elevated anywhere on site.
5. Planters joined by black chain shall be used to delineate the boundaries of the display
areas.
6. No new lighting is approved for the display areas.
7. Final approval of the site plan amendment/letter of revision is subject to Design Planner
approval of the revised landscape plan (submitted with the amendment). Planting
illustrated on the plan shall including the following additions to the site:
a) One 21/2" caliper tree located in the island situated at the interior of the parking
row in front of the building.
b) One 21/2" caliper tree located in the island at the east end of the parking row in
front of the building.
c) Evergreen screening shrubs along the EC frontage to screen the parking lot from
the EC. These shrubs shall replace the existing row of shrubs located closest to
the parking spaces and shall consist of a holly that grows to a minimum of 2-3' in
height.
d) Replace the missing tree along the EC frontage with a Kwanzan Cherry at 2%2"
caliper, and add another flowering Cherry in the planting bed along the EC to
visually balance the replacement tree.
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Sketch plan
B. Enlarged diagram of display area
C. Illustration of proposed furniture display
D. Vicinity/Tax Map
E. ARB Action
pF AL
COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE
Department of Community Development
401 McIntire Road, Room 227
Charlottesville, Virginia 22902-4596
Phone (434) 296-5832 Fax (434) 972-4012
February 17, 2006
Arthur Cox
Classic Furniture
460 Premier Circle
Charlottesville, VA 22901
RE: ARB -2005-171: Classic Furniture Outdoor Display - Advisory Review for a Special Use
Permit - (Tax Map 61M, Parcel 2)
Dear Mr. Cox:
The Albemarle County Architectural Review Board, at its meeting on February 6, 2006, completed a
preliminary review of the above -noted request. The Board took the following actions.
Regarding the Advisory Review for the Special Use Permit, the Board by a vote of 5:0, forwarded the following
recommendation to the Planning Commission:
The ARB expresses no objection to the special use permit, subject to the following conditions:
11. Items shall be displayed only in the areas marked for display on the plan entitled "Classic
Furniture Outdoor Display" and dated 2-6-6.
12. Items shall be displayed to achieve the appearance of a furnished patio. Beds and mattresses shall not
be displayed.
13. Items for display shall not be stacked one atop another.
14. Items for display shall not be elevated anywhere on site.
15. Planters joined by black chain shall be used to delineate the boundaries of the display areas.
16. No new lighting is approved for the new display areas.
17. Add one 2'/z" caliper tree to the island located at the interior of the parking row in front of the building
and add one 2'/z" caliper tree to the island at the east end of the parking row in front of the building.
18. Along the EC frontage, replace the row of shrubs closest to the parking spaces with evergreen
screening shrubs to screen the parking lot. A holly that grows to a minimum of 2- 3' in height would
be appropriate.
19. Replace the missing tree along the EC frontage with a Kwanzan Cherry at 2 1/2" caliper.
20. Add one flowering Cherry tree along the EC for balance.
Re ag rding the Letter of Revision for the Minor Amendment, the Board approved allowing a letter of
revision to be administratively approved by staff to update the site plan regarding the location of display
areas and revised planting.
You may submit your application for continued ARB review at your earliest convenience. Application
forms, checklists and schedules are available on-line at www.albemarle.org/planning.
Revised drawings addressing the comments listed above are required. Please include a memo outlining
how each comment has been addressed. If changes other than those requested have been made, identify
those changes in the memo also.
If you have any questions concerning any of the above, please feel free to call me.
Sincerely,
Margaret Maliszewski
Design Planner
Planning Division
MMM/aer
Cc: Premier Plaza L L C
3002 Berkmar Drive, Charlottesville, VA 22901
SP File
File
Attachment D