HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-5-09Tentative
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
T E N T A T I V E
MAY 9, 2012
COUNTY OFFICE BUILDING
3:00 P.M., ROOM 241
1. Call to Order.
2. Closed Meeting.
3. Certify Closed Meeting.
4. Discussion: Implementation of Virginia Retirement System (VRS) Changes Mandated by SB497.
5. Discussion: Solid Waste Service Options.
6. From the Board: Matters Not Listed on the Agenda.
7. Adjourn.
6:00 P.M., AUDITORIUM
1. Call to Order.
2. Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Moment of Silence.
4. Adoption of Final Agenda.
5. Brief Announcements by Board Members.
6. Recognitions.
7. Larry Land, Director of Policy Development, Virginia Association of Counties.
8. From the Public: Matters Not Listed for Public Hearing on the Agenda.
9. Consent Agenda.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
10. County’s Priority List of Secondary Road Improvements and VDoT Six Year Secondary Construction Program
Budget (FY11-12 to FY16-17).
11. SP-2010-00042, David Brown Auto Detailing and Repair (Sign #120).
PROPOSED: Special Use Permit for a public garage with auto detailing and repair ZONING CATEGORY/GENERAL
USAGE: Rural Areas (RA) - agricultural, forestal and fishery uses SECTION: 10.2.2 (37) Public garage
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN LAND USE/DENSITY: Rural Areas - Preserve and protect agricultural, forestal, open space,
and natural, historic and scenic resources/density .5 units /acre of development lots ENTRANCE CORRIDOR: No
LOCATION: 599 Rocky Hollow Rd. (Rt. 769); east of Stony Point Rd. (Rt. 20). TAX MAP/PARCEL: 062000000076A1
MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT: Rivanna.
12. WPTA-2012-00001. Water Protection Ordinance. Amend Sec. 17-321, Types of
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development which may be allowed in stream buffer by program authority, of Chapter 17, Water Protection, of the
Albemarle County Code. This ordinance would amend Sec. 17-321 to allow the program authority to authorize
development, with an approved mitigation plan, within the 50 feet of a stream buffer that is the most landward if the
development would be on a lot that is within both a development area and a water supply protection area where the
stream buffer protects an intermittent stream.
13. ZTA-2012-00002. Water and Sewer. Amend Secs. 3.1, Definitions, 4.1, Area and health
regulations related to utilities, 4.2, Critical slopes, 4.2.1, Building site required, 4.2.2, Building site area and dimensions,
4.2.3, Location of structures and improvements, 4.2.4, Location of septic systems, 4.7, Open space, 5.1.43, Special
events, 5.1.44, Farm worker housing, and 10.5.2, Where permitted by special use permit; and repeal Secs. 4.1.1, 4.1.2,
4.1.3, 4.1.4, 4.1.5, 4.1.6 and 4.1.7 (all untitled), of Chapter 18, Zoning, of the Albemarle County Code. This ordinance
would amend the regulations pertaining to building sites, critical slopes, and water supplies and sewer systems serving
developments and individual lots by adding and deleting definitions (3.1), restating and clarifying the standards for
developments and lots to be served by public or private water supplies and sewer systems (4.1), updating the terminology
for provisions pertaining to critical slopes (4.2), clarifying the minimum standards for building sites (4.2.1), restating the
minimum standards for building site area and dimensions for uses not served by public sewer systems, and providing for
special exceptions from those standards and for alternative onsite sewer systems (4.2.2), eliminating an ambiguity as to
whether special use permits for additional development rights are permitted in the watershed of a public water supply
reservoir (not allowed) (10.5.2), and making corresponding technical changes and non-substantive changes updating
terminology to other related sections (4.2.3, 4.2.4, 4.7, 5.1.43, 5.1.44, 10.5.2). A copy of the full text of the ordinance is on
file in the office of the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors and in the Department of Community Development, County Office
Building, 401 McIntire Road, Charlottesville, Virginia.
14. STA-2012-00001. Water & Sewer. Amend Secs. 14-106, Definitions, 14-309, Soil evaluations, 14-
310, Health director approval of individual private wells and/or septic systems, 14-415 Central water supplies and
sewerage systems, and 14-416, Individual private wells and septic systems, of Chapter 14, Subdivision of Land, of the
Albemarle County Code. This ordinance would amend the regulations pertaining to onsite sewage systems serving
subdivision lots by adding definitions pertaining to onsite sewage systems (14-106), and by allowing subdivision lots to be
served by either conventional or alternative onsite sewage systems, requiring health director review of such systems, and
revising the terminology (14-309, 14-310 and 14-416); and would amend the minimum area requirements for lots served
by central water supplies or central sewerage systems (14-415).
15. From the Board: Committee Reports and Matters Not Listed on the Agenda.
16. Adjourn to May 10, 2012.
C O N S E N T A G E N D A
FOR APPROVAL:
9.1 Approval of Minutes: January 4 and February 8(N), 2012.
9.2 HO-2011-152. Stanley Chang. Home occupation modification for traffic generation.
9.3 FY 2012 Budget Amendment and Appropriations.
9.4 FY 2012/13 Resolution of Appropriations – Capital Budget.
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FOR INFORMATION:
9.5 Housing Choice Vouchers – Status of Commitment to The Crossings.
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Return to County Home Page
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COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
AGENDA TITLE:
Virginia Retirement System (VRS) Changes Mandated by
SB 497
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST:
Decision on how to implement new VRS changes
STAFF CONTACT(S):
Messrs. Foley, Letteri, Elliott, Davis, and Ms. Allshouse,
Ms. Burrell and Ms. Gerome
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
AGENDA DATE:
May 9, 2012
ACTION: X INFORMATION:
CONSENT AGENDA:
ACTION: INFORMATION:
ATTACHMENTS: Yes
REVIEWED BY:
BACKGROUND:
On April 18, 2012, the General Assembly approved a variety of changes to reform the retirement plan administered by
the Virginia Retirement System (VRS). The General Assembly passed bills establishing a new hybrid retirement plan
for state and local employees who are hired on or after January 1, 2014 (HB 1130 and SB 498), as well as a
companion bill (SB 497) which requires local governments’ and school divisions’ current employees to pay a 5%
contribution to VRS by no later than July 1, 2016 and for local governments and school divisions to provide employees
with a salary increase to offset the cost of the employees’ VRS contribution. (The “5 and 5 Requirement”)
Prior to the final approval of SB 497, the Governor amended the language to provide a 5-year period in which local
governments, as well as school boards, can phase-in the contributions for existing employees at the rate of 1% per
year until July 1, 2016. Additional details regarding the anticipated long-term benefits to the VRS system as identified
by the state and information regarding the Governor’s amendment are detailed in an April 10, 2012 letter from the
Governor (Attachment A).
SB 497 mandates local governments and school divisions to:
Require current employees who are VRS members to contribute 5% of their salaries to VRS by no later than
July 1, 2016 and for local governments and school divisions to pay employees an increase in their base
salaries to offset the cost of the employees’ contributions to VRS.
Require all new employees hired after July 1, 2012 to pay the 5% contribution immediately.
Complete any phase-in option, if elected, using whole percentages by no later than July 1, 2016.
DISCUSSION:
The County must implement these changes effective July 1, 2012, and they will have cost implications that must be
included in the FY 13 budget for both the School Division and the County. Determining whether to implement the new
VRS contribution requirement in its entirety in FY 13 or to phase-in the change over time has important implications.
Considerations include (these considerations are more fully described in Attachment B):
Commonality with the School Division
Complexity/equity issues associated with administering disparate pay schedules and grades
Costs:
There is a cost to implementing this change to both the employee and employer because the employee VRS
contribution is not pre-taxed for purposes of FICA. Therefore, the employee and employer must pay the FICA
tax on the full five percent or phased amount contributed to VRS on the amount contributed by the employee.
o Option 1: The cost to implement “The 5 and 5 Requirement” entirely in FY 13 is approximately
$355,000 for the General Government and $754,144 for the School Division.
o Option 2: Costs to phase in the VRS mandate in FY 13 using the straight 1% phase-in option is
estimated to be $83,000 for General Government and $182,460 for the School Division in the first
year. The long-term cost of phasing in the mandate over the entire five years at 1% per year has not
AGENDA TITLE: Virginia Retirement System (VRS) Changes Mandated by SB 497
May 9, 2012
Page 2
been calculated by OMB staff and is not recommended. Staff believes that implementation should be
done as quickly as possible after FY13 to avoid other negative implications of delaying implementation
as outlined above and in greater detail in Attachment B.
Note: Costs for either option would be significantly greater if the School Division and/or the General
Government decide to also provide additional funding above the required raise to employees to help
them offset the cost of employee-paid FICA and other tax implementations. Some call this option
“making employees whole.”
General Government leadership believes that implementing this VRS-related mandate should be undertaken utilizing
the same approach and funding schedule for both the School Division and General Government due to the County’s
history of and desire to continue commonality. Given the administrative complexities and staff equity issues that might
occur due to the utilization of a phase-in approach, staff believes that, in principle, fully funding this “5 and 5” mandate
in FY 13 would be the preferred approach for the County to take. Staff does not, however, recommend funding this
requirement with one-time end of year monies since it is an on-going operating cost.
Given that this unfunded mandate has been imposed on localities at this late date in the FY 13 budget development
process and the significant on-going financial impacts of this mandate for the School Division and General
Government, phasing-in 1% of this requirement in FY 13 is a reasonable approach to take at this time with a goal to
accelerate the phase-in process as quickly as possible. Phasing in this mandate incrementally allows staff time to fully
evaluate the impact and develop strategies and options during the Board’s five-year financial planning discussions that
begin in the fall.
BUDGET IMPACT:
Impacts to the FY 13 Budget could range from $83,000 to $355,000 for General Government and $182,460 to
$754,144 for the School Division, depending on the direction taken to implement this requirement. The impact
would be much greater if the decision is made to implement the 5% contribution in FY 13 and provide additional
funds for employees to offset employees’ additional costs. For example, the estimate for the School Division
alone would be $1.44 million in FY 13 if that approach was taken by the School Board. Additional costs would be
incurred if part-time employees who are not in VRS are also provided the same amount of raises as VRS
employees are given. There will be continuing annual operating impacts in the following years.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff recommends that the VRS mandate be phased at the rate of 1% in the first year with the objective of accelerating
completion of the phase in as soon as possible and as a high priority during the Five-Year Financial Plan discussions
this fall. Other recommendations of staff include:
not exercising the option for General Government to pay a lower VRS rate than the rate certified by the VRS
Board of Trustees;
not utilizing one-time fund balance to pay for this on-going annual operating mandate in FY 13;
not providing equal offsetting raises for part-time employees who are not VRS members and therefore will not
be contributing to VRS;
working with the School Division to continue commonality
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: April 10, 2012 Letter from Governor to Local Officials and VRS Employers
Attachment B: Detailed Summary of issues
Return to agenda
ATTACHMENT A
ATTACHMENT A
ATTACHMENT A
ATTACHMENT A
ATTACHMENT A
1
Attachment B
Detailed Summary of Issues
Commonality with the School Division:
The County’s School Division and General Government have shared Human Resources and Finance Departments,
and practice commonality in employees’ pay grade levels and salary ranges. To maintain commonality in employee
wages moving forward, it is important for General Government and the School Division to implement this change with
a consistent approach.
Costs:
o The General Government’s estimated cost includes the costs for ECC staff, constitutional officers and
their employees, and other state-supported general government employees, such as social service
employees. In addition, depending on the approach taken by these entities, the Regional Jail and
Blue Ridge Juvenile Detention Center may request funding to assist them to meet this mandate.
o Option 1: The cost to implement “The 5 and 5 Requirement” entirely in FY 13 is approximately
$355,000 for the General Government and $754,144 for the School Division.
These costs to the County are due to the increase in wages (including unfunded raises to
constitutional officers and local state employees), as well as associated increases for the
County for FICA and life-insurance costs.
The costs to implement this requirement will be an ongoing annual operating expense that
must continue to be funded in the years ahead.
These estimates do not include raises for those part-time employees who are not members of
VRS, since they will not be required to contribute to VRS.
If the County desires to also provide additional funds to employees to offset their additional
FICA and other costs, there would be additional costs. For example, the School Division
estimates that if it were to fully implement the 5 and 5 Requirement and also provide
additional funding to employees to offset additional employee costs, the School Division cost
in FY 13 would be $1.44 million.
o Option 2: Costs to phase in the VRS mandate in FY 13 using the straight 1% phase-in option is
estimated to be $83,000 for General Government and $182,460 for the School Division in the first
year.
o Costs would be significantly greater if the School Division and/or the General Government decide to
also provide additional funding above the required raise to employees to help them offset the cost of
employee-paid FICA and other tax implementations. Some call this option “making employees
whole.”
Timing:
Timing for this decision is of the essence, as the change is effective on July 1, 2012.
o Payroll Programming: the newly-implemented Access Albemarle system will need rapid programming
changes in order to process VRS contributions, regardless of which strategy is chosen.
o Change in Procedures: Pay scales will need to be altered soon, as the Human Resources (HR)
Department is already in the hiring process for positions that will begin work after July 1, 2012.
o Teacher Contracts: The HR Department is in the process of hiring teachers for the upcoming school
year and cannot provide a salary amount in the contracts at this time. Virginia Code requires after the
school budget has been approved, teachers must be furnished a statement confirming continuation of
employment and salary.
o Staff Communication: Current staff will see a difference in their pay and, while some communications
have been given to School Division employees regarding this issue, it is critical to provide concrete
details to all employees and the impact that this will have on them as soon as possible.
2
Staff impacts:
o Employees who are members of VRS would also experience additional costs due to this new
requirement that will not be fully offset by a raise of the equal amount due to increased FICA costs.
o All new hires who will be members of VRS must pay the 5% contribution to VRS if they commence
employment with the County on or after July 1, 2012.
o Part-time employees who are not members of VRS will not be required to pay the 5% contribution.
External Competitiveness:
The County’s competitiveness for new hires will be impacted by how it chooses to implement this requirement in
comparison with how other jurisdictions decide to proceed. If the County decides to phase-in the requirement while
most other localities in the County’s competitive market do not, the County’s pay scale may be considered to be less
competitive for new employees. (See the results of the County’s survey of other general governments and school
divisions on the next page.)
Internal equity:
o New Hires: Even if the County phases-in at 1% for current employees over the next five years, all
new hires after July 1, 2012 must contribute at the 5% level as mandated by SB 497. This also
includes any employees that become VRS-eligible anytime during the year. (For example, this would
apply to part-time employees who become full time during the year.) This could create a situation in
which full-time employees making the same salary would see a difference in their net pay due to
different contribution requirements.
o Part-time employees: If the pay does not increase for part-time employees because they will not be
contributing an equal amount to VRS, the County would create separate salary scales for part-time
employees who are not members of VRS.
Within the School Division, employees frequently fluctuate between full and part-time status,
which would create issues with having separate salary scales.
If an employee who is currently full-time is contributing less than 5% due to phasing in of this
mandate drops to part-time, for even a day, then returns to full-time status, they would be
required to contribute the full 5% to VRS immediately.
Some employees work two part-time jobs which results in full time employment and VRS
membership, which will pose further administrative challenges for the HR Department
regarding adjustments to the pay scale.
o Administration: The tracking of the different contribution rates is expected to require additional labor
hours in the HR Department, and the idiosyncratic nature of the different employment scenarios could
increase the chance of error.
Survey of other Jurisdictions and School Division’s Planned Approaches:
A market survey of HR and budget staff at select jurisdictions in Virginia was conducted by the Office of Management
and Budget and the HR Department during the time period of April 17, 2012 to April 30, 2012. The results are as
follows:
General Governments: Sixteen general governments were contacted. Of those, seven indicate that
they plan to implement the “5 and 5 Requirement” all at once in FY 13. Two of those seven indicate
they plan to provide additional raises (a total of 5.7%) to their employees to help offset employee’s
FICA and tax implementation costs. Two jurisdictions do not participate in VRS, four have not made
a decision yet, and three plan to phase-in this requirement at this time. It is perhaps worthy of note
that most of these localities surveyed do not have “commonality” issues with an associated school
system and would experience less of a financial impact when only considering general government
employees.
School Divisions: Fifteen school divisions were contacted. Of those, two plan to implement the “5 and
5 Requirement” all at once in FY 13 and one school division plans to phase-in the requirement this
year. The remaining twelve have not made a decision yet as how they plan to proceed.
3
Option to Reduce VRS Contribution “Rate” beginning July 1, 2012:
The adopted budget bill (HB 1301), also approved on April 18, 2012, provides local governments with the following
options regarding a VRS contribution rate beginning July 1, 2012:
Pay the rate certified by the VRS Board of Trustees for the 2012-2014 biennium announced in December
2011; or
Pay either the rate certified by the VRS Board of Trustees for FY 2011-2012 or 70% of the VRS Board-
certified rate for 2013-2014, whichever is higher. If the County’s General Government chooses to
exercise this option, the combined contribution rate for General Government’s share and its employees’
share would be the current VRS rate in FY 12, which is 15.14%, rather than the VRS Board rate of
18.99%.
Allows for rates to be phased in over 6 years, not requiring full payment of the rate certified by the VRS
Board of Trustees until FY 2018.
The budget adopted by the General Assembly allows political subdivisions to phase-in employer rates certified by
VRS over three biennia. For FY 13, the County has the option to pay the FY 12 VRS overall rate, which is 15.14%
rather than the updated VRS certified rate for Albemarle County which is 18.99%. If the County opted to take this
approach, this would reduce the County’s overall payment into the County’s VRS Trust Fund by $1.2 million in FY 13.
While this reduction could offset the cost of implementing the “5 and 5” Requirement in the short term, staff
recommends that the County does not elect this option. If the County does not properly fund its VRS Fund, the
County will be required to pay higher rates in the future based on the actuarial valuation of assets and liabilities as
approved by the VRS Board of Trustees every two years. Staff does not recommend that the County take the same
approach to under fund its VRS Fund that has been taken by the state in prior years which has resulted in the need
for higher rates to make up the shortage caused by the earlier funding decisions.
School Board Discussions and Considerations:
On April 26, 2012, the School Division staff reviewed the SB497 VRS Mandate requirements in detail with the School
Board. The School Division’s staff’s PowerPoint provided to the School Board is linked here (see attached). School
Division staff presented the following three implementation funding choices to the School Board: 1) Request Local
Government to provide funds to meet the new VRS mandate passed following their b udget adoption, 2) Use School
Board Fund Balance to address the costs, or 3) reduce operational funds to address the costs. Due to the
complexities of this issue and the other decisions the School Board needed to make to balance its budget, the School
Board did not make a decision on how to address the VRS implementation. The School Board is scheduled to meet
again on May 7, 2012 to consider this issue.
COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
AGENDA TITLE:
Solid Waste Service Options
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST:
Evaluate long term options for County directed solid waste
services
STAFF CONTACT(S):
Messrs. Foley, Davis, Graham, and Shadman
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
AGENDA DATE:
May 9, 2012
ACTION: X INFORMATION:
CONSENT AGENDA:
ACTION: INFORMATION:
ATTACHMENTS: Yes
REVIEWED BY:
BACKGROUND:
The purpose of Wednesday’s work session is to obtain Board direction on preferred alternatives for providing future
solid waste services. For background, attached are the executive summaries previously reviewed with the Board as
well as a draft set of questions staff will review to help clarify Board direction. These draft questions and the
background materials are being provided in advance so the Board can think through the various issues that will need
to be clarified before the County can proceed.
DISCUSSION:
Staff is planning a facilitated discussion of these issues so that the scope of the County’s future solid waste operation
can be more clearly established. The Board needs to define its desired level of service whether the services are
provided by the public or private sector, so that the different service provision alternatives can be considered and the
ultimate cost of those services can be determined. The Board will also have to decide whether the Board of
Supervisors or the Rivanna Solid Waste Authority will oversee the provision of solid waste services to County citizens.
Attachment A provides a brief background on each of the draft questions and some important issues to consider. At
Wednesday’s meeting, staff will provide a brief overview of the issues related to each question and will work to achieve
consensus from the Board that will set direction for the future. Depending on the Board’s responses to these issues, it
is possible that additional work will need to be done by a consultant.
BUDGET IMPACT:
The budget impact will be determined based on the results of the work session
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff has no recommendation at this time.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A – Draft Questions regarding Solid Waste Services
Attachment B – March 2012 Executive Summary
Attachment C – November 2011 Executive Summary
Attachment D – October 2010 Executive Summary
Return to agenda
ATTACHMENT A
1. Level of Service
a. Collection of Municipal Solid Waste and Construction Debris
i. Current Services
1. Curbside Services for MSW
a. Private collection currently in place for 90-95% of County residential waste
2. Drop off Services for MSW and Construction Debris
a. RSWA Transfer station at Ivy Landfill
i. provides MSW services for citizens not serviced by private collection
ii. provides services for small contractors
iii. waste transported by Waste Mgt through contract with RSWA
ii. Future Services
1. Curbside Services for MSW
a. Continued private collection services
2. Drop off Services for MSW and Construction Debris
a. Maintain current level of service?
b. Expand services?
c. Reduce services?
d. Collection center rather than transfer site?
b. Recycling
i. Current Services
1. County Funded Recycling Center at RSWA Transfer station at Ivy
2. Shared County/City RSWA Recycling Center at McIntire
3. County Funded RSWA Paper Recycling at Scottsville, Forrest Lakes and Pantops
ii. Future Services
1. Does the Board want to expand services beyond the above
2. If yes, issues to consider:
a. Level of service?
b. Locations?
c. Funding?
c. Other Services
i. Current Services
1. Vegetative waste – mulching
2. White Goods – Refrigerators, stoves, etc.
3. Tires and Batteries
4. Recyclable metal
5. Paints
6. Household Hazardous Waste
ii. Future Services
1. Maintain current level of service?
2. Expand services?
3. Reduce services?
2. Organizational Oversight
a. Regional Oversight of County Service (RSWA Board – 2 County Reps, 2 City Reps, 1 Citizen Rep)
b. Board of Supervisors Oversight of County Service
3. Service Provider
a. RSWA
b. County
c. Privatize
ATTACHMENT B
COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
AGENDA TITLE:
Solid Waste Options – Consultant Services
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST:
Contract to evaluate solid waste service options
STAFF CONTACT(S):
Messrs. Foley, Elliott, Davis, Graham, and Shadman
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
AGENDA DATE:
March 7, 2012
ACTION: X INFORMATION:
CONSENT AGENDA:
ACTION: INFORMATION:
ATTACHMENTS: Yes
REVIEWED BY:
BACKGROUND:
In November 2011, staff presented the Board with a summary outlining long-term options for solid waste services.
(Attachment A) Staff recognized it lacked some of the expertise to accurately analyze these options, especially an
evaluation of costs and potential permitting obstacles. Therefore, staff recommended retaining a consultant with
experience in Virginia solid waste programs and estimated that services would cost between $30,000 and $40,000.
The Board directed staff to finalize a scope of services and cost with a consultant, and to bring it back to the Board for
approval. A proposed scope of services and cost estimate is attached (Attachment B) for the Board’s consideration.
DISCUSSION:
Staff has selected Draper Aden Associates for this project for several reasons. First, Draper Aden has a local
presence and has already been pre-selected by the County for providing professional services through an open list of
consultants. Staff considers this important because it reduces the cost of travel time for the consultant and the
County avoids additional costs in procuring services. Second, Draper Aden has worked for the Rivanna Solid Waste
Authority (RSWA) and, more particularly, has worked at the RSWA’s Ivy facility (Ivy MUC). Draper Aden already
understands RSWA’s current operations and challenges. This helps the County avoid the cost of educating a new
consultant. Additionally, Draper Aden was a technical support consultant for RSWA’s strategic planning process,
giving the firm an understanding of local preferences. Third, in staff’s interviews, Lynn Klappich, Draper Aden’s
Program Manager for this project, was found to be both knowledgeable of the issues and insightful about the
difficulties in balancing objectives. When staff considered all of these factors together, Draper Aden was rated the best
choice for this project.
Staff has kept the proposed services focused on the outlined options, but includes some flexibility should additional
questions or issues arise. For this reason, staff is recommending the contract be based on an “hourly, not to exceed”
basis rather than as a fixed sum contract. Should the scope of work adequately address the questions without the
need to study additional issues, the County can limit the cost of the work. Should additional questions or concerns
arise, this form of contract allows the scope to be easily amended to include that work .
Staff recognizes there is some appeal to skipping this analysis of options and proceeding to bid for solid waste
services as quickly as possible. Staff believes the County’s interest is best served by first exploring all three options
and verifying the best direction. This will help assure County citizens are being served in the best way possible and for
the lowest cost. Through fees charged by service providers or through County support of programs, it appears each of
the options could result in a total cost of several million dollars over the next decade. Additionally, even if the decision
is ultimately made to privatize services, this study will help craft that bid to better serve the County’s interest and
hopefully improve the chances of a successful contract.
BUDGET IMPACT:
As shown in Attachment B, the proposal is capped at a not to exceed fee of $32,000 and is within the originally
anticipated cost. The FY12 CIP appropriation to the RSWA for environmental services has been evaluated as a
possible funding source. Based on past expenditures and anticipated services in the year ahead, staff believes
that a portion of this amount could be shifted to a consultant contract while still meeting all obligations under the
RSWA Environmental Support Agreement. If approved, staff will request an appropriation at a future Board
meeting.
ATTACHMENT B
AGENDA TITLE: Solid Waste Options – Consultant Services
March 7, 2012
Page 2
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff recommends that the Board:
1) authorize the use of $32,000 from the FY12 CIP appropriation to the RSWA for environmental
services to fund a contract to evaluate solid waste service options;
2) authorize the County Executive to sign a contract with Draper Aden Associates for services as
proposed in Attachment B, subject to the County Attorney’s approval of the contract as to form; and
3) direct staff to present the study to the Board as quickly as possible. Staff anticipates this will be in two or
three months.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A – November 2011 Executive Summary
Attachment B – Proposed Scope of Services, with Cost Estimate
COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
AGENDA TITLE:
Long Term Solid Waste Service Options
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST:
Process for evaluating future solid waste service options
STAFF CONTACT(S):
Messrs. Foley, Elliott, Davis, Graham, and Shadman
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
AGENDA DATE:
November 2, 2011
ACTION: X INFORMATION:
CONSENT AGENDA:
ACTION: INFORMATION:
ATTACHMENTS: Yes
REVIEWED BY:
BACKGROUND:
In October 2010, the Board reviewed options for solid waste services based on information provided by staff. The
Board reviewed service level options and costs and decided to maintain the current level of service through short term
agreements with the Rivanna Solid Waste Authority (RWSA). The County currently provides a support payment to
the Authority to cover any operating deficits after revenues are considered. This action was taken after the City of
Charlottesville advised RSWA and the County that they had no interest in continuing to receive services from RSWA’s
Ivy facility. At a December 2010 meeting, staff advised the Board that the City had expressed an interest in
continuing to support recycling services provided by RSWA at the McIntire Recycling Facility. The Board established
expectations for the service agreements to continue solid waste and recycling services and directed staff to work with
RSWA staff to develop agreements to continue these services while long term options were considered.
In August 2011, the Board reviewed the RSWA support agreements for both the RSWA Ivy and McIntire Facilities
(Attachments A and B) and authorized the County Executive to sign these agreements. While the agreements
satisfied the Board expectations for services in the short term, questions remained as to whether or not RSWA could
meet the County’s long term needs within the current structure of a regional authority, recognizing that a regional body
with City representatives would be involved in the decisions regarding a service provided solely to County residents.
To address this concern, the Board directed staff to prepare a review of how future services might be provided
following RSWA’s consideration of the current Organizational Agreement. The RSWA Board conducted a review of
the Organizational Agreement in early August and agreed to propose a change to the agreement to “allow” rather than
“require” that RSW A provide services for the City and County. While this did not resolve the County’s long term
direction, it did clarify that RSW A does not advocate to be the sole provider of solid waste services. The purpose of
this agenda item is to seek Board direction on a preferred process for determining a long term strategy to meet the
County’s solid waste needs.
DISCUSSION:
In considering long-term options for delivery of solid waste services, staff believes there are three options that the
Board should consider:
1) Maintain a support agreement by which RSWA would continue to provide these services. The advantages of
this option are that the RSWA has proven to be a cost effective service provider and is very experienced at
providing these services at the Ivy facility. The disadvantages of this option are that the current Authority
structure and the complexity of the service agreement make it difficult for the County to address long-term
capital improvement requirements for services solely provided to County residents. For example, the current
agreement is subject to 2 year periods and has non-appropriation clauses to avoid binding future Boards to
this agreement. Both of those factors present a problem for RSWA financing major capital improvements.
Similarly, the current RSWA Organizational Agreement makes it possible for the County representation on the
RSW A Board to be a dissenting minority when RSWA adopts its annual budget. If the City representatives
and the independent member of the RSWA Board included costs in the budget that the County found
unacceptable, the County is left with the choice of either paying that cost or terminating the agreement. That
would effectively leave the County with an ongoing short term agreement rather than a long-term solution to
meet its solid waste needs.
AGENDA TITLE: Long Term Solid Waste Service Options
November 2, 2011
Page 2
2) Enter negotiations to either purchase or lease the part of the Ivy facility that provides the solid waste services
and then either manage it with County employees or contract out the management to others. The advantages
of this option are that the County assumes better financial control of its solid waste services and uses an
existing facility rather than investing in a new facility. The disadvantages of this option are that the County
has very little experience managing solid waste services and this would likely require a new permit from the
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The lack of experience could potentially be addressed
by RSWA employees simply shifting to the County, however, the transfer of the operation to the County and
the lease or purchase of the facility would be subject to approval by the RSWA Board. Additionally, with the
potential of needing a new permit from DEQ, it is possible that an upgrade of the facility to meet current
standards would be required. However, it is likely that an upgrade will be needed in any case to provide
effective long term operations.
3) Identify a new location for constructing a transfer station and provide solid waste services independent of
RSWA. The advantages of this option are that the County is no longer subject to the approval of the RSWA
Board and the County can establish its own direction for providing long term solid waste services, including
the financial planning and control of capital investments. This potential operation could be overseen by the
Board of Supervisors through a County department or could be set up as an independent Authority similar to
the Albemarle County Service Authority or as an additional responsibility of the Albemarle County Service
Authority. The disadvantages of this option are that the County would need to undertake the often difficult
and controversial siting of this new facility and the complexity of managing this new service. The
management issue is very similar for options 2 and 3. Staff anticipates finding an acceptable location for a
new facility would prove very controversial and the conditions to address concerns would increase the cost of
services.
Staff has not fully evaluated each of these options and has concerns that the information above lacks the
expertise to provide a reliable analysis, especially with respect to the costs and other issues that may be
associated with options 2 or 3. For staff to fairly compare the above options and their costs and assure that
significant issues are not overlooked, we believe contracting with a consultant experienced in solid waste services
is necessary and prudent given the significance of establishing a long term direction. Staff anticipates this would
be contracted as a professional service and that the scope of services would be adjusted through negotiations
rather than requesting a simple quote for a predefined service.
BUDGET IMPACT:
While staff has not discussed these services with potential consultants, it is thought that the cost would like ly be in the
range of $30-40,000 for a preliminary analysis adequate to provide the necessary information for the Board to
effectively evaluate the options. The FY12 CIP appropriation to the RSWA for environmental services has been
evaluated as a possible funding source. Based on past expenditures and anticipated services in the year ahead, staff
believes that a portion of this amount could be shifted to a consultant contract while still meeting all obligations under
the RSW A Environmental Support Agreement.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff recommends that the Board:
1) Direct staff to procure consulting services to evaluate the options as described above, as well as any other
options.
2) Direct staff to prepare an appropriation request in an amount necessary for the consultant contract based on
a negotiated scope of services.
ATTACHMENTS:
A – 8/23/11 Ivy Facility Agreement
B – 8/23/11 McIntire Facility Agreement
COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
AGENDA TITLE:
Solid Waste Service Options
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST:
Work session to consider solid waste service disposal
options upon the expiration of the City/County support
agreement
STAFF CONTACT(S):
Messrs. Tucker, Foley, Davis, Kamptner, Graham, and
Shadman
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
AGENDA DATE:
October 6, 2010
ACTION: X INFORMATION:
CONSENT AGENDA:
ACTION: INFORMATION:
ATTACHMENTS: Yes
REVIEWED BY:
BACKGROUND:
In 1990, the County of Albemarle and the City of Charlottesville entered into an agreement (Attachment A) to form the
Rivanna Solid Waste Authority (RSWA) for the purpose of managing solid waste generated in the County and the City.
The agreement designated the RSWA as the sole provider for solid waste disposal services for both the County and
the City. The agreement anticipated that the RSWA would be self-supporting, primarily through the collection of
tipping fees at the Ivy Facility. This arrangem ent worked well until 2001, when the last landfill cell at the Ivy Facility
was closed, and tighter regulations, as well as public opposition, made it highly unlikely that the RSWA could open a
new landfill cell. From that point, the RSWA has provided a limited capacity transfer station at the Ivy Facility for
garbage (MSW) and construction debris (CDD). This Facility is not adequate to handle the total demands of both the
County and the City. To compensate, the RSWA accepted MSW and CDD through a contractual arrangement at a
private transfer station at Zions Crossroads.
As a result of losing the tipping fees generated by the Ivy Facility, the RSWA was no longer self-sustaining. The
County and City entered into a Local Government Support Agreement in December, 2007 (Attachment B) to fund
RSWA’s operational deficits. Since entering into that agreement, other disposal options have become available and
the RSWA has determined that it is no longer in a position to serve as the sole provider of solid waste disposal
services for the County and the City. Currently, there are at least four options for disposal of MSW and CDD
generated in the County: the Ivy Facility, two private transfer stations at Zion’s Crossroads, and a private transfer
station in Greene County. Acknowledging the City’s interest in exploring other service options, in June, 2010, the
County and City amended the 2007 agreement to end the County/City funding of RSWA’s operational deficits as of
December 31, 2010 (Attachment C). The County must now determine its service needs and delivery options with the
assumption that the City is discontinuing its financial support of the RSWA, except for a prior commitment to fund the
environmental mitigation at the Ivy Landfill.
The purpose of this work session is to define the solid waste disposal services the Board believes are needed in the
County. This will be followed by a November work session to consider options for providing those services.
DISCUSSION:
Staff initiated its analysis by considering levels of service and developed the attached table that defines a low,
medium, and high level of public service for solid waste disposal (Attachment D). The County currently provides a
medium level of service. Staff believes the public would perceive the level of service to be low if there were a
significant drop in the level of service and that they would perceive the level of service to be high if there were a
significant increase in the level of service. Staff recognizes that these are debatable standards. The rationale for
defining the existing level of service at medium is that there have been few complaints received at the current level of
service. While there have been complaints about curbside recycling options in the past, those complaints have
diminished since the Zions Crossroads transfer stations started extracting recyclable materials from both MSW and
CDD. It appears people interested in curbside recycling have largely found that those transfer stations addressed
their needs. Thus, staff does not see an immediate need for increased services.
With this framework, the County involvement and costs were compared to peer communities (Attachment E). From
this, it appears Albemarle has a lower level of service in solid waste disposal services and also has much less tax
support than most of the peer localities. Stafford County is one of a few localities that still operates its own landfill.
Similar to the RSWA’s experience prior to 2001, revenue generated from Stafford’s landfill appears to allow that
AGENDA TITLE: Solid Waste Service Options
October 6, 2010
Page 2
locality to fund a number of solid waste related services to their constituents. Complicating this analysis, Albemarle
appears to be unique since the public is now served by a private transfer station that incorporates a materials recovery
facility (recycling) in its process. To perform an accurate total cost analysis would require merging the fees charged by
private haulers with the localities’ support. That data was not available for this analysis. Additionally, there are
subjective values that would need to be included in a total cost analysis. For example, what value does the typical
citizen place on a curbside service that provides co-mingled recycling?
Next, the RSWA FY 11 budget anticipates a deficit of $385,000 for operations, while the County has budgeted
$350,000 for RSWA support in the current year. Pursuant to the amended support agreement, that cost is shared by
the County and the City through December 2010. Staff notes the current financial data suggests that there will be a
higher deficit than budgeted, but it is too early in the fiscal year to verify this. (Attachment F) This data suggests that
even if the City were not to contribute in the second half of FY 11, it may be possible for the County to continue
receiving the current level of services with little or no service adjustment in FY 11.
The final factor staff considered in its analysis was the current demand for services and whether alternatives exist.
Based on the RSWA’s records and prior surveys of residents, staff believes there remains a significant need for a
drop-off center in the County. This need is not only for MSW, but for other materials such as woody debris and
appliances. For MSW, it was noted that RSWA continues to see a sizable number of residents who are not served by
commercial trash haulers. Many of those are due to their remote location, while others are people who generate very
little trash and/or have limited income. If a convenience center/transfer station were not available to those residents,
staff anticipates the County would see an increase in illegal dumping and complaints over the service reductions. With
respect to the McIntire Road Recycling Facility, staff notes that the recycling offered continues to be a very popular
program for both County and City residents, though the need appears to be reduced due to expanded curbside
recycling options available in both the County and the City. Staff believes there will continue to be some need for drop-
off recycling services.
Based on the above, staff believes the County should maintain the current RSWA operations, with the possible
exception of the McIntire Road Facility. The comparison to peer communities indicates that the RSWA is providing a
cost effective service and service demands have not dramatically changed. While an expansion of services could
allow the County to better match peer communities, there appears to be little public demand for expanded services,
perhaps because there are multiple private options currently available to County residents and businesses, many of
which are not available in those peer communities. If the Board is interested in expanding services (and funding
support), staff believes those changes should be permanent. The County’s experience in closing the Keene landfill
suggests there would be significant citizen dissatisfaction and increased illegal dumping if the County expanded
services, then later reduced them. Conversely, while a reduction of services may be possible, staff noted many
residents and businesses continue to rely on the RSWA’s programs at the Ivy Facility. Therefore, staff recommends
keeping those services in place. If the City does not continue to fund the Ivy Facility, then the RSWA should
implement a fee system for its use by City residents.
With respect to the McIntire Road Facility, staff notes this Facility receives a similar per capita usage by County and
City residents, but the City has not committed to continuing its support. If the City is not willing to continue its support,
staff believes the RSWA should consider the cost savings that could be realized by consolidating services at the Ivy
Facility. If the City is willing to continue its support, staff recommends continuing to support the McIntire Road Facility.
Staff would also ask that the RSWA consider restoring the fluorescent bulb and battery programs that were recently
eliminated at the McIntire Road Facility. While restoration of those programs would likely require additional funding,
there are currently no alternatives available to County residents, and those programs appear to be important for
environmental reasons.
Finally, staff notes that while the RSWA provides a cost effective service, the organizational agreement provides the
County and the City equal votes in setting the RSWA budget. When the costs of those services are shared by the
localities, that arrangement is appropriate. However, if the County were to become the sole funding source for the
RSWA, it would be inappropriate to allow the City to continue to have an equal vote in setting the RSWA’s operations
budget. If the Board agrees with staff’s recommendation for the County to continue to fund the RSWA and if the City
discontinues its partnership with the County in funding the RSWA, staff recommends that the Board consider
amending the RSWA Organizational Agreement at its November work session.
AGENDA TITLE: Solid Waste Service Options
October 6, 2010
Page 3
BUDGET IMPACT:
The County has $350,000 budgeted in FY 11 to support RSWA FY 11 operations. Based on the RSWA adopted
budget for FY 11, it was anticipated that RSWA’s operational deficit would total $385,000. It appears that County
and City funding for the period of July, 2010 through December 2010, combined with County funding from January
2011 through June 2011, will cover the RSWA’s FY 11 operational deficit. If inadequate, it appears RSWA would
need to use its reserves. Staff’s recommendation focuses on maintaining services without any significant increase
in the County support to RSWA.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff recommends that the Board 1) continue support of services currently provided at RSWA’s Ivy Facility (it appears
this will require little, if any, increase in current County support payments); 2) continue support of RSWA’s McIntire
Road Facility if the City agrees to continue its support (otherwise, staff recommends requesting RSWA to consider
consolidating those services to the Ivy Facility, with the goal of not increasing current County support payments; and 3)
consider changes to the RSWA Organizational Agreement at a November work session with the goal of assuring the
organization matches operations and support by both the County and the City.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A – Solid Waste Organizational Agreement
Attachment B –RSWA Local Government Support Agreement
Attachment C – Amendment to RSWA Local Government Support Agreement
Attachment D – Solid Waste Service Levels
Attachment E – Peer Community Comparison
Attachment F – RSWA July 2010 financial report
COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE
STAFF REPORT SUMMARY
Project Name: HO 2011-152, Stanley Chang – Home
Occupation Modification for traffic generation
Staff: David Benish
Planning Commission Meeting:
April 24, 2012
Board of Supervisors Meeting: May 9, 2012
Owner/s: Stanley Chang Applicant: Stanley C. Chang dba Tae Pyung
Acupuncture, P.C.
Acreage: 1.02 acres Special Use Permit History:
SP 2002-020, Pine Crest Orchids
Home Occupation Class B Amendment (for increased
square footage)
SP 1990-069, Leon Blumreich
Home Occupation Class B Amendment
(administratively approved for additional greenhouse)
SP 1985-021, Leon Blumreich
Home Occupation Class B (administratively approved)
TMP: 061A0-00-00-01400
Location: 1100 Pen Park Lane
The property is located at the intersection of Rio Road and
Pen Park Lane.
Existing Zoning and By-right use: R-4, Residential
Magisterial District: Rio Conditions or Proffers: YES conditions,
NO proffers
Development Area: Urban Neigh. 2 – Places 29 Requested # of Dwelling Units: N/A
Proposal: The applicant has requested a Home Occupation
Class A (HOCA) modification for the number of vehicle trips
generated from the Home Occupation. A concurrent
application is being processed for a HOCA clearance to
operate an acupuncture office.
Comprehensive Plan Designation:
Urban Density in Development Area 2
Character of Property: A residential lot within the Pen Park
subdivision.
Use of Surrounding Properties: residential lots within
the Pen Park subdivision.
Factors Favorable:
1. This property has had a home occupation use since
1985.
2. The use will not produce any excess noise, waste, or
light.
3. The level of traffic potentially generated from this request
is consistent with other by-right uses permitted within
residences (including day care for up to 5 children);
4. Pen Park Lane and the driveway serving the
residents/home occupation can adequately
accommodate anticipated traffic, drop-off/pick-up, and
parking activity generated by this request.
Factors Unfavorable:
1. No factors unfavorable
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the modification request with conditions.
COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
AGENDA TITLE:
HO 2011-152, Stanley Chang
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST:
The applicant requests a Home Occupation Class A
(HOCA) modification for the number of vehicle trips
generated from the Home Occupation Class A.
STAFF CONTACT(S):
David Benish
LEGAL REVIEW: NO
AGENDA DATE:
April 24, 201211
ACTION: X INFORMATION:
CONSENT AGENDA:
ACTION: INFORMATION:
ATTACHMENTS: YES
BACKGROUND:
The applicant, Stanley C. Chang (Tae Pyung Acupuncture, P.C.), is requesting a Home Occupation Class A (HOCA)
modification for the number of trips generated by the HOCA use. A concurrent application is being processed for a HOCA
clearance to operate an acupuncture office. The applicant is an acupuncturist and intends to operate within his home. The
applicant is requesting up to thirty (30) clients per week.
Characteristics of the anticipated operation:
Operating hours are by appointment, Monday through Friday. The office will be closed on Saturdays and
Sundays.
Sessions last an average of 50 minutes, but can range from 40 minutes to 60 minutes for follow-up visits and up
to 90 minutes for initial consultations.
The property (TMP 061A0-00-00-01400) is located at 1100 Pen Park Lane and is located at the intersection of Rio Road
and Pen Park Lane. The 1.02 acre parcel is zoned R-4, Residential. Pen Park Lane consists of single-family detached
homes. A previous Home Occupation Class B for flower sales on-site has existed on this property for over 20 years. The
Home Occupation was amended in 2002 (SP2002-20, Pine Crest Orchids) to allow for an expansion to the greenhouses
on-site. The normal operating hours for that Home Occupation was 8:00 to 5:00, M onday through Saturday, and it was
estimated to generate 7 to 10 customers per week.
DISCUSSION:
The applicant is seeking a modification of Section 5.2 (e) of the Zoning Ordinance for home occupations, which states,
“[t]he traffic generated by a home occupation shall not exceed the volume that would normally be expected by a dwelling
unit in a residential neighborhood.” The Zoning Department assumes the “normal volume” of traffic for a dwelling unit is 5
round trips per day (10 vehicle trips per day) and will also allow one additional trip per day for clients, stipulating that these
trips should be spread throughout the week (seven per week ). The applicant’s request is to be allowed to serve an up to
30 clients per week five days per week (Monday through Friday). This would result in 30 round trips per week, from the
home occupation use (and an average of 6 round trips per day). A “round trip” means one vehicle entering and exiting the
site.
Staff has evaluated the request based on the traffic impacts to Pen Park Lane, Rio Road, and the neighborhood. Planning
staff typically evaluates traffic generation of this type of request against other uses permitted by-right within residences,
most particularly a daycare serving up to five (5) children (a special use permit is required for a day care serving six or
more children). A by-right daycare would generate up to 50 round trips per week and 10 round trips per day (2 round
trips/day per child for drop-off and pick-up) in addition to the 5 round trips from the residential use.
The applicant’s request is also consistent with the threshold established for Rural Area Home Occupations, which is to not
exceed 30 vehicle round trips per week . That section of the ordinance (Section 5.2A.e.) is provided below:
“Traffic generated by a major home occupation. The traffic generated by a major home occupation shall not
exceed ten (10) vehicle round trips per day or more than thirty (30) vehicle round trips per week. For the purposes
of this section, a “vehicle round trip” means one vehicle entering and exiting the site.”
SUMMARY:
Staff has identified the following factors favorable to this application:
1. This property has had a home occupation use since 1985.
2. The use will not produce any excess noise, waste, or light.
3. The level of traffic potentially generated from this request is consistent with other by-right uses permitted
within residences (including day care for up to 5 children);
4. Pen Park Lane and the driveway serving the residents/home occupation can adequately a ccommodate
anticipated traffic and parking activity generated by this request.
Staff has not identified any unfavorable factors.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of HO 2011-152 with the following conditions:
1. No more than 30 clients per week and no more than 6 clients per day (Monday through Friday).
ATTACHMENTS:
ATTACHMENT A – Location Map
ATTACHMENT B – Neighborhood Level Aerial Photo
ATTACHMENT C – Zoning Ordinance Section 5.2, Home Occupations in Zoning Districts Other Than Rural Area Zoning
District
Planning Commission minutes
Return to consent agenda
Return to regular agenda
ALBEMARLE COUNTY CODE
18-5-22.18
Zoning Supplement #65, 1-12-11
shall be the distance between the existing permanent structure and the street, road, access
easement or lot line on May 5, 2010 and that distance shall not be thereafter reduced. An
enlargement or expansion of the structure shall be no closer to a street, road, access
easement or lot line than the existing structure.
d. Parking. Notwithstanding any provision of section 4.12, the following minimum parking
requirements shall apply to a farm stand, farm sales use, and farmers’ market:
1. Number of spaces. Each use shall provide one (1) parking space per two hundred (200)
square feet of retail area.
2. Location. No parking space shall be located closer than ten (10) feet to any public street
right-of-way.
3. Design and improvements. In conjunction with each application for a zoning clearance,
the zoning administrator shall identify the applicable parking design and improvements
required that are at least the minimum necessary to protect the public health, safety and
welfare by providing safe ingress and egress to and from the site, safe vehicular and
pedestrian circulation on the site, and the control of dust as deemed appropriate in the
context of the use. The zoning administrator shall consult with the county engineer, who
shall advise the zoning administrator as to the minimum design and improvements.
Compliance with the identified parking design and improvements shall be a condition of
approval of the zoning clearance.
(§ 5.1.19, 12-10-80; Ord. 01-18(6), 10-3-01; §5.1.35, Ord. 95-20(3), 10-11-95; § 5.1.36, Ord. 95-20(4), 10-
11-95; § 5.1.47, Ord 10-18(4), 5-5-10)
5.2 HOME OCCUPATIONS IN ZONING DISTRICTS OTHER THAN THE RURAL AREAS
ZONING DISTRICT
Each home occupation authorized in a zoning district other than the rural areas zoning district shall be
subject to the following:
a.Purpose and intent. The purpose for authorizing home occupations in zoning districts other than
the rural areas zoning district is to encourage limited home-based economic development,
balanced with the need to protect and preserve the quality and character of the county’s residential
neighborhoods. The regulations in this section are intended to ensure that authorized home
occupations will be compatible with other permitted uses and the residential neighborhood by
regulating the scale, hours, external activities, external appearance and other impacts that may
arise from a home occupation.
b. Location and area occupied by a home occupation. A home occupation shall be located and sized
as follows:
1. Class A home occupations. A Class A home occupation shall be conducted entirely
within the dwelling unit, provided that not more than twenty-five (25) percent of the
gross floor area of the dwelling unit shall be used for the home occupation and further
provided that the gross floor area used for the home occupation shall not exceed one
thousand five hundred (1500) square feet.
2. Class B home occupations. A Class B home occupation shall be conducted within the
dwelling unit or an accessory structure, or both, provided that not more than twenty-five
(25) percent of the gross floor area of the dwelling unit shall be used for the home
occupation and further provided that the cumulative gross floor area used for the home
occupation shall not exceed one thousand five hundred (1500) square feet.
ALBEMARLE COUNTY CODE
18-5-22.19
Zoning Supplement #65, 1-12-11
c.Exterior appearance. The exterior appearance of a parcel with a home occupation shall be subject
to the following:
1. Class A home occupations. There shall be no change in the exterior appearance of a
dwelling unit or other visible evidence of the conduct of a Class A home occupation.
2. Class B home occupations. There shall be no change in the exterior appearance of a
dwelling unit or other visible evidence of the conduct of a Class B home occupation,
except that one home occupation sign may be erected as authorized by section 4.15.
Accessory structures shall be similar in façade to a single-family dwelling, private
garage, shed, barn or other structure normally expected in a residential area and shall be
specifically compatible in design and scale with other residential development in the area
in which it is located. Any accessory structure that does not conform to the applicable
setback and yard requirements for primary structures shall not be used for a home
occupation.
d. Sales. No home occupation shall sell goods to a customer who comes to the site except for goods
that are hand-crafted on-site and goods sold that are directly related to a beauty shop or a one-chair
barber shop home occupation.
e.Traffic generated by a home occupation. The traffic generated by a home occupation shall not
exceed the volume that would normally be expected by a dwelling unit in a residential
neighborhood.
f. Parking. All vehicles used in a home occupation and all vehicles of employees, customers, clients
or students shall be parked on-site.
g. Performance standards. All home occupations shall comply with the performance standards in
section 4.14.
h. Prohibited home occupations. The following uses are prohibited as home occupations: (1) tourist
lodging; (2) nursing homes; (3) nursery schools; (4) day care centers; and (5) private schools.
i.Zoning clearance required. No home occupation shall commence without a zoning clearance
issued under section 31.5, subject to the following:
1. Class A home occupations. Prior to the zoning administrator issuing a zoning clearance
for a Class A home occupation, the applicant shall sign an affidavit affirming his
understanding of the requirements of section 5.2.
2. Class B home occupations. Prior to the zoning administrator issuing a zoning clearance
for a Class B home occupation: (a) there shall be a valid special use permit for the Class
B home occupation; (b) the applicant shall provide the zoning administrator evidence that
the Virginia Department of Transportation has approved the entrance to the site; and (c)
the applicant shall sign an affidavit affirming his understanding of the requirements of
section 5.2.
(§ 20-5.2, 12-10-80; § 5.2.1, 12-10-80, 3-18-81; § 20-5.2.2, 12-10-80; §18-5.2.2, Ord. 98-A91), 8-5-98;
Ord. 01-18(3), 5-9-01; Ord. 11-18(1), 1-12-11)
5.2A HOME OCCUPATIONS IN THE RURAL AREAS ZONING DISTRICT
Each home occupation authorized in the rural areas zoning district shall be subject to the following:
a.Purpose and intent. The purpose for authorizing home occupations in the rural areas zoning
district is to encourage limited home-based economic development, balanced with the need to
protect and preserve the quality and character of the county’s agricultural areas and residential
ALBEMARLE COUNTY CODE
18-5-22.20
Zoning Supplement #65, 1-12-11
neighborhoods in the rural areas zoning district. The regulations in this section are intended to
ensure that authorized home occupations will be compatible with other permitted uses, the
agricultural areas, and the residential neighborhoods by regulating the scale, hours, external
activities, external appearance and other impacts that may arise from a home occupation.
b. Location and area occupied by a home occupation. A home occupation shall be located and sized
as follows:
1. Major home occupations. A major home occupation shall be conducted within the
dwelling unit or accessory structures, or both, provided that not more than twenty-five
(25) percent of the gross floor area of the dwelling unit shall be used for the home
occupation and further provided that the cumulative area used for the home occupation,
including the gross floor area within the dwelling unit or any accessory structure and the
area used for outdoor storage as provided in section 5.2A(g), shall not exceed one
thousand five hundred (1500) square feet. Plants that are planted in the ground that are to
be used for a major home occupation do not count toward the one thousand five hundred
(1500) square feet limitation.
2. Minor home occupations. A minor home occupation shall be conducted entirely within
the dwelling unit, provided that not more than twenty-five (25) percent of the gross floor
area of the dwelling unit shall be used for the home occupation and further provided that
the gross floor area used for the home occupation shall not exceed one thousand five
hundred (1500) square feet.
c.Exterior appearance. The exterior appearance of a parcel with a home occupation shall be subject
to the following:
1. Major home occupations. There shall be no change in the exterior appearance of a
dwelling unit or other visible evidence of the conduct of a major home occupation, except
that one home occupation sign may be erected as authorized by section 4.15. Accessory
structures shall be similar in façade to a single-family dwelling, private garage, shed, barn
or other structure normally expected in a residential area and shall be specifically
compatible in design and scale with other residential development in the area in which it
is located. Any accessory structure that does not conform to the applicable setback and
yard requirements for primary structures shall not be used for a home occupation.
2, Minor home occupations. There shall be no change in the exterior appearance of a
dwelling unit or other visible evidence of the conduct of a minor home occupation.
d. Visitors and sales. Visitors and sales related to a home occupation shall be subject to the
following:
1. Major home occupations. Customers, clients and students may visit a major home
occupation. The sale of goods by the major home occupation to a customer who comes
to the site is prohibited except for goods that are hand-crafted on-site and accessory
goods that are directly related to a major home occupation, including but not limited to
tools for pottery making and frames for artwork.
2. Minor home occupations. No customers, clients or students may visit a minor home
occupation for a purpose related to the home occupation. The sale of goods or the
provision of services by the minor home occupation to a customer, client or student at the
site is prohibited.
e.Traffic generated by a major home occupation. The traffic generated by a major home occupation
shall not exceed ten (10) vehicle round trips per day or more than thirty (30) vehicle round trips
ALBEMARLE COUNTY CODE
18-5-22.21
Zoning Supplement #65, 1-12-11
per week. For the purposes of this section, a “vehicle round trip” means one vehicle entering and
exiting the site.
f. Parking. All vehicles used in a home occupation and all vehicles of employees, customers, clients
or students related to a major home occupation shall be parked on-site.
g. Outdoor storage. The storage of goods, products, equipment other than vehicles used in a home
occupation, or any materials associated with a home occupation, other than natural landscaping
materials such as mulch and plants, outside of an enclosed structure is prohibited.
h. Days and hours of operation for major home occupations. Major home occupations may operate
up to six (6) days per week and the hours of operation shall be between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
for those home occupations that have employees, customers, clients or students visiting the site.
i.Number of vehicles used in a home occupation. The number of vehicles that may be used in a
home occupation that are parked or stored on-site shall not exceed two (2) motor vehicles and two
(2) trailers.
j. Number of home occupations. More than one home occupation is permitted on a parcel, provided
that the area occupied and the traffic generated by the home occupations shall be considered
cumulatively and all requirements of this section shall apply.
k. Performance standards. All home occupations shall comply with the performance standards in
section 4.14.
l.Prohibited home occupations. The following uses are prohibited as home occupations: (1) any use
requiring a special use permit under section 10.2.2; (2) animal rescue centers; (3) automobile
graveyards; (4) restaurants; (5) storage yards; (6) gun sales, unless the guns are made on-site by
one or more family members residing within the dwelling unit; (7) on-site pet grooming; (8) body
shops; (9) equipment, trailers, vehicles or machinery rentals; (10) shooting ranges; (11)
commercial stables; (12) rummage or garage sales other than those determined by the zoning
administrator to be occasional; (13) veterinary clinics or hospitals; (14) pyrotechnic (fireworks or
bomb) device manufacturing or sales; and (15) any other use not expressly listed that is
determined by the zoning administrator to be contrary to the purpose and intent of section 5.2A.
m. Waivers and modifications. The waiver or modification of any requirement of section 5.2A is
prohibited except as provided herein:
1. Area. The area requirements in section 5.2A(b) may be waived or modified, provided
that the waiver or modification shall not authorize the home occupation to occupy more
than forty-nine (49) percent of the gross floor area of the dwelling. In granting a waiver
or modification of the area requirement, the commission shall make the following
findings in addition to those findings in section 5.1: (1) the nature of the home occupation
requires storage or additional space within the dwelling unit to conduct the home
occupation; (2) the primary use of the dwelling unit as a residence is maintained; and (3)
the waiver or modification would not change the character of the neighboring agricultural
area or the residential neighborhood.
2. Traffic. The traffic limitation in section 5.2A(e) may be waived or modified. In granting
a waiver or modification of the traffic limitation, the commission shall find, in addition to
those findings in section 5.1, that the waiver or modification would not change the
character of the neighboring agricultural area or the residential neighborhood.
n. Zoning clearance required; notice of request. No home occupation shall commence without a
zoning clearance issued under section 31.5. For each zoning clearance requested for a major home
occupation, the zoning administrator shall provide written notice that an application for a zoning
ALBEMARLE COUNTY CODE
18-5-22.22
Zoning Supplement #65, 1-12-11
clearance has been submitted to the owner of each abutting parcel under different ownership than
the parcel on which the proposed home occupation would be located. The notice shall identify the
proposed home occupation, its size, its location, and whether any waiver or modification is
requested. The notice shall invite the recipient to submit any comments before the zoning
clearance is acted upon. The notice shall be mailed at least five (5) days prior to the action on the
zoning clearance as provided in section 32.4.2.5.
(Ord. 11-18(1), 1-12-11)
ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION –
DRAFT PARTIAL MINUTES – APRIL 24, 2012
HO-2011-00152 STANLEY CHANG – Consent Agenda
1
Albemarle County Planning Commission
April 24, 2012
The Albemarle County Planning Commission held a regular meeting on Tuesday, April 24, 2012, at 6:00 p.m., at
the County Office Building, Lane Auditorium, Second Floor, 401 McIntire Road, Charlottesville, Virginia.
Members attending were Bruce Dotson, Ed Smith, Thomas Loach, Richard Randolph, Don Franco, Calvin Morris,
Chairman and Russell (Mac) Lafferty, Vice Chair. Members absent were Bruce Dotson. Julia Monteith, AICP,
Senior Land Use Planner for the University of Virginia was present.
Staff present was David Benish, Chief of Planning; Sarah Baldwin, Senior Planner; Wayne Cilimberg, Director of
Planning; Amelia McCulley, Director of Zoning/Zoning Administrator; Francis MacCall, Senior Planner; Ro n
Higgins, Chief of Zoning; Andy Sorrell, Senior Planner; and Greg Kamptner, Deputy County Attorney.
Call to Order and Establish Quorum:
Mr. Morris called the regular meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and established a quorum.
Consent Agenda:
Approval of Minutes: August 23, 2011, September 13, 2011, February 28, 2012 and March 6, 2012
HO-2011-00152 Stanley Chang
PROPOSAL: Request for a modification to Home Occupation Class A allow six appointments per day, Monday
through Friday, not to exceed 30 trips per week.
EXISTING COMPREHENSIVE PLAN LAND USE/DENSITY: Urban Density Residential (6-34 units/acre).
LOCATION: The property is located on the at 1100 Pen Park Lane, in the northeast corner of the Rio Road-Pen
Park Lane intersection.
TAX MAP/PARCEL: 061A0-00-00-01400
(David Benish)
Mr. Morris asked if any Commissioner would like to pull an item from the consent agenda. There being none, he
asked for a motion.
Motion: Mr. Franco moved and Mr. Loach seconded for approval of the consent agenda items .
The motion was approved by a vote of 6:0.
Mr. Morris noted the consent agenda was approved with the following recommendation to be forwarded to the
Board of Supervisors for HO-2011-000152.
The Planning Commission recommended approval of HO-2011-00152 Stanley Chang modification for the number
of vehicle trips generated from the Home Occupation Class A with staff’s recommended condition, as follows.
1. No more than 30 clients per week and no more than 6 clients per day (Monday through Friday).
(Recorded and transcribed by Sharon Taylor, Clerk to Planning Commission & Planning Boards)
COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
AGENDA TITLE:
FY 2012 Budget Amendment and Appropriations
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST:
Approval of Budget Amendment and Appropriations
#2012073 and #2012074 for local government projects
STAFF CONTACT(S):
Messrs. Foley, and Davis; and Ms. L. Allshouse
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
AGENDA DATE:
May 9, 2012
ACTION: INFORMATION:
CONSENT AGENDA:
ACTION: X INFORMATION:
ATTACHMENTS: YES
REVIEWED BY:
BACKGROUND:
Virginia Code § 15.2-2507 provides that any locality may amend its budget to adjust the aggregate amount to be
appropriated during the fiscal year as shown in the currently adopted budget; provided, however, any such amendment
which exceeds one percent of the total expenditures shown in the currently adopted budget must be accomplished by
first publishing a notice of a meeting and holding a public hearing before amending the budget. The Code section
applies to all County funds, i.e., General Fund, Capital Funds, E911, School Self-Sustaining, etc.
The total of the requested FY 2012 appropriations itemized below is $61,620,00. A budget amendment public hearing
is not required because the amount of the cumulative appropriations does not exceed one percent of the currently
adopted budget.
BUDGET IMPACT:
This request involves the approval of two (2) FY 2012 appropriations as follows:
One (1) appropriation (#2012073) totaling $61,620.00 for various Emergency Communications Center (ECC)
projects; and
One (1) appropriation (#201274) reallocating $12,000.00 from the Reserve for Contingencies for Wireless
Planning.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff recommends approval of appropriation #2012073 and #2012074.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A – Appropriation Descriptions
Return to consent agenda
Return to regular agenda
Attachment A
1
Appropriation #2012073 $61,620.00
Revenue Source: ECC Fund Balance $ 61,620.00
At its March 15, 2012 meeting, the ECC Management Board approved the following appropriations of funds and is
requesting that the County, acting as fiscal agent for the ECC, make an appropriation from ECC’s available fund
balance as follows:
$9,520.00 to replace the existing base station on Carters Mountain with a very high frequency (VHF) repeater
that is narrowband compliant. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) license for the old
frequencies is currently up for renewal and based on changes in FCC regulations, this license must be
narrow-banded in order for its continued use.
$52,100.00 for renovations to the office space on the second floor of the Albemarle County Office Building
located on 5th Street to install the appropriate electrical circuits, receptacles, switches, antennas and
telephone lines to allow the location to be used as a back-up location for the ECC in the event the primary
location would need to be evacuated or damaged in some way.
Appropriation #2012074 $0.00
Revenue Source: Reserve for Contingencies $ 12,000.00
On December 7, 2011, the Board of Supervisors approved a motion to appropriate up to $12,000 from the Reserve for
Contingencies to proceed with Task 2 of the Wireless Planning Draft Proposal for Consultant Services. Engaging a
consultant to complete specifics tasks associated with Task 2 will assist the County in reviewing and updating the
County’s Wireless Policy / Regulations. Details regarding the scope of work and a schedule for this project was
provided to the Board on May 2, 2012.
This appropriation will not increase the total County budget.
COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
AGENDA TITLE:
FY 12/13 Resolution of Appropriations – Capital Budget
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST:
Request Approval of the Resolution of Appropriations for
the Albemarle County Capital Budgets for FY 12/13
STAFF CONTACT(S):
Messrs. Foley, Letteri, and Davis; and Ms. L. Allshouse
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
AGENDA DATE:
May 9, 2012
ACTION: INFORMATION:
CONSENT AGENDA:
ACTION: X INFORMATION:
ATTACHMENTS: Yes
REVIEWED BY:
BACKGROUND:
The County’s FY 12/13 Operating and Capital Budgets were adopted by the Board of Supervisors on April 11, 2012.
As part of this adopted budget, the Board approved the General Government, School Division, and Stormwater Capital
Improvement funds totaling $21,624,481.
DISCUSSION:
In order to adhere to financial policies and procedures, capital project budgets must be officially appropriated by the
Board of Supervisors before the County can enter into contracts with outside vendors. The School Division needs to
enter into several contracts in May in order to complete work during the summer before students return for the 2012-
13 school year. This resolution appropriates the General Government, School Division, and Stormwater Capital
Improvement funds. The remainder of the total County budget, including both general government and school
operating funds, School Self-Sustaining funds, Special Revenue funds, and Debt Service funds will be appropriated on
June 6, 2012 following adoption of the School Division budget by the School Board in May.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff recommends approval of the Resolution of Appropriations for FY 12/13 Capital Improvement Plan budgets
(Attachment A) that allocates a total of $21,624,481 to various General Government and School Division capital
improvement accounts for expenditure in FY 12/13.
This appropriation is made up of the following major funds:
General Fund Transfer to CIP $ 3,047,383
General Government CIP 14,720,889
School Division CIP 6,774,647
Stormwater CIP 128,945
SUBTOTAL $24,671,864
Less Interfund Transfers (3,047,383)
TOTAL $21,624,481
In accordance with the Capital Budget, staff also recommends approval of the attached Resolution of Official Intent to
Reimburse Expenditures with Proceeds of a Borrowing (Attachment B). This would allow the County to use up to
$16,264,589 in bond proceeds to reimburse the capital budget for expenditures as indicated in Attachment B Exhibit A.
ATTACHMENTS
A: Resolution of Appropriations for Capital Expenditures
B: Resolution of Official Intent to Reimburse Expenditures with Proceeds of a Borrowing
Return to consent agenda
Return to regular agenda
BE IT RESOLVED by the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors:
Paragraph One: CAPITAL OUTLAYS
Transfer to General Government Capital Improvements Fund $1,748,760
Transfer to Schools Capital Improvements Fund $1,245,068
Transfer to Stormwater Fund $53,555
$3,047,383
To be provided as follows:
Revenue from Local Sources $3,047,383
GENERAL FUND resources available for fiscal year ending June 30, 2013:$3,047,383
Paragraph One: COURTS
Court Square Maintenance/Replacement Projects $241,851
Old Jail Facility Maintenance $19,125
Sheriff's Office maintenance/Replacement Projects $18,568
$279,544
Paragraph Two: PUBLIC SAFETY
ECC Emergency Telephone System $1,385,602
Fire/Rescue Apparatus Replacement - County $292,448
Fire/Rescue Apparatus Replacement - Volunteers $903,132
Fire/Rescue Apparatus - Ivy Station 14 $898,150
Fire/Rescue Lifepacks $415,698
Pantops EMS $71,817
Firearms Range $1,007,213
County 800 Mhz Radio Replacements $44,080
Police Mobile Data Computers $123,787
Police Patrol Video Cameras $137,125
$5,279,052
Paragraph Three: PUBLIC WORKS
City/County Co-Owned Maintenance/Replacement $75,304
County Facilities Maintenance/Replacement $506,452
Ivy Landfill Remediation $539,507
Moores Creek Septage Receiving $112,895
Storage Facility Lease $62,000
$1,296,158
SECTION II - GENERAL GOVERNMENT CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS FUND (Fund 9010)
RESOLUTION OF APPROPRIATIONS
OF THE COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2013
A RESOLUTION making appropriations of sums of money for necessary capital improvement expenditures of the COUNTY OF
ALBEMARLE, VIRGINIA, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013; to prescribe the provisions with respect to the items of appropriation and
their payment; and to repeal all previous appropriation ordinances or resolutions that are inconsistent with this resolution to the extent of
such inconsistency.
That the following sums of money be and the same hereby are appropriated from the GENERAL GOVERNMENT CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
FUND to be apportioned as follows for the purposes herein specified for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013:
SECTION I - GENERAL GOVERNMENT (Fund 1000)
That the following sums of money be and the same hereby are appropriated from the GENERAL FUND to be apportioned as follows for the
purposes herein specified for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013:
Page 1
Paragraph Four: PARKS, RECREATION & CULTURE
Parks - Maintenance/Replacement $329,068
$329,068
Paragraph Five: LIBRARIES
City/County Branch Library Repair/Maintenance $211,470
County Library Facilities Repair/Maintenance $24,757
Crozet Library $6,765,497
$7,001,724
Paragraph Six: TECHNOLOGY AND GIS
County Server/Infrastructure Upgrade $417,782
Paragraph Seven: OTHER USE OF FUNDS
Contingency $117,561
Total GENERAL GOVERNMENT CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS FUND appropriations for fiscal year ending June 30, 2013:$14,720,889
To be provided as follows:
Revenue from Local Sources (General Fund Transfer)$1,748,760
Revenue from Other Local Sources $1,458,213
Bond Proceeds $10,510,360
Use of Fund Balance $1,003,556
Total GENERAL GOVERNMENT CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS FUND resources available for fiscal year ending June 30, 2013:$14,720,889
Paragraph One: EDUCATION (SCHOOL DIVISION)
Administrative Technology $188,776
Instructional Technology $593,148
Local Area Network Upgrade $722,093
School Maintenance/Replacement $4,309,823
State Technology Grant $810,807
Storage Facility Lease $150,000
Total SCHOOL DIVISION CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS FUND appropriations for fiscal year ending June 30, 2013:$6,774,647
To be provided as follows:
Revenue from Local Sources (General Fund Transfer)$1,245,068
Revenue from Other Local Sources $2,000
Revenue from the Commonwealth $786,000
Bond Proceeds $3,776,873
Use of Fund Balance $964,706
Total SCHOOL DIVISION CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS FUND resources available for fiscal year ending June 30, 2013:$6,774,647
Paragraph One: STORM WATER PROJECTS
Storm Water Control Program $128,945
Total STORM WATER CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS FUND appropriations for fiscal year ending June 30, 2013:$128,945
That the following sums of money be and the same hereby are appropriated from the STORM WATER CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS FUND for
the purposes herein specified to be apportioned as follows for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013:
SECTION III: SCHOOL DIVISION CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS FUND (Fund 9000)
SECTION IV: STORM WATER CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS FUND (Fund 9100)
That the following sums of money be and the same hereby are appropriated from the SCHOOL DIVISION CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS FUND
for the purposes herein specified to be apportioned as follows for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013:
Page 2
To be provided as follows:
Revenue from Local Sources (Transfer from General Fund)$53,555
Use of Fund Balance $75,390
Total STORM WATER CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS FUND resources available for fiscal year ending June 30, 2013:$128,945
Appropriations:
Section I General Fund Transfers to Capital Improvement Programs $3,047,383
Section II General Government Capital Improvements Fund $14,720,889
Section III School Division Capital Improvements Fund $6,774,647
Section IV Storm Water Capital Improvements Fund $128,945
$24,671,864
Less Inter-Fund Transfers ($3,047,383)
GRAND TOTAL - ALBEMARLE COUNTY APPROPRIATIONS $21,624,481
Paragraph Three
No obligations for goods, materials, supplies, equipment, or contractual services for any purpose may be incurred by any department, bureau,
agency, or individual under the direct control of the Board of Supervisors except by requisition to the purchasing agent; provided, however, no
requisition for items exempted by the Albemarle County Purchasing Manual shall be required; and provided further that no requisition for contractual
services involving the issuance of a contract on a competitive bid basis shall be required, but such contract shall be approved by the head of the
contracting department, bureau, agency, or individual, the County Attorney, and the Purchasing Agent or Director of Finance. The Purchasing Agent
shall be responsible for securing such competitive bids on the basis of specifications furnished by the contracting department, bureau, agency, or
individual.
Otherwise, the said appropriations shall be deemed to be payable in such proportion as the total sum of all
Subject to the qualifications in this resolution contained, all appropriations are declared to be maximum, conditional, and proportionate appropriations -
the purpose being to make the appropriations payable in full in the amount named herein if necessary and then only in the event the aggregate
revenues collected and available during the fiscal year for which the appropriations are made are sufficient to pay all of the appropriations in full.
SECTION V
All of the monies appropriated as shown by the contained items in Sections I through III are appropriated upon the provisos, terms, conditions, and
provisions herein before set forth in connection with said terms and those set forth in this section. The Director of Finance (Betty Burrell) and Clerk to
the Board of Supervisors (Ella W. Jordan) are hereby designated as authorized signatories for all bank accounts.
Paragraph One
TOTAL APPROPRIATIONS MENTIONED IN
SECTIONS I - IV OF THIS RESOLUTION
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING June 30, 2013
RECAPITULATION:
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Director of Finance is hereby authorized to transfer monies from one fund to another, from time to time as
monies become available, sums equal to, but not in excess of, the appropriations made to these funds for the period covered by this appropriation
resolution.
Paragraph Two
All revenue received by any agency under the control of the Board of Supervisors included or not included in its estimate of revenue for the financing
of the fund budget as submitted to the Board of Supervisors may not be expended by the said agency under the control of the Board of Supervisors
without the consent of the Board of Supervisors being first obtained, nor may any of these agencies or boards make expenditures which will exceed a
specific item of an appropriation.
realized revenue of the respective funds is to the total amount of revenue estimated to be available in the said
fiscal year by the Board of Supervisors.
Page 3
Clerk, Albemarle County Board of Supervisors
Aye Nay
Mr. Boyd
Mr. Dumler
Mr. Rooker
Mr. Snow
Mr. Thomas
Ms. Mallek
Paragraph Four
Allowances out of any of the appropriations made in this resolution by any or all County departments, bureaus, or agencies under the control of the
Board of Supervisors to any of their officers and employees for expense on account of the use of such officers and employees of their personal
automobiles in the discharge of their official duties shall be paid at the rate established by the County Executive for its employees and shall be subject
to change from time to time.
This resolution shall become effective on July first, two thousand and twelve.
All travel expense accounts shall be submitted on forms and according to regulations prescribed or approved by the Director of Finance.
Paragraph Six
All resolutions and parts of resolutions inconsistent with the provisions of this resolution shall be and the same are hereby repealed.
Paragraph Seven
In the event of the failure for any reason of approval herein required for such contracts, said contract shall be awarded through appropriate action of
the Board of Supervisors.
Any obligations incurred contrary to the purchasing procedures prescribed in the Albemarle County
Purchasing Manual shall not be considered obligations of the County, and the Director of Finance shall not
issue any warrants in payment of such obligations.
I, Ella W. Jordan, do hereby certify that the foregoing writing is a true and correct copy of a Resolution duly adopted by the Albemarle County Board
of Supervisors by a vote of ______ to ______, as recorded below, at a meeting held on May 9, 2012.
Paragraph Five
Page 4
Attachment B
RESOLUTION OF OFFICIAL INTENT TO REIMBURSE
EXPENDITURES WITH PROCEEDS OF A BORROWING
WHEREAS, the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors, Virginia (the “Borrower”), intends
to acquire, construct and equip the items and projects set forth in Exhibit A hereto (collectively, the
“Project”); and
WHEREAS, plans for the Project have advanced and the Borrower expects to advance its
own funds to pay expenditures related to the Project (the “Expenditures”) prior to incurring
indebtedness and to receive reimbursement for such Expenditures from proceeds of tax-exempt
bonds or taxable debt, or both;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors
that:
1. The Borrower intends to utilize the proceeds of tax-exempt bonds (the “Bonds”) or to
incur other debt, to pay the costs of the Project in an amount not currently expected to exceed
$16,264,589.
2. The Borrower intends that the proceeds of the Bonds be used to reimburse the
Borrower for Expenditures with respect to the Project made on or after the date that is no more than
60 days prior to the date of this Resolution. The Borrower reasonably expects on the date hereof
that it will reimburse the Expenditures with the proceeds of the Bonds or other debt.
3. Each Expenditure was or will be, unless otherwise approved by bond counsel, either
(a) of a type properly chargeable to a capital account under general federal income tax principles
(determined in each case as of the date of the Expenditure), (b) a cost of issuanc e with respect to
the Bonds, (c) a nonrecurring item that is not customarily payable from current revenues, or (d) a
grant to a party that is not related to or an agent of the Borrower so long as such grant does not
impose any obligation or condition (directly or indirectly) to repay any amount to or for the benefit of
the Borrower.
4. The Borrower intends to make a reimbursement allocation, which is a written
allocation by the Borrower that evidences the Borrower’s use of proceeds of the Bonds to reimburse
an Expenditure, no later than 18 months after the later of the date on which the Expenditure is paid
or the Project is placed in service or abandoned, but in no event more than three years after the
date on which the Expenditure is paid. The Borrower recognizes that exceptions are available for
certain “preliminary expenditures,” costs of issuance, certain de minimis amounts, expenditures by
“small issuers” (based on the year of issuance and not the year of expenditure) and expenditures for
construction of at least five years.
5. The Borrower intends that the adoption of this resolution confirms the “official intent”
within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.150-2 promulgated under the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
6. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its passage.
I, Ella W. Jordan, do hereby certify that the foregoing writing is a true and correct copy of a
Resolution duly adopted by the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors by a vote of ______ to
______, as recorded below, at a meeting held on May 9, 2012.
_________________________________
Clerk, County Board of Supervisors
Aye Nay
Mr. Boyd ___ ___
Mr. Dumler ___ ___
Ms. Mallek ___ ___
Mr. Rooker ___ ___
Mr. Snow ___ ___
Mr. Thomas ___ ___
Attachment B
Exhibit A
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
BONDED PROJECTS
FY 2012/13
Schools Amount
1. School Maintenance Projects $3,776,873
Schools Subtotal $3,776,873
General Fund Amount
1. County Server Infrastructure Upgrade $405,000
2. Crozet Library $6,558,500
3. ECC Emergency Telephone System $556,760
4. Fire Rescue Apparatus Replacement-County $283,500
5. Fire Rescue Apparatus Replacement-Volunteer $875,500
6. Fire Rescue Apparatus-Ivy Station 14 $870,670
7. Fire Rescue Lifepacks $402,980
8. Firearms Range $424,520
9. Police Patrol Video Cameras $132,930
General Fund Subtotal $10,510,360
TOTAL DEBT ISSUE – FY 2011/12 PROJECTS $14,287,233
PREVIOUSLY APPROPRIATED PROJECTS TO BE BONDED
General Fund Amount
1. Firearms Range $127,356
2. Ivy Fire Station $250,000
3. Crozet Library* $1,600,000
General Fund Subtotal $1,975,356
TOTAL DEBT ISSUE – ALL PROJECTS $16,264,589
*Project previously anticipated to be funded or partially funded with cash.
COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
AGENDA TITLE:
Housing Choice Vouchers
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST:
Status of Commitment to The Crossings
STAFF CONTACT(S):
Messrs. Foley, Elliott, Davis, and White
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
AGENDA DATE:
May 9, 2012
ACTION: INFORMATION:
CONSENT AGENDA:
ACTION: INFORMATION: X
ATTACHMENTS: No
REVIEWED BY:
BACKGROUND:
In a February 10, 2010 letter, Virginia Supportive Housing requested that Albemarle County commit nine (9) project-
based Housing Choice Vouchers to The Crossings at Fourth and Preston located in the City of Charlottesville. The
Crossings is a rental property consisting of sixty efficiency apartments designated for homeless and low-income
individuals. The Albemarle County vouchers would go to nine homeless individuals who were determined to be
Albemarle County residents or who work in Albemarle County. The Board adopted a resolution at its March 3, 2010
meeting committing up to nine vouchers contingent upon HUD providing sufficient funding to support the vouchers.
The City committed twenty-one vouchers.
In April 2011, the Office of Housing entered into a Project-Based Voucher Agreement to Enter into Housing Assistance
Payments Contract with The Crossings. Project-Based Vouchers (PBV’s) are vouchers that are designated for
specific units in a specific project, unlike tenant-based vouchers, which can be transported by tenants to any eligible
unit or property.
DISCUSSION:
In early 2012, staff from the Office of Housing met with leasing staff from The Crossings to discuss the process of
identifying eligible tenants and leasing the units. It was determined that The Crossings should take applications for the
units and refer those applicants to the Office of Housing because The Crossings has stringent eligibility requirements
and is working with service providers for the homeless. Nine individuals were referred through this process. Office of
Housing staff conducted a group informational session and the nine individuals were processed to receive vouchers.
At the same time, the City was doing much of the same work; however, contacted the U.S. Housing and Urban
Development (HUD) for specific guidance. HUD began looking at the process and procedures used by the City and
County to award project-based vouchers to The Crossings and determined that a number of deficiencies existed.
After several e-mail exchanges and a number of phone calls, HUD informed the County that several steps would have
to be taken before they could approve executing the required Housing Assistance Payments Contract with The
Crossings including:
1. The County’s PHA Annual Plan would have to be amended or a new one completed to address the
use of project-based vouchers. The County had completed this task in its HUD approved 2004
Annual Plan; however, HUD indicated that this determination did not carry over to the County’s more
recent 2010 Five-Year Plan submission.
2. The HCV Administrative Plan would have to be updated to include information on the use of project-
based vouchers in accordance with requirements set forth in 24 CFR 983.
3. The County would have to submit a letter to HUD’s Richmond Field Office explaining how it believed it
complied with the intent of regulations in 24 CFR 983, particularly those related to the requirements for
environmental reviews and subsidy layering reviews. Staff believes it has met the intent of these
requirements because the TJPDC conducted the environmental review, which was certified by the
City of Charlottesville. Moreover, the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development
completed a subsidy layering review for other HUD programs used by The Crossings.
AGENDA TITLE: Housing Choice Vouchers
May 9, 2012
Page 2
4. The County would need to ensure that sufficient funding is available to support the vouchers. Staff
informed HUD that the County intends to request excess funding available at HUD specifically for
Albemarle County. On December 16, 2011 HUD informed the County by letter that the portion of the
County’s eligible funding, representing an offset of FY 12 reserves, would be available upon request.
HUD has advised that the County’s interpretation of that letter was not exactly correct and it should
discuss this matter in greater detail with HUD’s financial analyst. Through these discussions, it
appears that the County is currently at maximum usage of its budgetary authority for the entire
Housing Choice Voucher Program. Current housing voucher expenses exceed HUD disbursements
by approximately $50,000 per month. That amount should decrease to about $40,000 per month in
July. Deficits are covered by Net Restricted Assets (reserve funds already disbursed by HUD).
A second level of budget review by staff examined the amount of funding used for project-based
vouchers, which is limited to twenty percent (20%) of the County’s total budget authority. This
analysis revealed that the County is at or slightly over this 20% target. However, if and when, the
County should begin funding our outstanding commitments to The Crossings and seven additional
vouchers to Treesdale, it will likely be at or near 25%.
Staff is taking the following steps to address the deficiencies noted by HUD and the concern related to budget
authority for the Housing Choice Voucher Program and, in particular, reducing the funding committed for project-based
vouchers to no more than 20% of the County’s total budget authority at a sufficient level to fund the vouchers:
The PHA Annual Plan and Administrative Plan are under revision and are subject to a 45-day public
comment period that began April 17. A required public hearing requesting input from the public and
adoption of both Plans by the Board will be scheduled for the June 6, 2012 Board meeting. Upon
adoption, the Plans will be sent to HUD with the Annual Plan for approval prior to implementation.
The Office of Housing has discontinued issuing any new vouchers for any purpose.
The Office of Housing will close all waiting lists for the voucher program after the required public
notice is posted.
A meeting will be called inviting leasing staff and owner representatives on all properties with project-
based vouchers to discuss the status of funding and the possibility of reducing the number of project -
based vouchers in use. Tenants currently under project-based vouchers would not be affected but
new leases may not be approved.
BUDGET IMPACT:
There is no budget impact to the County for the Housing Choice Voucher assistance payments unless the County
exceeds its annual budget authority which is not anticipated.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff is providing this for informational purposes. Future actions will be requested as noted above.
Return to consent agenda
Return to regular agenda
COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
AGENDA TITLE:
Review of Road Improvement Priorities for Secondary
Roads and VDOT Six Year Secondary Construction
Program
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST:
Public hearing to receive comment on the County’s Priority
List of Secondary Road Improvements and the VDOT Six
Year Secondary Construction Program Budget
STAFF CONTACT(S):
Messrs. Foley, Elliot, Davis, Graham, Cilimberg, and
Benish
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
AGENDA DATE:
May 9, 2012
ACTION: X INFORMATION:
CONSENT AGENDA:
ACTION: INFORMATION:
ATTACHMENTS: Yes
REVIEWED BY:
BACKGROUND:
The purpose of this public hearing is to receive input on the County’s Priority List of Secondary Road Improvements
(Attachment A), the proposed VDOT Six Year Secondary Road Construction Program Budget (Attachment B) and a
proposal by Mr. Tom Sullivan to pave the unpaved section of Blenheim Road (Attachment D) in southern Albemarle
County.
The County’s Priority List and the VDOT Construction Program Budget are typically reviewed annually and address the
following:
The County’s Priority List establishes the priorities for improvements to roads in the State’s Secondary Road
system (roads with a route number of 600 or higher).
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Six Year Secondary Road Construction Program Budget is
based on the County’s Priority List and is reflective of available State road funding allocated to the County.
VDOT has provided the following projected funding allocations for Albemarle County:
FISCAL YEAR REG. STATE
FUNDS AVAILABLE
MIN. UNPAVED
ROAD FUNDS FEDERAL FUNDS TOTAL FUNDS
2012-13 $318,031 $0 $0 $318,031
2013-14 $350,034 $0 $0 $350,034
2014-15 $350,034 $0 $0 $350,034
2015-16 $350,034 $0 $0 $350,034
2016-17 $350,034 $0 $0 $350,034
2017-18 $350,034 $0 $0 $350,034
On April 4, 2012, the Board held a work session to discuss the County’s Priority List and the VDOT’s Six Year
Secondary Road Construction Program (also referred to as the Six Year Plan).
DISCUSSION:
Two documents are before the Board for review and approval: the County’s Priority List of Secondary Road
Improvements and the VDOT Six Year Secondary Road Construction Program Budget. Each is discussed below:
County’s Priority List of Secondary Road Improvements (Attachment A) – VDOT has determined that Doctors
Crossing (Rt. 784), Midway Road (Rt. 688), Keswick Drive (Rt.731), and Gillums Ridge Rd. (Rt. 787) are now eligible
for Rural Rustic Road paving. These projects had previously been identified as high priority projects on the “Regular
Road Paving Priority List.”
AGENDA TITLE: Review of Road Improvement Priorities for Secondary Roads and VDOT Six Year Secondary
Construction Program
May 9, 2012
Page 2
At the April 4th work session, the Board directed staff to move these projects from the Regular Road Paving Priority
List to the Rural Rustic Road Paving Priority List. Staff has maintained their relative status as high priority paving
projects and placed them on the Rural Rustic Road List after the six existing highest priority rural rustic road projects,
which are already programmed in VDOT’s Secondary Six Year Program. All of the above-referenced roads have the
highest traffic volumes of all unpaved roads not programmed for construction in the two Paving Projects Lists. The
only other modifications to the County’s Priority List are non-substantive changes to project information provided on
the list (project status, cost estimates, traffic counts, other corrections/typos, etc.).
The Board also discussed at their work session the concept of considering pedestrian and sidewalk projects as viable
projects for prioritizing for construction using secondary road funds. Because there are limited available funds over
the next six years of the Six Year Plan to accomplish any new projects, staff has not included any new sidewalk related
projects in this year’s proposed Priority List. Staff recommends that the priority sidewalk projects identified in the
County’s Capital Improvements Program be considered for inclusion on the Priority List for next year (2013)
(Attachment C). The County has requested $1.0 million in FY13 VDOT Revenue Sharing Program funding (with a
$1.0 million County match) for four sidewalk improvements projects, as noted on Attachment C.
VDOT Six Year Secondary System Construction Program (Attachment B) – Due to the limited amount of State
funding available over the next six years, major construction projects identified on the County’s Strategic Priority List
(page 1 of Attachment A) do not appear to be viable projects to include in the VDOT Six Year Secondary System
Construction Program at this time. The emphasis of this year’s update is to allocate available funds over the six year
planning period to complete the high priority projects currently identified in the Six Year Construction Program. As a
result, there are no major changes to the proposed funding allocations shown in the Draft FY13-18 Six Year Secondary
System Construction Program. The projected funds f or FY13 through FY17 are allocated to the Black Cat Road bridge
replacement project and the Bear Creek Road and Pocket Lane Rural Rustic Road paving projects , as approved in last
year’s VDOT Six Year Construction Program (FY12-17). Projected funds for FY18, the “new” sixth year of the
Program, are allocated for the Bear Creek Road and Pocket Lane road paving projects, because all of the higher
priority bridge projects are projected to be fully funded by FY17. There remains an outstanding balance to complete
funding on each of these two paving projects. Should additional funding be needed in FY18 for any of the higher priority
bridge projects, those funds would be reallocated to that project as required.
Staff recommends approval of the Draft VDOT Six Year Secondary System Construction Program (Attachment B).
Blenheim Road Paving Proposal – The County has received a proposal from Mr. Tom Sullivan, a property owner on
Blenheim Road (Rt. 795), to pave the remaining one-quarter mile section of Blenheim Road (Attachment D). Mr.
Sullivan is proposing to fund the cost of the paving project and has also agreed with CenturyLink to subsidize the
installation of a fiber based broadband network in this area. Installation of fiber optic lines could be done in
conjunction with the paving project. The road paving project could be done as a VDOT permit project by an individual;
however, VDOT will not issue a permit for this paving project until the Board requests VDOT to approve the paving
project. The project can be paved under the Rural Rustic Road standards, which will potentially result in limited impact
to adjacent properties. Mr. Peter Kleeman submitted a letter and petition opposing the paving of Blenheim Road
(Attachment E.) The Six Year Road Plan review and public hearing process is being used to receive public comment
on the project and for the Board to consider and act on this request. VDOT has stated that this project does not have
to be included in the VDOT Six Year Secondary Road Construction Program for this section to be paved by the
property owner.
Staff mailed a notice to property owners along Blenheim Road between the intersection of Jefferson Mill Road and
Mount Pleasant Farm Road informing them of the opportunity to provide input on this project at the May 9th public
hearing or to provide comments to staff prior to this meeting. Further information regarding this request is provided in
Attachment C. Staff does not have a recommendation on this project. VDOT does not oppose the project and will
issue a permit for the work if the County approves the project.
BUDGET IMPACT:
The Six Year Secondary Road process establishes the County’s priorities for the expenditure of State/VDOT
secondary road construction funds which do not impact County funding.
AGENDA TITLE: Review of Road Improvement Priorities for Secondary Roads and VDOT Six Year Secondary
Construction Program
May 9, 2012
Page 3
RECOMMENDATIONS:
After the public hearing, staff recommends that the Board:
1) Approve the County’s Priority List of Secondary Road Improvements (Attachment A);
2) Authorize the County Executive to sign the VDOT Secondary System Construction Program Budget for
Albemarle County consistent with the County’s Priority List (Attachment B); and
3) Approve or deny Mr. Sullivan’s proposal to pave the unpaved section of Blenheim Road (Attachment D).
If further information is needed prior to an action, staff requests that the Board provide direction to staff on the
additional information it desires.
ATTACHMENTS
A – Albemarle County Priority List for Secondary Road Improvements
B – VDOT Six Year Secondary Road Construction Program Budget
C – Staff Summary: Blenheim Road Paving Request
D – Letter from Mr. Thomas Sullivan, Re: Fiber and Road Improvement (with attached petition)
E – Letter from Peter T. Kleeman, Re: Proposed Paving of Blenheim Road (with attached petition)
F – CIP Sidewalk Improvements Priority List
Return to agenda
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES FOR ALBEMARLE COUNTY PRIORITY LIST FOR SECONDARY ROAD IMPROVEMENTSRecommended May 9, 2012 Strategic Priorities (Projects 1-20)VDOT's Secondary Program County's Proposed RankingRoute Number and Name Location From - ToEstimated Advertisement DateEstimated Cost Description/CommentsJustification for project/Source of Request Year Project was placed on Priority ListMost Current Traffic County and year of Count Y0 County wide County wide N/A varies County services/improvements: signs,pipe,plant mix projects, raised median, crosswalks, restripe, lighting, etc safety, maintain function/staff, public req.Y0 County wide Traffic mgmt. Program N/A varies Designated for traffic calming projects through out the County that meet requirements and sidewalk improvements.Safety/Public Request, studies-plansY0Meadow Creek PkwyMelbourne Rd to Rio Rdcomplete $33,514,741 Two lane design approved by County and Comm. Transport. Bd., includes bridge over CSX RRCapacity/ CHART 20,000-2006Y0691 Jarmans Gap RoadRt 240 to Gray Rock under construction $13,162,248 Curb &Gutter, sidewalk/crosswalk/bikelanes, turn lane improvementsCapacity,safety/Land Use Plan2,700-2006 anticpates 4,500 in future)Y0656 Georgetown RoadRt 654 to Rt 743 complete $2,504,150 Curb &Gutter, sidewalk/crosswalk, improvements to certain turn lanesCapacity,safety/G'town Rd Plan, Public17,000-2007Y (Urban Program)1Hillsdale DriveGreenbrier Dr. to Seminole Sq.designed, constr. not funded$9,800,000 Connector Rd., Greenbrier Dr to Hydraulic Rd; constr. w/ urban system funds; $15.5 M. donated ROW expected Places29 Master Plan; UnJAM 2035N/A2Berkmar Dr Ext. & Bridge End of Berkmar Dr to HTC38,000,000 New parallel road in Rt. 29 Corridor; Bridge location design first phase; ROW cost variable w/ development approvalsPlaces29 Master Plan; UnJAM 20352006 N/A3649 Proffit RoadRt 29 to 1.6 miles east $10,000,000 improve alignment, urban x-section with bikelanes/sidewalk and multi-use pathCapacity, safety/Land Use Plan 5,00-20104781 Sunset AvenueFontaine/Sunset ConnectorImprovements to Sunset Ave. and Fontaine/Sunset Ave. Connector Area B Study,Capacity/ LU Plan2007 4,600-20065631 Old Lynchburg Rd1.35 MI. S. I-64 to Rt 708Spot improvements at various locations to serve development in Southern DA/County Capacity/Land Use Plan 4,600-2006Y 6 Bridge Improvement ProjectsVarious locations (See Att. A) Improve/replace low sufficiency rated bridges based on County and VDOT priorityvaries7 726 James River Road Rt 795 to Rt 1302 Spot improvement to improve sight distance Safety/Scottsville 1,900-20068601 Old Ivy RoadIvy Rd to 250/29 Byp Widen, improve alignment , coordinate with UVA Gateway project Capacity/Land Use Plan 5,500-20109Southern ParkwayAvon St to Fifth St Extend to 5th St., with pedestrian/bike facility, and Neighborhood street design/speedCapacity/Southern City StudyN/A10 795 Blenheim Road Intersection of Rt 790 Intersection improvement. Safety/Scottsville Request 1500-201011Eastern AvenueRt 240 to Rt 250 Interconnect future neighborhood streets, includes RR underpass and bridge over Lickinghole Crk Capacity/Crozet Master PlanN/ABold‐‐ Projects in Development AreaItalics ‐‐ New ProjectsPage 1
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES FOR ALBEMARLE COUNTY PRIORITY LIST FOR SECONDARY ROAD IMPROVEMENTSRecommended May 9, 2012 VDOT's Secondary Program County's Proposed RankingRoute Number and Name Location From - ToEstimated Advertisement DateEstimated Cost Description/CommentsJustification for project/Source of Request Year Project was placed on Priority ListMost Current Traffic County and year of Count 12631 Rio RoadMCP to Agnese Street Improve substandard intersection, add bikelanes and sidewalks Safety/pedestrian 22,000-201013 643 Polo Grounds Road Rt 29 to Rt 649 Improvement alignment, spot improvements. Safety/Public Request 2,400-200914Main Street Crozet Ave to Eastern AveNew road as recommended in the Crozet Master Plan, to be built with development of siteCapacity/Crozet Master Plan2003 N/A15743 Hydraulic RoadIntersection with Rt 29 (29H250)Improvements recommended from 29H250 Phase 2 Study Capacity,safety/29H250 Study2003 18,000-200716866 Greenbrier DriveIntersection with Rt 29 (29H250)Improvements recommended from 29H250 Phase 2 Study Capacity,safety/29H250 Study2003 8,200-200617Eastern ConnectorRt 250 to Rt 29 Initial study of new road concept completed. Further study of alignment on holdCapacity/CHART 2006 N/A18702 Reservoir RoadFontaine Ave. Ext to Dead endPaving and spot improvements, to be done as part of the reservoir reconstruction project Safety/Public Request 2003 430-200919606 Dickerson RoadN. of Rt 805 to just S. of Rt 1030Paving of unpaved road segments--no state unpaved road funds available for the foreseeable futureUnJam 2030; DA location; Rt 29 alternate route2008 480-2009Y20 Brocks Mill Road, Rural Addition Rural addition projects to be funded upt the available $250 ,000 in VDOT Six Year Secondary Road Construction ProgramPublic Request 2011 N/ABold‐‐ Projects in Development AreaItalics ‐‐ New ProjectsPage 2
ALBEMARLE COUNTY PRIORITY LIST FOR SECONDARY ROAD IMPROVEMENTS, BRIDGE IMPROVEMENTSRecommended May 9, 2012[Some projects may not be completed as prioritized due to project complexity and/or available funding] Bridge Priorities - In Priority OrderVDOT's Secondary PlanRoute Number, Road Name Location From-ToSufficiency Rating**Traffic CountDescription/Comments Estimated cost/funding sourceYRoute 708, Dry Bridge Road Buckingham Branch Railroad 26 950 suff rating, high traffic count -- Advertisement Date (EAD) 5/14/13$3,399,237 / federal bridge funds YRoute 616, Black Cat Road Buckingham Branch 54.4 800 suff rating, high traffic count -- EAD 3/30/14 $3,755,171 / federal bridge funds and secondary road fundsYRoute 677, Broomley Road Buckingham Branch 42.2 750 suff rating, high traffic count -- EAD 12/30/14 $4,677,092 / federal bridge fundsYRoute 637, Dick Woods Road Ivy Creek 36.1 1100 suff rating, high traffic count -- EAD 12/30/14 $2,458,161 / federal bridge fundsRoute 795, Presidents Road Hardware River 19.4 200 low sufficiency ratingRoute 745, Wheeler/Arrowhead Valley Rd.Norfolk Southern Railroad 20.9 90RR to reconstruct bridge in 2012 & dedicate to State/VDOT (low sufficiency rating)Route 641, Frays Mills Road Marsh Run 49.6 510 low sufficiency ratingRoute 649, Proffit Road Norfolk Southern Railroad 35.2 3800 upgraded in Summer 2007, has high traffic countYRoute 606, Dickerson Road Jacobs Run480low suff. Rating; in Devel. Area; parallel road to Rt. 29 Completed Fy 11-12YRoute 606, Dickerson Road North Fortk of Rivanna River 480 low suff. Rating; in Devel. Area; parallel road to Rt. 29 $5,075,557 / Federal bridge funds* Programmed into future allocations of federal bridge funds in Culpeper District.**Sufficiency Rating is utilitzed by VDOT to rate bridge structure.A
ALBEMARLE COUNTY PRIORITY LIST FOR SECONDARY ROAD IMPROVEMENTS, PAVING PROJECTS Recommended May 9, 2012[Some projects may not be completed as prioritized due to project complexity and/or available funding]POTENTIAL ROAD PAVING PROJECTSRURAL RUSTIC ROAD PAVING PROJECTS IN PRIORITY ORDER (HIGH TO LOW) VDOT makes the determination on whether a road is eligible for RRR paving. All projects are placed on the regular paving list until the determination is made by VDOT. Route Number, Road Name,County PriorityLocation From - To Funding StatusEstimated Cost Regular/RRRMost Current Traffic County and Year of Count Description/CommentsYear Project placed on Priority ListEstimated Advertisement Date762 Rose Hill Church Ln Rt 732 to Dead End Funded, sched for paving$135,000 120-2006 Public request. At current ranking due to traffic count. 2012704 Fortune Lane Rt 715 to Dead End Funded, sched for paving$632,717 140-2009 Public request. At current ranking due to traffic count. 2012672 Blufton Road Rt 810 to Dead end Funded, sched for paving$745,157 170-2009 School Request in 200720032012608 Happy Creek Road Route 645 to Route 646 Funded, sched for paving$509,022 100-2009 Public request. At current ranking due to traffic count. 2012774 Bear Creek Road NCL to dead end Not Funded $1,206,130 80-2006 Public request. At current ranking due to traffic count. no date703 Pocket Lane Rt 715 to Dead end Not Funded 322964 110-2006 Public request. At current ranking due to traffic count. 2005 no date784 Doctors Crossing Rt 600 to Rt 640 Not Funded $933,109 130-2006 School Request in 2007, public request as well no date688 Midway Road Rt 635 to Rt 824 Not Funded $155,191 310-2009 Public request. At current ranking due to traffic count. no date731 Keswick Drive Rt 744 to Rt 22 Not Funded 362,113 230-2006 Public request. At current ranking due to traffic count. 2005 no date787 Gillums Ridge Road Broad Axe to Dry Bridge Rd Not Funded 480,747 290-2006Public request. Ranking due to traffic count/new project in 2011.2011no date637 Dick Woods Road Rt 691 to Rt 758 Not Funded $754,377 110-2006 Public request. At current ranking due to traffic count. 2005 no date747 Preddy Creek Road Rt 600 to Rt 640 Not Funded 110-2006 School request. At current ranking due to traffic count. no date600 Stony Point Pass 2.5 miles east to Rt. 231 Not Funded 100-2009 Public request. At current ranking due to traffic count. no date769 Beam Road Rt 1484 to dead end Not Funded 60-2006 Public request. At current ranking due to traffic count. no dateItalics -- new projects to this list (moved from Regular Paving Projects list)Staff and VDOT will further evaluate the cost closer to construction, which may decrease or increase. B1
ALBEMARLE COUNTY PRIORITY LIST FOR SECONDARY ROAD IMPROVEMENTS, PAVING PROJECTS Recommended May 9, 2012[Some projects may not be completed as prioritized due to project complexity and/or available funding]POTENTIAL ROAD PAVING PROJECTSRURAL RUSTIC ROAD PAVING PROJECTS IN PRIORITY ORDER (HIGH TO LOW) VDOT makes the determination on whether a road is eligible for RRR paving. All projects are placed on the regular paving list until the determination is made by VDOT. Route Number, Road Name,County PriorityLocation From - To Funding StatusEstimated Cost Regular/RRRMost Current Traffic County and Year of Count Description/CommentsYear Project placed on Priority ListEstimated Advertisement Date629/624 Browns Gap TP/Headqrters LnRt 810 to end of Rt 624 Not Funded 80/40-2009 Public request. ranking due to traffic count/new project 2010.2010no dateItalics -- new projects to this list (moved from Regular Paving Projects list)Staff and VDOT will further evaluate the cost closer to construction, which may decrease or increase. B2
ALBEMARLE COUNTY PRIORITY LIST FOR SECONDARY ROAD IMPROVEMENTS, PAVING PROJECTSRecommended May 9, 2012[Some projects may not be completed as prioritized due to project complexity and/or available funding]POTENTIAL ROAD PAVING PROJECTSREGULAR PAVING PROJECTS IN PRIORITY ORDER (HIGH TO LOW) Route Number, Road Name,County PriorityLocation From - To Funding StatusEstimated Cost Regular/RRRMost Current Traffic County and Year of Count Description/CommentsYear Project placed on Priority ListEstimated Advertisement Date643 Rio Mills Road Rt 29 to Rt 743 Not Funded $3,218,665 650-2003 Staff request. At current ranking due to traffic count. 2003 Dec-15689 Burch's Creek Rd Rt 250 to Rt 635 Not Funded 140-2006 Public request. At current ranking due to traffic count. (previously Pounding Creek Rd)no date671 Wesley Chapel Rd Rt 609 to Rt 674 Not Funded 260-2006 School transportation request 2007 no date685 Bunker Hill Road Rt 616 to Dead end Not Funded 230-2009Public request. No longer qualifies for RRR due to align-ment and utility problems, will have to be reg. paving project.720 Harris Creek Road Rt 20 to dead end Not Funded 170-2006 Public request 2007 no date736 Whites Mtn/Pughes Store RdRt 636 to dead end Not Funded (sect. btwn Rt 635 & 636 doesn't meet VDOT requirements)230-2006 Public request. At current ranking due to traffic count. no date683 Shelton Mill Road Rt 751 to dead end Not Funded 70-2009 Public request. At current ranking due to traffic count. 2007 no date712 North Garden Lane Rt 692 to Rt 29 Not Funded 350-2006 Public request. At current ranking due to traffic count. no date712 Coles Crossing Rd Rt 713 to Rt 795 Not Funded 220-2006 Public request. At current ranking due to traffic count. no date712 North Garden Lane Rt 29 to Rt 760 Not Funded 220-2006 This project will be paved as part Rt. 712 -btwn Rt. 713 to Rt. 795no date671 Wesley Chapel Rd Rt 609 to Rt 749 Not Funded 100-2006 School transportation request 2007 no date829 Horseshoe Bend Rd Rt 601 to Dead End Not Funded 210-2006 Public request. At current ranking due to traffic count. 2004 no date645 Magnolia Rd Rt 608 to Orange CL Not Funded 190-2006 Public request. At current ranking due to traffic count. no date637 Dick Woods Rd Rt 691 to Rt 635 Not Funded 140-2009 Public request. At current ranking due to traffic count. 2006 no date674 Sugar Ridge Road Rt 614 to Rt 673 Not Funded 180-2006 Public request. At current ranking due to traffic count. no dateStaff and VDOT will further evaluate the cost closer to construction, which may decrease or increase. B2
ALBEMARLE COUNTY PRIORITY LIST FOR SECONDARY ROAD IMPROVEMENTS, PAVING PROJECTSRecommended May 9, 2012[Some projects may not be completed as prioritized due to project complexity and/or available funding]POTENTIAL ROAD PAVING PROJECTSREGULAR PAVING PROJECTS IN PRIORITY ORDER (HIGH TO LOW) Route Number, Road Name,County PriorityLocation From - To Funding StatusEstimated Cost Regular/RRRMost Current Traffic County and Year of Count Description/CommentsYear Project placed on Priority ListEstimated Advertisement Date761 Briery creek Road Rt 622 to County Line Not Funded 160-2006 Public request. At current ranking due to traffic count. 2005 no date682 Broad Axe Road Rt 637 to to current paved sectionsNot Funded 160-2006 Public request. At current ranking due to traffic count. no date678 Decca Lane Rt 676 to Rt 614 Not Funded 160-2006 Public request. At current ranking due to traffic count. no date640 Gilbert Station Road Ashleigh Way Dr to paved sectionNot Funded $1,500,000 120-2006 Public request. At current ranking due to traffic count. no date856 Burton Lane Rt. 711 to dead end Not Funded 120-2006 Public request. At current ranking due to traffic count. 2007 no date687 Shifflett Mill Road Rt.601 to Rt 810 Not Funded 45-2006 School Department Request 2007 no date668 Fox Mountain Trail Rt 601 to Rt 810 Not Funded 30-2006 School Department Request 2007 no date605 Durrett Ridge Road Rt 743 to Swift Run (including bridge)Not Funded 140-2006 Public request. At current ranking due to traffic count. no date723 Sharon Road Route 6 to Route 626 Not Funded 130-2006 Public request. At current ranking due to traffic count. no date633 Cove Garden Rt 29 to Rt 712 Not Funded 130-2006 Public request. At current ranking due to traffic count. 2004 no date707 Blair Park Road Rt 691 to Dead end Not Funded 130-2006 Public request. At current ranking due to traffic count. no date698 Hungrytown Road Rt 633 to DE Not Funded 90-2006 School transportation request 2006 no date813 Starlight Road Rt 712 to Dead End Not Funded 80-2006 Public request. At current ranking due to traffic count. 2004 no date600 Stony Point Pass 2.5 miles west to Rt 20 Not Funded 80-2006 Public request. At current ranking due to traffic count. no date634 Spring Valley Road Rt 633 to Rt 635 Not Funded 80-2006 Public request. At current ranking due to traffic count. 2007 no date637 Dick Woods Road Rt 151 to Nelson CL Not Funded 70-2006 Public request. At current ranking due to traffic count. 2007 no dateStaff and VDOT will further evaluate the cost closer to construction, which may decrease or increase. B3
ALBEMARLE COUNTY PRIORITY LIST FOR SECONDARY ROAD IMPROVEMENTS, PAVING PROJECTSRecommended May 9, 2012[Some projects may not be completed as prioritized due to project complexity and/or available funding]POTENTIAL ROAD PAVING PROJECTSREGULAR PAVING PROJECTS IN PRIORITY ORDER (HIGH TO LOW) Route Number, Road Name,County PriorityLocation From - To Funding StatusEstimated Cost Regular/RRRMost Current Traffic County and Year of Count Description/CommentsYear Project placed on Priority ListEstimated Advertisement Date721 Old Dominion Rd Rt 6 to Rt 630 Not Funded 70-2006 Public request. At current ranking due to traffic count. 2006 no date776 Buck Mtn Ford Lane Rt 667 to Rt 664 Not Funded 20-2006 Public request. At current ranking due to traffic count. 2004 no dateStaff and VDOT will further evaluate the cost closer to construction, which may decrease or increase. B4
ATTACHMENT C
Blenheim Road Paving Proposal – Summary Information
Proposal:
The County has received a proposal from a property owner on Blenheim Road, Mr. Tom Sullivan, to pave the
remaining one-quarter mile section of Blenheim Road (Rt. 795) located just north of the intersection of Glendower
Road and Blenheim. This section of road is located approximately 3 miles north of the Scottsville Town limit and is
in the Scottsville Magisterial District.
The road would be paved to Rural Rustic Road (RRR) standards. VDOT has verified that this project would
qualify for RRR paving.
The proposed improvements can be completed within the existing right of way or prescriptive easement.
No additional right of way or drainage easements are needed on adjacent properties in order to complete
the project.
Mr. Sullivan is proposing to fund the cost of the paving project.
Current Road conditions:
The Annual Average Daily traffic count for section of Blenheim Road, From Glendower Road to Secretary’s
Road is 160 trips (2006 VDOT count).
This section of the road is flat and is relatively wide when compared with many other sections of unpaved
roads in the County.
Some rutting is occurring along the unpaved road section. As with as with many unpaved roads, dust is
likely a problem during long dry weather periods.
History:
In 2003, approximately 3.5 miles of Blenheim Road was paved from the current unpaved section north to
Secretary’s Road.
This section of the road was not paved due the inability to obtain the 50 foot right of way required at that
time for the paving project.
Some residents did express opposition to the paving the original paving project and paving this gravel
section of the road.
On June 1, 2005, VDOT staff provided a status report to the Board on Blenh eim Road paving project,
noting that Mr. Sullivan was requesting to pave the r quarter-mile section of unpaved road. VDOT staff
indicated a resolution from the Board supporting this project would be needed before VDOT would
permit the project. The consensus of Board was to not approve the paving of this section of the road due
public opposition to the proposal.
Review Process for this Request:
VDOT is requesting Board of Supervisor approval of this project before permitting this work to take place. The
Board’s consideration and action on this request is being incorporated in the Board’s annual review and approval
of the County’s Priority List of Secondary Road Improvements and VDOT Six Year Secondary Road Construction
Program. The Board could approve the project by adding the project to the adopted County Priority List of
Secondary Road Improvements or by passing a separate resolution supporting the project. VDOT has stated that
this project does not have to be included in VDOT Six Year Secondary Road Co nstruction Program for this section
to be paved by the property owner.
The public hearing process for this annual review will provide an opportunity for individuals to comment on
proposed project.
Mr. Sullivan was asked to provide the following information to VDOT and County staff (Attachment D):
Verification from a register Civil Engineer that:
-Roadway geometrics post-paving are generally adequate for the proposed traffic and that any increase in
speeds expected after the improvement can be safely accommodated;
-Roadway drainage system, post construction, will accommodate run-off created by the improvements;
-Daily traffic volume will not exceed 1500 vehicles per day after paving is complete
-All improvements can be completed within existing right of way or prescriptive easement
Status: information was submitted and VDOT has verified the adequacy of the road’s drainage system.
Status: This information has been submitted, reviewed and verified by VDOT. The road can be paved to Rural
Rustic Road Program paving standards, which will minimize potential impacts to adjacent properties. VDOT does
not oppose the project and, if supported by the Board, will issue a permit for this work to take place.
A petition signed by all adjoining property owners located on Blenheim Road between Jefferson Mill Road
and 6903 Blenheim Road supporting the paving of this section of road.
Status: A petition supporting the project has been submitted. It contains over 80 signatures (representing
approximately 50 households). However, most of the signatures appear to be from addresses outside of the road
segment between 6903 Blenheim Road and Jefferson Mill Road. There are 36 properties along this segment of
road. Staff found signatures from 11 households/properties along this segment. all property owners along this
section of the road have signed the petition supporting the project. A separate petition in opposition of the
project has been submitted by Peter Kleeman, on behalf of Laura Dollard. Ms. Dollard lives along the unpaved
section of road and opposes the paving project. There is a total five (5) households that have expressed opposition
to the project, two of those opposing household s are located on Blenheim Road and front on the unpaved section
of the road. The petitions are attachments D and E of the Executive Summary. Staff has mailed a notice to
property owners along Blenheim Road between the intersection of Jefferson Mill Road and Mount Pleasant Farm
Road, informing them of the opportunity to provide input on this project at the May 9th public hearing or provide
comments to staff prior to this meeting.
Certification the all approved and necessary improvements will be completed at no cost to the County .
Status: Mr. Sullivan has stated in his response letter that “Murcielago LLC will subsidize the entire cost of the road
improvement in the event it receives a permit.”
The Project’s Consistency with the Comprehensive Plan:
From a policy standpoint, the Comprehensive Plan does not state that roads in the Rura l Areas should not be
paved. The Plan’s principles and recommendations attempt to strike a balance between providing for public safety
while supporting the County’s growth management policies and minimizing the impacts of road projects to
natural, scenic and historic resources (from a resource allocation perspective, priority is given to unpaved roads in
the Development Area). Ideally, a road improvement that improves public safety minimizes clearing/construction
activities and maintains the existing rural character of the road would be consistent with Comprehensive Plan’s
vision for the road improvements in the Rural Area. This proposed project would use Rural Rustic Road design
standards which would minimize the land disturbing activities. The road section would be paved in places.
Staff has provided the following assessment of the favorable and unfavorable factors of this paving project.
Factors Favorable:
According to VDOT, paving would reduce cost of maintenance;
Provides a safer road surface for vehicular travel (if speed limits are observed);
Would greatly reduce/eliminate dust issues.
Factors unfavorable:
Opposition to the project from two property owners adjacent the unpaved section of the road;
The historic rural character of the area would be negatively impacted to some extent by the elimination of
the gravel road surface;
Speeds may increase along this section of the road.
Next Steps:
Receive public comments on this request at the public hearing on the County’s Priority List of Second ary
Road Improvements and VDOT Six Year Secondary Road Construction Program
Vote to approve or deny this request. If further information is needed prior to an action, please provide
direction to staff on the additional information desired.
ATTACHMENT F
FY13 REQUEST: SIDEWALK CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM –PROJECT LIST
Projects are listed in priority order:
Crozet Avenue North from St. George Avenue to Ballard Drive (north of Crozet ES) — This project will
provide safe pedestrian access to school by providing sidewalk repairs/improvements and installation of
a crosswalk and warning lights. A VDOT Safe Routes to School Grant has been received to fund the
portion of the project from Crozet Elementary School to Ballard Drive. Construction plans for the portion
from St. George to Crozet ES are 90% complete. The design plans for the Safe Routes to School Grant
portion will be completed January 2012. The grant-funded portion of the project (crosswalks and
warning lights/signage) will proceed as the first phase of this improvement. Total Project Cost-
$677,500 (current funding $314,000 ; includes $190,000 Safe Routes to School Grant) (FY13 VDOT
Revenue Sharing Funds requested)
South Pantops Drive from State Farm Blvd to Carriage Hill Apt. and State Farm Blvd from Rt. 250 East
to South Pantops Drive – This will provide 3600 feet of sidewalk and complete the pedestrian system in
this area, which will serve several residential, business, and commercial establishments. The design
plans are 90% complete. Construction easements and some right-of-way need to be obtained. If fully
funded this project will go to bid summer 2012. Total Cost - $720,000 (current funding $512,000) (FY13
VDOT Revenue Sharing Funds requested)
Fontaine Avenue, Research Park to City line – Install sidewalks for a short distance (approximately 170
feet) between the end of the existing sidewalk at the City limits to the Stribling Avenue intersection
where the Research Park asphalt path ends. The City’s sidewalk ends abruptly at the city line and
pedestrians are left without any facility until they reach the Research Park. Right-of-way may need to be
obtained and modification of the existing guardrail may be necessary. Total Project Cost: $87,525 (fully
funded)
Hollymead Drive/Powell Creek Drive – This project would complete the sidewalk connections to the
school complex at three locations and would allow for crosswalks to be installed in various locations,
including at the intersection of Ashwood Blvd. and Powell Creek Drive. The Forest Lakes Homeowners
Association and the past principals from each school have requested these improvements. All
improvements will be within existing right-of-way and new curb & gutters are not needed. Total Project
Cost: $194,000 (fully funded)
Barracks Road, City Limits to Barracks West Apartments [NEW] – Construct a sidewalk (approx. 1675
feet), crosswalks, and pedestrian lighting from the Barracks West apartments on the north side of
Barracks Road to the existing sidewalk near the Georgetown Road intersection. Also construct
crosswalks and short segments of sidewalk (where feasible) at strategic locations on the south side of
Barracks Road between the Georgetown Road intersection and the City limits. This is an area with a high
concentration of residents and five bus stops along, or near, Barracks Road. Many residents of the
Barracks West apartments rely on transit and walk along the edge of the road to reach the bus stops on
Barracks and Georgetown roads. These improvements have been requested by the Hessian Hills and
Canterbury Hill Neighborhood Associations. Total Cost: $400,000 (not funded, new request) (FY13
VDOT Revenue Sharing Funds requested)
Hydraulic Road, from Commonwealth Drive to Georgetown Road – This project would install 1700 feet
of sidewalk on the north side of Hydraulic Road. Right-of-way will need to be acquired. This road is
located in the Development Area with numerous businesses and homes/apartments in the area. There
are bus stops in this area. There are also elementary, middle, and high schools in the vicinity, and this
area is within walking distance of the Shops at Stonefield development (formerly known as Albemarle
Place). Cost: $345,000 (not funded) (FY13 VDOT Revenue Sharing Funds requested)
Ivy Road (Rt. 250 west), City limits to Kluge Center/UVA Police Offices– Sidewalks, bike lanes, curb and
storm drainage system improvements, and pedestrian lighting from the former Kluge Rehab Center
site/UVA Police Office area to the City line. This project will connect the commercial and surrounding
residential areas along Ivy Road to the existing sidewalk system in the City. The cost estimate in prior CIP
requests was based on a consultant's study procured by County Department of General Services. The
cost estimate was increased based on the County Office of Facility Development estimates. The
University has expressed interest in improving this western entrance to the university. Partnering with
the University and the City on project development and grant opportunities will be pursued. Total
Project Cost: $1,100,000 (not funded; prior funding of $422,000 was reallocated to other CIP projects)
Old Lynchburg Road Asphalt Walkway upgrade – The project would provide repaving or replacement of
the existing asphalt walkway on Old Lynchburg Road, from Fifth Street to the Region 10 building (750 ft).
This asphalt walkway is overgrown in some locations and is in need of patching, resurfacing, or
replacement. This walkway will become increasingly important as the new CAT bus route will not stop at
the Region 10 building, but will provide a stop on the corner of Old Lynchburg Road and Fifth Street. A
portion of the asphalt walkway along Fifth Street in the area will also need to be repaired. Cost:
$100,000 (not funded)
Avon Street Walkway/Crosswalks Phase 1 – Initial project is to extend existing sidewalk/asphalt
walkway from Mill Creek Drive north to Peregory Lane (1950 ft) and from Stoney Creek Drive southward
to Arden Drive (1000 ft), and construct crosswalks to Cale Elementary School. Total Cost: $400,000
(current funding $70,000).
Avon Street Walkway Phase 2 – Construct approximately 6000 feet of sidewalk/asphalt walkway on the
east side from the Southern Parkway intersection to the City limits (bridge over I-64 is not built with
sidewalks). Total Cost: $800,000 (not funded)
Rio Road (Rt. 631, from Meadow Creek Parkway to Stonehenge & Pen Park Lane)(0.75 miles), – When
the MCP is completed, this project would connect Stonehenge, a fairly dense residential neighborhood,
to the MCP and Rio Road sidewalk system. The cost estimate in prior CIP requests was based on a
consultant's study procured by County Department of General Services. The cost estimate has increased
(County Office of Facility Development estimates). Right-of-way will need to be acquired for most of the
project. Total Project Cost: $475,000 (not funded)
Fontana Neighborhood Sidewalks [NEW] – Construction of sidewalks (approximately 1700 feet) along
strategic portions of Fontana Drive and Verona Drive in the Fontana development in the Pantops area.
This subdivision was developed prior to regulations requiring that residential streets to be built with
sidewalks. The neighborhood is experiencing speeding and cut through traffic issues and this, along with
the hilly topography, is creating conflicts with residents trying to walk in the area. The sidewalks are
intend to connect the existing pathway system within the development and to connect to sidewalks in
adjacent developments. Total Cost: $395,000 (not funded, new request)
Sunset Avenue and Old Stagecoach Road – Provide for sidewalks and bikelanes on Sunset Avenue from
Moore’s Creek/City limits to Fifth Street (6800 ft) and on Country Green Road from Sunset Avenue to
Old Lynchburg Road (2100 ft). This project will provide the Redfields development and five other
apartment and townhouse developments access to bus stops, commercial and office developments, as
well as access to parks and greenway trail areas. Improvements to Sunset may be best implemented
with the proposed road improvements recommended in the County’s Priority List of Secondary Road
Improvements. Total Cost: Country Green, $650,000 (not funded); Sunset Avenue, (recommended for
construction as part of road improvement project)
Woodbrook Drive from US 29 to Woodbrook ES – This project would install sidewalks along both sides
of Woodbrook Drive from the commercial area on the corner of Woodbrook Drive and US 29 to the
school (750 ft). Currently pedestrians have to share the road with cars. Right-of-way will need to be
acquired for this project. Total Project Cost: $200,000 (not funded)
Riverbend Drive from US 250 to Apartments – Install a sidewalk on the east side of Riverbend Drive,
from US 250 to the entrance to the Riverbend Condominiums. There is a high level of traffic on this road
in an area that consists of office, commercial/retail, and residential uses. The sidewalk would improve
pedestrian safety, access to bus service, and would allow for crosswalks to be installed at the
Riverbend/US 250 intersection and the Riverbend/South Pantops Blvd. intersection. Total Cost: $
280,000 (not funded)
Woodbrook Drive from US 29 to Berkmar Drive – This project would install sidewalk on the north
(Lowes) side of Woodbrook Drive (1150 ft). Pedestrians currently have to walk along the grassed slope
behind the curb. Total Project Cost: $220,000 (not funded)
Route 240 from Music Today/Star Hill Building to Highland subdivision – This project would install
sidewalks from the Highlands development to the Music Today/Star Hill Brewery Building (old Conagra)
to where there are currently sidewalks along Rt. 240 (5500 ft). This will allow the residents to walk safely
to downtown Crozet. Total Project Cost: $800,000 (not funded)
Fifth Street, City limits to north of I-64 [NEW]– Install sidewalk connecting existing sidewalks in the City
to an existing asphalt walkway south of the I-64 interchange (2600 ft). Repair and replace (as needed)
the existing asphalt walkway from south of the interchange to Old Lynchburg Road (2000 ft). The
improvement will provide access to CAT bus service, commercial, office, and residential development in
the area, as well as to greenway trails in the City and County. Sections of sidewalk may be funded or
constructed with future development of adjacent, undeveloped properties. Total Cost: $700,000 (not
funded)
Hillsdale Drive, from the JABA Building to Rio Road – This project will complete sidewalks on both sides
of Hillsdale Drive between Rio Road and Branchlands Blvd. The County received a VDOT Pedestrian
Safety Grant and completed construction of sidewalks and crosswalks on Hillsdale Drive; however, the
grant award was insufficient to cover all of the planned sidewalk improvements. The section of sidewalk
on the west side of Hillsdale Drive, from Rio Road to the JABA building was not constructed. Total
Project Cost: $245,000 (not funded)
Ivy Road (Rt. 250 West) from Bellair Market to Kenridge – This project would install 700 feet of
sidewalk (or asphalt walkway) along the north side of US 250 west from the Kenridge residential
development to the commercial/office/retail area near bypass interchange and Old Ivy Road. This will
connect existing sections of pathway that were required to be built as part of more recent
developments in the area. Currently pedestrians walk on the side of the road very close to vehicles.
Total Project Cost: $200,000 (not funded; prior funding of $156,572 was reallocated to other CIP
projects)
NOTE: The following are constrained projects (right-of-way or easement will not be provided by some
property owners at this time) and cannot be developed at this time.
Hilltop Street from Tabor Street to Crozet Park – This project would install a permanent sidewalk/path
along a road that has numerous pedestrians. Part of this road has an asphalt path that was not meant to
be a permanent solution. The residents of Hilltop have to share the road with cars if they walk to the
park. Some property owners will not donate right-of-way for project construction. Total Project Cost:
$200,000 (full ROW not donated, prior funding has been reallocated to other CIP projects)
Tabor Street from Rt. 240 to Park Road – This project would install sidewalks along a narrow road that
has numerous pedestrians. The residents of Tabor Street (and surrounding area) have to share the
narrow road with cars if they walk to the park or to downtown Crozet. It is likely that additional funding
will be needed to cover construction cost. The cost estimate was based on a consultant's study procured
by County Department of General Services. Some property owners will not donate right-of-way for
project construction. Total Project Cost: $200,000 (full ROW not donated, prior funding has been
reallocated to other CIP projects)
Timber Pointe Drive to Tompkin Drive- This project would connect the Tompkin Drive (Jefferson Village)
neighborhood to the Forest Lakes neighborhood. It is only a short section. The Forest Lakes Community
Board has yet to support this project. Total Project Cost: $35,000 (not funded)
COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
AGENDA TITLE:
SP201000042 David Brown Auto Detailing and Repair
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST:
STAFF CONTACT(S):
Mr. Clark
LEGAL REVIEW: No
AGENDA DATE:
May 9, 2012
ACTION: X INFORMATION:
CONSENT AGENDA: No
ACTION: INFORMATION:
ATTACHMENTS: No
REVIEWED BY:
BACKGROUND:
At their meeting on February 28, 2012, the Planning Commission recommended approval of this special
use permit request with conditions. They directed staff to work with the applicant’s representative to
clarify the parking restrictions in conditions 9 and 10.
9. Parking of vehicles associated with the public garage shall take place only in the parking
spaces depicted on the Concept Plan.
10. There shall be no more than three (3) vehicles awaiting repair or waiting to be picked up after
repair parked outside the garage at any one time.
The applicant’s representative was concerned that these conditions would lead to confusion, and possibly
to unnecessary restrictions, on where the residents of the property and the employees of the shop could
park their vehicles.
DISCUSSION:
The original intention of these conditions was to limit the number and location of customer vehicles on
the site, so that the site’s capacity to store vehicles was not overwhelmed, and so the customer vehicles
would not leak fluids in areas that might drain to the nearby stream buffer.
These concerns do not apply to the resident’s vehicles, which are associated with the dwelling on the site,
or to the employee’s vehicles, which would be on the site only for short periods (less than a day at a
time). Applying the proposed restrictions to the non-customer vehicles would impose a restriction without
a resulting benefit, and would make compliance with the conditions of the permit more difficult for the
landowner. Therefore condition 9 has been revised (see below) to clarify that the depicted parking spaces
may be used by residents or employees (as there are more spaces than the limit of three repair vehicles
would require). Condition 10 has been revised (see below) to state the residents and employees are not
required to use those spaces.
9. Parking of vehicles associated with the public garage shall take place only in the parking
spaces depicted on the Concept Plan. Vehicles owned by residents of the property and employees
of the repair shop may also use these spaces.
10. There shall be no more than three (3) vehicles awaiting repair or waiting to be picked up after
repair parked outside the garage at any one time. This limitation shall not apply to vehicles owned
by the residents of the property or by employees of the repair shop.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff recommends that the Board approve SP2010-00042 with the conditions as amended by the
Planning Commission and revised by staff as noted above.
1. Development and use shall be in general accord with the conceptual plan titled “Site Plan
David Brown’s Body Shop,” prepared by David C. Wyant, Sr., and dated October 27, 2011
(hereafter “Concept Plan”), as determined by the Director of Planning and the Zoning
Administrator. To be in general accord with the Concept Plan, development and use shall
reflect the following major elements within the development essential to the design of the
development, as shown on the Concept Plan:
o limits of disturbance
o location and size of buildings and structures
o location of parking areas
o extent of paving
o environmental features, including the stream and steep slopes on the site
The Zoning Administrator may approve minor modifications to the plan which do not
conflict with the elements above may be made to ensure compliance with the Zoning
Ordinance.
2. The hours of operation for the public garage shall not begin earlier than 9:00 a.m. and shall
end not later than 7:30 p.m., each day, Monday through Saturday. The public garage shall not
operate on Sundays.
3. Compliance with the Virginia State Department of Health regarding water supply and septic
system shall be verified by the Health Department prior to issuance of a zoning clearance and the
commencement of the special use.
4. All outdoor lighting shall be only full cut-off fixtures and shall be shielded to reflect light
away from all abutting properties. A lighting plan limiting light levels at all property lines to no
greater than 0.3 foot candles shall be submitted to the Zoning Administrator or their designee for
approval prior to issuance of a zoning clearance.
5. The following activities are prohibited anywhere on the site:
a. Gasoline sales
b. Installation and/or use of a paint booth
c. Sale or rental of vehicles or other motorized equipment
d. Storage of vehicles on the site for longer than 30 days
e. Outdoor storage of inoperative vehicles, parts, equipment, machinery, and/or junk
6. All detailing and/or repairing of vehicles shall take place inside the existing garage.
7. The impervious surface, including any impervious paving, on the site shall not be expanded
beyond its extent on the date of this application. (November 15, 2010).
8. The permittee shall install and thereafter maintain a minimum twenty (20)-foot deep
landscaped buffer adjacent to the stream. This planting shall use native tree and shrub species
listed in Appendix A of the Riparian Buffers Modification & Mitigation Guidance Manual,
published by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation and/or the brochure
Native Plants for Conservation, Restoration, and Landscaping, published by the Virginia
Department of Conservation and Recreation. Trees and shrubs shall be planted at the densities
specified in Appendix D, Table A of the Riparian Buffers Modification & Mitigation Guidance
Manual, published by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Landscaping
shall be installed prior to issuance of a zoning clearance. No vehicles may be parked or other
business or earth-moving activities shall take place within this buffer.
9. Parking of vehicles associated with the public garage shall take place only in the parking
spaces depicted on the Concept Plan. Vehicles owned by residents of the property and employees
of the repair shop may also use these spaces.
10. There shall be no more than three (3) vehicles awaiting repair or waiting to be picked up after
repair parked outside the garage at any one time. This limitation shall not apply to vehicles
owned by the residents of the property or by employees of the repair shop.
11. There may be up to two additional employees other than family members who reside in the
home on the site associated with this use.
12. Approval from the Department of Environmental Quality, if required, shall be required prior
to issuance of the zoning clearance.
13. The use shall not lawfully commence until the Special Use Permit is approved and all
applicable conditions of approval have been met.
Attachments
PC actions letter
Staff report and attachments
January 24 and February 28, 2012 PC minutes
Return to agenda
COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE
Department of Community Development
401 McIntire Road, North Wing
Charlottesville, Virginia 22902-4596
Phone (434) 296-5832 Fax (434) 972-4126
March 9, 2012
David M. Brown
599 Rocky Hollow Rd.
Charlottesville, Va 22911
RE: SP 201000042 David Brown Auto Detailing and Repair
TAX MAP/PARCEL: 062000000076A1
Dear Mr. Brown:
The Albemarle County Planning Commission, at its meeting on February 28, 2012, by a vote of 7:0,
recommended approval of the above-noted petition to the Board of Supervisors.
Please note that this approval is subject to the following conditions:
1. Development and use shall be in general accord with the conceptual plan titled “Site Plan David Brown’s
Body Shop,” prepared by David C. Wyant, Sr., and dated October 27, 2011 (hereafter “Concept Plan”), as
determined by the Director of Planning and the Zoning Administrator. To be in general accord with the
Concept Plan, development and use shall reflect the following major elements within the development
essential to the design of the development, as shown on the Concept Plan:
limits of disturbance
location and size of buildings and structures
location of parking areas
extent of paving
environmental features, including the stream and steep slopes on the site
The Zoning Administrator may approve minor modifications to the plan which do not conflict with the
elements above may be made to ensure compliance with the Zoning Ordinance.
2. The hours of operation for the public garage shall not begin earlier than 9:00 a.m. and shall end not
later than 7:30 p.m., each day, Monday through Saturday. The public garage shall not operate on
Sundays.
3. Compliance with the Virginia State Department of Health regarding water supply and septic system shall
be verified by the Health Department prior to issuance of a zoning clearance and the commencement of
the special use.
4. All outdoor lighting shall be only full cut-off fixtures and shall be shielded to reflect light away from all
abutting properties. A lighting plan limiting light levels at all property lines to no greater than 0.3 foot
candles shall be submitted to the Zoning Administrator or their designee for approval prior to issuance
of a zoning clearance.
5. The following activities are prohibited anywhere on the site:
a. Gasoline sales
b. Installation and/or use of a paint booth
c. Sale or rental of vehicles or other motorized equipment
d. Storage of vehicles on the site for longer than 30 days
e. Outdoor storage of inoperative vehicles, parts, equipment, machinery, and/or junk
6. All detailing and/or repairing of vehicles shall take place inside the existing garage.
7. The impervious surface, including any impervious paving, on the site shall not be expanded beyond its
extent on the date of this application. (November 15, 2010).
8. The permittee shall install and thereafter maintain a minimum twenty (20)-foot deep landscaped buffer
adjacent to the stream. This planting shall use native tree and shrub species listed in Appendix A of the
Riparian Buffers Modification & Mitigation Guidance Manual, published by the Virginia Department of
Conservation and Recreation and/or the brochure Native Plants for Conservation, Restoration, and
Landscaping, published by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Trees and shrubs
shall be planted at the densities specified in Appendix D, Table A of the Riparian Buffers Modification &
Mitigation Guidance Manual, published by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.
Landscaping shall be installed prior to issuance of a zoning clearance. No vehicles may be parked or
other business or earth-moving activities shall take place within this buffer.
9. Parking of vehicles associated with the public garage shall take place only in the parking spaces
depicted on the Concept Plan. (Staff to work with the applicant to define which spaces on the site
plan is associated with the garage that is associated with the parking issue.)
10. There shall be no more than three (3) vehicles awaiting repair or waiting to be picked up after repair
parked outside the garage at any one time. (Staff to work with the applicant to define which spaces
on the site plan is associated with the garage that is associated with the residence.)
11. There may be up to two additional employees other than family members who reside in the home on the
site associated with this use.
12. Approval from the Department of Environmental Quality, if required, shall be required prior to issuance
of the zoning clearance.
13. The use shall not lawfully commence until the Special Use Permit is approved and all applicable
conditions of approval have been met.
Please be advised that the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors will review this petition and receive
public comment at their meeting on April 4, 2012.
If you should have any questions or comments regarding the above noted action, please do not hesitate to
contact me at (434) 296-5832.
Sincerely,
Scott Clark
Planner
Planning Division
Return to PC exec summary
SP201000042 David Brown Auto Detailing & Repair
PC January 24, 2012
Staff Report Page 1
COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE
PLANNING STAFF REPORT SUMMARY
Project Name:
SP201000042 David Brown Auto Detailing and
Repair
Staff: Scott Clark, Senior Planner
Planning Commission Public Hearing:
October 18, 2011
Board of Supervisors Public Hearing:
TBA
Owner: David M. Brown Applicant: David M. Brown
Acreage: 2.23 acres Special Use Permit: 10.2.2 (37) Public
garage
TMP: Tax Map 62 Parcel 76A1
Location: 599 Rocky Hollow Rd. (Rt. 769);
approximately two-thirds of a mile southeast of
the intersection with Stony Point Rd. (Rt. 20)
Existing Zoning and By-right use:
RA -- Rural Areas: agricultural, forestal, and
fishery uses; residential density (0.5 unit/acre
in development)
Magisterial District: Rivanna Conditions: Yes
DA (Development Area):
RA (Rural Areas): X
Requested # of Dwelling Units: 0
Proposal: Special Use Permit for a
public garage with auto detailing and
repair
Comprehensive Plan Designation: Rural
Areas - preserve and protect agricultural,
forestal, open space, and natural, historic and
scenic resources/ density (0.5 unit/ acre)
Character of Property: Residential Use of Surrounding Properties: Residential
properties and large farm parcels.
Factors Favorable:
1. Similar public garages have been approved in
the past because they provide a useful service
to Rural Area residents.
2. With the recommended conditions, which
limit the scale of the use, the hours of
operation, the storage of vehicles, and other
related activities, the use would have limited
impact on adjacent properties.
3. Approval of the special use permit with
conditions would lead to mitigation of some
of the already-created impacts of this existing,
non-conforming use.
Factors Unfavorable:
1. The impacts of this use could be
detrimental to rural character and resources if
not appropriately scaled and managed.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of this Special Use Permit with conditions.
SP201000042 David Brown Auto Detailing & Repair
PC January 24, 2012
Staff Report Page 2
Petition:
PROJECT: SP 201000042 David Brown Auto Detailing and Repair
PROPOSED: Special Use Permit for a public garage with auto detailing and
repair
ZONING CATEGORY/GENERAL USAGE: Rural Areas (RA) - agricultural,
forestal and fishery uses
SECTION: 10.2.2 (37) Public garage
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN LAND USE/DENSITY: Rural Areas - Preserve and
protect agricultural, forestal, open space, and natural, historic and scenic
resources / density .5 units / acre of development lots
ENTRANCE CORRIDOR: No
LOCATION: 599 Rocky Hollow Rd. (Rt. 769); east of Stony Point Rd. (Rt. 20)
TAX MAP/PARCEL: 062000000076A1
MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT: Rivanna
Character of the Area:
The property is located on the western side of the Southwest Mountains, in an
area characterized by a mix of large farm and groupings of small residential lots.
Specifics of the Proposal: Mr. Brown has been operating a public garage on his
property without the necessary special use permit. He is requesting to continue
operating the 3-bay, 1,608-square-foot repair facility.
Planning & Zoning History:
VIO-2011-093: On June 4, 2011, Mr Brown was notified that his existing public
garage was not permitted by right in the Rural Areas zoning district, and was in
violation of the Zoning Ordinance. The current special use permit application is
intended to rectify this violation.
Conformity with the Comprehensive Plan: Comprehensive Plan designates the
subject properties as Rural Areas, emphasizing the preservation and protection of
agricultural, forestal, open space, and natural, historic and scenic resources as
land use options.
The Rural Area Plan calls for rural commercial uses that are appropriate scaled,
reversible after the use is finished, and minimal in their impacts and demands on
services. Public garages are more intense than the uses suggested in the Plan, but
are permitted by special use permit and have generally been approved by the
Board of Supervisors in the past due to their usefulness to Rural Area residents.
SP201000042 David Brown Auto Detailing & Repair
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Staff Report Page 3
STAFF COMMENT:
Staff addresses each provision of Section 31.6 of the Zoning Ordinance:
31.6.1 Special Use Permits provided for 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,
Garage uses can create impacts to adjacent properties, including visual impacts,
noises, odor, and contaminated run-off if not managed properly. Staff
recommends conditions of approval that would limit the use’s size and hours of
operation, prohibit long-term storage of vehicles and parts, and prohibit sales and
rental of vehicles, in order to minimize impacts on adjacent properties.
that the character of the district will not be changed thereby and
The overall character of the district is not expected to change as a result of this
use.
that such use will be in harmony with the purpose and intent of this ordinance,
This use does not directly support the farmland- and resource-protection goals of
the Rural Areas zoning district. However, it is located in a part of the Rural
Areas that has already been significantly converted to long-term residential uses
rather than productive uses or land conservation. If appropriately managed, the
use can provide a benefit to rural residents without undue impacts on its
immediate surroundings.
This site is approximately 3 miles from the Pantops Development Area.
with uses permitted by right in the district,
The use’s most significant impacts on other permitted uses would be on nearby
residential uses. Limits on the scale and hours of the use in the recommended
conditions of approval are intended to minimize those impacts.
with the additional regulations provided in section 5.0 of this ordinance,
There are no additional regulations in Section 5.0 for this use.
and with the public health, safety and general welfare.
This nonconforming use was built within a stream buffer area required by the
Water Protection Ordinance. As the topography of the site makes it impractical
to relocate the use outside the stream buffer, staff recommends a condition of
approval requiring the planting of a twenty-foot-wide riparian buffer to protect
SP201000042 David Brown Auto Detailing & Repair
PC January 24, 2012
Staff Report Page 4
the stream. The proposed conditions would also prohibit the further expansion of
the paved area of the site.
Auto repair facilities use lubricants and other compounds that can contaminate
soil and water if disposed of improperly. The recommended conditions below
would ensure that the use not operate without any necessary approvals from the
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (the agency responsible for
pollution control in the state), and would prohibit uses that pose immediate or
long-term risks of contamination (gasoline sales and long-term storage of
vehicles and parts).
SUMMARY:
Staff has identified the following factors favorable to this application:
1. Similar public garages have been approved in the past because they
provide a useful service to Rural Area residents.
2. With the recommended conditions, which limit the scale of the use, the
hours of operation, the storage of vehicles, and other related activities, the
use would have limited impact on adjacent properties.
3. Approval of the special use permit with conditions would lead to
mitigation of some of the already-created impacts of this existing, non-
conforming use.
Staff has identified the following factor unfavorable to this application:
1. The impacts of this use could be detrimental to rural character and
resources if not appropriately scaled and managed.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Based on the findings contained in this staff report, staff recommends approval
of SP2010-00042 David Brown Auto Detailing and Repair, with the following
conditions.
1. Development and use shall be in general accord with the conceptual plan titled “Site
Plan David Brown’s Body Shop,” prepared by David C. Wyant, Sr., and dated
October 27, 2011 (hereafter “Concept Plan”), as determined by the Director of
Planning and the Zoning Administrator. To be in general accord with the Concept
Plan, development and use shall reflect the following major elements within the
development essential to the design of the development, as shown on the Concept
Plan:
limits of disturbance
location and size of buildings and structures
location of parking areas
SP201000042 David Brown Auto Detailing & Repair
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Staff Report Page 5
extent of paving
environmental features, including the stream and steep slopes on the site
The Zoning Administrator may approve minor modifications to the plan which do
not conflict with the elements above may be made to ensure compliance with the
Zoning Ordinance.
2. The hours of operation for the public garage shall not begin earlier than 7:30 a.m.
and shall end not later than 6:00 p.m., each day, Monday through Saturday. The
public garage shall not operate on Sundays.
3. Compliance with the Virginia State Department of Health regarding water supply
and septic system shall be verified by the Health Department prior to issuance of a
zoning clearance and the commencement of the special use.
4. All outdoor lighting shall be only full cut-off fixtures and shall be shielded to reflect
light away from all abutting properties. A lighting plan limiting light levels at all
property lines to no greater than 0.3 foot candles shall be submitted to the Zoning
Administrator or their designee for approval prior to issuance of a zoning clearance.
5. The following activities are prohibited anywhere on the site:
a. Gasoline sales
b. Installation and/or use of a paint booth
c. Sale or rental of vehicles or other motorized equipment
d. Storage of vehicles on the site for longer than 30 days
e. Outdoor storage of inoperative vehicles, parts, equipment, machinery, and/or
junk
6. All detailing and/or repairing of vehicles shall take place inside the existing garage.
7. The impervious surface, including any impervious paving, on the site shall not be
expanded beyond its extent on the date of this application. (November 15, 2010).
8. The permittee shall install and thereafter maintain a minimum twenty (20)-foot deep
landscaped buffer adjacent to the stream. This planting shall use native tree and
shrub species listed in Appendix A of the Riparian Buffers Modification &
Mitigation Guidance Manual, published by the Virginia Department of
Conservation and Recreation and/or the brochure Native Plants for Conservation,
Restoration, and Landscaping, published by the Virginia Department of
Conservation and Recreation. Trees and shrubs shall be planted at the densities
specified in Appendix D, Table A of the Riparian Buffers Modification &
Mitigation Guidance Manual, published by the Virginia Department of
Conservation and Recreation. Landscaping shall be installed prior to issuance of a
zoning clearance. No vehicles may be parked or other business or earth-moving
activities shall take place within this buffer.
SP201000042 David Brown Auto Detailing & Repair
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Staff Report Page 6
9. Parking of vehicles associated with the public garage shall take place only in the
parking spaces depicted on the Concept Plan.
10. There shall be no more than three (3) vehicles awaiting repair or waiting to be
picked up after repair parked outside the garage at any one time.
11. There shall be no employees other than family members who reside in the home on
the site associated with this use.
12. Approval from the Department of Environmental Quality, if required, shall be
required prior to issuance of the zoning clearance.
13. The use shall not lawfully commence until the Special Use Permit is approved and
all applicable conditions of approval have been met.
PLANNING COMMISSION MOTION:
A. Should a Planning Commissioner choose to recommend approval of this special use
permit:
Move to recommend approval of SP 2010-00042 David Brown Auto Detailing
and Repair, subject to the conditions recommended by staff.
B. Should a Planning Commissioner choose to recommend denial of this special use
permit:
Move to recommend denial of SP 2010-00034 SP 2010-00042 David Brown
Auto Detailing and Repair. Should a commissioner motion to recommend
denial, he or she should state the reason(s) for recommending denial.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A – Area Map
Attachment B – Site Map
Attachment C – Conceptual Plan
Return to exec summary
SP2010-0004 2David M. Brown 0 0.5 10.25 Miles¯
Attachment A
SP2010-0004 2David M. Brown 0 0.02 0.040.01 Miles¯
Attachment B
Con tour Interval: 4 Feet
Attachment C
ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION – JANUARY 24, 2012
FINAL MINUTES
1
Albemarle County Planning Commission
January 24, 2012
Items Requesting Deferral:
SP-2010-00042 David Brown Auto Detailing and Repair
PROPOSED: Special Use Permit for a public garage with auto detailing and repair
ZONING CATEGORY/GENERAL USAGE: Rural Areas (RA) - agricultural, forestal and fishery uses
SECTION: 10.2.2 (37) Public garage
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN LAND USE/DENSITY: Rural Areas - Preserve and protect agricultural,
forestal, open space, and natural, historic and scenic resources / density .5 un its / acre of development
lots
ENTRANCE CORRIDOR: No
LOCATION: 599 Rocky Hollow Rd. (Rt. 769); east of Stony Point Rd. (Rt. 20)
TAX MAP/PARCEL: 062000000076A1
MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT: Rivanna (Scott Clark)
Mr. Morris noted the applicant requests deferr al of SP-2010-00042 David Brown Auto Detailing and
Repair.
Mr. Cilimberg suggested the Commission open the hearing for public comment and then take an action to
defer to February 28.
Mr. Morris opened the public hearing and invited public comment. There being no public comment, the
public hearing was closed to bring the matter before the Planning Commission.
Motion: Mr. Franco moved and Mr. Loach seconded to approve the applicant’s request for deferral of SP-
2010-00042 David Brown Auto Detailing and Repair to February 28.
The motion was passed by a vote of 6:0.
Mr. Morris noted that SP-2010-00042, David Brown Auto Detailing and Repair was deferred to February
28.
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Albemarle County Planning Commission
February 28, 2012
Deferred Items:
SP-2010-00042 David Brown Auto Detailing and Repair
PROPOSED: Special Use Permit for a public garage with auto detailing and repair
ZONING CATEGORY/GENERAL USAGE: Rural Areas (RA) - agricultural, forestal and fishery uses
SECTION: 10.2.2 (37) Public garage
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN LAND USE/DENSITY: Rural Areas - Preserve and protect agricultural,
forestal, open space, and natural, historic and scenic resources / density.5 units / acre of development
lots
ENTRANCE CORRIDOR: No LOCATION: 599 Rocky Hollow Rd. (Rt. 769); east of Stony Point Rd. (Rt.
20)
TAX MAP/PARCEL: 062000000076A1
MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT: Rivanna (Scott Clark)
DEFERRED FROM THE JANUARY 24, 2012 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
Scott Clark presented a PowerPoint presentation and summarized the staff report.
This is a special use permit request for a public garage, auto detailing and repair in the rural areas zoning
district. As mentioned in the staff report Mr. Brown has been operating a public garage on his property
without the necessary special use permit. He is requesting to continue operating the 3 -bay, 1,608-square-
foot repair facility. On June 4, 2011, Mr. Brown was notified that his existing public garage was not
permitted by right in the Rural Areas zoning district, and was in violation of the Zoning Ordinance. (VIO-
2011-093) Since then the applicant has been working with staff in conjunction with t he current special
use permit application to turn this into a permitted use and try to rectify this violation. He reviewed the
conceptual plan for the special use permit noting the dwelling was not part of the permit request and the
location of the stream. A lot of the parking area and part of the structure is included in th e Water
Protection Ordinance stream buffer as noted on the plan. There have already been some impacts to the
stream buffer on the property.
Factors Favorable:
1. Similar public garages have been approved in the past because they provide a useful service t o
Rural Area residents.
2. With the recommended conditions, which limit the scale of the use, the hours of operation, the
storage of vehicles, and other related activities, the use would have limited impact on adjacent
properties.
3. Approval of the special use permit with conditions would lead to mitigation of some of the already-
created impacts of this existing, non-conforming use.
Factors Unfavorable:
1. The impacts of this use could be detrimental to rural character and resources if not appropriately
scaled and managed.
Potential Impacts Addressed in Proposed Conditions of Approval:
• Noise
• Light
• Water Impacts (chemical and septic)
• Development within stream buffer
• Scale of commercial use in the Rural Areas
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Staff recommends approval of SP-2010-00042 David Brown Auto Detailing and Repair, with the 13
conditions recommended by staff as listed in the staff report.
Mr. Morris invited questions for staff.
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Mr. Randolph asked if the permittee violates any of the terms that staff has set out here, which he thought
were very thorough, what are the consequences.
Mr. Clark replied that becomes a zoning enforcement matter. The terms of the violation can be rectified
and go back to what is permitted. If it goes on for a long term, then t here are civil penalties and other
means that can be used to encourage the land owner to get back to what is permitted.
Mr. Smith asked if he is in operation now.
Mr. Clark replied the applicant is not in operation at the moment.
Mr. Smith questioned how he makes a living.
Mr. Clark replied that he did not know and he did not ask.
Mr. Dotson asked if the owner is the resident of the house that is adjacent.
Mr. Clark replied yes, the owner lives in the house on that same site.
Mr. Dotson asked if by any stretch this could be considered a home occupation in any of the tiers the
County has.
Mr. Clark replied no. Even in a Class B, Home Occupation the use has to be contained in the extra
structure, which this could not because there is parking outside.
Mr. Smith asked how they would police condition 11.
Mr. Clark replied essentially it would be only through a complaint. If someone was to come in and tell the
zoning department Mr. Brown has three persons working on the site or coming in from outside, then staff
would investigate it. They don’t have the staff to be there every week looking to see who works there.
Mr. Cilimberg noted that all of the requirements of the zoning ordinance are essentially handled through
complaint. It includes conditions of special use permits and other zoning regulations.
Mr. Morris asked if they have received any concerns from neighbors regarding this.
Mr. Clark replied there was one email, which the Commission received from Mike Miller who owns one of
the adjacent properties. Mr. Miller was concerned about the noise and the impacts on property values of
the surrounding land.
Mr. Morris noted that email was received in January. As he recalled that gentleman is not currently a
resident in that area.
Mr. Clark replied that was correct in that Mr. Miller owns the property but lives in another state.
Mr. Morris asked if there were any others.
Mr. Clark replied that he had one call from a nearby resident who was concerned about the level of traffic
on the site. He responded by telling her what they were doing to manage that, which is the number of
cars and hours of operation. He could not tell the Commission whether that satisfied her concerns.
There being no further questions, Mr. Morris opened the public hearing and invited the applicant to
address the Commission.
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David Wyant, representative for the applicant, said that he would answer a couple of the questions. Mr.
Brown is unemployed. He used to do deliveries and everything around to convenience stores. Since he
has been unemployed he is trying to start back up his repair work and body shop. He is familiar with
garages and has been before the Commission on several others. He said the conditions are acceptable,
except for the following suggestions.
- Regarding employees, he asked the Commission to consider allowing Mr. Brown one or two
employees. When Mr. Brown was hurt in order to keep the business going he would need
somebody to help him do the work. There is a fellow that helped him part time. In the Class B,
Home Occupation some are allowed one or two employees. They don’t want a lot of traffic so
only want one or two employees working. He asked that they allow something like that so Mr.
Brown would not end up in violation of the conditions. .
- They have three parking spaces for vehicles that are waiting to be repaired. It would be helpful to
staff and the applicant to define that. In the past he has used basketball analogy in that once
they get beyond a certain point that is the garage. All the garage activit y and everything
associated with it had to be behind that. The rest of it is his residence just like the rest of the
residents in the county. The reason he brought that up was the inoperable automobiles. On a
parcel of land they are now allowed two inoperable vehicles if it is not personally involved in the
business That have to distinguish that because otherwise he gets calls back from staff to go
help these folks understand what they have as a condition. He would suggest they work it out
with Amelia or someone in the zoning department how they would define the three parking places
that he uses for the garage. It would be helpful to Mr. Brown as well as to the staff in policing this
kind of operation.
Mr. Morris invited questions for the applicant.
Mr. Dotson said he was curious about the applicant’s story. He asked if the garage was pre-existing
when Mr. Brown bought the house and the garage. He noted Mr. Brown was unemployed. However, he
was imaging this as something somebody might do in the evening or on weekends to supplement an off-
site job.
Mr. Wyant replied that he was not sure exactly about all the details. It has been a long time ago since he
went over a lot of this with the Commission and the applicant is not here tonight. He recalled that the
garage was built on sometime afterwards. The work was done on the side at night. It was one of the
trades Mr. Brown has been doing through his life. Then he kind of shut the business down. It is one of
those one horse operations where he maybe just works weekends and night time. However, he has not
been doing anything. He has been on Mr. Brown to make sure they stay clean until they get through this
and meet all of the conditions. They could then get a clearance to be ready to go.
Mr. Dotson noted one of the reasons he was curious about that is condition #2 says the work shall end at
6 p.m. He was picturing somebody who was off the day job coming home and working a couple hours
after dark.
Mr. Wyant said that has been an issue in the past with garages because folks have worked part time.
However, at this time Mr. Brown is not employed and his intent is just to run the garage operation as his
livelihood. As far as he knows he is collecting unemployment right now.
Mr. Dotson noticed that the business title is David Brown’s Auto Detailing and Repair yet what they are
asked to approve is a public garage. It sounds like a much bigger door than detailing and repair.
Mr. Wyant replied they went over that earlier, which is why they have some of these conditions to keep it
to detailing. If they noticed before it came in with a large paint booth. What Mr. Brown is doing is mostly
parts, replacement and some touch up paint within that small garage. There are three bays in the
garage. He does not have the heated booth and everything like that. It is just a small auto repair
business, which is why these conditions are recommended.
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Mr. Randolph asked if permitted what is his goal in terms of the number of people that would be working
in this facility.
Mr. Wyant replied that he did not think Mr. Brown anticipates having over one or maybe two at the most.
He had run into the limit of two employees before with the Class B licensing out in the rural areas. They
need to make sure that Mr. Brown clearly understands if employing people they can’t have but X n umber.
He just needs a helper sometimes in doing some of this work. He does not work by himself.
Mr. Randolph said it would be unusual for this kind of work for him to be working alone and also doing the
bookkeeping and billing.
Mr. Wyant replied that Mr. Brown had a lady that helps a lot with the bookkeeping and other things. As
far as putting parts on that is not a one person job. Therefore, he thought they ought to be realistic in
what they are probably going to encounter out there. He was glad somebody asked a bout the time
because he would ask to move the start time up to 9:00 a.m. to be more reasonable and make the
quitting time later, but not too late into the night.
Mr. Randolph said in a normal operating garage there are a fair number of inf lammable toxics that are
going to be on site. If he is doing any auto body work that is even an extra level of toxics. Does he
already have installed in this garage exhaust fans to accommodate the type of work where there is toxic
exposure for the employees.
Mr. Wyant replied that he was not sure about that. He did not remember seeing the exhaust fan. He has
his compressors and things out back. The one thing they have had in the other garages is storage of any
fluids. Some of those garages were more like a real garage and not just a detailing shop. All that has to
stay inside of the structure and it cannot be put outside. Parts cannot be stored outside in order to have a
good appearance.
Mr. Dotson asked how he would go about attracting customers. Does he advertise or have affiliation with
an in town garage that sends him work.
Mr. Wyant replied that he had an affiliation with two other garages that send him work. Since he had
been down he has not been able to do any operation. However, he has one or two service stations or
public garages that send him work. It is amazing when someone lives out in the rural area how these
relationships go on and where they get their work .
Mr. Lafferty asked if that is the way he gets the vehicles to the site when inoperative.
Mr. Wyant replied most of the time that is correct. In the times he has been at the site and talked to him
about it people can drive the vehicles up for minor repairs. Of course, they will use tow trucks.
Regarding the noise issues, he noted the compressors now have been silenced. He was not sure where
the neighbor lives that was asking that. However, that is part of the conditions for a garage.
Mr. Morris asked if there are any plans for signage out at the road.
Mr. Wyant replied that he had not heard Mr. Brown mention a thing about signs. It is by word of mouth.
Mr. Morris invited public comment. There being no public comment, the public hearing was closed to
bring the matter before the Planning Commission.
Mr. Franco asked staff to comment on the outside employee aspect. It seemed pretty reasonable that
somebody from the outside might come and help them occasionally. He asked if there was a problem
rewording the condition.
Mr. Clark replied it makes sense if the condition was reworded to permit a small number of employees.
Having no restriction on that would lead to a lot of concern for the zoning department.
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Mr. Kamptner noted as a point of reference major home occupations in the rural areas allow up to two
additional persons to work in permitted home occupations.
Mr. Franco asked if staff could support putting that condition in as it is with home occupations.
Mr. Clark replied yes that he could support adding that condition. The overall concern is to keep the level
of travel down. Each person coming in theoretically is two trips a day coming and going. So that is not a
large number of trips on the road being added.
Mr. Franco noted if it were a home occupation it could generate that many trips as well. He assumed this
request was going for a special use permit because it was considered more intense. However, it seems
like they ought to at least allow for that impact because it seems pretty re asonable. The hours of
operation was also designed to limit the traffic impacts as well. With the realization that some of this work
may want to be conducted in the evening is the noise ordinance enough to take care of the concerns
about sound for the impacts to the adjacent properties. They have a rural noise ordinance.
Mr. Cilimberg replied from the standpoint of noise it would regulate based on the hours that the noise is
being created and it would not deal with traffic.
Mr. Franco asked if he saw a way of allowing for work to take place in the evenings but not have the
traffic.
Mr. Cilimberg replied that would be hard even on a complaint basis to regulate. He suggested that they
just adjust the hours that are allowed for operation to be in accord with what is reasonable for the
circumstance. It would probably be more about adjusting what is now listed as between 7:30 am and
6:00 p.m.
Mr. Franco noted that it was suggested they use 9:00 a.m. He asked if staff was comfortable if they use
9:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Mr. Clark replied there is a condition that says the actual work has to occur inside the building. If the
garage was run according to the conditions the only activity outside are the arriving and departing of
vehicles and vehicles being shuffled around. He thought with the combination of that condition and the
noise ordinance it would take care of the noise concerns. Neighbors may or may not appreciate the late
hour of traffic like that. Since this is a small use limited to a three -bay garage the amount of traffic added
during those hours is probably not going to compare to that already created by the residential uses on the
road.
Mr. Loach said to some extent staff had answered the questions about the noise. The potential for t he
noise and traffic seemed to be the biggest complaint from the letters and emails staff received. As far as
the garage concerning the exhaust and storage of solvents does the county handle that.
Mr. Clark replied no, those are all state level regulations.
Mr. Cilimberg noted those are also building code regulations, which are county administered in addition to
whatever the state regulations would be.
Mr. Lafferty said he appreciates how much staff has bent over backwards to try to accommodate this.
Obviously, from his standpoint if this was a new project it would never go through. He thought staff has
tried to work with the owner to make it possible.
Mr. Morris agreed. It is right next door and he did not know it existed.
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Mr. Smith noted realistically Mr. Brown only has three bays and he is a man operating by himself. He
questioned how many cars can be coming and going. He felt that the traffic would be negligible with
three bays
Mr. Franco said even if this was a new use it is regulated by a special use permit, which means they
ought to be looking at it. He did not think the use should be prohibited just in general. It is a reasonable
use in the rural areas. It is very low impact. It is the kind of thing seen in the rural area. He did not have
a problem with the use in there even if it was a new use.
Mr. Morris noted that it was located back up in the woods.
Mr. Loach pointed out that it was similar to the garage approved in Earlysville.
Mr. Lafferty pointed out this was within the stream buffer.
Mr. Franco said that made him a little nervous. However, it is an existing disturbance. He was not sure
how the residential disturbances occur any way. It looked like other than some of the parking spaces
they would have been coming in for mitigation. It looks like mitigation has been conditioned as part of
this, and he was comfortable with that.
Mr. Dotson said these are the kind of issues he hates. It is sort of a head/heart issue with the economy
and a person’s livelihood affected being the heart issue. The head issue is he would never put a public
garage in this location and never put structures in the stream buffer. However, the structures are already
there. He thought that mitigates it. If instead of repairing cars he was repairing tractors and farm
equipment it probably would be the same impact. However, he would be more comfortable because it
would seem more appropriate in the rural area. He was trying to get over the fact that it was cars and
simply think of it being repairing things.
Mr. Randolph echoed that sentiment. If they were not presented with the existing structure he totally
agreed with Mr. Lafferty that if it was a new application he thought they would be unanimous in
disapproval. He really wrestles with the issues here similarly. He was not so sure if it was going to be a
local service or whether it was really a service for some dealerships in town that are going to farm out
automobile to have specialized work done at a lower overhead cost. In that case he thought they need to
watch that very closely because they may see more of this happening as dealerships are restricted in
terms of their square footage and their ability to expand. There is going to be more urgency to utilize
spaces like this in the rural areas. However, as long as they are covering the noise considerations that
the neighbor from out of state raised, then he did not think they could do much else with it.
Mr. Kamptner noted the other issue Mr. Wyant raised regarding condition 10 was if there co uld be more
specificity with respect to where the vehicles would be parked outdoors. He did not know if staff could
craft a condition right now. He was not sure if zoning goes out to the site and work with the applicant to
be able to describe the area so that can be placed in the condition when it reaches the Board of
Supervisors. He asked that the motion acknowledge the parking delineation since zoning staff was
shaking their heads in agreement with that.
Mr. Cilimberg noted the plan in attachment C does show parking spaces. Mr. Wyant brought this up and
he also worked on this plan. It does appear that there are more than three locations where those three
vehicles could be parked.
Mr. Franco said the issue Mr. Wyant was bringing to light was that without the special use permit he is
allowed to have two non-functioning or inoperative vehicles on his property. With the special use permit
he would now be limited to not having any on his property outside the garage. What they are trying to do
is allow two personal disabled vehicles to be on the property. That is a question for the Commission
regarding when the home occupations came through there were conditions where someone lost some of
the rights that they might have by right so to speak when they got a home occupation. He asked if the
ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION – FEBRUARY 28, 2012
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Commission would be comfortable allowing that. He was comfortable with it and unless someone objects
he would make that part of the motion.
Mr. Loach asked if there is a duration factor with the disabled vehicles.
Mr. Clark pointed out there are two other conditions that address this issue. Condition 9 says the parking
will only take place in the designated or depicted parking spaces shown on the plan in attachment C.
Condition 5d requires the vehicles not be stored on the site for more that 30 days.
Mr. Franco said what they were going to be asking zoning staff to do is to meet with the applicant to take
the submitted site plan and designate which spaces are associated with the garage. T hese conditions
would apply to those spaces and not to the rest of the site.
Mr. Loach asked if he was saying the garage itself can have two disabled vehicles and the detached
house itself could have an additional two.
Mr. Franco said the garage has to store disabled vehicles in the garage itself.
Mr. Cilimberg said the permit is applicable to the operation for which the permit was requested as a
special use permit. He thought what Mr. W yant was speaking of and the Commission noted was the
clarification if they had their own two inoperative vehicles parked in one of these spaces that are
designated for the three associated with the garage are they going to run into trouble because of that.
That is a zoning question. Staff can work on that between now and the Board meeting to see if further
clarification is necessary. Ron Higgins is here from zoning and he can certainly think about this. If the
Commission just wants to make sure they have that opportunity to clarify, staff can do that between now
and the Board meeting.
Mr. Kamptner said the current regulations require the inoperative vehicles be screened from view. Staff
has been looking at and may be coming forward with a proposed ordinance amendment submitting not
only the regulations pertaining to inoperative vehicles in the zoning ordinance, but in another part of the
County Code. They can’t regulate inoperative vehicles to the extent that they would like to. However,
they may be coming forward with something that will do a little more than they do right now.
Mr. Loach noted it was mentioned in the 29 rezoning the Commission heard not too long ago that
disabled vehicles seemed to be more prone to leakage of fluid, which was what the Commission was
concerned about. That is the only concern he has with that factor.
Mr. Franco asked how he would like to address that.
Mr. Loach replied that if zoning can take care of it and if they are already addressing it that he had no
problem with it. He thought that screening was one thing. However, if they were putting the inope rative
vehicles inside the garage they have much better control over it.
Mr. Clark noted there is also the 30 day limit on the storage of a vehicle.
Mr. Loach said that 30 days is a long time for leakage particularly near the s tream buffer.
Mr. Franco noted the Commission dealt with that issue on 29 north and on Route 20 south. The question
came up about leaking fluids, and t he answer was if it was really damaged to that extent most of the fluid
loses was at the accident site. There was very little leakage once the car had been towed from the wreck
site.
Mr. Smith said the only problem he had was with condition 5d. If anyone had done repair work they know
someone cannot always get the parts they need in 30 days. He was not saying give him 60 days or 90
days, but to say they have to be realistic that it just does not happen.
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Mr. Franco said that was reasonable. He asked does the storage apply to in the garage.
Mr. Clark replied that condition 5 reads anywhere on the site.
Mr. Randolph suggested that 45 days would more appropriate.
Mr. Loach suggested using 30 days as the standard guide. Staff could use common sense with the
enforcement if the ordered parts were not available.
Mr. Morris said he was hearing him say that they at least have proof that action has been taken to order
the parts.
Mr. Loach agreed if they have a receipt that says the part is back ordered it seems that it is reasonable.
He did not think they need to change the 30 days in the condition since it was probably not that common.
He did not think 30 days was the magic number and 45 days would not be a big difference in the
enforcement of it.
Mr. Franco said that is not how the zoning ordinance was written. He thought that 30 or 45 days means
30 or 45 days.
Mr. Loach said they need to have some standard that they can follow so they can handle those who
would abuse it. He did not think in this condition that is the case.
Mr. Cilimberg suggested that Mr. Higgins could speak to this. However, the reality is the violation does
not exist until it is 31 days. If it was complaint driven then they are going to hear at 31 days that
somebody exceeded their 30 day limitation. Then zoning will go out within a few days and talk to them
about it and ask for information and tell them that they need to comply. It is going to end up being 45
days before it probably ends up getting fixed anyway. The reality is that is the time that is going to past
before real enforcement action is taking place beyond them being told they need to ge t this vehicle
repaired because it is beyond 30 days.
Mr. Randolph said the reason for 5d is to ensure that the vehicles don’t just sit there parked leaking fluids
into the nearby adjacent stream.
Motion: Mr. Franco moved and Mr. Lafferty seconded to recommend approval of SP-2010-00042, David
Brown Auto Detailing and Repair, with the conditions as noted in staff’s report with an amendment to the
following conditions:
- condition 2 to allow the hours of operation from 9:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.;
- condition 10 to have staff work with the applicant to define which spaces on the site plan are
associated with the garage and which are associated with the residence,
- condition 9 to be addressed as well for the parking issue; and
- condition 11 to amend it to be consistent with the home occupation allowing two outside
employees.
Mr. Kamptner suggested that condition to read, “There may be up to two additional employees other than
family members who reside in the home on the site associated with this use.”
Mr. Dotson noted as an observation that had there been neighbors to voice concerns he might vote
differently. However, he was prepared to support the request.
The motion was passed by a vote of 7:0.
Mr. Morris noted that SP-2010-00042 David Brown Auto Detailing and Repair would go to the Board of
Supervisors on a date to be determined with a recommendation for approval with the following conditions
as amended.
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1. Development and use shall be in general accord with the conceptual plan titled “Site Plan David
Brown’s Body Shop,” prepared by David C. Wyant, Sr., and dated October 27, 2011 (hereafter
“Concept Plan”), as determined by the Director of Planning and the Zoning Administrator. To be in
general accord with the Concept Plan, development and use shall reflect the following major
elements within the development essential to the design of the development, as shown on the
Concept Plan:
limits of disturbance
location and size of buildings and structures
location of parking areas
extent of paving
environmental features, including the stream and steep slopes on the site
The Zoning Administrator may approve minor modifications to the plan which do not conflict with
the elements above may be made to ensure compliance with the Zoning Ordinance.
2. The hours of operation for the public garage shall not begin earlier than 9:00 a.m. and shall end not
later than 7:30 p.m., each day, Monday through Saturday. The public garage shall not operate on
Sundays.
3. Compliance with the Virginia State Department of Health regarding water supply and septic system
shall be verified by the Health Department prior to issuance of a zoning clearance and the
commencement of the special use.
4. All outdoor lighting shall be only full cut-off fixtures and shall be shielded to reflect light away f rom
all abutting properties. A lighting plan limiting light levels at all property lines to no greater than 0.3
foot candles shall be submitted to the Zoning Administrator or their designee for approval prior to
issuance of a zoning clearance.
5. The following activities are prohibited anywhere on the site:
a. Gasoline sales
b. Installation and/or use of a paint booth
c. Sale or rental of vehicles or other motorized equipment
d. Storage of vehicles on the site for longer than 30 days
e. Outdoor storage of inoperative vehicles, parts, equipment, machinery, and/or junk
6. All detailing and/or repairing of vehicles shall take place inside the existing garage.
7. The impervious surface, including any impervious paving, on the site shall not be expanded beyond
its extent on the date of this application. (November 15, 2010).
8. The permittee shall install and thereafter maintain a minimum twenty (20)-foot deep landscaped
buffer adjacent to the stream. This planting shall use native tree and shrub species listed in
Appendix A of the Riparian Buffers Modification & Mitigation Guidance Manual, published by the
Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation and/or the brochure Native Plants for
Conservation, Restoration, and Landscaping, published by the Virginia Department of Conservatio n
and Recreation. Trees and shrubs shall be planted at the densities specified in Appendix D, Table
A of the Riparian Buffers Modification & Mitigation Guidance Manual, published by the Virginia
Department of Conservation and Recreation. Landscaping shall be installed prior to issuance of a
zoning clearance. No vehicles may be parked or other business or earth -moving activities shall
take place within this buffer.
9. Parking of vehicles associated with the public garage shall take place only in the parking spaces
depicted on the Concept Plan. (Staff to work with the applicant to define which spaces on the
site plan is associated with the garage that is associated with the parking issue.)
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10. There shall be no more than three (3) vehicles awaiting repair or waiting to be picked up after repair
parked outside the garage at any one time. (Staff to work with the applicant to define which
spaces on the site plan is associated with the garage that is associated with the residence.)
11. There may be up to two additional employees other than family members who reside in the home
on the site associated with this use.
12. Approval from the Department of Environmental Quality, if required, shall be required prior to
issuance of the zoning clearance.
13. The use shall not lawfull y commence until the Special Use Permit is approved and all applicable
conditions of approval have been met.
COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
AGENDA TITLE:
Water Protection Ordinance Amendment - WPTA2012-
001, Stream Buffers
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST:
Public hearing and adoption of an ordinance to allow
disturbance of the outer 50 feet of buffer on an
intermittent stream in a water supply protection area
located in a Development Area and with an approved
mitigation plan
STAFF CONTACT(S):
Messrs. Foley, Elliott, Davis, Kamptner, Graham, and
Brooks
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
AGENDA DATE:
May 9, 2012
ACTION: X INFORMATION:
CONSENT AGENDA:
ACTION: INFORMATION:
ATTACHMENTS: Yes
REVIEWED BY:
BACKGROUND:
On April 4, 2012, the Board heard an appeal of a Water Protection Ordinance (WPO) requirement for stream buffers
(Attachment A). In hearing the appeal, the Board confirmed that staff had properly interpreted the ordinance language
in denying the applicant’s request, but concluded that a modified ordinance requirement should be considered to
provide the relief requested and to address similar requests anticipated to occur. The Board instructed staff to draft an
ordinance amendment that would allow disturbance of the outer fifty feet (50’) of a stream buffer for an intermittent
stream in a water supply protection area provided there is an appropriate mitigation plan and it is within a Development
Area. The Board requested that the ordinance amendment be set for public hearing as soon as practicable. The
proposed ordinance amendment is provided as Attachment B.
DISCUSSION:
The ordinance amendment makes one substantive change to the WPO requirements for protection of stream buffers.
The current ordinance allows disturbance of the outer 50’ of the protected buffer only where improvements are
considered necessary to establish a reasonable use of the property and provided an acceptable mitigation plan is
approved by the Program Authority (the Community Development Department). The proposed ordinance would allow
improvements in the outer 50’ of a protected stream buffer for an intermittent stream in a water supply protection area
if the property is located within a Development Area. All other ordinance requirements would remain the same and an
acceptable mitigation plan will still be required before this disturbance can be permitted. This change only affects
intermittent streams in Crozet because the WPO does not require intermittent stream buffers except in rural areas and
water supply protection areas, and Crozet is the only development area that is also a water supply protection area.
Accordingly, Crozet requires a higher stream buffer standard as it drains into the municipal drinking water supply.
With this change, the Crozet Development Area will continue to have a higher standard than other Development Areas
in the County because the inner 50’ of intermittent stream buffers will be required to remain undisturbed from
development that may be authorized by the Program Authority under County Code § 17-321.
BUDGET IMPACT:
Staff does not anticipate budget impacts associated with this ordinance change. It is possible that this change will
result in a need for staff to review additional mitigation plans, but the fee for review of mitigation plans is set to
provide cost recovery.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
After the public hearing, staff recommends the Board adopt the proposed ordinance (Attachment B).
ATTACHMENTS
A – Beard Appeal of Stream Buffer Determination in Crozet
B – Proposed Water Protection Ordinance Amendment
Return to agenda
COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
AGENDA TITLE:
W ater Protection Odinance – Appeal of Decision by the
Program Authority Under County Code § 17-321
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST:
Appeal of Decision by the Program Authority Under
County Code § 17-321 to Not Authorize Parking Spaces
to be Located in a Stream Buffer
STAFF CONTACT(S):
Messrs. Foley, Elliott, Davis, Kamptner, Graham and
Brooks
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
AGENDA DATE:
April 4, 2012
ACTION: X INFORMATION:
CONSENT AGENDA:
ACTION: INFORMATION:
ATTACHMENTS: Yes
REVIEWED BY:
BACKGROUND
Beard Enterprises LLC (“Beard”) requested that the Department of Community Development, which administers the
Water Protection Ordinance (County Code Chapter 17) as its “Program Authority,” authorize it to establish parking
spaces and a stormwater management facility in the stream buffer on Tax Map and Parcel Number 056A1-01-00-
12200 (the “Parcel”) as provided under County Code § 17-321 (Attachment A). The Parcel is 0.64 acres in size, zoned
Downtown Crozet District (DCD) and currently has no improvements on it. The Parcel is subject to a portion of a 100-
foot stream buffer that originates from an off -site stream behind the Parcel. The Program Authority authorized the
stormwater management facility, but not the parking spaces, to be established in the stream buffer (Attachment B).
The Program Authority’s reason to not authorize the parking spaces was because those spaces that would be located
in the stream buffer were in excess of the number of spaces required by the Zoning Ordinance, and therefore, were
not necessary to allow a reasonable use of the lot.
Beard has appealed the Program Authority’s decision regarding the parking spaces under County Code
§ 17-311 (Attachment C). County Code § 17-311(B) provides that, on an appeal, “the board of supervisors shall
consider evidence and opinion presented by the aggrieved person, the program authority, and such other persons as
shall be deemed by the board to be necessary for a complete review of the matter.” County Code § 17-311(B) also
provides that the board “may affirm, reverse or modify the program authority's action.”
DISCUSSION
County Code § 17-319 declares that stream buffers retard runoff, prevent erosion, filter nonpoint source pollution from
runoff, moderate stream temperature, and provide for the ecological integrity of stream corridors and networks.
County Code § 17-317(D) provides that each “stream buffer shall be maintained and incorporated into the design of
the land development to the fullest extent possible.”
County Code § 17-321 allows the Program Authority to authorize development in a stream buffer for limited purposes,
and it provides in relevant part:
Development in a stream buffer may be authorized by the program authority in the circumstances
described below, provided that a mitigation plan is submitted to, and approved, by the program
authority pursuant to section 17-322:
1. on a lot within the fifty (50) horizontal feet of stream buffer that is the m ost landward (furthest from
the stream) for necessary infrastructure to allow reasonable use of the lot. In all cases
under this paragraph, any new building site and sewage disposal system shall be located outside
the stream buffer; (boldface added)
The terms “necessary” and “reasonable” are fundamental to the Program Authority’s decision. In the context of
County Code § 17-321 and this appeal, “necessary” means “that which cannot be done without,” “essential” or
“indispensable” and “reasonable” means “not excessive.” Webster’s Third New International Dictionary (2002).
Because Beard could provide sufficient parking for its proposed use to satisfy the Zoning Ordinance without locating
additional parking spaces within the stream buffer, the Program Authority determined that the additional parking
spaces were not necessary “to allow reasonable use of the Parcel.”
AGENDA TITLE: Water Protection Odinance – Appeal of Decision by the Program Authority Under County Code
§ 17-321
April 4, 2012
Page 2
The Program Authority’s decision as to what is reasonable in this case is consistent with its longstanding interpretation
of County Code § 17-321(1). The Program Authority’s decision is also consistent with the directive in County Code
§ 17-103 in that, because the Water Protection Ordinance “protects paramount public interests,” it is to be “liberally
construed to effectuate its several purposes.” As relevant to stream buffers, those purposes include inhibiting “the
deterioration of state waters and waterways resulting from land disturbing activities,” controlling “nonpoint source
pollution, erosion and sedimentation, and stream channel erosion,” maintaining “the integrity of existing stream
channels and networks for their biological functions, drainage, and natural recharge of groundwater,” and protecting
“the condition of state waters for all reasonable public uses and ecological functions.” County Code § 17-102(1), (4)
and (6).
While it is true that the Program Authority’s decision does not allow Beard’s Parcel to be developed as intensively as it
desires, the excess parking spaces are not necessary to Beard’s proposed use.
BUDGET IMPACT
None
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Board affirm the decision of the Program Authority.
ATTACHMENTS
A. Applicant’s Initial Request
B. Response letter
C. Beard’s Appeal Request
D. Beard Appeal Map
Draft: 04/27/12
1
ORDINANCE NO. 12-17( )
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 17, WATER PROTECTION, OF THE CODE OF THE COUNTY
OF ALBEMARLE, VIRGINIA, BY AMENDING ARTICLE III, STORMWATER MANAGEMENT AND
WATER QUALITY
BE IT ORDAINED By the Board of Supervisors of the County of Albemarle, Virginia, that Chapter 17, Water
Protection, Article III, Stormwater Management and Water Quality, is amended and reordained as follows:
By Amending:
Sec. 17-321 Types of development which may be allowed in stream buffer by program authority
Chapter 17. Water Protection
Article III. Stormwater Management and Water Quality
Sec. 17-321 Types of development which may be allowed in stream buffer by program authority.
Development in a stream buffer may be authorized by the program authority in the circumstances
described below, provided that a mitigation plan is submitted to, and approved, by the program authority pursuant
to section 17-322:
1. on a lot within the fifty (50) horizontal feet of stream buffer that is the most landward (furthest
from the stream) if the development either: (i) would be for necessary infrastructure to allow reasonable use of the
lot; or (ii) would be on a lot that is within a water supply protection area where the stream buffer protects an
intermittent stream and the lot is within a development area. In all cases under this paragraph, any new building
site and sewage disposal system shall be located outside the stream buffer;
2. on a lot on which the development in the stream buffer will consist of a lake, pond, or
ecological/wetland restoration project;
3. on a lot on which the development in the stream buffer will consist of the construction and
maintenance of a road, street or driveway that would not satisfy the requirements of section 17-320(D) and the
program authority determines that the stream buffer would prohibit access to the lot necessary for the lot to be
used and developed as permitted in the underlying zoning district and under the applicable regulations of the
subdivision ordinance, or to establish more than one stream crossing;
4. on a lot which was of record prior to the date of adoption of this chapter, on which the
development in the stream buffer will consist of the construction, installation and maintenance of water and sewer
facilities or sewage disposal systems, and the program authority determines that the stream buffer would prohibit
the practicable development of such facilities or systems. Any such sewage disposal system must comply with all
applicable state laws; and
5. on a lot which was of record prior to the date of adoption of this chapter, if the stream buffer
would result in the loss of a building site, and there are no other available building sites outside the stream buffer
on the lot, or to allow redevelopment as permitted in the underlying zoning district.
(§ 19.3-45, 2-11-98; § 19.2-8, 6-19-91, § 8; Code 1988, § § 19.2-8, 19.3-45; Ord. 98-A(1), 8-5-98; Ord. 08-17(1),
2-6-08; Ord. 08-17(2), 5-7-08; Ord. 11-17(1), 10-5-11)
State law reference--Va. Code § 10.1-2108.
Draft: 04/27/12
2
I, Ella W. Jordan, do hereby certify that the foregoing writing is a true, correct copy of an Ordinance duly adopted
by the Board of Supervisors of Albemarle County, Virginia, by a vote of _____ to _____, as recorded below, at a
regular meeting held on _________________________.
__________________________________
Clerk, Board of County Supervisors
Aye Nay
Mr. Boyd ____ ____
Mr. Dumler ____ ____
Ms. Mallek ____ ____
Mr. Rooker ____ ____
Mr. Snow ____ ____
Mr. Thomas ____ ____
COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE
Department of Community Development
401 McIntire Road, Room 227
Charlottesville, Virginia 22902-4596
Phone (434) 296-5832 Fax (434) 972-4126
MEMORANDUM
TO: File
FROM: Glenn Brooks, County Engineer
DATE: April 2, 2012
RE: ZTA201200002 & STA201200001 Water/Sewer Regulations
The Albemarle County Planning Commission, at its meeting on March 20, 2012, by a vote of 7:0,
recommended approval of the above-noted Zoning Text Amendment & Subdivision Text Amendment to
the Board of Supervisors.
The Board is scheduled to hold a public hearing on this item at its May 2nd meeting.
Attachments
Recommended Ordinance
Staff Report and Attachments
PC minutes of February 28 and March 20, 2012
Return to agenda
ZTA-2012-00002 Water/Sewer Regulations – Recommended Revisions to Zoning Ordinance
ORDINANCE NO. 12-18( )
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 18, ZONING, ARTICLE I, GENERAL PROVISIONS, ARTICLE
II, BASIC REGULATIONS, AND ARTICLE III, DISTRICT REGULATIONS, OF THE CODE OF THE
COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE, VIRGINIA
BE IT ORDAINED By the Board of Supervisors of the County of Albemarle, Virginia, that Chapter 18,
Zoning, Article I, General Regulations, Article II, Basic Regulations, and Article III, District Regulations,
are hereby amended and reordained as follows:
By Amending:
Sec. 3.1 Definitions
Sec. 4.2 Critical slopes
Sec. 4.2.1 Building site required
Sec. 4.2.2 Building site area and dimensions
Sec. 4.2.3 Location of structures and improvements
Sec. 4.2.4 Location of septic systems
Sec. 4.7 Open space
Sec. 5.1.43 Special events
Sec. 5.1.44 Farm worker housing
Sec. 10.5.2 Where permitted by special use permit
By Amending and Renaming:
Current New
Sec. 4.1 Area and health regulations related to utilities Water supplies and sewer
systems
By Repealing:
Sec. 4.1.1 Untitled
Sec. 4.1.2 Untitled
Sec. 4.1.3 Untitled
Sec. 4.1.4 Untitled
Sec. 4.1.5 Untitled
Sec. 4.1.6 Untitled
Sec. 4.1.7 Untitled
Chapter 18. Zoning
Article I. General Regulations
Sec. 3.1 Definitions
. . .
Alternative onsite sewage system: A treatment works approved by the Virginia Department of Health that
is not a conventional onsite sewage system and does not result in a point source discharge.
. . .
Central Sewerage System: A sewerage system consisting of pipelines or conduits, pumping stations,
force mains or sewerage treatment plants, including, but not limited to, septic tanks and/or drain fields, or
any of them, designed to serve three (3) or more connections, used for conducting or treating sewage
which is required to be approved by the board of supervisors pursuant to Title 15.2, Chapter 21, Article 4
of the Code.
. . .
Central Water Supply: A water supply consisting of a well, springs or other source and the necessary
pipes, conduits, mains, pumping stations and other facilities in connection therewith, to serve or to be
capable of serving three (3) or more connections which is required to be approved by the board of
supervisors pursuant to Title 15.2, Chapter 21, Article 6 of the Code.
. . .
Conventional onsite sewage system: A treatment works approved by the Virginia Department of Health
consisting of one or more septic tanks with gravity, pumped, or siphoned conveyance to a gravity
distributed subsurface drainfield.
. . .
Critical slopes: Slopes of twenty-five (25) percent or greater as determined by reference to either current
topographic mapping available from the county or a more accurate field survey certified by a professional
surveyor or engineer.
. . .
Onsite sewage system: A conventional onsite sewage system or an alternative onsite sewage system.
. . .
Subsurface drainfield: A system installed within the soil and designed to accommodate treated sewage
from a treatment works.
. . .
Treatment works: Any device or system used in the storage, treatment, disposal or reclamation of sewage
or combinations of sewage and industrial wastes, including but not limited to pumping, power and other
equipment and appurtenances, septic tanks, and any works, including land, that are or will be (i) an
integral part of the treatment process or (ii) used for ultimate disposal of residues or effluents resulting
from such treatment.
Article II. Basic Regulations
Sec. 4.1 Area and health regulations related to utilities Water supplies and sewer systems
(Amended 6-3-81)
The following regulations shall apply to all districts:
It is specifically intended that the public water supply and public sewerage system be utilized within the
service areas of the Albemarle County Service Authority. Within such service areas, provisions of section
6.0 and other provisions of section 4.1 notwithstanding, no building permit shall be issued for any building
or structure, including mobile homes, the use of which requires increased water consumption and/or
sewage disposal, unless the building or structure shall be provided with public water and/or public
sewerage system service. This requirement, however, shall not apply to the following situations and
circumstances:
a. Whenever a structure is damaged as a result of factors beyond the control of the owner and/or
occupant thereof, such structure may be repaired and/or reconstructed provided that such repair
and/or reconstruction shall be commenced within twelve (12) months a nd completed within twenty-
four (24) months from the date of such damage; and provided further that such structure shall not be
repaired and/or reconstructed in such manner as to reasonably cause an increase in water usage
and/or sewage disposal demand; or
b. The director of planning and community development in consultation with the Albemarle County
Service Authority finds that the cost of connecting the proposed development to the public water
and/or sewerage system, exclusive of connection fees, exceeds the cost of installing an on-site well
and/or septic system; or
c. The director of planning and community development in consultation with the Albemarle County
Service Authority finds that the capacity of the public water and/or sewerage system is inadeq uate to
serve the proposed development.
Except for (a) above, the foregoing provisions shall not provide relief from §§ 4.1.1 through 4.1.7. (Added
1-3-96)
4.1.1 For a parcel served by both a central water supply and a central sewer system, the minimum
area requirements of the district in which such parcel is located shall apply.
4.1.2 For a parcel served by either a central water supply or a central sewer system, there shall be
provided a minimum area of forty thousand (40,000) square feet per commercial or industrial
establishment or per dwelling unit as the case may be.
4.1.3 For a parcel served by neither a central water supply nor a central sewer system, there shall
be provided a minimum of sixty thousand (60,000) square feet per commercial or indu strial
establishment or per dwelling unit as the case may be.
4.1.4 The provisions of sections 4.1.2 and 4.1.3 notwithstanding, in such cases where a greater
minimum area is required by the regulations of the district in which the parcel is located, said
district regulations shall apply.
4.1.5 In the case of unusual soil conditions or other physical factors which may impair the health
and safety of the neighborhood, upon the recommendation of the Virginia Department of
Health, the commission may increase the area requirements for uses utilizing other than a
public sewer system.
4.1.6 For lots not served by a central sewer system, no building permit shall be issued for any
building or structure, the use of which involves sewage disposal, without written ap proval
from the local office of the Virginia Department of Health of the location and area for both
original and future replacement septic disposal fields adequate to serve such use. For
residential usage, at a minimum, each septic disposal field shall consist of suitable soils of
adequate area to accommodate sewage disposal from a three (3) bedroom dwelling as
determined by current regulations of the Virginia Department of Health. (Amended 11-15-89)
4.1.7 In a cluster development, open space may be used for septic field location only after the
septic field locations on such lot are determined to be inadequate by the local office of the
Virginia Department of Health. (Added 6-3-81)
The water supply and sewer system serving either a development or any ind ividual lot shall comply with
the following:
a. Public water supply and public sewer system within the services areas of the Albemarle County
Service Authority. Within the services areas of the Albemarle County Service Authority (the
“service areas”), each development and each lot shall be served by the public water supply and
the public sewer system. Within the service areas, no building permit shall be issued for any
structure if its use requires increased water consumption and/or sewage disposal, unless the
structure will be connected to the public water supply and/or the public sewer system. Connection
to the public water supply and/or the public sewer system is not required in the following
circumstances:
1. Existing structure damaged. When an existing structure is damaged as a result of factors
beyond the control of its owner and/or occupant, the structure may be repaired or
reconstructed provided that the repair or reconstruction is commenced within twelve (12)
months and completed within twenty-four (24) months after the date of the damage, and
further provided that the structure is not repaired or reconstructed so as to increase the
number of water supply or sewage fixtures.
2. Cost of connection to public water supply or public sewer system ex ceeds cost of onsite
sewage system. When the Albemarle County Service Authority finds that the cost of
connecting the proposed development or lot to the public water supply and/or the public
sewer system, exclusive of connection fees, exceeds the cost of installing an on-site well
and/or an onsite sewage system.
3. Capacity of public water supply or public sewer system is inadequate . When the
Albemarle County Service Authority finds that the capacity of the public water supply
and/or the public sewer system is inadequate to serve the proposed development or lot.
4. Nonconforming use or structure. The structure is used for a nonconforming use and
satisfies the requirements of section 6.2(C) or the structure is nonconforming and
satisfies the requirements of section 6.3.
b. Water supply and sewer system when development or lot not connected to the public water
supply and/or the public sewer system. When a development or a lot is not or will not be
connected to the public water supply and/or the public sewer system, the following shall apply,
except when an existing structure is damaged as provided in section 4.1(a)(1):
1. Lots served by an alternative onsite sewage system. On any lot served by an alternative
onsite sewage system, no building permit shall be issued for any structure, the use of
which requires sewage disposal, without the Virginia Department of Health’s approval of
the location and area for the alternative onsite sewage system.
2. Lots served by a conventional onsite sewage system. On any lot served by a
conventional onsite sewage system, no building permit shall be issued for any structure,
the use of which requires sewage disposal, without the Virginia Department of Health’s
approval of the location and area for both an original and a replacement subsurface
drainfield that is adequate to serve the use. For residential uses, each subsurface
drainfield shall have suitable soils of adequate area to accommodate sewage disposal
from a three (3) bedroom dwelling as determined by the current regulations of the Virginia
Department of Health.
Sec. 4.2 Critical slopes
These provisions in this section through section 4.2.5 are created to implement the comprehensive plan
by protecting and conserving steep hillsides together with public drinking water supplies and flood plain
areas and in recognition of because of the increased potential for soil erosion, sedimentation, water
pollution and septic disposal sewage disposal problems associated with the development disturbance of
those areas described in the comprehensive plan as critical slopes. It is hereby recognized that such
development of The disturbance of critical slopes may result in: rapid and/or large-scale movement of soil
and rock; excessive stormwater run-off; siltation of natural and man-made bodies of water; loss of
aesthetic resource; and in the event of septic system onsite sewage system failure, a greater travel
distance of septic effluent, all of which constitute potential dangers to the public health, safety and/or
welfare. These provisions The regulations in sections 4.2.1, 4.2.2, 4.2.3 and 4.2.4 are intended to direct
building and septic system onsite sewage system locations to terrain more suitable to development and to
discourage development on critical slopes, and to supplement other regulations regarding the protection
of public water supplies and the encroachment of development into flood plains. (Amended 11-15-89)
Where modification of regulations is sought pursuant to section 4.2.5, such request shall address each
concern specified in section 4.2. Each request to waive or modify any requirement of sections 4.2.1,
4.2.2, 4.2.3 or 4.2.4 under section 4.2.5 shall be by special exception under section 31.8. (Added 11-15-
89)
Sec. 4.2.1 Building site required
No lot or parcel shall have less than one (1) building site, subject to the following:.
a. Composition of building site. A building site shall be composed of a contiguous area of land and
may not contain any area of land that is: (i) in critical slopes; (ii) withi n the flood hazard overlay
district; (iii) under water during normal hydrological conditions; (iv) within two hundred (200)
horizontal feet of the one hundred year flood plain of any public water supply reservoir; and (v)
within a stream buffer under chapter 17 of the Code, provided that nothing contained herein shall
be deemed to prohibit or impair the program authority from exercising its discretion as authorized
in chapter 17. For purposes of this section, the term “building site” shall mean a contiguou s area
of land in slopes of less than twenty-five (25) percent as determined by reference to either
topographic quadrangle maps of the Geological Survey - U. S. Department of Interior (contour
interval twenty [20] feet) or a source determined by the county engineer to be of superior
accuracy, exclusive of:
-Such area as may be located in the flood hazard overlay district or which is located under water;
-Such area as may be located within two hundred (200) horizontal feet of the one hundred year
flood plain of any public drinking water impoundment or within one hundred (100) horizontal feet
of the edge of any tributary stream to such impoundment; (Amended 11-11-87)
-Such area as may be designated as resource protection areas on the resource protection areas
map adopted pursuant to chapter 17 of the Code of Albemarle; provided that nothing contained
herein shall be deemed to prevent or impair the water resources manager from exercise of
discretion as set forth in that ordinance. (Added 9-9-92)
b. Special exception. Notwithstanding section 4.2.5, any requirement of section 4.2.1(a) may be
waived or modified by special exception under section 31.8 upon the board of supervisors’
consideration of whether (i) the parcel has an unusual size, topography, shape, location or other
unusual physical condition; or (ii) development in a stream buffer on the parcel was authorized as
provided in section 17-321 of the Code.
Sec. 4.2.2 Building site area and dimensions
Each building site shall be subject to the following minimum area and dimension requirements: (Amended
10-17-01)
a. Uses not served by a public or central sewerage sewage system. Building sites for uses not
served by a public or central sewerage sewage system shall be subject to the following:
(Amended 11-15-89; 10-17-01)
1. Dwelling units. Each building site for a dwelling unit shall have an area of thirty thousand
(30,000) square feet or greater and shall be of such dimensions that no one dimension
exceeds any other by a ratio of more than five (5) to one (1) as described by a rectangle
inscribed within the building site. The building site shall have adequate area for locating
two (2) septic drain fields subsurface drainfields approved by the Virginia Department of
Health pursuant to section 4.1 of this chapter if the lot will be served by a conventional
onsite sewage system . (Amended 11-15-89; 10-17-01)
2. Development subject to section 32 of this chapter. Each building site in a development
subject to section 32 of this chapter shall have an area of thirty thousand (30,000) square
feet or greater and shall be of such dimensions that no one dimension exceeds any other
by a ratio of more than five (5) to one (1) as described by a rectangle inscribed within the
building site. The building site shall have adequate area for all buildings and structures,
two (2) septic drain fields subsurface drainfields approved by the Virginia Department of
Health pursuant to section 4.1 of this chapter if the lot will be served by a conventional
onsite sewage system , parking and loading areas, storage yards and other
improvements, and all earth disturbing activity related to the improvements. (Added 11-
15-89; Amended 10-17-01)
3. Modification or waiver Special exception. Notwithstanding section 4.2.5 of this chapter,
the director of planning and community development may modify or waive the rectangular
shape required by subsections (1) and (2) if, may be waived or modified by special
exception under section 31.8 if, after receiving the recommendation from the Virginia
Department of Health, the director of planning and community development finds, upon
the board of supervisors’ consideration of the recommendation from the Virginia
Department of Health and based on information provided by the developer showing, that:
(i) the parcel has an unusual size, topography, shape, location or other unusual physical
condition; (ii) no reasonable alternative building site exists; and (iii) modifying or waiving
the rectangular shape would result in less degradation of the parcel or adjacent parcels
than if those dimensions were adhered to. (Added 10-17-01)
4. Appeal. A developer may appeal the denial of a modification or waiver to the planning
commission and, thereafter, to the board of supervisors, pursuant to section 4.2.5.
(Added 10-17-01)
b. Uses served by a central sewerage sewage system. Building sites for uses served by a central
sewerage sewage system shall be demonstrated by the applicant to have adequate area, as
follows: (Amended 10-17-01)
1. Residential development. Each building site in a residential development shall have
adequate area for all dwelling unit(s) together with an area equivalent to the sum of the
applicable required yard areas for the applicable zoning district and, if parking is provided
in bays, the parking area. (Added 11-15-89; Amended 10-17-01)
2. Development subject to section 32 of this chapter. Each building site in a development
subject to section 32 of this chapter shall have adequate area for all structures, parking
and loading areas, storage yards and other improvements, and all earth disturbing
activity related to the improvements. (Added 11-15-89; Amended 10-17-01)
(§ (4.2.2, 12-10-80; § 4.2.2, 4.2.2.1, 11-15-89; Ord. 01-18(7), 10-17-01)
Sec. 4.2.3 Location of structures and improvements
Except as otherwise permitted pursuant to provided in section 4.2.2, the provisions of this section shall
apply applies to the location of any structure for which a permit is required under the Uniform Statewide
Building Code and to any improvement shown on a site development plan pursuant to section 32.0 of this
chapter. (Amended 11-15-89; 10-17-01)
(§ 4.2.3, 12-10-80, 11-15-89; Ord. 01-18(7), 10-17-01)
4.2.3.1a. No structure or improvement shall be located on any lot or parcel in any area other than a
building site. (Amended 11-15-89)
4.2.3.2b. No structure or improvement nor earth No structure, improvement, or land disturbing
activity to establish such the structure or improvement shall be located on critical slopes
of twenty-five (25) percent or greater except as otherwise permitted under sections 4.2.5,
4.2.6 and 4.3.01.
Sec. 4.2.4 Location of septic systems onsite sewage systems (Amended 11-11-87)
In the review for and issuance of a permit for the installation of a septic system an onsite sewage system,
the Virginia Department of Health shall should be mindful of the intent of this section 4.2, and particularly
mindful of the intent to discourage location of septic tanks and/or drain fields onsite sewage systems on
slopes of twenty (20) percent or greater. Septic system location shall be restricted to Any onsite sewage
system shall be located within the approved a building site. (Amended 11-1-87; 9-9-92)
Sec. 4.7 Open space
Open space shall be established, used, designed and maintained as follows:
a. Intent. Open space is intended to provide active and passive recreation, protect areas sensitive
to development, buffer dissimilar uses from one another and preserve agricultural activities. The
commission and the board of supervisors shall consider the establishment, use, design and
maintenance of open space in their review and approval of zoning map amendments. The
subdivision agent and the site plan agent (hereinafter, collectively referred to as the “agent”) shall
apply the following principles when reviewing open space provided on a subdivision plat or site
plan.
b. Uses permitted. Open space shall be maintained in a natural state and shall not be developed
with any improvements, provided that the agent may authorize the open space to be used and
improved for the following purposes: (i) agriculture, forestry and fisheries, including appropriate
structures; (ii) game preserves, wildlife sanctuaries and similar uses; (iii) noncommercial
recreational uses and structures; (iv) public utilities; (v) individual wells and treatment works with
subsurface drainfields (reference section 4.1.7) (vi) in a cluster development, onsite sewage
systems if the Department of Health determines that there are no suitable locations for a
subsurface drainfield on a development lot; and (vii) stormwater management facilities and flood
control devices.
c. Design. Open space shall be designed as follows:
1. Lands that may be required. The agent may require that open space include: (i) areas
deemed inappropriate for or prohibited to development including, but not limited to, land
in the one-hundred year flood plain and significant drainage swales, land in slopes of
twenty-five (25) percent or greater, public utility easements for transmission lines,
stormwater management facilities and flood control devices, and lands having permanent
or seasonally high water tables; (ii) areas to satisfy section 4.16, and (iii) areas to provide
reasonable buffering between dissimilar uses within the development and between the
development and adjoining properties.
2. Redesign during review. The agent may require the redesign of a proposed development
to accommodate open space areas as may be required under this section 4.7, provided
that the redesign shall not reduce the number of dwelling units permitted under the
applicable zoning district.
3. Limitation on certain elements. If open space is required by this chapter, not more than
eighty (80) percent of the minimum required open space shall consist of the foll owing: (i)
land located within the one-hundred year flood plain; (ii) land subject to occasional,
common or frequent flooding as defined in Table 16 Soil and Water Features of the
United States Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service, Soil Survey of
Albemarle County, Virginia, August, 1985; (iii) land in slopes of twenty-five (25) percent or
greater critical slopes; and (iv) land devoted to stormwater management facilities or flood
control devices, except where the facility or feature is incorporated into a permanent
pond, lake or other water feature deemed by the agent to constitute a desirable open
space amenity.
d. Ownership of open space. Open space may be privately owned or dedicated to public use. Open
space in private ownership shall be subject to a legal instrument ensuring the maintenance and
preservation of the open space that is approved by the agent and the county attorney in
conjunction with the approval of the subdivision plat or site plan. Open space dedicated to public
use shall be dedicated to the county in the manner provided by law. Open space dedicated to
public use shall count toward the minimum required open space.
(12-10-80, §§ 4.7, 4.7.1, 4.7.2, 4.7.3, 4.7.4; 6-3-81, 11-15-89; Ord. 09-18(1), 1-14-09, § 4.7)
Sec. 5.1.43 Special events
Each special event authorized by section 10.2.2(50) shall be subject to the following:
a. Eligibility and applicability. Special events may be authorized on those parcels in the Rural Areas
(RA) zoning district on which there is an existing and ongoing by-right (section 10.2.1) primary
use. A special event special use permit issued under section 10.2.2(50) and this section shall not
be required for special events associated with farm wineries or historical centers, or for events
determined by the zoning administrator to be accessory to a primary use of the parcel.
b. Information to be submitted with application for special use permit. In addition to any information
otherwise required to be submitted for a special use permit, each app lication for a special use
permit shall include the following:
1. Concept plan. A preliminary schematic plan (the “concept plan”) satisfying section
32.4.1. The concept plan shall identify the structure(s) to be used for the special event,
include the area of the structure(s) in which the proposed special events will be
conducted, the parking area, and the entrance to the site from the street. The concept
plan shall address, in particular, provisions for safe and convenient access to and from
the street, the location of the parking area, the location of portable toilets if they may be
required, proposed screening as required by this section for parking areas and portable
toilets, and information regarding the exterior appearance of the proposed site. Ba sed on
the concept plan and other information submitted, the board of supervisors may then
waive the requirement for a site plan in a particular case, upon a finding that the
requirement of a site plan would not forward the purposes of this chapter or othe rwise
serve the public interest.
2. Information from the Virginia Department of Health. The applicant shall submit written
comments from the Virginia Department of Health regarding the private water supply and
the septic disposal system onsite sewage system that will serve the proposed special
event site, the ability of the water supply and the septic disposal system onsite sewage
system to handle the proposed events, and the need to improve the supply or the system
in order to handle the proposed events.
3. Building and fire safety. The building official and the county department of fire and
rescue shall review and comment on the application, identifying all Virginia Uniform
Statewide Building Code and Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code issues and
requirements.
c. Zoning compliance clearance. The applicant shall obtain a zoning compliance clearance under
section 31.5 prior to conducting a special event. A single zoning clearance may be obtained for
one (1) or more such special events in a calendar year as follows:
1. The zoning administrator may issue a single zoning compliance clearance for more than
one (1) special event if: (i) the application submitted by the applicant includes the
required information in subsection 5.1.43(c)(3) for each special event to be covered by
the zoning compliance clearance: (ii) the zoning administrator determines that each
special event is substantially similar in nature and size; and (iii) the zoning administrator
determines that a single set of conditions that would apply to each such special event
may be imposed with the zoning compliance clearance.
2. The applicant shall apply for a zoning compliance clearance at least thirty (30) days prior
to the date of the first special event to be authorized by the zoning compliance clearance.
The application shall be submitted to the zoning administrator, who shall forward copies
of the application to the county police department, the county building official, the county
department of fire and rescue, and the local offic e of the Virginia Department of Health.
As part of his review, the building official shall determine whether the structure(s)
proposed to be used for the special events satisfies the requirements of the Virginia
Uniform Statewide Building Code for that use.
3. The application shall describe the nature of each special event to be authorized by the
zoning compliance clearance, the date or dates and hours of operation of each such
special event, the facilities, structures to be used, and the number of participants and
support staff expect to attend each special event.
4. Upon a determination that all requirements of the zoning ordinance and all conditions of
the special use permit are satisfied, and imposing all conditions of such approval required
by the offices identified in subsection 5.1.43(c)(2), the zoning administrator shall issue a
zoning compliance clearance for one or more special events. The validity of the zoning
compliance clearance shall be conditional upon the applicant’s compliance with all
requirements of the zoning ordinance, all conditions of the approved special use permit,
the approved concept plan or site plan, and all conditions imposed by the zoning
compliance clearance.
d. Special events sites and structures. In addition to all other applicable requirements of this
chapter, special events sites and structures shall be subject to the following:
1. Structures used for special events. Each structure used for a special event shall satisfy
the following: (i) the structure shall have been in existence on the date of adoption of this
section 5.1.43, provided that this requirement shall not apply to accessory structures less
than one hundred fifty (150) square feet in size; (ii) the structure shall be a lawful
conforming structure and shall support or have supported a lawful use of the property;
and (iii) modifications to farm buildings or farm structures as those terms are defined in
Virginia Code § 36-97 shall allow the structure to revert to an agricultural use, as
determined by the building official.
2. Minimum yards. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the minimum front
yard shall be seventy-five (75) feet. The minimum side yard shall be twenty-five feet (25)
feet. The minimum rear yard shall be thirty-five (35) feet. All yards shall be measured
from structures and off-street parking areas. These minimum yard requirements shall
apply to all accessory structures established after the effective date of this section 5.1.43
and all tents, parking areas and portable toilets used in whole or in part to serve special
events.
3. Parking. The number of off-street parking spaces for a special event shall be as required
in section 4.12.6. Notwithstanding section 4.12.15(a) through (g), the additional parking
area(s) for special events shall consist of or be constructed of pervious materials
including, but not limited to stabilized turf, approved by the county engineer. Asphalt and
impervious materials are prohibited. If the parking area is on grass or in a field, the
applicant shall reseed and restore the parking area site as required by the zoning
administrator. In addition to the requirements of section 4.12.5, the parking area shall be
onsite and screened from abutting parcels by topography, structures or new or existing
landscaping. Notwithstanding section 4.12.16(d) and (e), the delineation of parking
spaces and the provision of bumper blocks shall not be required.
4. Water and sewer. The private water supply and septic disposal system onsite sewage
system serving a special event shall be approved by the Virginia Department of Health.
5. Streets and access. Streets serving the site shall be adequate for anticipated traffic
volume for a special event. Access from the street onto the site shall be a dequate to
provide safe and convenient access to the site, and applicant shall install all required
improvements and provide adequate sight distance in order to provide safe and
convenient access.
e. Special events operations. In addition to all other applicable requirements of this chapter, special
events operations shall be subject to the following:
1. Number of participants. The number of participants at a special event at any one time
shall not exceed one hundred fifty (150) persons
2. Number of special events per year. The special use permit shall identify the number of
approved special events per calendar year, which number shall not exceed twenty -four
(24).
3. Signs. Permanent and temporary signs advertising a special event shall be permitted as
provided in sections 4.15.4, 4.15.4A and 4.15.8.
4. Food service. No kitchen facility permitted by the Virginia Department of Health as a
commercial kitchen shall be allowed on the site. A kitchen may be used by licensed
caterers for the handling, warming and distribution of food, but not for cooking food, to be
served at a special event.
5. Portable toilets. If required, portable toilets are permitted on the site, provided that they
comply with the yard requirements in section 5.1.43(d)(2) and shall be screened from that
parcel and any street by topography, structures or new or existing landscaping.
f. Prohibition of development to a more intensive use. A parcel subject to a special events special
use permit shall not be subdivided so as to create one or more parcels, including the parent
parcel, of less than twenty-one acres in size without first amending the special use permit to
expressly authorize the subdivision. If a parcel is so subdivided without first amending the special
use permit, special events shall thereafter be prohibited on the resulting parcels unless a new
special use permit is obtained.
(Ord. 05-18(8), 7-13-05)
Sec. 5.1.44 Farm worker housing
Each farm worker housing facility shall be subject to the following:
a. Concept plan to be submitted with application for farm worker housing. Before applying for the
first building permit for a farm worker housing, Class A, facility, or in addition to any other
information required to be submitted for a farm worker housing, Class B, special use permit, the
applicant shall submit a concept plan meeting the requirements of section 5.1.44(b).
b. Contents of concept plan. The concept plan shall show the following: (i) the boundary lines of the
farm (may be shown on an inset map if necessary); (ii) the location and general layout of the
proposed structures at a scale of not more than one (1) inch equals forty (40) feet; (iii) vehicular
access, travelways and parking for the facility; (iv) topography (with a contour interval of no
greater than ten (10) feet); (v) critical slopes; (vi) streams, stream buffers and floodplains; (vii)
source(s) of water for fire suppression; (viii) building setback lines as provided in subsection
5.1.44(g) below; and (ix) outdoor lighting. The concept plan also shall include a written
description of each structure’s construction and materials used, and the number of persons to be
housed in the farm worker housing facility.
c. Notice of receipt of concept plan to abutting owners . The zoning administrator shall send notice
of the receipt of a concept plan as follows:
1. Farm worker housing, Class A, facility: For each concept plan received for a farm worker
housing, Class A, facility, the zoning administrator shall send notice to the owner of e ach
lot abutting the parcel for which a concept plan has been received within ten (10) days
after submittal of the concept plan deemed by the zoning administrator to be complete.
The notice shall include a copy of the concept plan and shall advise each re cipient of the
right to submit written comments within ten (10) days of the date of the notice and the
right to request planning commission review as provided in section 5.1.44(d). Notice
mailed to the abutting owner shall be mailed to the last known address of the owner, and
mailing the notice to the address shown on the current real estate tax assessment
records of the county shall be deemed compliance with this requirement. The failure of
an abutting owner to receive the notice required by this section shall not affect the validity
of an approved concept plan or zoning compliance clearance.
2. Farm worker housing, Class B, facility: For each concept plan received for a farm worker
housing, Class B, facility, notice to the owner of each lot abutting the parcel for which a
concept plan has been received shall be provided in conjunction with the notice required
for the special use permit.
d. Request for planning commission review and action on farm worker housing, Class A, facility
concept plan. An abutting owner to whom notice for a farm worker housing, Class A, facility
concept plan under section 5.1.44(c)(1) and who submitted timely written comments about the
concept plan as provided therein may request that the planning commission review and act on
the concept plan. The request shall be in writing, state the reasons why the commission should
review the concept plan, and be filed with the director of planning within ten (10) days after the
date of the notice from the zoning administrator.
ed. Review and action on concept plan. A concept plan shall be reviewed and acted upon as follows:
1. Farm worker housing, Class A, facility. For a farm worker housing, Class A, facility, the
concept plan shall be approved by the zoning administrator or the planning commission,
as the case may be, before any building permit is issued for the facility. The concept plan
shall be approved by the zoning administrator or the commission if it satisfies all
applicable requirements of the zoning ordinance and the design is determined to not be a
substantial detriment to abutting parcels this chapter. In approving the concept plan, the
zoning administrator or the commission may impose reasonable conditions to mitigate
impacts on abutting parcels arising from facility. The commission shall give due
consideration to the recommendations of the zoning administrator, the director of
planning and other officials. In addition, the commission may consider such other
evidence as it deems necessary for a proper review of the application.
2. Farm worker housing, Class B, facility. For a farm worker housing, Class B, facility, the
concept plan shall be reviewed and acted upon in conjunction with the special use permit.
fe. Farm worker housing facilities; permissible structures. Farm worker housing facilities shall not
use motor vehicles or major recreational equipment, as that term is defined in section 4.12.3(b)(1)
of this chapter, to provide for sleeping, eating, food preparation, or sanitation (bathing and/or
toilets).
gf. Minimum yards. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the minimum front yard shall
be seventy-five (75) feet. The minimum side and rear yards shall be fifty (50) feet. All yards shall
be measured from the farm worker housing struct ures.
hg. Zoning compliance clearance. The owner shall obtain a zoning compliance clearance from the
zoning administrator as provided in section 31.2.3.2 31.5 of this chapter before a farm worker
housing facility is occupied, subject to the following additional requirements:
1. The applicant shall apply for a zoning compliance clearance at least thirty (30) days prior
to the first expected occupation of the farm worker housing facility. The application shall
be submitted to the zoning administrator.
2. The zoning compliance clearance application shall include all of the following information:
a. Written approval of the farm worker housing facility as a migrant labor camp
under 12 VAC 5-501-10 et seq., the food preparation area, the private water
supply, and the septic disposal system onsite sewage system by the Virginia
Department of Health.
b. Approval of the access to the site from a public street by the Virginia Department
of Transportation; provided that nothing herein shall be deemed to require that a
commercial entrance be constructed unless such an entrance is required by the
Virginia Department of Transportation.
c. Written approval of the adequacy of the access to the site for emergency
vehicles by the fire marshal.
d. Written approval of the adequacy of the structures intended for human habitation
by the building official.
3. Upon the zoning administrator’s determination that all requirements of the zoning
ordinance are satisfied, that all conditions of the special use permit authorizing a farm
worker housing, Class B, facility, are satisfied, and upon receipt of the approvals and
documents required in section 5.1.44(hg)(2), the zoning administrator shall issue a
zoning compliance clearance for the facility.
ih. Use of farm worker housing facility by workers and their families only. A farm worker housing
facility shall be occupied only by persons employed to work on the farm on which the structures
are located for seasonal agriculture work and their immediate families as provided herein. For
purposes of this section 5.1.44, the term “immediate families” means the natural or legally defined
off-spring, grandchild, grandparent, or parent of the farm worker.
ji. Use of farm worker housing facility when not occupied. When not occupied by seasonal farm
workers, farm worker housing facilities may be used for any use accessory to a primary
agriculture use.
(Ord. 06-18(2), 12-13-06)
Article III. District Regulations
Sec. 10.5.2 Where permitted by special use permit
10.5.2.1 The board of supervisors may authorize the issuance of issue a special use permit for
more lots than the total number permitted under sections 10.3.1 and section 10.3.2; provided that no such
permit shall be issued for property within the boundaries for the watershed of an y public drinking water
supply impoundment water supply reservoir, and further provided that no such permit shall be issued to
allow more development lots within a proposed rural preservation development than that permitted by
right under section 10.3.3.3(b). (Added 11-8-89; Amended 5-5-04 effective 7-1-04)
The board of supervisors shall determine that such division is compatible with the neighborhood as set
forth in section 31.2.4.1 31.6.1 of this chapter, with reference to consideration of the goals and objectives
of the comprehensive plan relating to rural areas including the type of division proposed and , specifically,
as to this section only, with reference to consideration of the following: (Amended 11-8-89)
1. The size, shape, topography and existing vegetation of the property in relation to its suitability for
agricultural or forestal production as evaluated by the United States Department of Agriculture
Soil Natural Resources Conservation Service or the Virginia Department of Forestry.
2. The actual suitability of the soil for agricultural or forestal production as the same shall be is
shown on the most recent published maps of the United States Department of Agriculture Soil
Natural Resources Conservation Service or other source deemed of equivalent reliability by the
Soil Natural Resources Conservation Service.
3. The historic commercial agricultural or forestal uses of the property since 1950, to the extent that
is reasonably available.
4. If located in an agricultural or forestal area, the probable effect of the proposed development on
the character of the area. For the purposes of this section, a property shall be deemed to be in
an agricultural or forestal area if fifty (50) percent or more of the land within one (1) mile of the
border of such property has been in commercial agricultural or forestal use within five (5) years of
the date of the application for special use permit. In making this determination, mountain ridges,
major streams and other physical barriers which detract from the cohesiveness of an area shall
be considered.
5. The relationship of the property in regard to developed rural areas. For the purposes of this
section, a property shall be deemed to be located in a developed rural area if fifty (50) percent or
more of the land within one (1) mile of the boundary of such property was in parcels of record of
five (5) acres or less on the adoption date of this ordinance. In making this determination,
mountain ridges, major streams and other physical barriers which detract from the cohesiveness
of an area shall be considered.
6. The relationship of the proposed development to existing and proposed population centers,
services and employment centers. A property within areas described below shall be deemed in
proximity to the area or use described:
a. Within one mile roadway distance of the urban area boundary as described in the
comprehensive plan; (Amended 11-8-89)
b. Within one-half mile roadway distance of a community boundary as described in the
comprehensive plan; (Amended 11-8-89)
c. Within one-half mile roadway distance of a village as described in the comprehensive
plan. (Amended 11-8-89)
7. The probable effect of the proposed development on capital improvements programming in
regard to increased provision of services.
8. The traffic generated from the proposed development would not, in the opinion of the Virginia
Department of Transportation: (Amended 11-8-89)
a. Occasion the need for road improvement;
b. Cause a tolerable road to become a nontolerable road;
c. Increase traffic on an existing nontolerable road.
9. With respect to applications for special use permits for land lying wholly or partially within the
boundaries for the watershed of any public drinking water impoundment, the following additional
factors shall be considered:
a. The amount and quality of existing vegetative cover as related to filtration of sediment,
phosphorous, heavy metals, nitrogen and other substances determined harmful to water
quality for human consumption;
b. The extent to which existing vegetative cover would be removed or disturbed during the
construction phase of any development;
c. The amount of impervious cover which will exist after development;
d. The proximity of any paved (pervious or impervious) area, structure, or drain field to any
perennial or intermittent stream or impoundment; or during the construction phase, the
proximity of any disturbed area to any such stream or impoundment;
e. The type and characteristics of soils including suitability for septic fields and erodability; [
f. The percentage and length of all slopes subject to disturbance during construction or
upon which any structure, paved area (pervious or impervious) or active recreational area
shall exist after development;
g. The estimated duration and timing of the construction phase of any proposed
development and extent to which such duration and timing are unpredictable;
h. The degree to which original topography or vegetative cover have been altered in
anticipation of filing for any permit hereunder;
i. The extent to which the standards of Chapter 17 et seq. of the Code of Albemarle can
only be met through the creation of artificial devices, which devices will:
1. Require periodic inspection and/or maintenance;
2. Are susceptible to failure or overflow for run-off associated with any one hundred
year or more intense storm.
(§ 20-10.5.2.1, 12-10-80; 11-8-89; §18-10.5.2.1, Ord. 98-A(1), 8-5-98; Ord. 04-18(1), 5-5-04 effective 7-1-
04)
I, Ella W. Jordan, do hereby certify that the foregoing writing is a true, correct copy of an Ordinance duly
adopted by the Board of Supervisors of Albemarle County, Virginia, by a vote of _____ to _____, as
recorded below, at a regular meeting held on _________________________.
__________________________________
Clerk, Board of County Supervisors
Aye Nay
Mr. Boyd ____ ____
Mr. Dumler ____ ____
Ms. Mallek ____ ____
Mr. Rooker ____ ____
Mr. Snow ____ ____
Mr. Thomas ____ ____
COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
AGENDA TITLE: ZTA-2012-00002 Water/Sewer
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Public Hearing
to amend the Zoning Regulations Relating to
Private Water and Sewer Systems
STAFF CONTACT(S):
Messrs
Glenn Brooks, County Engineer
Greg Kampter, Assistant County Attorney
Ron Higgins, Chief of Zoning
LEGAL REVIEW:
AGENDA DATE:
March 20, 2012
ACTION: X INFORMATION:
CONSENT AGENDA:
ACTION: INFORMATION:
ATTACHMENTS: Yes
REVIEWED BY:
BACKGROUND:
The Alternative Onsite Sewage System Regulations (12 VAC 5-613) became effective December 7,
2011. These State regulations, together with improved technologies in drainfields and sewage treatement,
made related County Zoning Ordinance sections obsolete. The advanced treatment with an alternative
system requires less land area and can utilize soils and locations not previously suitable for conventional
septic systems.
In addition, the Board’s adopted Economic Development Policy has necessitated a re-examination of the
requirements for central water and sewer systems, and their associated area requirements. Industrial
parcels exist outside the service authority jurisdictional area (SAJA) that can be served by private water
and sewer systems under the new Health Department regulations. However, these properties are in a
position in which they cannot meet Zoning Ordinance lot area requirements
This item was deferred on the February 28th Planning Commission meeting to incorporate additional
changes and to prepare a corresponding Subdivision Text Amendment.
DISCUSSION:
This ordinance would amend the regulations pertaining to building sites, critical slopes, and water supplies
and sewer systems serving developments and individual lots by adding and deleting definitions (3.1),
restating and clarifying the standards for developments and lots to be served by public or private water
supplies and sewer systems (4.1), updating the terminology for provisions pertaining to critical slopes
(4.2), clarifying the minimum standards for building sites (4.2.1), restat ing the minimum standards for
building site area and dimensions for uses not served by public sewer systems, and providing for special
exceptions from those standards and for alternative onsite sewer systems (4.2.2), eliminating an ambiguity
as to whether special use permits for additional development rights are permitted in the watershed of a
public water supply reservoir (not allowed) (10.5.2), and making corresponding technical changes and
nonsubstantive changes updating terminology to other related sections (4.2.3, 4.2.4, 4.7, 5.1.43, 5.1.44,
10.5.2).
BUDGET IMPACT:
No budget impact is anticipated.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff recommends the Commission recommend approval to the Board of Supervisors.
ATTACHMENTS
A. Zoning Ordinance text amendment
Return to PC actions
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1
ORDINANCE NO. 12-18( )
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 18, ZONING, ARTICLE I, GENERAL PROVISIONS, ARTICLE
II, BASIC REGULATIONS, AND ARTICLE III, DISTRICT REGULATIONS, OF THE CODE OF THE
COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE, VIRGINIA
BE IT ORDAINED By the Board of Supervisors of the County of Albemarle, Virginia, that Chapter 18, Zoning,
Article I, General Regulations, Article II, Basic Regulations, and Article III, District Regulations, are hereby
amended and reordained as follows:
By Amending:
Sec. 3.1 Definitions
Sec. 4.2 Critical slopes
Sec. 4.2.1 Building site required
Sec. 4.2.2 Building site area and dimensions
Sec. 4.2.3 Location of structures and improvements
Sec. 4.2.4 Location of septic systems
Sec. 4.7 Open space
Sec. 5.1.43 Special events
Sec. 5.1.44 Farm worker housing
Sec. 10.5.2 Where permitted by special use permit
By Amending and Renaming:
Current New
Sec. 4.1 Area and health regulations related to utilities Water supplies and sewer systems
By Repealing:
Sec. 4.1.1 Untitled
Sec. 4.1.2 Untitled
Sec. 4.1.3 Untitled
Sec. 4.1.4 Untitled
Sec. 4.1.5 Untitled
Sec. 4.1.6 Untitled
Sec. 4.1.7 Untitled
Chapter 18. Zoning
Article I. General Regulations
Sec. 3.1 Definitions
. . .
Alternative onsite sewage system: A treatment works approved by the Virginia Department of Health that is not
a conventional onsite sewage system and does not result in a point source discharge.
. . .
Central Sewerage System: A sewerage system consisting of pipelines or conduits, pumping stations, force mains
or sewerage treatment plants, including, but not limited to, septic tanks and/or drain fields, or any of them,
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2
designed to serve three (3) or more connections, used for conducting or treating sewage which is required to be
approved by the board of supervisors pursuant to Title 15.2, Chapter 21, Article 4 of the Code.
. . .
Central Water Supply: A water supply consisting of a well, springs or other source and the necessary pipes,
conduits, mains, pumping stations and other facilities in connection therewith, to serve or to be capable of
serving three (3) or more connections which is required to be approved by the board of supervisors pursuant to
Title 15.2, Chapter 21, Article 6 of the Code.
. . .
Conventional onsite sewage system: A treatment works approved by the Virginia Department of Health
consisting of one or more septic tanks with gravity, pumped, or siphoned conveyance to a gravity distributed
subsurface drainfield.
. . .
Critical slopes: Slopes of twenty-five (25) percent or greater as determined by reference to either current
topographic mapping available from the county or a more accurate field survey certified by a professional
surveyor or engineer.
. . .
Onsite sewage system: A conventional onsite sewage system or an alternative onsite sewage system.
. . .
Subsurface drainfield: A system installed within the soil and designed to accommodate treated sewage from a
treatment works.
. . .
Treatment works: Any device or system used in the storage, treatment, disposal or reclamation of sewage or
combinations of sewage and industrial wastes, including but not limited to pumping, power and other equipment
and appurtenances, septic tanks, and any works, including land, that are or will be (i) an integral part of the
treatment process or (ii) used for ultimate disposal of residues or effluents resulting from such treatment.
Article II. Basic Regulations
Sec. 4.1 Area and health regulations related to utilities Water supplies and sewer systems (Amended 6-3-
81)
The following regulations shall apply to all districts:
It is specifically intended that the public water supply and public sewerage system be utilized within the service
areas of the Albemarle County Service Authority. Within such service areas, provisions of section 6.0 and other
provisions of section 4.1 notwithstanding, no building permit shall be issued for any building or structure,
including mobile homes, the use of which requires increased water consumption and/or sewage disposal, unless
the building or structure shall be provided with public water and/or public sewerage system service. This
requirement, however, shall not apply to the following situations and circumstances:
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3
a. Whenever a structure is damaged as a result of factors beyond the control of the owner and/or occupant
thereof, such structure may be repaired and/or reconstructed provided that such repair and/or reconstruction
shall be commenced within twelve (12) months and completed within twenty-four (24) months from the
date of such damage; and provided further that such structure shall not be repaired and/or reconstructed in
such manner as to reasonably cause an increase in water usage and/or sewage disposal demand; or
b. The director of planning and community development in consultation with the Albemarle County Service
Authority finds that the cost of connecting the proposed development to the public water and/or sewerage
system, exclusive of connection fees, exceeds the cost of installing an on-site well and/or septic system; or
c. The director of planning and community development in consultation with the Albemarle County
Service Authority finds that the capacity of the public water and/or sewerage system is inadequate to
serve the proposed development.
Except for (a) above, the foregoing provisions shall not provide relief from §§ 4.1.1 through 4.1.7. (Added 1-3-
96)
4.1.1 For a parcel served by both a central water supply and a central sewer system, the minimum area
requirements of the district in which such parcel is located shall apply.
4.1.2 For a parcel served by either a central water supply or a central sewer system, there shall be
provided a minimum area of forty thousand (40,000) square feet per commercial or industrial
establishment or per dwelling unit as the case may be.
4.1.3 For a parcel served by neither a central water supply nor a central sewer system, there shall be
provided a minimum of sixty thousand (60,000) square feet per commercial or industrial
establishment or per dwelling unit as the case may be.
4.1.4 The provisions of sections 4.1.2 and 4.1.3 notwithstanding, in such cases where a greater minimum
area is required by the regulations of the district in which the parcel is located, said district
regulations shall apply.
4.1.5 In the case of unusual soil conditions or other physical factors which may impair the health and
safety of the neighborhood, upon the recommendation of the Virginia Department of Health, the
commission may increase the area requirements for uses utilizing other than a public sewer system.
4.1.6 For lots not served by a central sewer system, no building permit shall be issued for any building or
structure, the use of which involves sewage disposal, without written approval from the local office
of the Virginia Department of Health of the location an d area for both original and future
replacement septic disposal fields adequate to serve such use. For residential usage, at a minimum,
each septic disposal field shall consist of suitable soils of adequate area to accommodate sewage
disposal from a three (3) bedroom dwelling as determined by current regulations of the Virginia
Department of Health. (Amended 11-15-89)
4.1.7 In a cluster development, open space may be used for septic field location only after the septic field
locations on such lot are determined to be inadequate by the local office of the Virginia Department
of Health. (Added 6-3-81)
The water supply and sewer system serving either a development or any individual lot shall comply with the
following:
a. Public water supply and public sewer system within the services areas of the Albemarle County Service
Authority. Within the services areas of the Albemarle County Service Authority (the “service areas”),
each development and each lot shall be served by the public water supply and the public sewer system.
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4
Within the service areas, no building permit shall be issued for any structure if its use requires increased
water consumption and/or sewage disposal, unless the structure will be connected to the public water
supply and/or the public sewer system. Connection to the public water supply and/or the public sewer
system is not required in the following circumstances:
1. Existing structure damaged. When an existing structure is damaged as a result of factors
beyond the control of its owner and/or occupant, the structure may be repaired or reconstructed
provided that the repair or reconstruction is commenced within twelve (12) months and
completed within twenty-four (24) months after the date of the damage, and further provided
that the structure is not repaired or reconstructed so as to increase the number of water supply or
sewage fixtures.
2. Cost of connection to public water supply or public sewer system exceeds cost of onsite sewage
system. When the Albemarle County Service Authority finds that the cost of connecting the
proposed development or lot to the public water supply and/or the public sewer system,
exclusive of connection fees, exceeds the cost of installing an on-site well and/or an onsite
sewage system.
3. Capacity of public water supply or public sewer system is inadequate. When the Albemarle
County Service Authority finds that the capacity of the public water supply and/or the public
sewer system is inadequate to serve the proposed development or lot.
4. Nonconforming use or structure. The structure is used for a nonconforming use and satisfies the
requirements of section 6.2(C) or the structure is nonconforming and satisfies the requirements
of section 6.3.
b. Water supply and sewer system when development or lot not connected to the public water supply
and/or the public sewer system. When a development or a lot is not or will not be connected to the
public water supply and/or the public sewer system, the following shall apply, except when an existing
structure is damaged as provided in section 4.1(a)(1):
1. Lots served by an alternative onsite sewage system. On any lot served by an alternative onsite
sewage system, no building permit shall be issued for any structure, the use of which requires
sewage disposal, without the Virginia Department of Health’s approval of the location and area
for the alternative onsite sewage system.
2. Lots served by a conventional onsite sewage system. On any lot served by a conventional onsite
sewage system, no building permit shall be issued for any structure, the use of which requires
sewage disposal, without the Virginia Department of Health’s approval of the location and area
for both an original and a replacement subsurface drainfield that is adequate to serve the use.
For residential uses, each subsurface drainfield shall have suitable soils of adequate area to
accommodate sewage disposal from a three (3) bedroom dwelling as determined by the current
regulations of the Virginia Department of Health.
Sec. 4.2 Critical slopes
These provisions in this section through section 4.2.5 are created to implement the comprehensive plan by
protecting and conserving steep hillsides together with public drinking water supplies and flood plain areas and
in recognition of because of the increased potential for soil erosion, sedimentation, water pollution and septic
disposal sewage disposal problems associated with the development disturbance of those areas described in the
comprehensive plan as critical slopes. It is hereby recognized that such development of The disturbance of
critical slopes may result in: rapid and/or large-scale movement of soil and rock; excessive stormwater run-off;
siltation of natural and man-made bodies of water; loss of aesthetic resource; and in the event of septic system
onsite sewage system failure, a greater travel distance of septic effluent, all of which constitute potential dangers
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5
to the public health, safety and/or welfare. These provisions The regulations in sections 4.2.1, 4.2.2, 4.2.3 and
4.2.4 are intended to direct building and septic system onsite sewage system locations to terrain more suitable to
development and to discourage development on critical slopes, and to supplement other regulations regarding
the protection of public water supplies and the encroachment of development into flood plains. (Amended 11-
15-89)
Where modification of regulations is sought pursuant to section 4.2.5, such request shall address each concern
specified in section 4.2. Each request to waive or modify any requirement of sections 4.2.1, 4.2.2, 4.2.3 or 4.2.4
under section 4.2.5 shall be by special exception under section 31.8. (Added 11-15-89)
Sec. 4.2.1 Building site required
No lot or parcel shall have less than one (1) building site, subject to the following:.
a. Composition of building site. A building site shall be composed of a contiguous area of land and may
not contain any area of land that is: (i) in critical slopes; (ii) within the flood hazard overlay district; (iii)
under water during normal hydrological conditions; (iv) within two hundred (200) horizontal feet of the
one hundred year flood plain of any public water supply reservoir; and (v) within a stream buffer under
chapter 17 of the Code, provided that nothing contained herein shall be deemed to prohibit or impair
the program authority from exercising its discretion as authorized in chapter 17. For purposes of this
section, the term “building site” shall mean a contiguous area of land in slopes of less than twenty-five
(25) percent as determined by reference to either topographic quadrangle maps of the Geological Survey
- U. S. Department of Interior (contour interval twenty [20] feet) or a source determined by the county
engineer to be of superior accuracy, exclusive of:
-Such area as may be located in the flood hazard overlay district or which is located under water;
-Such area as may be located within two hundred (200) horizontal feet of the one hundred year flood
plain of any public drinking water impoundment or within one hundred (100) horizontal feet of the edge
of any tributary stream to such impoundment; (Amended 11-11-87)
-Such area as may be designated as resource protection areas on the resource protection areas map
adopted pursuant to chapter 17 of the Code of Albemarle; provided that nothing contained herein shall
be deemed to prevent or impair the water resources manager from exercise of discretion as set forth in
that ordinance. (Added 9-9-92)
b. Special exception. Notwithstanding section 4.2.5, any requirement of section 4.2.1(a) may be waived or
modified by special exception under section 31.8 upon the board of supervisors’ consideration of
whether (i) the parcel has an unusual size, topography, shape, location or other unusual physical
condition; or (ii) development in a stream buffer on the parcel was authorized as provided in section 17-
321 of the Code.
Sec. 4.2.2 Building site area and dimensions
Each building site shall be subject to the following minimum area and dimension requirements: (Amended 10-
17-01)
a. Uses not served by a public or central sewerage sewage system. Building sites for uses not served by a
public or central sewerage sewage system shall be subject to the following: (Amended 11-15-89; 10-17-
01)
1. Dwelling units. Each building site for a dwelling unit shall have an area of thirty thousand
(30,000) square feet or greater and shall be of such dimensions that no one dimension exceeds
any other by a ratio of more than five (5) to one (1) as described by a rectangle inscribed within
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6
the building site. The building site shall have adequate area for locating two (2) septic drain
fields subsurface drainfields approved by the Virginia Department of Health pursuant to section
4.1 of this chapter if the lot will be served by a conventional onsite sewage system. (Amended
11-15-89; 10-17-01)
2. Development subject to section 32 of this chapter. Each building site in a development subject
to section 32 of this chapter shall have an area of thirty thousand (30,000) square feet or greater
and shall be of such dimensions that no one dimension exceeds any other by a ratio of more
than five (5) to one (1) as described by a rectangle inscribed within the building site. The
building site shall have adequate area for all buildings and structures, two (2) septic drain fields
subsurface drainfields approved by the Virginia Department of Health pursuant to section 4.1 of
this chapter if the lot will be served by a conventional onsite sewage system, parking and
loading areas, storage yards and other improvements, and all earth disturbing activity related to
the improvements. (Added 11-15-89; Amended 10-17-01)
3. Modification or waiver Special exception. Notwithstanding section 4.2.5 of this chapter, the
director of planning and community development may modify or waive the rectangular shape
required by subsections (1) and (2) if, may be waived or modified by special exception under
section 31.8 if, after receiving the recommendation from the Virginia Department of Health, the
director of planning and community development finds, upon the board of supervisors’
consideration of the recommendation from the Virginia Department of Health and based on
information provided by the developer showing, that: (i) the parcel has an unusual size,
topography, shape, location or other unusual physical condition; (ii) no reasonable alternative
building site exists; and (iii) modifying or waiving the rectangular shape would result in less
degradation of the parcel or adjacent parcels than if those dimensions were adhered to. (Added
10-17-01)
4. Appeal. A developer may appeal the denial of a modification or waiver to the planning
commission and, thereafter, to the board of supervisors, pursuant to section 4.2.5. (Added 10-
17-01)
b. Uses served by a central sewerage sewage system. Building sites for uses served by a central sewerage
sewage system shall be demonstrated by the applicant to have adequate area, as follows: (Amended 10-
17-01)
1. Residential development. Each building site in a residential development shall have adequate
area for all dwelling unit(s) together with an area equivalent to the sum of the applicable
required yard areas for the applicable zoning district and, if parking is provided in bays, the
parking area. (Added 11-15-89; Amended 10-17-01)
2. Development subject to section 32 of this chapter. Each building site in a development subject
to section 32 of this chapter shall have adequate area for all structures, parking and loading
areas, storage yards and other improvements, and all earth disturbing activity related to the
improvements. (Added 11-15-89; Amended 10-17-01)
(§ (4.2.2, 12-10-80; § 4.2.2, 4.2.2.1, 11-15-89; Ord. 01-18(7), 10-17-01)
Sec. 4.2.3 Location of structures and improvements
Except as otherwise permitted pursuant to provided in section 4.2.2, the provisions of this section shall apply
applies to the location of any structure for which a permit is required under the Uniform Statewide Building
Code and to any improvement shown on a site development plan pursuant to section 32.0 of this chapter.
(Amended 11-15-89; 10-17-01)
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7
(§ 4.2.3, 12-10-80, 11-15-89; Ord. 01-18(7), 10-17-01)
4.2.3.1a. No structure or improvement shall be located on any lot or parcel in any area other than a
building site. (Amended 11-15-89)
4.2.3.2b. No structure or improvement nor earth No structure, improvement, or land disturbing activity to
establish such the structure or improvement shall be located on critical slopes of twenty-five
(25) percent or greater except as otherwise permitted under sections 4.2.5, 4.2.6 and 4.3.01.
Sec. 4.2.4 Location of septic systems onsite sewage systems (Amended 11-11-87)
In the review for and issuance of a permit for the installation of a septic system an onsite sewage system, the
Virginia Department of Health shall should be mindful of the intent of this section 4.2, and particularly mindful
of the intent to discourage location of septic tanks and/or drain fields onsite sewage systems on slopes of twenty
(20) percent or greater. Septic system location shall be restricted to Any onsite sewage system shall be located
within the approved a building site. (Amended 11-1-87; 9-9-92)
Sec. 4.7 Open space
Open space shall be established, used, designed and maintained as follows:
a. Intent. Open space is intended to provide active and passive recreation, protect areas sensitive to
development, buffer dissimilar uses from one another and preserve agricultural activities. The
commission and the board of supervisors shall consider the establishment, use, design and maintenance
of open space in their review and approval of zoning map amendments. The subdivision agent and the
site plan agent (hereinafter, collectively referred to as the “agent”) shall apply the following principles
when reviewing open space provided on a subdivision plat or site plan.
b. Uses permitted. Open space shall be maintained in a natural state and shall not be developed with any
improvements, provided that the agent may authorize the open space to be used and improved for the
following purposes: (i) agriculture, forestry and fisheries, including appropriate structures; (ii) game
preserves, wildlife sanctuaries and similar uses; (iii) noncommercial recreational uses and structures;
(iv) public utilities; (v) individual wells and treatment works with subsurface drainfields (reference
section 4.1.7) (vi) in a cluster development, onsite sewage systems if the Department of Health
determines that there are no suitable locations for a subsurface drainfield on a development lot; and (vii)
stormwater management facilities and flood control devices.
c. Design. Open space shall be designed as follows:
1. Lands that may be required. The agent may require that open space include: (i) areas deemed
inappropriate for or prohibited to development including, but not limited to, land in the one-
hundred year flood plain and significant drainage swales, land in slopes of twenty-five (25)
percent or greater, public utility easements for transmission lines, stormwater management
facilities and flood control devices, and lands having permanent or seasonally high water tables;
(ii) areas to satisfy section 4.16, and (iii) areas to provide reasonable buffering between
dissimilar uses within the development and between the development and adjoining properties.
2. Redesign during review. The agent may require the redesign of a proposed development to
accommodate open space areas as may be required under this section 4.7, provided that the
redesign shall not reduce the number of dwelling units permitted under the applicable zoning
district.
3. Limitation on certain elements. If open space is required by this chapter, not more than eighty
(80) percent of the minimum required open space shall consist of the following: (i) land located
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8
within the one-hundred year flood plain; (ii) land subject to occasional, common or frequent
flooding as defined in Table 16 Soil and Water Features of the United States Department of
Agriculture Soil Conservation Service, Soil Survey of Albemarle County, Virginia, August,
1985; (iii) land in slopes of twenty-five (25) percent or greater critical slopes; and (iv) land
devoted to stormwater management facilities or flood control devices, except where the facility
or feature is incorporated into a permanent pond, lake or other water feature deemed by the
agent to constitute a desirable open space amenity.
d. Ownership of open space. Open space may be privately owned or dedicated to public use. Open space in
private ownership shall be subject to a legal instrument ensuring the maintenance and preservation of the
open space that is approved by the agent and the county attorney in conjunction with the approval of the
subdivision plat or site plan. Open space dedicated to public use shall be dedicated to the county in the
manner provided by law. Open space dedicated to public use shall count toward the minimum required
open space.
(12-10-80, §§ 4.7, 4.7.1, 4.7.2, 4.7.3, 4.7.4; 6-3-81, 11-15-89; Ord. 09-18(1), 1-14-09, § 4.7)
Sec. 5.1.43 Special events
Each special event authorized by section 10.2.2(50) shall be subject to the following:
a. Eligibility and applicability. Special events may be authorized on those parcels in the Rural Areas (RA)
zoning district on which there is an existing and ongoing by-right (section 10.2.1) primary use. A
special event special use permit issued under section 10.2.2(50) and this section shall not be required for
special events associated with farm wineries or historical centers, or for events determined by the zoning
administrator to be accessory to a primary use of the parcel.
b. Information to be submitted with application for special use permit. In addition to any information
otherwise required to be submitted for a special use permit, each application for a special use permit
shall include the following:
1. Concept plan. A preliminary schematic plan (the “concept plan”) satisfying section 32.4.1. The
concept plan shall identify the structure(s) to be used for the special event, include the area of
the structure(s) in which the proposed special events will be conducted, the parking area, and
the entrance to the site from the street. The concept plan shall address, in particular, provisions
for safe and convenient access to and from the street, the location of the parking area, the
location of portable toilets if they may be required, proposed screening as required by this
section for parking areas and portable toilets, and information regarding the exterior appearance
of the proposed site. Based on the concept plan and other information submitted, the board of
supervisors may then waive the requirement for a site plan in a particular case, upon a finding
that the requirement of a site plan would not forward the purposes of this chapter or otherwise
serve the public interest.
2. Information from the Virginia Department of Health. The applicant shall submit written
comments from the Virginia Department of Health regarding the private water supply and the
septic disposal system onsite sewage system that will serve the proposed special event site, the
ability of the water supply and the septic disposal system onsite sewage system to handle the
proposed events, and the need to improve the supply or the system in order to handle the
proposed events.
3. Building and fire safety. The building official and the county department of fire and rescue
shall review and comment on the application, identifying all Virginia Uniform Statewide
Building Code and Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code issues and requirements.
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9
c. Zoning compliance clearance. The applicant shall obtain a zoning compliance clearance under section
31.5 prior to conducting a special event. A single zoning clearance may be obtained for one (1) or more
such special events in a calendar year as follows:
1. The zoning administrator may issue a single zoning compliance clearance for more than one (1)
special event if: (i) the application submitted by the applicant includes the required information
in subsection 5.1.43(c)(3) for each special event to be covered by the zoning compliance
clearance: (ii) the zoning administrator determines that each special event is substantially
similar in nature and size; and (iii) the zoning administrator determines that a single set of
conditions that would apply to each such special event may be imposed with the zoning
compliance clearance.
2. The applicant shall apply for a zoning compliance clearance at least thirty (30) days prior to the
date of the first special event to be authorized by the zoning compliance clearance. The
application shall be submitted to the zoning administrator, who shall forward copies of the
application to the county police department, the county building official, the county department
of fire and rescue, and the local office of the Virginia Department of Health. As part of his
review, the building official shall determine whether the structure(s) proposed to be used for the
special events satisfies the requirements of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code for
that use.
3. The application shall describe the nature of each special event to be authorized by the zoning
compliance clearance, the date or dates and hours of operation of each such special event, the
facilities, structures to be used, and the number of participants and support staff expect to attend
each special event.
4. Upon a determination that all requirements of the zoning ordinance and all conditions of the
special use permit are satisfied, and imposing all conditions of such approval required by the
offices identified in subsection 5.1.43(c)(2), the zoning administrator shall issue a zoning
compliance clearance for one or more special events. The validity of the zoning compliance
clearance shall be conditional upon the applicant’s compliance with all requirements of the
zoning ordinance, all conditions of the approved special use permit, the approved concept plan
or site plan, and all conditions imposed by the zoning compliance clearance.
d. Special events sites and structures. In addition to all other applicable requirements of this chapter,
special events sites and structures shall be subject to the following:
1. Structures used for special events. Each structure used for a special event shall satisfy the
following: (i) the structure shall have been in existence on the date of adoption of this section
5.1.43, provided that this requirement shall not apply to accessory structures less than one
hundred fifty (150) square feet in size; (ii) the structure shall be a lawful conforming structure
and shall support or have supported a lawful use of the property; and (iii) modifications to farm
buildings or farm structures as those terms are defined in Virginia Code § 36-97 shall allow the
structure to revert to an agricultural use, as determined by the building official.
2. Minimum yards. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the minimum front yard
shall be seventy-five (75) feet. The minimum side yard shall be twenty-five feet (25) feet. The
minimum rear yard shall be thirty-five (35) feet. All yards shall be measured from structures
and off-street parking areas. These minimum yard requirements shall apply to all accessory
structures established after the effective date of this section 5.1.43 and all tents, parking areas
and portable toilets used in whole or in part to serve special events.
3. Parking. The number of off-street parking spaces for a special event shall be as required in
section 4.12.6. Notwithstanding section 4.12.15(a) through (g), the additional parking area(s)
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10
for special events shall consist of or be constructed of pervious materials including, but not
limited to stabilized turf, approved by the county engineer. Asphalt and impervious materials
are prohibited. If the parking area is on grass or in a field, the applicant shall reseed and restore
the parking area site as required by the zoning administrator. In addition to the requirements of
section 4.12.5, the parking area shall be onsite and screened from abutting parcels by
topography, structures or new or existing landscaping. Notwithstanding section 4.12.16(d) and
(e), the delineation of parking spaces and the provision of bumper blocks shall not be required.
4. Water and sewer. The private water supply and septic disposal system onsite sewage system
serving a special event shall be approved by the Virginia Department of Health.
5. Streets and access. Streets serving the site shall be adequate for anticipated traffic volume for a
special event. Access from the street onto the site shall be adequate to provide safe and
convenient access to the site, and applicant shall install all required improvements and provide
adequate sight distance in order to provide safe and convenient access.
e. Special events operations. In addition to all other applicable requirements of this chapter, special events
operations shall be subject to the following:
1. Number of participants. The number of participants at a special event at any one time shall not
exceed one hundred fifty (150) persons
2. Number of special events per year. The special use permit shall identify the number of approved
special events per calendar year, which number shall not exceed twenty-four (24).
3. Signs. Permanent and temporary signs advertising a special event shall be permitted as
provided in sections 4.15.4, 4.15.4A and 4.15.8.
4. Food service. No kitchen facility permitted by the Virginia Department of Health as a
commercial kitchen shall be allowed on the site. A kitchen may be used by licensed caterers for
the handling, warming and distribution of food, but not for cooking food, to be served at a
special event.
5. Portable toilets. If required, portable toilets are permitted on the site, provided that they comply
with the yard requirements in section 5.1.43(d)(2) and shall be screened from that parcel and
any street by topography, structures or new or existing landscaping.
f. Prohibition of development to a more intensive use. A parcel subject to a special events special use
permit shall not be subdivided so as to create one or more parcels, including the parent parcel, of less
than twenty-one acres in size without first amending the special use permit to expressly authorize the
subdivision. If a parcel is so subdivided without first amending the special use permit, special events
shall thereafter be prohibited on the resulting parcels unless a new special use permit is obtained.
(Ord. 05-18(8), 7-13-05)
Sec. 5.1.44 Farm worker housing
Each farm worker housing facility shall be subject to the following:
a. Concept plan to be submitted with application for farm worker housing. Before applying for the first
building permit for a farm worker housing, Class A, facility, or in addition to any other information
required to be submitted for a farm worker housing, Class B, special use permit, the applicant shall
submit a concept plan meeting the requirements of section 5.1.44(b).
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11
b. Contents of concept plan. The concept plan shall show the following: (i) the boundary lines of the farm
(may be shown on an inset map if necessary); (ii) the location and general layout of the proposed
structures at a scale of not more than one (1) inch equals forty (40) feet; (iii) vehicular access,
travelways and parking for the facility; (iv) topography (with a contour interval of no greater than ten
(10) feet); (v) critical slopes; (vi) streams, stream buffers and floodplains; (vii) source(s) of water for
fire suppression; (viii) building setback lines as provided in subsection 5.1.44(g) below; and (ix) outdoor
lighting. The concept plan also shall include a written description of each structure’s construction and
materials used, and the number of persons to be housed in the farm worker housing facility.
c. Notice of receipt of concept plan to abutting owners. The zoning administrator shall send notice of the
receipt of a concept plan as follows:
1. Farm worker housing, Class A, facility: For each concept plan received for a farm worker
housing, Class A, facility, the zoning administrator shall send notice to the owner of each lot
abutting the parcel for which a concept plan has been received within ten (10) days after
submittal of the concept plan deemed by the zoning administrator to be complete. The notice
shall include a copy of the concept plan and shall advise each recipient of the right to submit
written comments within ten (10) days of the date of the notice and the right to request planning
commission review as provided in section 5.1.44(d). Notice mailed to the abutting owner shall
be mailed to the last known address of the owner, and mailing the notice to the address shown
on the current real estate tax assessment records of the county shall be deemed compliance with
this requirement. The failure of an abutting owner to receive the notice required by this section
shall not affect the validity of an approved concept plan or zoning compliance clearance.
2. Farm worker housing, Class B, facility: For each concept plan received for a farm worker
housing, Class B, facility, notice to the owner of each lot abutting the parcel for which a concept
plan has been received shall be provided in conjunction with the notice required for the special
use permit.
d. Request for planning commission review and action on farm worker housing, Class A, facility concept
plan. An abutting owner to whom notice for a farm worker housing, Class A, facility concept plan
under section 5.1.44(c)(1) and who submitted timely written comments about the concept plan as
provided therein may request that the planning commission review and act on the concept plan. The
request shall be in writing, state the reasons why the commission should review the concept plan, and be
filed with the director of planning within ten (10) days after the date of the notice from the zoning
administrator.
ed. Review and action on concept plan. A concept plan shall be reviewed and acted upon as follows:
1. Farm worker housing, Class A, facility. For a farm worker housing, Class A, facility, the
concept plan shall be approved by the zoning administrator or the planning commission, as the
case may be, before any building permit is issued for the facility. The concept plan shall be
approved by the zoning administrator or the commission if it satisfies all applicable
requirements of the zoning ordinance and the design is determined to not be a substantial
detriment to abutting parcels this chapter. In approving the concept plan, the zoning
administrator or the commission may impose reasonable conditions to mitigate impacts on
abutting parcels arising from facility. The commission shall give due consideration to the
recommendations of the zoning administrator, the director of planning and other officials. In
addition, the commission may consider such other evidence as it deems necessary for a proper
review of the application.
2. Farm worker housing, Class B, facility. For a farm worker housing, Class B, facility, the
concept plan shall be reviewed and acted upon in conjunction with the special use permit.
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12
fe. Farm worker housing facilities; permissible structures. Farm worker housing facilities shall not use
motor vehicles or major recreational equipment, as that term is defined in section 4.12.3(b)(1) of this
chapter, to provide for sleeping, eating, food preparation, or sanitation (bathing and/or toilets).
gf. Minimum yards. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the minimum front yard shall be
seventy-five (75) feet. The minimum side and rear yards shall be fifty (50) feet. All yards shall be
measured from the farm worker housing structures.
hg. Zoning compliance clearance. The owner shall obtain a zoning compliance clearance from the zoning
administrator as provided in section 31.2.3.2 31.5 of this chapter before a farm worker housing facility
is occupied, subject to the following additional requirements:
1. The applicant shall apply for a zoning compliance clearance at least thirty (30) days prior to the
first expected occupation of the farm worker housing facility. The application shall be
submitted to the zoning administrator.
2. The zoning compliance clearance application shall include all of the following information:
a. Written approval of the farm worker housing facility as a migrant labor camp under 12
VAC 5-501-10 et seq., the food preparation area, the private water supply, and the
septic disposal system onsite sewage system by the Virginia Department of Health.
b. Approval of the access to the site from a public street by the Virginia Department of
Transportation; provided that nothing herein shall be deemed to require that a
commercial entrance be constructed unless such an entrance is required by the Virginia
Department of Transportation.
c. Written approval of the adequacy of the access to the site for emergency vehicles by the
fire marshal.
d. Written approval of the adequacy of the structures intended for human habitation by the
building official.
3. Upon the zoning administrator’s determination that all requirements of the zoning ordinance are
satisfied, that all conditions of the special use permit authorizing a farm worker housing, Class
B, facility, are satisfied, and upon receipt of the approvals and documents required in section
5.1.44(hg)(2), the zoning administrator shall issue a zoning compliance clearance for the
facility.
ih. Use of farm worker housing facility by workers and their families only. A farm worker housing facility
shall be occupied only by persons employed to work on the farm on which the structures are located for
seasonal agriculture work and their immediate families as provided herein. For purposes of this section
5.1.44, the term “immediate families” means the natural or legally defined off-spring, grandchild,
grandparent, or parent of the farm worker.
ji. Use of farm worker housing facility when not occupied. When not occupied by seasonal farm workers,
farm worker housing facilities may be used for any use accessory to a primary agriculture use.
(Ord. 06-18(2), 12-13-06)
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Article III. District Regulations
Sec. 10.5.2 Where permitted by special use permit
10.5.2.1 The board of supervisors may authorize the issuance of issue a special use permit for more lots than the
total number permitted under sections 10.3.1 and section 10.3.2; provided that no such permit shall be issued for
property within the boundaries for the watershed of any public drinking water supply impoundment water
supply reservoir, and further provided that no such permit shall be issued to allow more development lots within
a proposed rural preservation development than that permitted by right under section 10.3.3.3(b). (Added 11-8-
89; Amended 5-5-04 effective 7-1-04)
The board of supervisors shall determine that such division is compatible with the neighborhood as set forth in
section 31.2.4.1 31.6.1 of this chapter, with reference to consideration of the goals and objectives of the
comprehensive plan relating to rural areas including the type of division proposed and, specifically, as to this
section only, with reference to consideration of the following: (Amended 11-8-89)
1. The size, shape, topography and existing vegetation of the property in relation to its suitability for
agricultural or forestal production as evaluated by the United States Department of Agriculture Soil
Natural Resources Conservation Service or the Virginia Department of Forestry.
2. The actual suitability of the soil for agricultural or forestal production as the same shall be is shown on
the most recent published maps of the United States Department of Agriculture Soil Natural Resources
Conservation Service or other source deemed of equivalent reliability by the Soil Natural Resources
Conservation Service.
3. The historic commercial agricultural or forestal uses of the property since 1950, to the extent that is
reasonably available.
4. If located in an agricultural or forestal area, the probable effect of the proposed development on the
character of the area. For the purposes of this section, a property shall be deemed to be in an
agricultural or forestal area if fifty (50) percent or more of the land within one (1) mile of the border of
such property has been in commercial agricultural or forestal use within five (5) years of the date of the
application for special use permit. In making this determination, mountain ridges, major streams and
other physical barriers which detract from the cohesiveness of an area shall be considered.
5. The relationship of the property in regard to developed rural areas. For the purposes of this section, a
property shall be deemed to be located in a developed rural area if fifty (50) percent or more of the land
within one (1) mile of the boundary of such property was in parcels of record of five (5) acres or less on
the adoption date of this ordinance. In making this determination, mountain ridges, major streams and
other physical barriers which detract from the cohesiveness of an area shall be considered.
6. The relationship of the proposed development to existing and proposed population centers, services and
employment centers. A property within areas described below shall be deemed in proximity to the area
or use described:
a. Within one mile roadway distance of the urban area boundary as described in the
comprehensive plan; (Amended 11-8-89)
b. Within one-half mile roadway distance of a community boundary as described in the
comprehensive plan; (Amended 11-8-89)
c. Within one-half mile roadway distance of a village as described in the comprehensive plan.
(Amended 11-8-89)
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14
7. The probable effect of the proposed development on capital improvements programming in regard to
increased provision of services.
8. The traffic generated from the proposed development would not, in the opinion of the Virginia
Department of Transportation: (Amended 11-8-89)
a. Occasion the need for road improvement;
b. Cause a tolerable road to become a nontolerable road;
c. Increase traffic on an existing nontolerable road.
9. With respect to applications for special use permits for land lying wholly or partially within the
boundaries for the watershed of any public drinking water impoundment, the following additional
factors shall be considered:
a. The amount and quality of existing vegetative cover as related to filtration of sediment,
phosphorous, heavy metals, nitrogen and other substances determined harmful to water quality
for human consumption;
b. The extent to which existing vegetative cover would be removed or disturbed during the
construction phase of any development;
c. The amount of impervious cover which will exist after development;
d. The proximity of any paved (pervious or impervious) area, structure, or drain field to any
perennial or intermittent stream or impoundment; or during the construction phase, the
proximity of any disturbed area to any such stream or impoundment;
e. The type and characteristics of soils including suitability for septic fields and erodability; [
f. The percentage and length of all slopes subject to disturbance during construction or upon
which any structure, paved area (pervious or impervious) or active recreational area shall exist
after development;
g. The estimated duration and timing of the construction phase of any proposed development and
extent to which such duration and timing are unpredictable;
h. The degree to which original topography or vegetative cover have been altered in anticipation of
filing for any permit hereunder;
i. The extent to which the standards of Chapter 17 et seq. of the Code of Albemarle can only be
met through the creation of artificial devices, which devices will:
1. Require periodic inspection and/or maintenance;
2. Are susceptible to failure or overflow for run-off associated with any one hundred year
or more intense storm.
(§ 20-10.5.2.1, 12-10-80; 11-8-89; §18-10.5.2.1, Ord. 98-A(1), 8-5-98; Ord. 04-18(1), 5-5-04 effective 7-1-04)
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15
I, Ella W. Jordan, do hereby certify that the foregoing writing is a true, correct copy of an Ordinance duly
adopted by the Board of Supervisors of Albemarle County, Virginia, by a vote of _____ to _____, as recorded
below, at a regular meeting held on _________________________.
__________________________________
Clerk, Board of County Supervisors
Aye Nay
Mr. Boyd ____ ____
Mr. Dumler ____ ____
Ms. Mallek ____ ____
Mr. Rooker ____ ____
Mr. Snow ____ ____
Mr. Thomas ____ ____
ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION – FEBRUARY 28, 2012
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Albemarle County Planning Commission
February 28, 2012
ZTA-2012-00002 Water/Sewer Regulations
Amend Secs. 3.1, Definitions, 4.1, Area and health regulations related to utilities, 4.2, Critical slopes,
4.2.1, Building site required, 4.2.2, Building site area and dimensions, 4.2.3, Location of structures and
improvements, 4.2.4, Location of septic systems, 4.7, Open space, 5.1.43, Special events, 5.1.44, Farm
worker housing, and 10.5.2, Where permitted by special use permit; and repeal Secs. 4.1.1, 4.1.2, 4.1.3,
4.1.4, 4.1.5, 4.1.6 and 4.1.7 (all untitled), of Chapter 18, Zoning, of the Albemarle County Code. This
ordinance would amend the regulations pertaining to building sites, critical slopes, and water supplies and
sewer systems serving developments and individual lots by adding and deleting definitions (3.1), restating
and clarifying the standards for developments and lots to be served by public or private water supplies
and sewer systems (4.1), updating the terminology for provisions pertaining to crit ical slopes (4.2),
clarifying the minimum standards for building sites (4.2.1), restating the minimum standards for building
site area and dimensions for uses not served by public sewer systems, and providing for special
exceptions from those standards and for alternative onsite sewer systems (4.2.2), eliminating an
ambiguity as to whether special use permits for additional development rights are permitted in the
watershed of a public water supply reservoir (not allowed) (10.5.2), and making corresponding t echnical
changes and non-substantive changes updating terminology to other related sections (4.2.3, 4.2.4, 4.7,
5.1.43, 5.1.44, 10.5.2). A copy of the full text of the ordinance is on file in the office of the Clerk of the
Board of Supervisors and in the Department of Community Development, County Office Building, 401
McIntire Road, Charlottesville, Virginia. (Glenn Brooks)
Mr. Brooks noted he was bringing forth a zoning text amendment to change Section 4 on Water and
Sewer regulations in the zoning ordinance. Mainly it is to update the ordinance language to reflect state
regulations that changed in December, 2011 to allow on site alternative sewer systems by right, which the
current zoning ordinance does not. It is also to do away with the area requiremen ts for septic drainfields,
which go along with that. There are some other small changes, which Greg Kamptner can detail, to
update the definitions to agree with the State Code, the various titles of the sections, and some other
smaller details, names and conventions in latter parts of the ordinance. Most of the revisions have to do
with Section 4.1, which have to do with the Water and Sewer regulations and the area requirements. If
there are further questions, Ron Higgins is here from zoning and Greg Kam ptner can talk to details.
Mr. Morris invited questions for staff.
Mr. Loach asked if staff recalled the rezoning by Bellair that had the odd shaped parcels and there were
some questions.
Mr. Cilimberg noted there was a subdivision plat in Bellair and it was a building site issue.
Mr. Franco said it was about having the buildable area.
Mr. Brooks pointed out this request would not have affected that issue directly. But a latter subdivision
text amendment may affect that. What has to follow this, of course, is that the subdivision ordinance has
to be amended so that those same septic field area requirements are not the requirements of a
subdivision plat. Those were subdivision plats.
Mr. Morris asked if that will be coming down the road in the future.
Mr. Kamptner replied yes. He asked to provide the Commission some details about what is here and
what will be coming down the road.
- First, they will notice there are a number of definitions that have been added or deleted. The new
definitions that deal with all of the sewage related issues are from either the state statute or the
new state regulations. They are incorporating the terminology that is used at the state level and
changing various regulations throughout the zoning ordinance so that consistent terminology is
ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION – FEBRUARY 28, 2012
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used. If they look at the current regulations various terms have been used when referring to
septic systems. However, all of those are being changed.
- The definitions of central water supply and central sewer systems are being deleted from the
zoning ordinance. Those regulations are already covered in another part of the County Code. It
is much easier to maintain a single set of regulations that deal with a particular regulation. One of
the key changes in Section 4.1 is eliminating the area requirements for central water and central
sewage systems. He highlighted that the ordinance staff is recommending will come back to the
Commission in about three weeks with the subdivision text amendment. Section 4.1(b).1 deals
with the new regulations in regards to alternative onsite sewage systems. It also includes
Sections 4.2.2(a).1 & 4.2.2(a).2. Staff started working on this several months ago. There have
been tweaks to the amendments to the draft language. What they realized is that 4.1(b).1 goes
beyond the state enabling authority. So they need to pull that back a little bit. They need to allow
for alternative onsite sewage systems without the additional obligation for the subdivider or the
land owner to be able to demonstrate that they have a reserve drainfield, which is something th at
would be required in conjunction with a conventional onsite sewage system.
- With respect to the other sections that were included, 4.1 and 4.2 were the two core sections of
the ordinance. In Section 4.7 and the remaining sections in the ordinance those were all
recommended for changes also because they all had references to septic systems, septic
drainfields and things like that. So they needed to make the corresponding changes to the
terminology. Along with those changes they did some housekeeping things because some state
agency names have changed or responsibilities have changed. The county’s own department
names have changes. Those were also just housekeeping measures that were dragged along.
- In Section 10.5.2 the Commission will note that there is a large elimination of subsection 9.
Section 10.5.2 was included because of the references to individual sewage. They were
correcting the terminology. When they looked at that they realized that subsection 9 is directly
inconsistent with the introductory paragraph to Section 10.5.2, which states that no special use
permit is permitted within the boundaries of a watershed to obtain additional development rights.
Subsection 9 imposes additional standards for that very type of special use permit. They think
that was related to an individual application in which there was a law suit probably back in the late
1980’s. Staff thinks it was related to a law suit for a particular applicant back then. However,
staff can look at that to find out what was the origin of Subsection 9. Those are all of the
changes.
- With respect to the subdivision ordinance they identified a Section that does need to be changed,
Section 14-4-16. It requires that lots that are being served by individual sewage disposal systems
have to have a conventional type system. With the new law they need to revise that so it
accommodates alternative onsite sewage system s. Once they get to new business tonight he
will ask the Commission to consider a resolution of intent. The goal is to have that subdivision
text amendment and this zoning text amendment with the revisions that he has described come
back to the Commission on March 20th. That will keep us on schedule for the consideration of
both items by the Board of Supervisors.
Mr. Morris thanked Mr. Kamptner for the update.
Mr. Cilimberg said he would assume after the hearing tonight that they could just defer this matter to
March 20th and he would have the resolution for the other matter that also goes on March 20th. The
Commission could rehear it all on that date.
Mr. Kamptner replied yes, and that it may be that they will need to readvertise and to look at the scope
and extent of the changes that need to be made to Sect ions 4.1 and 4.2. However, the public would have
an opportunity to comment again on March 20th.
Mr. Cilimberg noted that they need to send the ads to the newspaper this week for the March 20 th
meeting. He did not want to cut it short, and if so they would need to shoot for an April date.
Mr. Kamptner replied no, that is fine. There would just be minor adjustments to the existing
advertisement.
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Mr. Randolph noted on page 15 he would recommend that Professor Slus hy is no longer on the Board of
Supervisors.
Mr. Kamptner thanked him for the correction.
Mr. Dotson noted a question for Mr. Kamptner on page 3. They are eliminating 4.1.4 that says that the
regulations of the zoning district in which the parcel is located take precedence in terms of the minimum
area. He asked if that is right that they are eliminating that. Does it just go away or do they pick it up in
some new wording.
Mr. Kamptner replied that he would look it up, but asked Mr. Higgins or Mr. Brooks to jump in if they knew
the answer.
Ron Higgins replied that is actually just pointing out that they have a number of districts whose minimum
area for the lot is larger than 60,000 square feet. So in that case it would prevail over the 60,000 square
feet or the 40,000 square feet. There are two different standards there. They want to make sure that
they don’t let that standard if they were to keep it supersede our actual lot size standard in the zoning
ordinance.
Mr. Dotson said they use to say that. It strikes him that it is still use ful to make that point.
Mr. Higgins noted it is in the current draft.
Mr. Dotson questioned if they don’t need to take the time to look for it. He knew that some of the work
that took place over the last three or four years in Richmond to generate t his new state law was in part
motivated by being able to open up lands to development that had not been previously available. He just
wants to make sure they don’t inadvertently have some unintended consequences that they don’t
anticipate. So he particularly focused on that and would feel better if they have a statement that the
zoning takes precedence.
Mr. Higgins said he was almost certain that it is still in there. However, he needs to find it.
Mr. Kamptner said that he did not think it is. What th ey can do when this comes back is give the
Commission a detailed explanation as to why. He was looking at the earlier drafts. In the earlier drafts of
this he provides his commentary that incorporates and explains what they are doing to staff. It also
explains the comments that he has received. His notes from the September 7 th draft and December draft
state that current sections 4.1.1 and 4.1.4 are deleted as unnecessary. It may be that there are other
regulations that are now taking the place of 4.1.4. However, staff will have an answer for him when this
comes back.
Mr. Cilimberg said he thought at the time it was intended that it would clarify that even if they did qualify
under 4.1.2 or 4.1.3 for the lesser lot size by having one utility that they still had to meet the minimum
requirement of the district. Now that is all going away. It is basically going to be the minimum requirement
of the district in that now. In some ways it is a given even without saying.
Mr. Dotson said it was a given worth emphasizing he would argue.
Mr. Franco noted he had a whole list of question along the way.
- On page 4 in the top part where it talks about increased water consumption, he raised the
question of how they deal with geo-thermal and irrigation in those cases. That would increase the
water consumption of the structure, but he was not sure that either one of those is something that
would necessarily require connection to the public water. He asked staff to answer that question
next time.
- In b1 regarding the conventional onsite sewage system, one of the questions was why not just
recommend Department of Health approval of the system versus all these other definitions. He
also raised the question of the way this reads if he chooses to use an alternative system but he is
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not required to, the Health Department would allow him to do that. This seems to say he could
not unless he had unusual soils or conditions.
Mr. Kamptner replied that is the section that is being significantly revised. What happened was that t he
reference to the unusual soil conditions was a carryover from the current regulations and then the
alternative onsite sewage system provisions got melted into that particular regulation.
Mr. Franco asked if it was the same thing further down with the three bedrooms.
Mr. Kamptner replied that is for conventional onsite system. That is just a carryover of the current
regulations.
Mr. Franco noted on page 5 at the top regarding critical slopes, the policy has changed over time and he
thought that man made slopes are not regulated as critical slopes.
Ron Higgins replied that until January 13 the man made slopes were eligible for an administrative waiver
or variation. They are now part of the whole variation process that goes directly to the Board of
Supervisors. He did not think they were automatic. There are ordinance amendments being discussed
right now that will redefine what critical slopes are. He believes the man made slopes are among those
on an approved plan that would automatically not be considered critical slopes.
Mr. Franco noted that he did not know as long as they are in this section whether they should codify some
of our practices from the past. He questioned if they should add words about the man-made slopes
because it might be easier.
Mr. Kamptner replied because that is getting more directly into the regulation of critical slopes, which is
something staff is working on right now, they deferred addressing that issue in this ordinance making only
the changes necessary to make sure they are in compliance with St. Clair.
Mr. Franco noted on page 7 in Section 4.7.b VI it talks about improvements in a cluster development . He
had one question dealing with the open space requirements. He asked about a single use in there where
they are not talking about a community drainfield but a club or bathroom in an open space or something
like that. He did not see how that fit into the permitted uses.
Ron Higgins replied that noncommercial recreational uses and other uses are outlined in that s ection,
which he believed would cover what he was talking about.
Mr. Franco said the way he read it that it was talking about more of the cluster drainfields versus a single
use like a single drainfield.
Ron Higgins replied actually they were talking abo ut within the open space that was part of the cluster
development. He was not sure what Mr. Franco was saying. This is simply what you are allowed to put
in your open space. They would not have other single uses.
Mr. Franco said what he was talking about is if he was permitted to put a septic system in the open space
in a cluster development when there was no suitable location for drainfields on a development lot. What if
his open space has a use such as a club or a bathroom in the open space.
Mr. Kamptner replied that the onsite sewage is just an additional use that is allowed within open space.
Mr. Franco asked if because it was a part of that lot it was allowed.
Ron Higgins replied yes.
Mr. Brooks said he thought it was intended to be a stand -alone use in the open space. If they had a club
or a recreational use or structure, then the sewage system would be ancillary to that structure and would
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be allowed. It has not been stated. If they could not get a septic on some lot and wanted to move jus t the
septic field to the open space he thinks this allows it.
Mr. Franco said he understood why that was in there. If they say it is covered, it is covered. On page 10
in C1, he asked if they have been using 200 people as kind of a standard for most of these special use
permits for wineries and so on. He asked if they should consider standardizing the150 listed here.
Mr. Cilimberg pointed out that the 200 persons are only used with the wineries and 150 are used in some
other sections. That is all going to be revisited as part of what they are working on with the Comp Plan
for rural uses.
Mr. Kamptner asked to answer Mr. Franco’s first question regarding the introductory language on the top
of page 4. That is a carryover of the existing regulations. Where there is an increase in consumption
that is a current standard as well.
Mr. Franco asked if it was outside the resolution to address the concern of a use geothermal or some of
these other technologies triggering that need to connect to public wat er.
Mr. Kamptner replied that while they are looking at it that is something they can look at. It may be
something they will decide is beyond the scope of this resolution of intent.
Mr. Morris opened the public hearing and invited public comment. There being no public comment, the
public hearing was closed and the matter before the Planning Commission.
Mr. Cilimberg noted staff recommends the Planning Commission defer ZTA -2012-00002 Water/Sewer
Regulations to the March 20th meeting.
Mr. Kamptner suggested the Commission direct staff to put this on the March 20 agenda.
Motion: Mr. Franco moved and Mr. Lafferty seconded to defer ZTA-2012-00002 Water/Sewer
Regulations to the March 20th agenda as recommended by staff.
The motion passed by a vote of 7:0.
Mr. Morris noted that ZTA-2012-00002 Water/Sewer Regulations was deferred to the Planning
Commission’s meeting on March 20th.
New Business
Mr. Franco noted that a proposed resolution of intent had been passed out for the Commission’s
consideration.
Motion: Mr. Franco moved and Mr. Loach seconded for approval of the resolution of intent to amend
Section 14-4-1-6 of the Albemarle County Subdivision Ordinance.
Mr. Morris invited discussion.
Mr. Dotson asked what it is about.
Mr. Franco replied that the resolution of intent was about what they just talked about, but adding it to the
Subdivision Ordinance.
Mr. Kamptner said this was related to the water and sewer regulation and they need to amend Section
14-4-1-6 because it requires that lots that are served by individual sewage systems have septic systems
with conventional drainfields.
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Mr. Dotson asked if this is what staff is bringing to the Planning Commission on the 20th of March.
Mr. Kamptner replied yes. They need to incorporate the new laws pertaining to alternative onsite
sewage systems.
The motion passed by a vote of 7:0 to amend Section 14-4-1-6 of the Albemarle County Subdivision
Ordinance as outlined in the following resolution of intent . The Planning Commission public hearing will
be held on March 20th.
ZTA-2012-00002 Water/Sewer Regulations –
Resolution of Intent for Revision of Subdivision Ordinance
WHEREAS, in County Code § 14-416, the Albemarle County Subdivision Ordinance establishes
the minimum standards for subdivisions whose lots will be served by individual private wells and sewage
systems and requires that lots be served by “septic systems having adequate conventional drainfields”;
and
WHEREAS, since the County’s subdivision regulations pertaining to indivi dual sewage systems
were last amended, the General Assembly has mandated that alternative onsite sewage systems be
allowed upon approval by the Virginia Department of Health, subject to regulations adopted by the
Virginia Department of Health; and
WHEREAS, as defined by State law, alternative onsite sewage systems may be established
without conventional drainfields; and
WHEREAS, in order to incorporate the State requirements pertaining to alternative onsite sewage
systems and to improve the administration of the Subdivision Ordinance, it may be desirable to amend
County Code § 14-416.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT for purposes of public necessity, convenience,
general welfare and good land development practices, the Albemarle County Planning Commis sion
hereby adopts a resolution of intent to consider amending County Code § 14 -416 and any other
regulations of the Subdivision Ordinance deemed appropriate to achieve the purposes described herein;
and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Planning Commission shall hold a public hearing on the
zoning text amendment proposed by this resolution of intent, and make its recommendation to the Board
of Supervisors, at the earliest possible date.
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Albemarle County Planning Commission
March 20, 2012
The Albemarle County Planning Commission held a regular meeting on Tuesday, March 20, 2012, at 6:00
p.m., at the County Office Building, Lane Auditorium, Second Floor, 401 McIntire Road, Charlottesville,
Virginia.
Members attending were Richard Randolph, Bruce Dotson, Ed Smith, Thomas Loach, Don Franco,
Calvin Morris, Chair; and Russell (Mac) Lafferty, Vice Chair. Julia Monteith, AICP, Senior Land Use
Planner for the University of Virginia was present.
Other officials present were Lee Catlin, Assistant to the County Executive for Community and Business
Partnerships, Rebecca Ragsdale, Senior Planner; Phil Custer, Engineer; Glenn Brooks, County Engineer;
Ron White, Director of Housing; Elaine Echols, Principal Planner; Amelia McCulley, Director of
Zoning/Zoning Administrator; Francis MacCall, Planner; Wayne Cilimberg, Director of Planning and Greg
Kamptner, Deputy County Attorney.
Deferred Item:
ZTA-2012-00002 Water/Sewer Regulations
Amend Secs. 3.1, Definitions, 4.1, Area and health regulations related to utilities, 4.2, Critical slopes,
4.2.1, Building site required, 4.2.2, Building site area and dimensions, 4.2.3, Location of structures and
improvements, 4.2.4, Location of septic systems, 4.7, Open space, 5.1.43, Special events, 5.1.44, Farm
worker housing, and 10.5.2, Where permitted by special use permit; and repeal Secs. 4.1.1, 4.1.2, 4.1.3,
4.1.4, 4.1.5, 4.1.6 and 4.1.7 (all untitled), of Chapter 18, Zoning, of the Albemarle County Code. This
ordinance would amend the regulations pertaining to building sites, critical slopes, and water supplies and
sewer systems serving developments and individual lots by adding and deleting definitions (3.1), restating
and clarifying the standards for developments and lots to be served by public or private water supplies
and sewer systems (4.1), updating the terminology for provisions pertaining to critical slopes (4.2),
clarifying the minimum standards for building sites (4.2.1), restating the minimum standards for building
site area and dimensions for uses not served by public sewer systems, and providing for special
exceptions from those standards and for alternative onsite sewer systems (4.2.2), eliminating an
ambiguity as to whether special use permits for additional development rights are permitted in the
watershed of a public water supply reservoir (not allowed) (10.5.2), and m aking corresponding technical
changes and non-substantive changes updating terminology to other related sections (4.2.3, 4.2.4, 4.7,
5.1.43, 5.1.44, 10.5.2). A copy of the full text of the ordinance is on file in the office of the Clerk of the
Board of Supervisors and in the Department of Community Development, County Office Building, 401
McIntire Road, Charlottesville, Virginia. (Glenn Brooks) DEFERRED FROM THE FEBRUARY 28, 2012
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
Mr. Brooks summarized ZTA-2012-0002, Water/Sewer Regulations. This item was deferred on the
February 28th Planning Commission meeting to incorporate additional changes and to prepare a
corresponding Subdivision Text Amendment. It is an update of the zoning ordinance to accommodate
alternative onsite sewage systems for individual lots. It also made some corrections to other parts of the
ordinance and clarifications, which staff could review, that were written in the advertisement and the staff
report. The subjective change made since February 28th is staff removed item 1 from the ordinance
section on display for alternative onsite sewage systems, which took out the requirement for a reserve
drainfield. It remains in for conventional onsite sewage systems. The zoning text amendment was
deferred to accompany the subdivision text amendment, which will follow this. The subdivision text
amendment is doing the same in updating the ordinance to reflect recent state laws changed as of last
year to allow onsite sewer systems by right.
Mr. Morris invited questions.
Mr. Dotson asked what was the rationale and reasoning behind the change about the reserve drainfield.
Mr. Brooks replied that the state does not allow localities to require a reserve drainfield for an alternative
system.
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Mr. Kamptner added that staff did not think there was any other reasonable basis upon which to require
the reserve drainfield in that case.
Mr. Dotson said if an alternative system failed, then the homeowner would install a new alternative
system.
Mr. Kamptner agreed that the owner would install another alternative system. He noted when land is
being subdivided the subdivider will essentially be making the choice for a particular lot may it be served
by either type of system or served only by an alternative system. It will depend on how that lot is
configured and the soils that are on that particular lot.
Mr. Morris opened the public hearing and invited public comment. There being no public comment, he
closed the public hearing to bring the matter back to the Planning Commission. He asked staff what
action they were recommending.
Mr. Brooks replied staff recommends the Planning Commission forward a recommendation for approval of
ZTA-2012-00002 to the Board of Supervisors.
Mr. Kamptner added for the record that the Planning Commission did open and close the public hearing
for ZTA-2012-00002 on February 28th. Therefore, this was the second public hearing on this matter.
Mr. Dotson said there were a couple of things he would like to hear staff’s response on. If this ZTA is
approved will it have any impact on rural density or the rate of rural development.
Mr. Brooks replied no, not that he was aware of since this is related to the area/lot requirements. The
ordinance requires a 30,000 square foot area on a lot for buildable area. That has not changed. What
they can subdivide is essentially the same.
Mr. Dotson asked are there any changes here that they don’t have to make or have elected to do.
Mr. Brooks replied yes.
Mr. Dotson asked if the changes are editorial and housekeeping.
Mr. Brooks replied that the changes that are voluntary are editorial and housekeeping. Staff has updated
terminology and minimum standards for building site area and dimensions. In addition, the changes are
eliminating ambiguity as to whether special use permits for additional development rights are permitted in
the watershed of the public water shed. There are some other small changes in the other parts of the
ordinance.
Mr. Dotson pointed out the reason he was nervous about these systems is because they require very
careful maintenance and upkeep. He knows the state has the responsibility for looking after that and the
county does not. None the less he just wants them to go into this with their eyes open.
Mr. Brooks agreed. However, he did not think the county has much choice since the state has been very
clear that they are not to add on any requirements for maintenance.
Mr. Kamptner noted there was an opinion from the Attorney General on March 9th that reinforced the fact
that localities have no authority to impose maintenance requirements on these systems.
Mr. Morris invited further comments.
Mr. Randolph said he had questions about the special events. His understanding was the proposal was
just for changes in the existing policy for the county. He noticed, however, that there was no mention of
any noise restrictions on special events. He asked if that is already codified elsewhere so it need not
have been cited here.
Mr. Morris pointed out the noise ordinance is codified elsewhere.
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Mr. Kamptner agreed since that would be regulated under the noise regulation in Section 4.18. These
events are subject to special use permits and it would also be covered under the special use permit
conditions. He was not sure if they have actually had any special events come in under this particular
section since it was adopted.
Mr. Brooks noted that most of those requests staff sees are with wineries, which come in under special
use permit provisions.
Motion: Mr. Lafferty moved and Mr. Randolph seconded to recommend approval of ZTA-2012-00002,
Water/Sewer Regulations.
The motion passed by a vote of 7:0.
Mr. Morris said that ZTA-2012-00002, Water Sewer Regulations, will be forwarded to the Board of
Supervisors with a recommendation for approval at a date to be determined.
COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE
Department of Community Development
401 McIntire Road, Room 227
Charlottesville, Virginia 22902-4596
Phone (434) 296-5832 Fax (434) 972-4126
MEMORANDUM
TO: File
FROM: Glenn Brooks, County Engineer
DATE: April 2, 2012
RE: ZTA201200002 & STA201200001 Water/Sewer Regulations
The Albemarle County Planning Commission, at its meeting on March 20, 2012, by a vote of 7:0,
recommended approval of the above-noted Zoning Text Amendment & Subdivision Text Amendment to
the Board of Supervisors.
The Board is scheduled to hold a public hearing on this item at its May 2nd meeting.
Attachments:
Recommended Revisions to Ordinance
Staff report and attachment
PC minutes
Return to agenda
ZTA-2012-00002 Water/Sewer Regulations – Recommended Revisions to Zoning Ordinance
ORDINANCE NO. 12-18( )
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 18, ZONING, ARTICLE I, GENERAL PROVISIONS, ARTICLE
II, BASIC REGULATIONS, AND ARTICLE III, DISTRICT REGULATIONS, OF THE CODE OF THE
COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE, VIRGINIA
BE IT ORDAINED By the Board of Supervisors of the County of Albemarle, Virginia, that Chapter 18,
Zoning, Article I, General Regulations, Article II, Basic Regulations, and Article III, District Regulations,
are hereby amended and reordained as follows:
By Amending:
Sec. 3.1 Definitions
Sec. 4.2 Critical slopes
Sec. 4.2.1 Building site required
Sec. 4.2.2 Building site area and dimensions
Sec. 4.2.3 Location of structures and improvements
Sec. 4.2.4 Location of septic systems
Sec. 4.7 Open space
Sec. 5.1.43 Special events
Sec. 5.1.44 Farm worker housing
Sec. 10.5.2 Where permitted by special use permit
By Amending and Renaming:
Current New
Sec. 4.1 Area and health regulations related to utilities Water supplies and sewer
systems
By Repealing:
Sec. 4.1.1 Untitled
Sec. 4.1.2 Untitled
Sec. 4.1.3 Untitled
Sec. 4.1.4 Untitled
Sec. 4.1.5 Untitled
Sec. 4.1.6 Untitled
Sec. 4.1.7 Untitled
Chapter 18. Zoning
Article I. General Regulations
Sec. 3.1 Definitions
. . .
Alternative onsite sewage system: A treatment works approved by the Virginia Department of Health that
is not a conventional onsite sewage system and does not result in a point source discharge.
. . .
Central Sewerage System: A sewerage system consisting of pipelines or conduits, pumping stations,
force mains or sewerage treatment plants, including, but not limited to, septic tanks and/or drain fields, or
any of them, designed to serve three (3) or more connections, used for conducting or treating sewage
which is required to be approved by the board of supervisors pursuant to Title 15.2, Chapter 21, Article 4
of the Code.
. . .
Central Water Supply: A water supply consisting of a well, springs or other source and the necessary
pipes, conduits, mains, pumping stations and other facilities in connection therewith, to serve or to be
capable of serving three (3) or more connections which is required to be approved by the board of
supervisors pursuant to Title 15.2, Chapter 21, Article 6 of the Code.
. . .
Conventional onsite sewage system: A treatment works approved by the Virginia Department of Health
consisting of one or more septic tanks with gravity, pumped, or siphoned conveyance to a gravity
distributed subsurface drainfield.
. . .
Critical slopes: Slopes of twenty-five (25) percent or greater as determined by reference to either current
topographic mapping available from the county or a more accurate field survey certified by a professional
surveyor or engineer.
. . .
Onsite sewage system: A conventional onsite sewage system or an alternative onsite sewage system.
. . .
Subsurface drainfield: A system installed within the soil and designed to accommodate treated sewage
from a treatment works.
. . .
Treatment works: Any device or system used in the storage, treatment, disposal or reclamation of sewage
or combinations of sewage and industrial wastes, including but not limited to pumping, power and other
equipment and appurtenances, septic tanks, and any works, including land, that are or will be (i) an
integral part of the treatment process or (ii) used for ultimate disposal of residues or effluents resulting
from such treatment.
Article II. Basic Regulations
Sec. 4.1 Area and health regulations related to utilities Water supplies and sewer systems
(Amended 6-3-81)
The following regulations shall apply to all districts:
It is specifically intended that the public water supply and public sewerage system be utilized within the
service areas of the Albemarle County Service Authority. Within such service areas, provisi ons of section
6.0 and other provisions of section 4.1 notwithstanding, no building permit shall be issued for any building
or structure, including mobile homes, the use of which requires increased water consumption and/or
sewage disposal, unless the building or structure shall be provided with public water and/or public
sewerage system service. This requirement, however, shall not apply to the following situations and
circumstances:
a. Whenever a structure is damaged as a result of factors beyond the co ntrol of the owner and/or
occupant thereof, such structure may be repaired and/or reconstructed provided that such repair
and/or reconstruction shall be commenced within twelve (12) months and completed within twenty -
four (24) months from the date of such damage; and provided further that such structure shall not be
repaired and/or reconstructed in such manner as to reasonably cause an increase in water usage
and/or sewage disposal demand; or
b. The director of planning and community development in consultation with the Albemarle County
Service Authority finds that the cost of connecting the proposed development to the public water
and/or sewerage system, exclusive of connection fees, exceeds the cost of installing an on -site well
and/or septic system; or
c. The director of planning and community development in consultation with the Albemarle County
Service Authority finds that the capacity of the public water and/or sewerage system is inadequate to
serve the proposed development.
Except for (a) above, the foregoing provisions shall not provide relief from §§ 4.1.1 through 4.1.7. (Added
1-3-96)
4.1.1 For a parcel served by both a central water supply and a central sewer system, the minimum
area requirements of the district in which such parcel is located shall apply.
4.1.2 For a parcel served by either a central water supply or a central sewer system, there shall be
provided a minimum area of forty thousand (40,000) square feet per commercial or industrial
establishment or per dwelling unit as the case may be.
4.1.3 For a parcel served by neither a central water supply nor a central sewer system, there shall
be provided a minimum of sixty thousand (60,000) square feet per commercial or industrial
establishment or per dwelling unit as the case may be.
4.1.4 The provisions of sections 4.1.2 and 4.1.3 notwithstanding, in such cases where a greater
minimum area is required by the regulations of the district in which the parcel is located, said
district regulations shall apply.
4.1.5 In the case of unusual so il conditions or other physical factors which may impair the health
and safety of the neighborhood, upon the recommendation of the Virginia Department of
Health, the commission may increase the area requirements for uses utilizing other than a
public sewer system.
4.1.6 For lots not served by a central sewer system, no building permit shall be issued for any
building or structure, the use of which involves sewage disposal, without written approval
from the local office of the Virginia Department of Health of the location and area for both
original and future replacement septic disposal fields adequate to serve such use. For
residential usage, at a minimum, each septic disposal field shall consist of suitable soils of
adequate area to accommodate sewage disposal from a three (3) bedroom dwelling as
determined by current regulations of the Virginia Department of Health. (Amended 11-15-89)
4.1.7 In a cluster development, open space may be used for septic field location only after the
septic field locations on such lot are determined to be inadequate by the local office of the
Virginia Department of Health. (Added 6-3-81)
The water supply and sewer system serving either a development or any individual lot shall comply with
the following:
a. Public water supply and public sewer system within the services areas of the Albemarle County
Service Authority. Within the services areas of the Albemarle County Service Authority (the
“service areas”), each development and each lot shall be served by the public water sup ply and
the public sewer system. Within the service areas, no building permit shall be issued for any
structure if its use requires increased water consumption and/or sewage disposal, unless the
structure will be connected to the public water supply and/or the public sewer system. Connection
to the public water supply and/or the public sewer system is not required in the following
circumstances:
1. Existing structure damaged. When an existing structure is damaged as a result of factors
beyond the control of its owner and/or occupant, the structure may be repaired or
reconstructed provided that the repair or reconstruction is commenced within twelve (12)
months and completed within twenty-four (24) months after the date of the damage, and
further provided that the structure is not repaired or reconstructed so as to increase the
number of water supply or sewage fixtures.
2. Cost of connection to public water supply or public sewer system exceeds cost of onsite
sewage system. When the Albemarle County Service Authority finds that the cost of
connecting the proposed development or lot to the public water supply and/or the public
sewer system, exclusive of connection fees, exceeds the cost of installing an on-site well
and/or an onsite sewage system.
3. Capacity of public water supply or public sewer system is inadequate . When the
Albemarle County Service Authority finds that the capacity of the public water supply
and/or the public sewer system is inadequate to serve the proposed development or lot.
4. Nonconforming use or structure. The structure is used for a nonconforming use and
satisfies the requirements of section 6.2(C) or the structure is nonconforming and
satisfies the requirements of section 6.3.
b. Water supply and sewer system when development or lot not connected to the public water
supply and/or the public sewer system. When a development or a lot is not or will not be
connected to the public water supply and/or the public sewer system, the following shall apply,
except when an existing structure is damaged as provided in section 4.1(a)(1):
1. Lots served by an alternative onsite sewage system. On any lot served by an alternative
onsite sewage system, no building permit shall be issued for any structure, the use of
which requires sewage disposal, without the Virginia Department of Health’s approval of
the location and area for the alternative onsite sewage system.
2. Lots served by a conventional onsite sewage system. On any lot served by a
conventional onsite sewage system, no building permit shall be issued for any structure,
the use of which requires sewage disposal, without the Virginia Department of Health’s
approval of the location and area for both an original and a replacement subsurface
drainfield that is adequate to serve the use. For residential uses, each subsurface
drainfield shall have suitable soils of adequate area to accommodate sewage disposal
from a three (3) bedroom dwelling as determined by the current regulations of the Virginia
Department of Health.
Sec. 4.2 Critical slopes
These provisions in this section through section 4.2.5 are created to implement the comprehensive plan
by protecting and conserving steep hillsides together with public drinking water supplies and flood plain
areas and in recognition of because of the increased potential for soil erosion, sedimentation, water
pollution and septic disposal sewage disposal problems associated with the development disturbance of
those areas described in the comprehensive plan as critical slopes. It is hereby recognized that such
development of The disturbance of critical slopes may result in: rapid and/or large-scale movement of soil
and rock; excessive stormwater run-off; siltation of natural and man-made bodies of water; loss of
aesthetic resource; and in the event of septic system onsite sewage system failure, a greater travel
distance of septic effluent, all of which constitute potential dangers to the public health, safety and/or
welfare. These provisions The regulations in sections 4.2.1, 4.2.2, 4.2.3 and 4.2.4 are intended to direct
building and septic system onsite sewage system locations to terrain more suitable to development and to
discourage development on critical slopes, and to supplement other regulations regarding the protection
of public water supplies and the encroachment of development into flood plains. (Amended 11-15-89)
Where modification of regulations is sought pursuant to section 4.2.5, such request shall address each
concern specified in section 4.2. Each request to waive or modify any requirement of sections 4.2.1,
4.2.2, 4.2.3 or 4.2.4 under section 4.2.5 shall be by special exception under section 31.8. (Added 11-15-
89)
Sec. 4.2.1 Building site required
No lot or parcel shall have less than one (1) building site, subject to the following:.
a. Composition of building site. A building site shall be composed of a contiguous area of land and
may not contain any area of land that is: (i) in critical slopes; (ii) within the flood hazard overlay
district; (iii) under water during norm al hydrological conditions; (iv) within two hundred (200)
horizontal feet of the one hundred year flood plain of any public water supply reservoir; and (v)
within a stream buffer under chapter 17 of the Code, provided that nothing contained herein shall
be deemed to prohibit or impair the program authority from exercising its discretion as authorized
in chapter 17. For purposes of this section, the term “building site” shall mean a contiguous area
of land in slopes of less than twenty-five (25) percent as determined by reference to either
topographic quadrangle maps of the Geological Survey - U. S. Department of Interior (contour
interval twenty [20] feet) or a source determined by the county engineer to be of superior
accuracy, exclusive of:
-Such area as may be located in the flood hazard overlay district or which is located under water;
-Such area as may be located within two hundred (200) horizontal feet of the one hundred year
flood plain of any public drinking water impoundment or within one hundred (100) horizontal feet
of the edge of any tributary stream to such impoundment; (Amended 11-11-87)
-Such area as may be designated as resource protection areas on the resource protection areas
map adopted pursuant to chapter 17 of the Code of Albemarle; provided that nothing contained
herein shall be deemed to prevent or impair the water resources manager from exercise of
discretion as set forth in that ordinance. (Added 9-9-92)
b. Special exception. Notwithstanding section 4.2.5, any requirement of section 4.2.1(a) may be
waived or modified by special exception under section 31.8 upon the board of supervisors’
consideration of whether (i) the parcel has an unusual size, topography, shape, location or other
unusual physical condition; or (ii) development in a stream buffer on the parcel was authorized as
provided in section 17-321 of the Code.
Sec. 4.2.2 Building site area and dimensions
Each building site shall be subject to the following minimum area and dimension requirements: (Amended
10-17-01)
a. Uses not served by a public or central sewerage sewage system. Building sites for uses not
served by a public or central sewerage sewage system shall be subject to the following:
(Amended 11-15-89; 10-17-01)
1. Dwelling units. Each building site for a dwelling unit shall have an area of thirty thousand
(30,000) square feet or greater and shall be of such dimensions that no one dimension
exceeds any other by a ratio of more than five (5) to one (1) as described by a rectangle
inscribed within the building site. The building site shall have adequate area for locating
two (2) septic drain fields subsurface drainfields approved by the Virginia Department of
Health pursuant to section 4.1 of this chapter if the lot will be served by a conventional
onsite sewage system. (Amended 11-15-89; 10-17-01)
2. Development subject to section 32 of this chapter. Each building site in a development
subject to section 32 of this chapter shall have an area of thirty thousand (30,000) square
feet or greater and shall be of such dimensions that no one dimension exceeds any other
by a ratio of more than five (5) to one (1) as described by a rectangle inscribed within the
building site. The building site shall have adequate area for all buildings and structures,
two (2) septic drain fields subsurface drainfields approved by the Virginia Department of
Health pursuant to section 4.1 of this chapter if the lot will be served by a conventional
onsite sewage system , parking and loading areas, storage yards and other
improvements, and all earth disturbing activity related to the improvements. (Added 11-
15-89; Amended 10-17-01)
3. Modification or waiver Special exception. Notwithstanding section 4.2.5 of this chapter,
the director of planning and community development may modify or waive the rectangular
shape required by subsections (1) and (2) if, may be waived or modified by special
exception under section 31.8 if, after receiving the recommendation from the Virginia
Department of Health, the director of planning and community development finds, upon
the board of supervisors’ consideration of the recommendation from the Virginia
Department of Health and based on information provided by the developer showing, that:
(i) the parcel has an unusual size, topography, shape, location or ot her unusual physical
condition; (ii) no reasonable alternative building site exists; and (iii) modifying or waiving
the rectangular shape would result in less degradation of the parcel or adjacent parcels
than if those dimensions were adhered to. (Added 10-17-01)
4. Appeal. A developer may appeal the denial of a modification or waiver to the planning
commission and, thereafter, to the board of supervisors, pursuant to section 4.2.5.
(Added 10-17-01)
b. Uses served by a central sewerage sewage system. Building sites for uses served by a central
sewerage sewage system shall be demonstrated by the applicant to have adequate area, as
follows: (Amended 10-17-01)
1. Residential development. Each building site in a residential development shall have
adequate area for all dwelling unit(s) together with an area equivalent to the sum of the
applicable required yard areas for the applicable zoning district and, if parking is provided
in bays, the parking area. (Added 11-15-89; Amended 10-17-01)
2. Development subject to section 32 of this chapter. Each building site in a development
subject to section 32 of this chapter shall have adequate area for all structures, parking
and loading areas, storage yards and other improvements, and all earth disturbing
activity related to the improvements. (Added 11-15-89; Amended 10-17-01)
(§ (4.2.2, 12-10-80; § 4.2.2, 4.2.2.1, 11-15-89; Ord. 01-18(7), 10-17-01)
Sec. 4.2.3 Location of structures and improvements
Except as otherwise permitted pursuant to provided in section 4.2.2, the provisions of this section shall
apply applies to the location of any structure for which a permit is required under the Uniform Statewide
Building Code and to any improvement shown on a site development plan pursuant to section 32.0 of this
chapter. (Amended 11-15-89; 10-17-01)
(§ 4.2.3, 12-10-80, 11-15-89; Ord. 01-18(7), 10-17-01)
4.2.3.1a. No structure or improvement shall be located on any lot or parcel in any area other than a
building site. (Amended 11-15-89)
4.2.3.2b. No structure or improvement nor earth No structure, improvement, or land disturbing
activity to establish such the structure or improvement shall be located on critical slopes
of twenty-five (25) percent or greater except as otherwise permitted under sections 4.2.5,
4.2.6 and 4.3.01.
Sec. 4.2.4 Location of septic systems onsite sewage systems (Amended 11-11-87)
In the review for and issuance of a permit for the installation of a septic system an onsite sewage system,
the Virginia Department of Health shall should be mindful of the intent of this section 4.2, and particularly
mindful of the intent to discourage location of septic tanks and/or drain fields onsite sewage systems on
slopes of twenty (20) percent or greater. Septic system location shall be restricted to Any onsite sewage
system shall be located within the approved a building site. (Amended 11-1-87; 9-9-92)
Sec. 4.7 Open space
Open space shall be established, used, designed and maintained as follows:
a. Intent. Open space is intended to provide active and passive recreation, protect areas sensitive
to development, buffer dissimilar uses from one another and preserve agricultural activities. The
commission and the board of supervisors shall consider the establishment, use, design and
maintenance of open space in their review and approval of zoning map amendments. The
subdivision agent and the site plan agent (hereinafter, collectively referred to as the “agent”) shall
apply the following principles when reviewing open space provided on a subdivi sion plat or site
plan.
b. Uses permitted. Open space shall be maintained in a natural state and shall not be developed
with any improvements, provided that the agent may authorize the open space to be used and
improved for the following purposes: (i) agriculture, forestry and fisheries, including appropriate
structures; (ii) game preserves, wildlife sanctuaries and similar uses; (iii) noncommercial
recreational uses and structures; (iv) public utilities; (v) individual wells and treatment works with
subsurface drainfields (reference section 4.1.7) (vi) in a cluster development, onsite sewage
systems if the Department of Health determines that there are no suitable locations for a
subsurface drainfield on a development lot ; and (vii) stormwater management facilities and flood
control devices.
c. Design. Open space shall be designed as follows:
1. Lands that may be required. The agent may require that open space include: (i) areas
deemed inappropriate for or prohibited to development including, but not limited to, land
in the one-hundred year flood plain and significant drainage swales, land in slopes of
twenty-five (25) percent or greater, public utility easements for transmission lines,
stormwater management facilities and flood control devices, and lands having permanent
or seasonally high water tables; (ii) areas to satisfy section 4.16, and (iii) areas to provide
reasonable buffering between dissimilar uses within the development and between the
development and adjoining properties.
2. Redesign during review. The agent may require the redesign of a proposed development
to accommodate open space areas as may be required under this section 4.7, provided
that the redesign shall not reduce the number of dwelling units permitted under the
applicable zoning district.
3. Limitation on certain elements. If open space is required by this chapter, not more than
eighty (80) percent of the minimum required open space shall consist of the following: (i)
land located within the one-hundred year flood plain; (ii) land subject to occasional,
common or frequent flooding as defined in Table 16 Soil and Water Features of the
United States Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service, Soil Survey of
Albemarle County, Virginia, August, 1985; (iii) land in slopes of twenty-five (25) percent or
greater critical slopes; and (iv) land devoted to stormwater management facilities or flood
control devices, except where the facility or feature is incorporated into a permanent
pond, lake or other water feature deemed by the agent to constitute a desirable open
space amenity.
d. Ownership of open space. Open space may be privately owned or dedicated to public use. Open
space in private ownership shall be subject to a legal instrument ensuring the maintenance and
preservation of the open space that is approved by the agent and the county attorney in
conjunction with the approval of the subdivision plat or site plan. Open space dedicated to public
use shall be dedicated to the county in the manner provided by law. Open space dedicated to
public use shall count toward the minimum required open space.
(12-10-80, §§ 4.7, 4.7.1, 4.7.2, 4.7.3, 4.7.4; 6-3-81, 11-15-89; Ord. 09-18(1), 1-14-09, § 4.7)
Sec. 5.1.43 Special events
Each special event authorized by section 10.2.2(50) shall be subject to the following:
a. Eligibility and applicability. Special events may be authorized on those parcels in the Rural Areas
(RA) zoning district on which there is an existing and ongoing by-right (section 10.2.1) primary
use. A special event special use permit issued under section 10.2.2(50) and this section shall not
be required for special events associated with farm wineries or historical centers, or for events
determined by the zoning administrator to be accessory to a primary use of the parcel.
b. Information to be submitted with application for special use permit. In addition to any information
otherwise required to be submitted for a special use permit, each application for a special use
permit shall include the following:
1. Concept plan. A preliminary schematic plan (the “concept plan”) satisfying section
32.4.1. The concept plan shall identify the structure(s) to be used for the special event,
include the area of the structure(s) in which the proposed special events will be
conducted, the parking area, and the entrance to the site from the street. The concept
plan shall address, in particular, provisions for safe and convenient access to and from
the street, the location of the parking area, the location of portable toilets if they may be
required, proposed screening as required by this section for parking areas and portable
toilets, and information regarding the exterior appearance of the proposed site. Based on
the concept plan and other information submitted, the board of supervisors may then
waive the requirement for a site plan in a particular case, upon a finding that the
requirement of a site plan would not forward the purposes of this chapter or otherwise
serve the public interest.
2. Information from the Virginia Department of Health. The applicant shall submit written
comments from the Virginia Department of Health regarding the private water supply and
the septic disposal system onsite sewage system that will serve the proposed special
event site, the ability of the water supply and the septic disposal system onsite sewage
system to handle the proposed events, and the need to improve the supply or the system
in order to handle the proposed events.
3. Building and fire safety. The building official and the county department of fire and
rescue shall review and comment on the application, identifying all Virginia Uniform
Statewide Building Code and Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code issues and
requirements.
c. Zoning compliance clearance. The applicant shall obtain a zoning compliance clearance under
section 31.5 prior to conducting a special event. A single zoning clearance may be obtained for
one (1) or more such special events in a calendar year as follows:
1. The zoning administrator may issue a single zoning compliance clearance for more than
one (1) special event if: (i) the application submitted by the applicant includes the
required information in subsection 5.1.43(c)(3) for each special event to be covered by
the zoning compliance clearance: (ii) the zoning administrator determines that each
special event is substantially similar in nature and size; and (iii) the zoning administrator
determines that a single set of conditions that would apply to each such special event
may be imposed with the zoning compliance clearance.
2. The applicant shall apply for a zoning compliance clearance at least thirty (30) days prior
to the date of the first special event to be authorized by the zoning compliance clearance.
The application shall be submitted to the zoning administrator, who shall forward copies
of the application to the county police department, the county building official, the county
department of fire and rescue, and the local office of the Virginia Department of Health.
As part of his review, the building official shall determine whether the structure(s)
proposed to be used for the special events satisfies the requirements of the Virginia
Uniform Statewide Building Code for that use.
3. The application shall describe the nature of each special event to be authorized by the
zoning compliance clearance, the date or dates and hours of operation of each such
special event, the facilities, structures to be used, and the number of participants and
support staff expect to attend each special event.
4. Upon a determination that all requirements of the zoning ordinance and all conditions of
the special use permit are satisfied, and imposing all conditions of such approval required
by the offices identified in subsection 5.1.43(c)(2), the zoning administrator shall issue a
zoning compliance clearance for one or more special events. The validity of the zoning
compliance clearance shall be conditional upon the applicant’s compliance with all
requirements of the zoning ordinance, all conditions of the appro ved special use permit,
the approved concept plan or site plan, and all conditions imposed by the zoning
compliance clearance.
d. Special events sites and structures. In addition to all other applicable requirements of this
chapter, special events sites and structures shall be subject to the following:
1. Structures used for special events. Each structure used for a special event shall satisfy
the following: (i) the structure shall have been in existence on the date of adoption of this
section 5.1.43, provided that this requirement shall not apply to accessory structures less
than one hundred fifty (150) square feet in size; (ii) the structure shall be a lawful
conforming structure and shall support or have supported a lawful use of the property;
and (iii) modifications to farm buildings or farm structures as those terms are defined in
Virginia Code § 36-97 shall allow the structure to revert to an agricultural use, as
determined by the building official.
2. Minimum yards. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the minimum front
yard shall be seventy-five (75) feet. The minimum side yard shall be twenty-five feet (25)
feet. The minimum rear yard shall be thirty-five (35) feet. All yards shall be measured
from structures and off-street parking areas. These minimum yard requirements shall
apply to all accessory structures established after the effective date of this section 5.1.43
and all tents, parking areas and portable toilets used in whole or in part to serve special
events.
3. Parking. The number of off-street parking spaces for a special event shall be as required
in section 4.12.6. Notwithstanding section 4.12.15(a) through (g), the additional parking
area(s) for special events shall consist of or be constructed of pervious materials
including, but not limited to stabilized turf, approved by the county engineer. Asphalt and
impervious materials are prohibited. If the parking area is on grass or in a field, the
applicant shall reseed and restore the parking area site as required by the zoning
administrator. In addition to the requirements of section 4.12.5, the parking area shall be
onsite and screened from abutting parcels by topography, structures or new or existing
landscaping. Notwithstanding section 4.12.16(d) and (e), the delineation of parking
spaces and the provision of bumper blocks shall not be required.
4. Water and sewer. The private water supply and septic disposal system onsite sewage
system serving a special event shall be approved by the Virginia Department of Health.
5. Streets and access. Streets serving the site shall be adequate for anticipated traffic
volume for a special event. Access from the street onto the site shall be adequate to
provide safe and convenient access to the site, and applicant shall install all required
improvements and provide adequate sight distance in order to provide safe and
convenient access.
e. Special events operations. In addition to all other applicable requirements of this chapter, special
events operations shall be subject to the following:
1. Number of participants. The number of participants at a special event at any one time
shall not exceed one hundred fifty (150) persons
2. Number of special events per year. The special use permit shall identify the number of
approved special events per calendar year, which number shall not exceed twenty -four
(24).
3. Signs. Permanent and temporary signs advertising a special event shall be permitted as
provided in sections 4.15.4, 4.15.4A and 4.15.8.
4. Food service. No kitchen facility permitted by the Virginia Department of Health as a
commercial kitchen shall be allowed on the site. A kitchen may be used by licensed
caterers for the handling, warming and distribution of food, but not for cooking f ood, to be
served at a special event.
5. Portable toilets. If required, portable toilets are permitted on the site, provided that they
comply with the yard requirements in section 5.1.43(d)(2) and shall be screened from that
parcel and any street by topography, structures or new or existing landscaping.
f. Prohibition of development to a more intensive use. A parcel subject to a special events special
use permit shall not be subdivided so as to create one or more parcels, including the parent
parcel, of less than twenty-one acres in size without first amending the special use permit to
expressly authorize the subdivision. If a parcel is so subdivided without first amending the special
use permit, special events shall thereafter be prohibited on the resulting parcels unless a new
special use permit is obtained.
(Ord. 05-18(8), 7-13-05)
Sec. 5.1.44 Farm worker housing
Each farm worker housing facility shall be subject to the following:
a. Concept plan to be submitted with application for farm worker housing. Before applying for the
first building permit for a farm worker housing, Class A, facility, or in addition to any other
information required to be submitted for a farm worker housing, Class B, special use permit, the
applicant shall submit a concept plan meeting the requirements of section 5.1.44(b).
b. Contents of concept plan. The concept plan shall show the following: (i) the boundary lines of the
farm (may be shown on an inset map if necessary); (ii) the location and general layout of the
proposed structures at a scale of not more than one (1) inch equals forty (40) feet; (iii) vehicular
access, travelways and parking for the facility; (iv) topography (with a contour interval of no
greater than ten (10) feet); (v) critical slopes; (vi) streams, stream buffers and floodplains; (vii)
source(s) of water for fire suppression; (viii) building setback lines as provided in subsection
5.1.44(g) below; and (ix) outdoor lighting. The concept plan also shall include a written
description of each structure’s construction and materials used, and the number of persons to be
housed in the farm worker housing facility.
c. Notice of receipt of concept plan to abutting owners . The zoning administrator shall send notice
of the receipt of a concept plan as follows:
1. Farm worker housing, Class A, facility: For each concept plan received for a farm worker
housing, Class A, facility, the zoning administrator shall send notice to the owner of each
lot abutting the parcel for which a concept plan has been received within ten (10) days
after submittal of the concept plan deemed by the zoning administrator to be complete.
The notice shall include a copy of the concept plan and shall advise each recipient of the
right to submit written comments within ten (10) da ys of the date of the notice and the
right to request planning commission review as provided in section 5.1.44(d). Notice
mailed to the abutting owner shall be mailed to the last known address of the owner, and
mailing the notice to the address shown on the current real estate tax assessment
records of the county shall be deemed compliance with this requirement. The failure of
an abutting owner to receive the notice required by this section shall not affect the validity
of an approved concept plan or zoning compliance clearance.
2. Farm worker housing, Class B, facility: For each concept plan received for a farm worker
housing, Class B, facility, notice to the owner of each lot abutting the parcel for which a
concept plan has been received shall be provided in conjunction with the notice required
for the special use permit.
d. Request for planning commission review and action on farm worker housing, Class A, facility
concept plan. An abutting owner to whom notice for a farm worker housing, Class A, facility
concept plan under section 5.1.44(c)(1) and who submitted timely written comments about the
concept plan as provided therein may request that the planning commission review and act on
the concept plan. The request shall be in writing, state the reasons why the commission should
review the concept plan, and be filed with the director of planning within ten (10) days after the
date of the notice from the zoning administrator.
ed. Review and action on concept plan. A concept plan shall be reviewed and acted upon as follows:
1. Farm worker housing, Class A, facility. For a farm worker housing, Class A, facility, the
concept plan shall be approved by the zoning administrator or the planning commission,
as the case may be, before any building permit is issued for the facility. The concept plan
shall be approved by the zoning administrator or the commission if it satisfies all
applicable requirements of the zoning ordinance and the design is determined to not be a
substantial detriment to abutting parcels this chapter. In approving the concept plan, the
zoning administrator or the commission may impose reasonable conditions to mitigate
impacts on abutting parcels arising from facility. The commission shall give due
consideration to the recommendations of the zoning administrator, the director of
planning and other officials. In addition, the commission may consider such other
evidence as it deems necessary for a proper review of the application.
2. Farm worker housing, Class B, facility. For a farm worker housing, Class B, facility, the
concept plan shall be reviewed and acted upon in conjunction with the special use permit.
fe. Farm worker housing facilities; permissible structures . Farm worker housing facilities shall not
use motor vehicles or major recreational equipment, as that term is defined in section 4.12.3(b)(1)
of this chapter, to provide for sleeping, eating, food preparation, or sanitation (bathing and/or
toilets).
gf. Minimum yards. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the minimum front yard shall
be seventy-five (75) feet. The minimum side and rear yards shall be fifty (50) feet. All yards shall
be measured from the farm worker housing structures.
hg. Zoning compliance clearance. The owner shall obtain a zoning compliance clearance from the
zoning administrator as provided in section 31.2.3.2 31.5 of this chapter before a farm worker
housing facility is occupied, subject to the following additional requirements:
1. The applicant shall apply for a zoning compliance clearance at least thirty (30) days prior
to the first expected occupation of the farm worker housing facility. The application shall
be submitted to the zoning administrator.
2. The zoning compliance clearance application shall include all of the following information:
a. Written approval of the farm worker housing facility as a migrant labor camp
under 12 VAC 5-501-10 et seq., the food preparation area, the private water
supply, and the septic disposal system onsite sewage system by the Virginia
Department of Health.
b. Approval of the access to the site from a public street by the Virginia Department
of Transportation; provided that nothing herein shall be deemed to require that a
commercial entrance be constructed unless such an entrance is required by the
Virginia Department of Transportation.
c. Written approval of the adequacy of the access to the site for emergency
vehicles by the fire marshal.
d. Written approval of the adequacy of the structures intended for human habitation
by the building official.
3. Upon the zoning administrator’s determination that all requirements of the zoning
ordinance are satisfied, that all conditions of the special use permit authorizing a farm
worker housing, Class B, facility, are satisfied, and upon receipt of the approvals and
documents required in section 5.1.44(hg)(2), the zoning administrator shall issue a
zoning compliance clearance for the facility.
ih. Use of farm worker housing facility by workers and their families only. A farm worker housing
facility shall be occupied only by persons employed to work on the farm on which the structures
are located for seasonal agriculture work and their immediate families as provided herein. For
purposes of this section 5.1.44, the term “immediate families” means the natural or legally defined
off-spring, grandchild, grandparent, or parent of the farm worker.
ji. Use of farm worker housing facility when not occupied. When not occupied by seasonal farm
workers, farm worker housing facilities may be used for any use accessory to a primary
agriculture use.
(Ord. 06-18(2), 12-13-06)
Article III. District Regulations
Sec. 10.5.2 Where permitted by special use permit
10.5.2.1 The board of supervisors may authorize the issuance of issue a special use permit for
more lots than the total number permitted under sections 10.3.1 and section 10.3.2; provided that no such
permit shall be issued for property within the boundaries for the watershed of any public drinking water
supply impoundment water supply reservoir, and further provided that no such permit shall be issued to
allow more development lots within a proposed rural preservation development than that permitted by
right under section 10.3.3.3(b). (Added 11-8-89; Amended 5-5-04 effective 7-1-04)
The board of supervisors shall determine that such division is compatible with the neighborhood as set
forth in section 31.2.4.1 31.6.1 of this chapter, with reference to consideration of the goals and objectives
of the comprehensive plan relating to rural areas including the type of division proposed and, specifically,
as to this section only, with reference to consideration of the following: (Amended 11-8-89)
1. The size, shape, topography and existing vegetation of the property in relation to its suitability for
agricultural or forestal production as evaluated by the United States Department of Agriculture
Soil Natural Resources Conservation Service or the Virginia Department of Forestry.
2. The actual suitability of the soil for agricultural or forestal production as the same shall be is
shown on the most recent published maps of the United States Department of Agriculture Soil
Natural Resources Conservation Service or other source deemed of equivalent reliability by the
Soil Natural Resources Conservation Service.
3. The historic commercial agricultural or forestal uses of the property since 1950, to the extent that
is reasonably available.
4. If located in an agricultural or forestal area, the probable effect of the proposed development on
the character of the area. For the purposes of this section, a property shall be deemed to be in
an agricultural or forestal area if fifty (50) percent or more of the land within one (1) mile of the
border of such property has been in commercial agricultural or forestal use within five (5) years of
the date of the application for special use permit. In making this determination, mountain ridges,
major streams and other physical barriers which detract from the cohesiveness of an area shall
be considered.
5. The relationship of the property in regard to developed rural areas. For the purposes of this
section, a property shall be deemed to be located in a developed rural area if fifty (50) percent or
more of the land within one (1) mile of the boundary of such property was in parcels of record of
five (5) acres or less on the adoption date of this ordinance. In making this determination,
mountain ridges, major streams and other physical barriers which detract from the cohesiveness
of an area shall be considered.
6. The relationship of the proposed development to existing and proposed population centers,
services and employment centers. A property within areas described below shall be deemed in
proximity to the area or use described:
a. Within one mile roadway distance of the urban area boundary as described in the
comprehensive plan; (Amended 11-8-89)
b. Within one-half mile roadway distance of a community boundary as described in the
comprehensive plan; (Amended 11-8-89)
c. Within one-half mile roadway distance of a village as described in the comprehensive
plan. (Amended 11-8-89)
7. The probable effect of the proposed development on capital improvements programming in
regard to increased provision of services.
8. The traffic generated from the proposed development would not, in the opinion of the Virginia
Department of Transportation: (Amended 11-8-89)
a. Occasion the need for road improvement;
b. Cause a tolerable road to become a nontolerable road;
c. Increase traffic on an existing nontolerable road.
9. With respect to applications for special use permits for land lying wholly or partially within the
boundaries for the watershed of any public drinking water impoundment, the following additional
factors shall be considered:
a. The amount and quality of existing vegetative cover as related to filtration of sediment,
phosphorous, heavy metals, nitrogen and other substances determined harmful to water
quality for human consumption;
b. The extent to which existing vegetative cover would be removed or disturbed during the
construction phase of any development;
c. The amount of impervious cover which will exist after development;
d. The proximity of any paved (pervious or impervious) area, structure, or drain field to any
perennial or intermittent stream or impoundment; or during the construction phase, the
proximity of any disturbed area to any such stream or impoundment;
e. The type and characteristics of soils including suitability for septic fields and erodability; [
f. The percentage and length of all slopes subject to disturbance during construction or
upon which any structure, paved area (pervious or impervious) or active recreational area
shall exist after development;
g. The estimated duration and timing of the construction phase of any proposed
development and extent to which such duration and timing are unpredictable;
h. The degree to which original topography or vegetative cover have been altered in
anticipation of filing for any permit hereunder;
i. The extent to which the standards of Chapter 17 et seq. of the Code of Albemarle can
only be met through the creation of artificial devices, which devices will:
1. Require periodic inspection and/or maintenance;
2. Are susceptible to failure or overflow for run-off associated with any one hundred
year or more intense storm.
(§ 20-10.5.2.1, 12-10-80; 11-8-89; §18-10.5.2.1, Ord. 98-A(1), 8-5-98; Ord. 04-18(1), 5-5-04 effective 7-1-
04)
I, Ella W. Jordan, do hereby certify that the foregoing writing is a true, correct copy of an Ordinance duly
adopted by the Board of Supervisors of Albemarle County, Virginia, by a vote of _____ to _____, as
recorded below, at a regular meeting held on _________________________.
__________________________________
Clerk, Board of County Supervisors
Aye Nay
Mr. Boyd ____ ____
Mr. Dumler ____ ____
Ms. Mallek ____ ____
Mr. Rooker ____ ____
Mr. Snow ____ ____
Mr. Thomas ____ ____
STA-2012-00001 Water/Sewer – Recommended Revisions to Subdivision Ordinance
ORDINANCE NO. 12-14( )
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 14, SUBDIVISION OF LAND, ARTICLE I, GENERAL
PROVISIONS, ARTICLE III, SUBDIVISION PLAT REQUIREMENTS AND DOCUMENTS TO BE
SUBMITTED, AND ARTICLE IV, ON-SITE IMPROVEMENTS AND DESIGN, OF THE CODE OF THE
COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE, VIRGINIA
BE IT ORDAINED By the Board of Supervisors of the County of Albemarle, Virginia, that Chapter 14,
Subdivision of Land, Article I, General Provisions, Article III, Subdivision Plat Requirements and
Documents to be Submitted, and Article IV, On-site Improvements and Design, of the Code of the County
of Albemarle, Virginia, are hereby amended and reordained as follows:
By Amending:
Sec. 14-106 Definitions
Sec. 14-309 Soil evaluations
By Amending and Renaming:
Sec. 14-310 Health director approval of individual private wells and/or septic systems
Sec. 14-415 Central water supplies and sewerage systems
Sec. 14-416 Individual private wells and septic systems
Chapter 14. Subdivision of Land
Article I. General Provisions
Sec. 14-106 Definitions
The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation and enforcement of this chapter:
. . .
Alternative onsite sewage system. The term “alternative onsite sewage system” means a treatment works
approved by the Virginia Department of Health that is not a conventional onsite sewage system and does
not result in a point source discharge.
. . .
Conventional onsite sewage system. The term “conventional onsite sewage system” means a treatment
works approved by the Virginia Department of Health consisting of one or more septic tanks with gravity,
pumped, or siphoned conveyance to a gravity distributed subsurface drainfield.
. . .
Onsite sewage system. The term “onsite sewage system” means a conventional onsite sewage system or
an alternative onsite sewage system.
. . .
Subsurface drainfield. The term “subsurface drainfield” means a system installed within the soil and
designed to accommodate treated sewage from a treatment works.
. . .
Treatment works. The term “treatment works” means any device or system used in the storage,
treatment, disposal or reclamation of sewage or combinations of sewage and industrial wastes, including
but not limited to pumping, power and other equipment and appurtenances, septic tanks, and any works,
including land, that are or will be (i) an integral part of the treatment process or (ii) used for ultimate
disposal of residues or effluents resulting from such treatment.
Article III. Subdivision Plat Requirements and Documents to be Submitted
Division 2. Documents and Information to be Submitted with Preliminary or Final Plat
Sec. 14-309 Soil evaluations.
The subdivider shall submit to the agent with each final plat the results of percolation tests or
other methods of soil evaluation used to determine the suitability of the soil for septic systems with
conventional drain fields, if septic systems subsurface drainfields, if conventional onsite sewage systems
are proposed to be used in the development of the subdivision, and the results are requested by the
agent. These results shall be forwarded by the agent to the health director.
(9-5-96, 8-28-74; 1988 Code, § 18-23; Ord. 98-A(1), 8-5-98; Ord. 05-14(1), 4-20-05, effective 6-20-05)
State law reference--Va. Code §§ 15.2-2241(3), 15.2-2262.
Sec. 14-310 Health director approval of individual private wells and/or septic systems onsite
sewage systems.
If required as a condition of final plat approval, a final plat shall not be approved if individual
private wells are proposed for the subdivision until written approval has been received from the health
director by the agent. A final plat shall not be approved if septic systems onsite sewage systems are
proposed for the subdivision until written approval has been received from the health director by the
agent, provided further that if the subdivision will be served by conventional onsite sewage systems as
follows:
A. The health director shall determine the suitability of the soil of each lot of the subdivision
for which septic systems with a conventional drain field conventional onsite sewage systems will be
constructed, and shall submit his opinion to the agent.
B. The health director may require as a condition of his approval of the installation of septic
systems conventional onsite sewage systems and, whenever necessary for the satisfactor y installation of
the septic systems, that individual lots be graded and drained so as to assure the effective removal of
surface water from each lot.
C. Special lots shall not be subject to this section unless the special lot is created for a water
supply or waste disposal purpose.
(Ord. 98-A(1), 8-5-98; Ord. 05-14(1), 4-20-05, effective 6-20-05; Ord. 11-14(1), 6-1-11)
State law reference--Va. Code §§ 15.2-2242(2), 15.2-2262.
Article IV. On-Site Improvements and Design
Division 3. Water, Sewers and Other Improvements
Sec. 14-415 Central water supplies and sewerage systems.
A subdivision for which public water and/or sanitary sewerage service is not reasonably available
as provided in section 14-414, and which will have twenty-five (25) or more lots of two (2) acres or less,
may be served by a central water supply or central sewerage system, or both, if authorized by the board
of supervisors under chapter 16 of the Code, as follows:
A. A subdivision whose net average lot size is less than fort y thousand (40,000) square feet
shall have both a central water system and a central sewerage system. A subdivision whose net average
lot size is between forty thousand (40,000) square feet and sixty thousand (60,000) square feet, inclusive,
shall have either a central water system or central sewerage system.
BA. The design and construction of each central water system and central sewerage system
required by this section shall be approved by the Virginia Department of Health, or its local office, the
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, and the board of supervisors. Each system shall
complement or supplement existing or proposed county utilities to the extent that the agent finds existing
public utilities to be inadequate.
CB. Neither a central water system nor a central sewerage system shall be required: (i) for a
subdivision whose net average lot size is greater than sixty thousand (60,000) square feet; or (ii) if the
subdivider establishes to the satisfaction of the county engineer that the soils and parent materials of all
of the lots created for the purpose of transfer of ownership are such that waste disposal methods for the
entire property are satisfactory to the health director, and that no well pollution can occur from the
proposed lot configuration.
DC. No final plat for a subdivision served by a central water system and/or a central sewerage
system shall be approved until the requirements of Chapter 21 of Title 15.2 of the Code of Virginia have
been satisfied.
(9-5-96, 8-28-74; 1988 Code, § 18-23; Ord. 98-A(1), 8-5-98, § 14-517; Ord. 05-14(1), 4-20-05, effective 6-
20-05)
State law reference--Va. Code § 15.2-2241(4).
Sec. 14-416 Individual private wells and septic systems onsite sewage systems.
A subdivision for which public water and/or public sewerage service is not reasonably available
as provided in section 14-414, and for which a central water supply and/or a central sewerage system is
not authorized under section 14-415, shall be served by individual private wells or septic systems having
conventional drainfields onsite sewage systems, or both, and shall meet all requirements of the health
department and be approved by the health director.
(§ 18-23 (part), 9-5-96, 8-28-74; § 18-27, 9-5-96, 8-28-74; 1988 Code, §§ 18-23, 18-27; Ord. 98-A(1), 8-5-
98, § 14-518; Ord. 05-14(1), 4-20-05, effective 6-20-05)
State law reference--Va. Code § 15.2-2241(3).
I, Ella W. Jordan, do hereby certify that the foregoing writing is a true, correct copy of an Ordinance duly
adopted by the Board of Supervisors of Albemarle County, Virginia, by a vote of _____ to _____, as
recorded below, at a regular meeting held on _________________________.
__________________________________
Clerk, Board of County Supervisors
Aye Nay
Mr. Boyd ____ ____
Mr. Dumler ____ ____
Ms. Mallek ____ ____
Mr. Rooker ____ ____
Mr. Snow ____ ____
Mr. Thomas ____ ____
ZTA-2012-00002 Water/Sewer Regulations – Recommended Revisions to Zoning Ordinance
ORDINANCE NO. 12-18( )
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 18, ZONING, ARTICLE I, GENERAL PROVISIONS, ARTICLE
II, BASIC REGULATIONS, AND ARTICLE III, DISTRICT REGULATIONS, OF THE CODE OF THE
COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE, VIRGINIA
BE IT ORDAINED By the Board of Supervisors of the County of Albemarle, Virginia, that Chapter 18,
Zoning, Article I, General Regulations, Article II, Basic Regulations, and Article III, District Regulations,
are hereby amended and reordained as follows:
By Amending:
Sec. 3.1 Definitions
Sec. 4.2 Critical slopes
Sec. 4.2.1 Building site required
Sec. 4.2.2 Building site area and dimensions
Sec. 4.2.3 Location of structures and improvements
Sec. 4.2.4 Location of septic systems
Sec. 4.7 Open space
Sec. 5.1.43 Special events
Sec. 5.1.44 Farm worker housing
Sec. 10.5.2 Where permitted by special use permit
By Amending and Renaming:
Current New
Sec. 4.1 Area and health regulations related to utilities Water supplies and sewer
systems
By Repealing:
Sec. 4.1.1 Untitled
Sec. 4.1.2 Untitled
Sec. 4.1.3 Untitled
Sec. 4.1.4 Untitled
Sec. 4.1.5 Untitled
Sec. 4.1.6 Untitled
Sec. 4.1.7 Untitled
Chapter 18. Zoning
Article I. General Regulations
Sec. 3.1 Definitions
. . .
Alternative onsite sewage system: A treatment works approved by the Virginia Department of Health that
is not a conventional onsite sewage system and does not result in a point source discharge.
. . .
Central Sewerage System: A sewerage system consisting of pipelines or conduits, pumping stations,
force mains or sewerage treatment plants, including, but not limited to, septic tanks and/or drain fields, or
any of them, designed to serve three (3) or more connections, used for conducting or treating sewage
which is required to be approved by the board of supervisors pursuant to Title 15.2, Chapter 21, Article 4
of the Code.
. . .
Central Water Supply: A water supply consisting of a well, springs or other source and the necessary
pipes, conduits, mains, pumping stations and other facilities in connection therewith, to serve or to be
capable of serving three (3) or more connections which is required to be approved by the board of
supervisors pursuant to Title 15.2, Chapter 21, Article 6 of the Code.
. . .
Conventional onsite sewage system: A treatment works approved by the Virginia Department of Health
consisting of one or more septic tanks with gravity, pumped, or siphoned conveyance to a gravity
distributed subsurface drainfield.
. . .
Critical slopes: Slopes of twenty-five (25) percent or greater as determined by reference to either current
topographic mapping available from the county or a more accurate field survey certified by a professional
surveyor or engineer.
. . .
Onsite sewage system: A conventional onsite sewage system or an alternative onsite sewage system.
. . .
Subsurface drainfield: A system installed within the soil and designed to accommodate treated sewage
from a treatment works.
. . .
Treatment works: Any device or system used in the storage, treatment, disposal or reclamation of sewage
or combinations of sewage and industrial wastes, including but not limited to pumping, power and other
equipment and appurtenances, septic tanks, and any works, including land, that are or will be (i) an
integral part of the treatment process or (ii) used for ultimate disposal of residues or effluents resulting
from such treatment.
Article II. Basic Regulations
Sec. 4.1 Area and health regulations related to utilities Water supplies and sewer systems
(Amended 6-3-81)
The following regulations shall apply to all districts:
It is specifically intended that the public water supply and public sewerage system be utilized within the
service areas of the Albemarle County Service Authority. Within such service areas, provisions of section
6.0 and other provisions of section 4.1 notwithstanding, no building permit shall be issued for any building
or structure, including mobile homes, the use of which requires increased water consumption and/or
sewage disposal, unless the building or structure shall be provided with public water and/or public
sewerage system service. This requirement, however, shall not apply to the following situations and
circumstances:
a. Whenever a structure is damaged as a result of factors beyond the control of the owner and/or
occupant thereof, such structure may be repaired and/or reconstructed provided that such repair
and/or reconstruction shall be commenced within twelve (12) months a nd completed within twenty-
four (24) months from the date of such damage; and provided further that such structure shall not be
repaired and/or reconstructed in such manner as to reasonably cause an increase in water usage
and/or sewage disposal demand; or
b. The director of planning and community development in consultation with the Albemarle County
Service Authority finds that the cost of connecting the proposed development to the public water
and/or sewerage system, exclusive of connection fees, exceeds the cost of installing an on-site well
and/or septic system; or
c. The director of planning and community development in consultation with the Albemarle County
Service Authority finds that the capacity of the public water and/or sewerage system is inadeq uate to
serve the proposed development.
Except for (a) above, the foregoing provisions shall not provide relief from §§ 4.1.1 through 4.1.7. (Added
1-3-96)
4.1.1 For a parcel served by both a central water supply and a central sewer system, the minimum
area requirements of the district in which such parcel is located shall apply.
4.1.2 For a parcel served by either a central water supply or a central sewer system, there shall be
provided a minimum area of forty thousand (40,000) square feet per commercial or industrial
establishment or per dwelling unit as the case may be.
4.1.3 For a parcel served by neither a central water supply nor a central sewer system, there shall
be provided a minimum of sixty thousand (60,000) square feet per commercial or indu strial
establishment or per dwelling unit as the case may be.
4.1.4 The provisions of sections 4.1.2 and 4.1.3 notwithstanding, in such cases where a greater
minimum area is required by the regulations of the district in which the parcel is located, said
district regulations shall apply.
4.1.5 In the case of unusual soil conditions or other physical factors which may impair the health
and safety of the neighborhood, upon the recommendation of the Virginia Department of
Health, the commission may increase the area requirements for uses utilizing other than a
public sewer system.
4.1.6 For lots not served by a central sewer system, no building permit shall be issued for any
building or structure, the use of which involves sewage disposal, without written ap proval
from the local office of the Virginia Department of Health of the location and area for both
original and future replacement septic disposal fields adequate to serve such use. For
residential usage, at a minimum, each septic disposal field shall consist of suitable soils of
adequate area to accommodate sewage disposal from a three (3) bedroom dwelling as
determined by current regulations of the Virginia Department of Health. (Amended 11-15-89)
4.1.7 In a cluster development, open space may be used for septic field location only after the
septic field locations on such lot are determined to be inadequate by the local office of the
Virginia Department of Health. (Added 6-3-81)
The water supply and sewer system serving either a development or any ind ividual lot shall comply with
the following:
a. Public water supply and public sewer system within the services areas of the Albemarle County
Service Authority. Within the services areas of the Albemarle County Service Authority (the
“service areas”), each development and each lot shall be served by the public water supply and
the public sewer system. Within the service areas, no building permit shall be issued for any
structure if its use requires increased water consumption and/or sewage disposal, unless the
structure will be connected to the public water supply and/or the public sewer system. Connection
to the public water supply and/or the public sewer system is not required in the following
circumstances:
1. Existing structure damaged. When an existing structure is damaged as a result of factors
beyond the control of its owner and/or occupant, the structure may be repaired or
reconstructed provided that the repair or reconstruction is commenced within twelve (12)
months and completed within twenty-four (24) months after the date of the damage, and
further provided that the structure is not repaired or reconstructed so as to increase the
number of water supply or sewage fixtures.
2. Cost of connection to public water supply or public sewer system ex ceeds cost of onsite
sewage system. When the Albemarle County Service Authority finds that the cost of
connecting the proposed development or lot to the public water supply and/or the public
sewer system, exclusive of connection fees, exceeds the cost of installing an on-site well
and/or an onsite sewage system.
3. Capacity of public water supply or public sewer system is inadequate . When the
Albemarle County Service Authority finds that the capacity of the public water supply
and/or the public sewer system is inadequate to serve the proposed development or lot.
4. Nonconforming use or structure. The structure is used for a nonconforming use and
satisfies the requirements of section 6.2(C) or the structure is nonconforming and
satisfies the requirements of section 6.3.
b. Water supply and sewer system when development or lot not connected to the public water
supply and/or the public sewer system. When a development or a lot is not or will not be
connected to the public water supply and/or the public sewer system, the following shall apply,
except when an existing structure is damaged as provided in section 4.1(a)(1):
1. Lots served by an alternative onsite sewage system. On any lot served by an alternative
onsite sewage system, no building permit shall be issued for any structure, the use of
which requires sewage disposal, without the Virginia Department of Health’s approval of
the location and area for the alternative onsite sewage system.
2. Lots served by a conventional onsite sewage system. On any lot served by a
conventional onsite sewage system, no building permit shall be issued for any structure,
the use of which requires sewage disposal, without the Virginia Department of Health’s
approval of the location and area for both an original and a replacement subsurface
drainfield that is adequate to serve the use. For residential uses, each subsurface
drainfield shall have suitable soils of adequate area to accommodate sewage disposal
from a three (3) bedroom dwelling as determined by the current regulations of the Virginia
Department of Health.
Sec. 4.2 Critical slopes
These provisions in this section through section 4.2.5 are created to implement the comprehensive plan
by protecting and conserving steep hillsides together with public drinking water supplies and flood plain
areas and in recognition of because of the increased potential for soil erosion, sedimentation, water
pollution and septic disposal sewage disposal problems associated with the development disturbance of
those areas described in the comprehensive plan as critical slopes. It is hereby recognized that such
development of The disturbance of critical slopes may result in: rapid and/or large-scale movement of soil
and rock; excessive stormwater run-off; siltation of natural and man-made bodies of water; loss of
aesthetic resource; and in the event of septic system onsite sewage system failure, a greater travel
distance of septic effluent, all of which constitute potential dangers to the public health, safety and/or
welfare. These provisions The regulations in sections 4.2.1, 4.2.2, 4.2.3 and 4.2.4 are intended to direct
building and septic system onsite sewage system locations to terrain more suitable to development and to
discourage development on critical slopes, and to supplement other regulations regarding the protection
of public water supplies and the encroachment of development into flood plains. (Amended 11-15-89)
Where modification of regulations is sought pursuant to section 4.2.5, such request shall address each
concern specified in section 4.2. Each request to waive or modify any requirement of sections 4.2.1,
4.2.2, 4.2.3 or 4.2.4 under section 4.2.5 shall be by special exception under section 31.8. (Added 11-15-
89)
Sec. 4.2.1 Building site required
No lot or parcel shall have less than one (1) building site, subject to the following:.
a. Composition of building site. A building site shall be composed of a contiguous area of land and
may not contain any area of land that is: (i) in critical slopes; (ii) withi n the flood hazard overlay
district; (iii) under water during normal hydrological conditions; (iv) within two hundred (200)
horizontal feet of the one hundred year flood plain of any public water supply reservoir; and (v)
within a stream buffer under chapter 17 of the Code, provided that nothing contained herein shall
be deemed to prohibit or impair the program authority from exercising its discretion as authorized
in chapter 17. For purposes of this section, the term “building site” shall mean a contiguou s area
of land in slopes of less than twenty-five (25) percent as determined by reference to either
topographic quadrangle maps of the Geological Survey - U. S. Department of Interior (contour
interval twenty [20] feet) or a source determined by the county engineer to be of superior
accuracy, exclusive of:
-Such area as may be located in the flood hazard overlay district or which is located under water;
-Such area as may be located within two hundred (200) horizontal feet of the one hundred year
flood plain of any public drinking water impoundment or within one hundred (100) horizontal feet
of the edge of any tributary stream to such impoundment; (Amended 11-11-87)
-Such area as may be designated as resource protection areas on the resource protection areas
map adopted pursuant to chapter 17 of the Code of Albemarle; provided that nothing contained
herein shall be deemed to prevent or impair the water resources manager from exercise of
discretion as set forth in that ordinance. (Added 9-9-92)
b. Special exception. Notwithstanding section 4.2.5, any requirement of section 4.2.1(a) may be
waived or modified by special exception under section 31.8 upon the board of supervisors’
consideration of whether (i) the parcel has an unusual size, topography, shape, location or other
unusual physical condition; or (ii) development in a stream buffer on the parcel was authorized as
provided in section 17-321 of the Code.
Sec. 4.2.2 Building site area and dimensions
Each building site shall be subject to the following minimum area and dimension requirements: (Amended
10-17-01)
a. Uses not served by a public or central sewerage sewage system. Building sites for uses not
served by a public or central sewerage sewage system shall be subject to the following:
(Amended 11-15-89; 10-17-01)
1. Dwelling units. Each building site for a dwelling unit shall have an area of thirty thousand
(30,000) square feet or greater and shall be of such dimensions that no one dimension
exceeds any other by a ratio of more than five (5) to one (1) as described by a rectangle
inscribed within the building site. The building site shall have adequate area for locating
two (2) septic drain fields subsurface drainfields approved by the Virginia Department of
Health pursuant to section 4.1 of this chapter if the lot will be served by a conventional
onsite sewage system . (Amended 11-15-89; 10-17-01)
2. Development subject to section 32 of this chapter. Each building site in a development
subject to section 32 of this chapter shall have an area of thirty thousand (30,000) square
feet or greater and shall be of such dimensions that no one dimension exceeds any other
by a ratio of more than five (5) to one (1) as described by a rectangle inscribed within the
building site. The building site shall have adequate area for all buildings and structures,
two (2) septic drain fields subsurface drainfields approved by the Virginia Department of
Health pursuant to section 4.1 of this chapter if the lot will be served by a conventional
onsite sewage system , parking and loading areas, storage yards and other
improvements, and all earth disturbing activity related to the improvements. (Added 11-
15-89; Amended 10-17-01)
3. Modification or waiver Special exception. Notwithstanding section 4.2.5 of this chapter,
the director of planning and community development may modify or waive the rectangular
shape required by subsections (1) and (2) if, may be waived or modified by special
exception under section 31.8 if, after receiving the recommendation from the Virginia
Department of Health, the director of planning and community development finds, upon
the board of supervisors’ consideration of the recommendation from the Virginia
Department of Health and based on information provided by the developer showing, that:
(i) the parcel has an unusual size, topography, shape, location or other unusual physical
condition; (ii) no reasonable alternative building site exists; and (iii) modifying or waiving
the rectangular shape would result in less degradation of the parcel or adjacent parcels
than if those dimensions were adhered to. (Added 10-17-01)
4. Appeal. A developer may appeal the denial of a modification or waiver to the planning
commission and, thereafter, to the board of supervisors, pursuant to section 4.2.5.
(Added 10-17-01)
b. Uses served by a central sewerage sewage system. Building sites for uses served by a central
sewerage sewage system shall be demonstrated by the applicant to have adequate area, as
follows: (Amended 10-17-01)
1. Residential development. Each building site in a residential development shall have
adequate area for all dwelling unit(s) together with an area equivalent to the sum of the
applicable required yard areas for the applicable zoning district and, if parking is provided
in bays, the parking area. (Added 11-15-89; Amended 10-17-01)
2. Development subject to section 32 of this chapter. Each building site in a development
subject to section 32 of this chapter shall have adequate area for all structures, parking
and loading areas, storage yards and other improvements, and all earth disturbing
activity related to the improvements. (Added 11-15-89; Amended 10-17-01)
(§ (4.2.2, 12-10-80; § 4.2.2, 4.2.2.1, 11-15-89; Ord. 01-18(7), 10-17-01)
Sec. 4.2.3 Location of structures and improvements
Except as otherwise permitted pursuant to provided in section 4.2.2, the provisions of this section shall
apply applies to the location of any structure for which a permit is required under the Uniform Statewide
Building Code and to any improvement shown on a site development plan pursuant to section 32.0 of this
chapter. (Amended 11-15-89; 10-17-01)
(§ 4.2.3, 12-10-80, 11-15-89; Ord. 01-18(7), 10-17-01)
4.2.3.1a. No structure or improvement shall be located on any lot or parcel in any area other than a
building site. (Amended 11-15-89)
4.2.3.2b. No structure or improvement nor earth No structure, improvement, or land disturbing
activity to establish such the structure or improvement shall be located on critical slopes
of twenty-five (25) percent or greater except as otherwise permitted under sections 4.2.5,
4.2.6 and 4.3.01.
Sec. 4.2.4 Location of septic systems onsite sewage systems (Amended 11-11-87)
In the review for and issuance of a permit for the installation of a septic system an onsite sewage system,
the Virginia Department of Health shall should be mindful of the intent of this section 4.2, and particularly
mindful of the intent to discourage location of septic tanks and/or drain fields onsite sewage systems on
slopes of twenty (20) percent or greater. Septic system location shall be restricted to Any onsite sewage
system shall be located within the approved a building site. (Amended 11-1-87; 9-9-92)
Sec. 4.7 Open space
Open space shall be established, used, designed and maintained as follows:
a. Intent. Open space is intended to provide active and passive recreation, protect areas sensitive
to development, buffer dissimilar uses from one another and preserve agricultural activities. The
commission and the board of supervisors shall consider the establishment, use, design and
maintenance of open space in their review and approval of zoning map amendments. The
subdivision agent and the site plan agent (hereinafter, collectively referred to as the “agent”) shall
apply the following principles when reviewing open space provided on a subdivision plat or site
plan.
b. Uses permitted. Open space shall be maintained in a natural state and shall not be developed
with any improvements, provided that the agent may authorize the open space to be used and
improved for the following purposes: (i) agriculture, forestry and fisheries, including appropriate
structures; (ii) game preserves, wildlife sanctuaries and similar uses; (iii) noncommercial
recreational uses and structures; (iv) public utilities; (v) individual wells and treatment works with
subsurface drainfields (reference section 4.1.7) (vi) in a cluster development, onsite sewage
systems if the Department of Health determines that there are no suitable locations for a
subsurface drainfield on a development lot; and (vii) stormwater management facilities and flood
control devices.
c. Design. Open space shall be designed as follows:
1. Lands that may be required. The agent may require that open space include: (i) areas
deemed inappropriate for or prohibited to development including, but not limited to, land
in the one-hundred year flood plain and significant drainage swales, land in slopes of
twenty-five (25) percent or greater, public utility easements for transmission lines,
stormwater management facilities and flood control devices, and lands having permanent
or seasonally high water tables; (ii) areas to satisfy section 4.16, and (iii) areas to provide
reasonable buffering between dissimilar uses within the development and between the
development and adjoining properties.
2. Redesign during review. The agent may require the redesign of a proposed development
to accommodate open space areas as may be required under this section 4.7, provided
that the redesign shall not reduce the number of dwelling units permitted under the
applicable zoning district.
3. Limitation on certain elements. If open space is required by this chapter, not more than
eighty (80) percent of the minimum required open space shall consist of the foll owing: (i)
land located within the one-hundred year flood plain; (ii) land subject to occasional,
common or frequent flooding as defined in Table 16 Soil and Water Features of the
United States Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service, Soil Survey of
Albemarle County, Virginia, August, 1985; (iii) land in slopes of twenty-five (25) percent or
greater critical slopes; and (iv) land devoted to stormwater management facilities or flood
control devices, except where the facility or feature is incorporated into a permanent
pond, lake or other water feature deemed by the agent to constitute a desirable open
space amenity.
d. Ownership of open space. Open space may be privately owned or dedicated to public use. Open
space in private ownership shall be subject to a legal instrument ensuring the maintenance and
preservation of the open space that is approved by the agent and the county attorney in
conjunction with the approval of the subdivision plat or site plan. Open space dedicated to public
use shall be dedicated to the county in the manner provided by law. Open space dedicated to
public use shall count toward the minimum required open space.
(12-10-80, §§ 4.7, 4.7.1, 4.7.2, 4.7.3, 4.7.4; 6-3-81, 11-15-89; Ord. 09-18(1), 1-14-09, § 4.7)
Sec. 5.1.43 Special events
Each special event authorized by section 10.2.2(50) shall be subject to the following:
a. Eligibility and applicability. Special events may be authorized on those parcels in the Rural Areas
(RA) zoning district on which there is an existing and ongoing by-right (section 10.2.1) primary
use. A special event special use permit issued under section 10.2.2(50) and this section shall not
be required for special events associated with farm wineries or historical centers, or for events
determined by the zoning administrator to be accessory to a primary use of the parcel.
b. Information to be submitted with application for special use permit. In addition to any information
otherwise required to be submitted for a special use permit, each app lication for a special use
permit shall include the following:
1. Concept plan. A preliminary schematic plan (the “concept plan”) satisfying section
32.4.1. The concept plan shall identify the structure(s) to be used for the special event,
include the area of the structure(s) in which the proposed special events will be
conducted, the parking area, and the entrance to the site from the street. The concept
plan shall address, in particular, provisions for safe and convenient access to and from
the street, the location of the parking area, the location of portable toilets if they may be
required, proposed screening as required by this section for parking areas and portable
toilets, and information regarding the exterior appearance of the proposed site. Ba sed on
the concept plan and other information submitted, the board of supervisors may then
waive the requirement for a site plan in a particular case, upon a finding that the
requirement of a site plan would not forward the purposes of this chapter or othe rwise
serve the public interest.
2. Information from the Virginia Department of Health. The applicant shall submit written
comments from the Virginia Department of Health regarding the private water supply and
the septic disposal system onsite sewage system that will serve the proposed special
event site, the ability of the water supply and the septic disposal system onsite sewage
system to handle the proposed events, and the need to improve the supply or the system
in order to handle the proposed events.
3. Building and fire safety. The building official and the county department of fire and
rescue shall review and comment on the application, identifying all Virginia Uniform
Statewide Building Code and Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code issues and
requirements.
c. Zoning compliance clearance. The applicant shall obtain a zoning compliance clearance under
section 31.5 prior to conducting a special event. A single zoning clearance may be obtained for
one (1) or more such special events in a calendar year as follows:
1. The zoning administrator may issue a single zoning compliance clearance for more than
one (1) special event if: (i) the application submitted by the applicant includes the
required information in subsection 5.1.43(c)(3) for each special event to be covered by
the zoning compliance clearance: (ii) the zoning administrator determines that each
special event is substantially similar in nature and size; and (iii) the zoning administrator
determines that a single set of conditions that would apply to each such special event
may be imposed with the zoning compliance clearance.
2. The applicant shall apply for a zoning compliance clearance at least thirty (30) days prior
to the date of the first special event to be authorized by the zoning compliance clearance.
The application shall be submitted to the zoning administrator, who shall forward copies
of the application to the county police department, the county building official, the county
department of fire and rescue, and the local offic e of the Virginia Department of Health.
As part of his review, the building official shall determine whether the structure(s)
proposed to be used for the special events satisfies the requirements of the Virginia
Uniform Statewide Building Code for that use.
3. The application shall describe the nature of each special event to be authorized by the
zoning compliance clearance, the date or dates and hours of operation of each such
special event, the facilities, structures to be used, and the number of participants and
support staff expect to attend each special event.
4. Upon a determination that all requirements of the zoning ordinance and all conditions of
the special use permit are satisfied, and imposing all conditions of such approval required
by the offices identified in subsection 5.1.43(c)(2), the zoning administrator shall issue a
zoning compliance clearance for one or more special events. The validity of the zoning
compliance clearance shall be conditional upon the applicant’s compliance with all
requirements of the zoning ordinance, all conditions of the approved special use permit,
the approved concept plan or site plan, and all conditions imposed by the zoning
compliance clearance.
d. Special events sites and structures. In addition to all other applicable requirements of this
chapter, special events sites and structures shall be subject to the following:
1. Structures used for special events. Each structure used for a special event shall satisfy
the following: (i) the structure shall have been in existence on the date of adoption of this
section 5.1.43, provided that this requirement shall not apply to accessory structures less
than one hundred fifty (150) square feet in size; (ii) the structure shall be a lawful
conforming structure and shall support or have supported a lawful use of the property;
and (iii) modifications to farm buildings or farm structures as those terms are defined in
Virginia Code § 36-97 shall allow the structure to revert to an agricultural use, as
determined by the building official.
2. Minimum yards. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the minimum front
yard shall be seventy-five (75) feet. The minimum side yard shall be twenty-five feet (25)
feet. The minimum rear yard shall be thirty-five (35) feet. All yards shall be measured
from structures and off-street parking areas. These minimum yard requirements shall
apply to all accessory structures established after the effective date of this section 5.1.43
and all tents, parking areas and portable toilets used in whole or in part to serve special
events.
3. Parking. The number of off-street parking spaces for a special event shall be as required
in section 4.12.6. Notwithstanding section 4.12.15(a) through (g), the additional parking
area(s) for special events shall consist of or be constructed of pervious materials
including, but not limited to stabilized turf, approved by the county engineer. Asphalt and
impervious materials are prohibited. If the parking area is on grass or in a field, the
applicant shall reseed and restore the parking area site as required by the zoning
administrator. In addition to the requirements of section 4.12.5, the parking area shall be
onsite and screened from abutting parcels by topography, structures or new or existing
landscaping. Notwithstanding section 4.12.16(d) and (e), the delineation of parking
spaces and the provision of bumper blocks shall not be required.
4. Water and sewer. The private water supply and septic disposal system onsite sewage
system serving a special event shall be approved by the Virginia Department of Health.
5. Streets and access. Streets serving the site shall be adequate for anticipated traffic
volume for a special event. Access from the street onto the site shall be a dequate to
provide safe and convenient access to the site, and applicant shall install all required
improvements and provide adequate sight distance in order to provide safe and
convenient access.
e. Special events operations. In addition to all other applicable requirements of this chapter, special
events operations shall be subject to the following:
1. Number of participants. The number of participants at a special event at any one time
shall not exceed one hundred fifty (150) persons
2. Number of special events per year. The special use permit shall identify the number of
approved special events per calendar year, which number shall not exceed twenty -four
(24).
3. Signs. Permanent and temporary signs advertising a special event shall be permitted as
provided in sections 4.15.4, 4.15.4A and 4.15.8.
4. Food service. No kitchen facility permitted by the Virginia Department of Health as a
commercial kitchen shall be allowed on the site. A kitchen may be used by licensed
caterers for the handling, warming and distribution of food, but not for cooking food, to be
served at a special event.
5. Portable toilets. If required, portable toilets are permitted on the site, provided that they
comply with the yard requirements in section 5.1.43(d)(2) and shall be screened from that
parcel and any street by topography, structures or new or existing landscaping.
f. Prohibition of development to a more intensive use. A parcel subject to a special events special
use permit shall not be subdivided so as to create one or more parcels, including the parent
parcel, of less than twenty-one acres in size without first amending the special use permit to
expressly authorize the subdivision. If a parcel is so subdivided without first amending the special
use permit, special events shall thereafter be prohibited on the resulting parcels unless a new
special use permit is obtained.
(Ord. 05-18(8), 7-13-05)
Sec. 5.1.44 Farm worker housing
Each farm worker housing facility shall be subject to the following:
a. Concept plan to be submitted with application for farm worker housing. Before applying for the
first building permit for a farm worker housing, Class A, facility, or in addition to any other
information required to be submitted for a farm worker housing, Class B, special use permit, the
applicant shall submit a concept plan meeting the requirements of section 5.1.44(b).
b. Contents of concept plan. The concept plan shall show the following: (i) the boundary lines of the
farm (may be shown on an inset map if necessary); (ii) the location and general layout of the
proposed structures at a scale of not more than one (1) inch equals forty (40) feet; (iii) vehicular
access, travelways and parking for the facility; (iv) topography (with a contour interval of no
greater than ten (10) feet); (v) critical slopes; (vi) streams, stream buffers and floodplains; (vii)
source(s) of water for fire suppression; (viii) building setback lines as provided in subsection
5.1.44(g) below; and (ix) outdoor lighting. The concept plan also shall include a written
description of each structure’s construction and materials used, and the number of persons to be
housed in the farm worker housing facility.
c. Notice of receipt of concept plan to abutting owners . The zoning administrator shall send notice
of the receipt of a concept plan as follows:
1. Farm worker housing, Class A, facility: For each concept plan received for a farm worker
housing, Class A, facility, the zoning administrator shall send notice to the owner of e ach
lot abutting the parcel for which a concept plan has been received within ten (10) days
after submittal of the concept plan deemed by the zoning administrator to be complete.
The notice shall include a copy of the concept plan and shall advise each re cipient of the
right to submit written comments within ten (10) days of the date of the notice and the
right to request planning commission review as provided in section 5.1.44(d). Notice
mailed to the abutting owner shall be mailed to the last known address of the owner, and
mailing the notice to the address shown on the current real estate tax assessment
records of the county shall be deemed compliance with this requirement. The failure of
an abutting owner to receive the notice required by this section shall not affect the validity
of an approved concept plan or zoning compliance clearance.
2. Farm worker housing, Class B, facility: For each concept plan received for a farm worker
housing, Class B, facility, notice to the owner of each lot abutting the parcel for which a
concept plan has been received shall be provided in conjunction with the notice required
for the special use permit.
d. Request for planning commission review and action on farm worker housing, Class A, facility
concept plan. An abutting owner to whom notice for a farm worker housing, Class A, facility
concept plan under section 5.1.44(c)(1) and who submitted timely written comments about the
concept plan as provided therein may request that the planning commission review and act on
the concept plan. The request shall be in writing, state the reasons why the commission should
review the concept plan, and be filed with the director of planning within ten (10) days after the
date of the notice from the zoning administrator.
ed. Review and action on concept plan. A concept plan shall be reviewed and acted upon as follows:
1. Farm worker housing, Class A, facility. For a farm worker housing, Class A, facility, the
concept plan shall be approved by the zoning administrator or the planning commission,
as the case may be, before any building permit is issued for the facility. The concept plan
shall be approved by the zoning administrator or the commission if it satisfies all
applicable requirements of the zoning ordinance and the design is determined to not be a
substantial detriment to abutting parcels this chapter. In approving the concept plan, the
zoning administrator or the commission may impose reasonable conditions to mitigate
impacts on abutting parcels arising from facility. The commission shall give due
consideration to the recommendations of the zoning administrator, the director of
planning and other officials. In addition, the commission may consider such other
evidence as it deems necessary for a proper review of the application.
2. Farm worker housing, Class B, facility. For a farm worker housing, Class B, facility, the
concept plan shall be reviewed and acted upon in conjunction with the special use permit.
fe. Farm worker housing facilities; permissible structures. Farm worker housing facilities shall not
use motor vehicles or major recreational equipment, as that term is defined in section 4.12.3(b)(1)
of this chapter, to provide for sleeping, eating, food preparation, or sanitation (bathing and/or
toilets).
gf. Minimum yards. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the minimum front yard shall
be seventy-five (75) feet. The minimum side and rear yards shall be fifty (50) feet. All yards shall
be measured from the farm worker housing struct ures.
hg. Zoning compliance clearance. The owner shall obtain a zoning compliance clearance from the
zoning administrator as provided in section 31.2.3.2 31.5 of this chapter before a farm worker
housing facility is occupied, subject to the following additional requirements:
1. The applicant shall apply for a zoning compliance clearance at least thirty (30) days prior
to the first expected occupation of the farm worker housing facility. The application shall
be submitted to the zoning administrator.
2. The zoning compliance clearance application shall include all of the following information:
a. Written approval of the farm worker housing facility as a migrant labor camp
under 12 VAC 5-501-10 et seq., the food preparation area, the private water
supply, and the septic disposal system onsite sewage system by the Virginia
Department of Health.
b. Approval of the access to the site from a public street by the Virginia Department
of Transportation; provided that nothing herein shall be deemed to require that a
commercial entrance be constructed unless such an entrance is required by the
Virginia Department of Transportation.
c. Written approval of the adequacy of the access to the site for emergency
vehicles by the fire marshal.
d. Written approval of the adequacy of the structures intended for human habitation
by the building official.
3. Upon the zoning administrator’s determination that all requirements of the zoning
ordinance are satisfied, that all conditions of the special use permit authorizing a farm
worker housing, Class B, facility, are satisfied, and upon receipt of the approvals and
documents required in section 5.1.44(hg)(2), the zoning administrator shall issue a
zoning compliance clearance for the facility.
ih. Use of farm worker housing facility by workers and their families only. A farm worker housing
facility shall be occupied only by persons employed to work on the farm on which the structures
are located for seasonal agriculture work and their immediate families as provided herein. For
purposes of this section 5.1.44, the term “immediate families” means the natural or legally defined
off-spring, grandchild, grandparent, or parent of the farm worker.
ji. Use of farm worker housing facility when not occupied. When not occupied by seasonal farm
workers, farm worker housing facilities may be used for any use accessory to a primary
agriculture use.
(Ord. 06-18(2), 12-13-06)
Article III. District Regulations
Sec. 10.5.2 Where permitted by special use permit
10.5.2.1 The board of supervisors may authorize the issuance of issue a special use permit for
more lots than the total number permitted under sections 10.3.1 and section 10.3.2; provided that no such
permit shall be issued for property within the boundaries for the watershed of an y public drinking water
supply impoundment water supply reservoir, and further provided that no such permit shall be issued to
allow more development lots within a proposed rural preservation development than that permitted by
right under section 10.3.3.3(b). (Added 11-8-89; Amended 5-5-04 effective 7-1-04)
The board of supervisors shall determine that such division is compatible with the neighborhood as set
forth in section 31.2.4.1 31.6.1 of this chapter, with reference to consideration of the goals and objectives
of the comprehensive plan relating to rural areas including the type of division proposed and , specifically,
as to this section only, with reference to consideration of the following: (Amended 11-8-89)
1. The size, shape, topography and existing vegetation of the property in relation to its suitability for
agricultural or forestal production as evaluated by the United States Department of Agriculture
Soil Natural Resources Conservation Service or the Virginia Department of Forestry.
2. The actual suitability of the soil for agricultural or forestal production as the same shall be is
shown on the most recent published maps of the United States Department of Agriculture Soil
Natural Resources Conservation Service or other source deemed of equivalent reliability by the
Soil Natural Resources Conservation Service.
3. The historic commercial agricultural or forestal uses of the property since 1950, to the extent that
is reasonably available.
4. If located in an agricultural or forestal area, the probable effect of the proposed development on
the character of the area. For the purposes of this section, a property shall be deemed to be in
an agricultural or forestal area if fifty (50) percent or more of the land within one (1) mile of the
border of such property has been in commercial agricultural or forestal use within five (5) years of
the date of the application for special use permit. In making this determination, mountain ridges,
major streams and other physical barriers which detract from the cohesiveness of an area shall
be considered.
5. The relationship of the property in regard to developed rural areas. For the purposes of this
section, a property shall be deemed to be located in a developed rural area if fifty (50) percent or
more of the land within one (1) mile of the boundary of such property was in parcels of record of
five (5) acres or less on the adoption date of this ordinance. In making this determination,
mountain ridges, major streams and other physical barriers which detract from the cohesiveness
of an area shall be considered.
6. The relationship of the proposed development to existing and proposed population centers,
services and employment centers. A property within areas described below shall be deemed in
proximity to the area or use described:
a. Within one mile roadway distance of the urban area boundary as described in the
comprehensive plan; (Amended 11-8-89)
b. Within one-half mile roadway distance of a community boundary as described in the
comprehensive plan; (Amended 11-8-89)
c. Within one-half mile roadway distance of a village as described in the comprehensive
plan. (Amended 11-8-89)
7. The probable effect of the proposed development on capital improvements programming in
regard to increased provision of services.
8. The traffic generated from the proposed development would not, in the opinion of the Virginia
Department of Transportation: (Amended 11-8-89)
a. Occasion the need for road improvement;
b. Cause a tolerable road to become a nontolerable road;
c. Increase traffic on an existing nontolerable road.
9. With respect to applications for special use permits for land lying wholly or partially within the
boundaries for the watershed of any public drinking water impoundment, the following additional
factors shall be considered:
a. The amount and quality of existing vegetative cover as related to filtration of sediment,
phosphorous, heavy metals, nitrogen and other substances determined harmful to water
quality for human consumption;
b. The extent to which existing vegetative cover would be removed or disturbed during the
construction phase of any development;
c. The amount of impervious cover which will exist after development;
d. The proximity of any paved (pervious or impervious) area, structure, or drain field to any
perennial or intermittent stream or impoundment; or during the construction phase, the
proximity of any disturbed area to any such stream or impoundment;
e. The type and characteristics of soils including suitability for septic fields and erodability; [
f. The percentage and length of all slopes subject to disturbance during construction or
upon which any structure, paved area (pervious or impervious) or active recreational area
shall exist after development;
g. The estimated duration and timing of the construction phase of any proposed
development and extent to which such duration and timing are unpredictable;
h. The degree to which original topography or vegetative cover have been altered in
anticipation of filing for any permit hereunder;
i. The extent to which the standards of Chapter 17 et seq. of the Code of Albemarle can
only be met through the creation of artificial devices, which devices will:
1. Require periodic inspection and/or maintenance;
2. Are susceptible to failure or overflow for run-off associated with any one hundred
year or more intense storm.
(§ 20-10.5.2.1, 12-10-80; 11-8-89; §18-10.5.2.1, Ord. 98-A(1), 8-5-98; Ord. 04-18(1), 5-5-04 effective 7-1-
04)
I, Ella W. Jordan, do hereby certify that the foregoing writing is a true, correct copy of an Ordinance duly
adopted by the Board of Supervisors of Albemarle County, Virginia, by a vote of _____ to _____, as
recorded below, at a regular meeting held on _________________________.
__________________________________
Clerk, Board of County Supervisors
Aye Nay
Mr. Boyd ____ ____
Mr. Dumler ____ ____
Ms. Mallek ____ ____
Mr. Rooker ____ ____
Mr. Snow ____ ____
Mr. Thomas ____ ____
STA-2012-00001 Water/Sewer – Recommended Revisions to Subdivision Ordinance
ORDINANCE NO. 12-14( )
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 14, SUBDIVISION OF LAND, ARTICLE I, GENERAL
PROVISIONS, ARTICLE III, SUBDIVISION PLAT REQUIREMENTS AND DOCUMENTS TO BE
SUBMITTED, AND ARTICLE IV, ON-SITE IMPROVEMENTS AND DESIGN, OF THE CODE OF THE
COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE, VIRGINIA
BE IT ORDAINED By the Board of Supervisors of the County of Albemarle, Virginia, that Chapter 14,
Subdivision of Land, Article I, General Provisions, Article III, Subdivision Plat Requirements and
Documents to be Submitted, and Article IV, On-site Improvements and Design, of the Code of the County
of Albemarle, Virginia, are hereby amended and reordained as follows:
By Amending:
Sec. 14-106 Definitions
Sec. 14-309 Soil evaluations
By Amending and Renaming:
Sec. 14-310 Health director approval of individual private wells and/or septic systems
Sec. 14-415 Central water supplies and sewerage systems
Sec. 14-416 Individual private wells and septic systems
Chapter 14. Subdivision of Land
Article I. General Provisions
Sec. 14-106 Definitions
The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation and enforcement of this chapter:
. . .
Alternative onsite sewage system. The term “alternative onsite sewage system” means a treatment works
approved by the Virginia Department of Health that is not a conventional onsite sewage system and does
not result in a point source discharge.
. . .
Conventional onsite sewage system. The term “conventional onsite sewage system” means a treatment
works approved by the Virginia Department of Health consisting of one or more septic tanks with gravity,
pumped, or siphoned conveyance to a gravity distributed subsurface drainfield.
. . .
Onsite sewage system. The term “onsite sewage system” means a conventional onsite sewage system or
an alternative onsite sewage system.
. . .
Subsurface drainfield. The term “subsurface drainfield” means a system installed within the soil and
designed to accommodate treated sewage from a treatment works.
. . .
Treatment works. The term “treatment works” means any device or system used in the storage,
treatment, disposal or reclamation of sewage or combinations of sewage and industrial wastes, including
but not limited to pumping, power and other equipment and appurtenances, septic tanks, and any works,
including land, that are or will be (i) an integral part of the treatment process or (ii) used for ultimate
disposal of residues or effluents resulting from such treatment.
Article III. Subdivision Plat Requirements and Documents to be Submitted
Division 2. Documents and Information to be Submitted with Preliminary or Final Plat
Sec. 14-309 Soil evaluations.
The subdivider shall submit to the agent with each final plat the results of percolation tests or
other methods of soil evaluation used to determine the suitability of the soil for septic systems with
conventional drain fields, if septic systems subsurface drainfields, if conventional onsite sewage systems
are proposed to be used in the development of the subdivision, and the r esults are requested by the
agent. These results shall be forwarded by the agent to the health director.
(9-5-96, 8-28-74; 1988 Code, § 18-23; Ord. 98-A(1), 8-5-98; Ord. 05-14(1), 4-20-05, effective 6-20-05)
State law reference--Va. Code §§ 15.2-2241(3), 15.2-2262.
Sec. 14-310 Health director approval of individual private wells and/or septic systems onsite
sewage systems.
If required as a condition of final plat approval, a final plat shall not be approved if individual
private wells are proposed for the subdivision until written approval has been received from the health
director by the agent. A final plat shall not be approved if septic systems onsite sewage systems are
proposed for the subdivision until written approval has been received from the health director by the
agent, provided further that if the subdivision will be served by conventional onsite sewage systems as
follows:
A. The health director shall determine the suitability of the soil of each lot of the subdivision
for which septic systems with a conventional drain field conventional onsite sewage systems will be
constructed, and shall submit his opinion to the agent.
B. The health director may require as a condition of his approval of the installation of septic
systems conventional onsite sewage systems and, whenever necessary for the satisfactory installation of
the septic systems, that individual lots be graded and drained so as to assure the effective removal of
surface water from each lot.
C. Special lots shall not be subject to this section unless the special lot is created for a water
supply or waste disposal purpose.
(Ord. 98-A(1), 8-5-98; Ord. 05-14(1), 4-20-05, effective 6-20-05; Ord. 11-14(1), 6-1-11)
State law reference--Va. Code §§ 15.2-2242(2), 15.2-2262.
Article IV. On-Site Improvements and Design
Division 3. Water, Sewers and Other Improvements
Sec. 14-415 Central water supplies and sewerage systems.
A subdivision for which public water and/or sanitary sewerage service is not reasonably available
as provided in section 14-414, and which will have twenty-five (25) or more lots of two (2) acres or less,
may be served by a central water supply or central sewerage system, or both, if authorized by the board
of supervisors under chapter 16 of the Code, as follows:
A. A subdivision whose net average lot size is less than forty thousand (40,000) square feet
shall have both a central water system and a central sewerage system. A subdivision whose net average
lot size is between forty thousand (40,000) square feet and sixty thousand (60,000) square feet, inclusive,
shall have either a central water system or central sewerage system.
BA. The design and construction of each central water system and central sewerage system
required by this section shall be approved by the Virginia Department of Health, or its local office, the
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, and the board of supervisors. Each system shall
complement or supplement existing or proposed county utilities to the extent that the agent fin ds existing
public utilities to be inadequate.
CB. Neither a central water system nor a central sewerage system shall be required : (i) for a
subdivision whose net average lot size is greater than sixty thousand (60,000) square feet; or (ii) if the
subdivider establishes to the satisfaction of the county engineer that the soils and parent materials of all
of the lots created for the purpose of transfer of ownership are such that waste disposal methods for the
entire property are satisfactory to the health director, and that no well pollution can occur from the
proposed lot configuration.
DC. No final plat for a subdivision served by a central water system and/or a central sewerage
system shall be approved until the requirements of Chapter 21 of Title 1 5.2 of the Code of Virginia have
been satisfied.
(9-5-96, 8-28-74; 1988 Code, § 18-23; Ord. 98-A(1), 8-5-98, § 14-517; Ord. 05-14(1), 4-20-05, effective 6-
20-05)
State law reference--Va. Code § 15.2-2241(4).
Sec. 14-416 Individual private wells and septic systems onsite sewage systems.
A subdivision for which public water and/or public sewerage service is not reasonably available
as provided in section 14-414, and for which a central water supply and/or a central sewerage system is
not authorized under section 14-415, shall be served by individual private wells or septic systems having
conventional drainfields onsite sewage systems, or both, and shall meet all requirements of the health
department and be approved by the health director.
(§ 18-23 (part), 9-5-96, 8-28-74; § 18-27, 9-5-96, 8-28-74; 1988 Code, §§ 18-23, 18-27; Ord. 98-A(1), 8-5-
98, § 14-518; Ord. 05-14(1), 4-20-05, effective 6-20-05)
State law reference--Va. Code § 15.2-2241(3).
I, Ella W. Jordan, do hereby certify that the foregoing writing is a true, correct copy of an Ordinance duly
adopted by the Board of Supervisors of Albemarle County, Virginia, by a vote of _____ to _____, as
recorded below, at a regular meeting held on _________________________.
__________________________________
Clerk, Board of County Supervisors
Aye Nay
Mr. Boyd ____ ____
Mr. Dumler ____ ____
Ms. Mallek ____ ____
Mr. Rooker ____ ____
Mr. Snow ____ ____
Mr. Thomas ____ ____
COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
AGENDA TITLE: Private water and sewer (Chapter
14)
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST:
Public hearing to amend the subdivision regulations
pertaining to private water and sewer systems
STAFF CONTACT(S):
Messrs. Kamptner, Brooks, Higgins and Ms. McCulley
AGENDA DATE:
March 20, 2012
ACTION: X INFORMATION:
CONSENT AGENDA:
ACTION: INFORMATION:
ATTACHMENTS: Yes
BACKGROUND:
Since the County’s subdivision regulations pertaining to individual sewage systems were last amended, the General
Assembly has mandated that alternative onsite sewage systems be allowed upon approval by the Virginia Department
of Health, subject to regulations adopted by the Department of Health. The Department of Health’s final regulations
pertaining to alternative onsite sewage systems became effective December 7, 2011.
The Planning Commission adopted a resolution of intent to consider amending the subdivision regulations to
incorporate the State requirements pertaining to alternative onsite sewage systems on February 28, 2012.
DISCUSSION:
The purposes of the proposed ordinance (Attachment A) are not only to incorporate the State requirements and
allow alternative onsite sewage systems (County Code §§ 14-309, 14-310, 14-416), but also to improve the
administration of the Subdivision Ordinance. The proposed ordinance would add several definitions pertaining to
individual sewage systems (County Code § 14-106) and would use terminology that is both consistent within the
Subdivision Ordinance and consistent with the terminology that would be used in the Zoning Ordinance under ZTA
2012-00002. The proposed definitions and terminology are based on relevant State law.
The proposed ordinance also would eliminate the minimum lot size for lots served by private water and sewer
systems (County Code § 14-415). This proposed change corresponds to the proposed amendment to County Code
18-4.1 in ZTA 2012-00002.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff recommends that, after the public hearing, the Planning Commission recommend approval of the proposed
ordinance (Attachment A).
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A – Proposed ordinance
Return to PC actions
Draft: 03/15/12
1
ATTACHMENT A
ORDINANCE NO. 12-14( )
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 14, SUBDIVISION OF LAND, ARTICLE I, GENERAL
PROVISIONS, ARTICLE III, SUBDIVISION PLAT REQUIREMENTS AND DOCUMENTS TO BE
SUBMITTED, AND ARTICLE IV, ON-SITE IMPROVEMENTS AND DESIGN, OF THE CODE OF
THE COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE, VIRGINIA
BE IT ORDAINED By the Board of Supervisors of the County of Albemarle, Virginia, that Chapter 14,
Subdivision of Land, Article I, General Provisions, Article III, Subdivision Plat Requirements and
Documents to be Submitted, and Article IV, On-site Improvements and Design, of the Code of the
County of Albemarle, Virginia, are hereby amended and reordained as follows:
By Amending:
Sec. 14-106 Definitions
Sec. 14-309 Soil evaluations
By Amending and Renaming:
Sec. 14-310 Health director approval of individual private wells and/or septic systems
Sec. 14-415 Central water supplies and sewerage systems
Sec. 14-416 Individual private wells and septic systems
Chapter 14. Subdivision of Land
Article I. General Provisions
Sec. 14-106 Definitions
The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation and enforcement of this chapter:
. . .
Alternative onsite sewage system. The term “alternative onsite sewage system” means a treatment works
approved by the Virginia Department of Health that is not a conventional onsite sewage system and does
not result in a point source discharge.
. . .
Conventional onsite sewage system. The term “conventional onsite sewage system” means a treatment
works approved by the Virginia Department of Health consisting of one or more septic tanks with gravity,
pumped, or siphoned conveyance to a gravity distributed subsurface drainfield.
. . .
Onsite sewage system. The term “onsite sewage system” means a conventional onsite sewage system or
an alternative onsite sewage system.
. . .
Draft: 03/15/12
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ATTACHMENT A
Subsurface drainfield. The term “subsurface drainfield” means a system installed within the soil and
designed to accommodate treated sewage from a treatment works.
. . .
Treatment works. The term “treatment works” means any device or system used in the storage, treatment,
disposal or reclamation of sewage or combinations of sewage and industrial wastes, including but not
limited to pumping, power and other equipment and appurtenances, septic tanks, and any works,
including land, that are or will be (i) an integral part of the treatment process or (ii) used for ultimate
disposal of residues or effluents resulting from such treatment.
Article III. Subdivision Plat Requirements and Documents to be Submitted
Division 2. Documents and Information to be Submitted with Preliminary or Final Plat
Sec. 14-309 Soil evaluations.
The subdivider shall submit to the agent with each final plat the results of percolation tests or
other methods of soil evaluation used to determine the suitability of the soil for septic systems with
conventional drain fields, if septic systems subsurface drainfields, if conventional onsite sewage systems
are proposed to be used in the development of the subdivision, and the results are requested by the agent.
These results shall be forwarded by the agent to the health director.
(9-5-96, 8-28-74; 1988 Code, § 18-23; Ord. 98-A(1), 8-5-98; Ord. 05-14(1), 4-20-05, effective 6-20-05)
State law reference--Va. Code §§ 15.2-2241(3), 15.2-2262.
Sec. 14-310 Health director approval of individual private wells and/or septic systems onsite
sewage systems.
If required as a condition of final plat approval, a final plat shall not be approved if individual
private wells are proposed for the subdivision until written approval has been received from the health
director by the agent. A final plat shall not be approved if septic systems onsite sewage systems are
proposed for the subdivision until written approval has been received from the health director by the
agent, provided further that if the subdivision will be served by conventional onsite sewage systems as
follows:
A. The health director shall determine the suitability of the soil of each lot of the subdivision
for which septic systems with a conventional drain field conventional onsite sewage systems will be
constructed, and shall submit his opinion to the agent.
B. The health director may require as a condition of his approval of the installation of septic
systems conventional onsite sewage systems and, whenever necessary for the satisfactory installation of
the septic systems, that individual lots be graded and drained so as to assure the effective removal of
surface water from each lot.
C. Special lots shall not be subject to this section unless the special lot is created for a water
supply or waste disposal purpose.
(Ord. 98-A(1), 8-5-98; Ord. 05-14(1), 4-20-05, effective 6-20-05; Ord. 11-14(1), 6-1-11)
Draft: 03/15/12
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ATTACHMENT A
State law reference--Va. Code §§ 15.2-2242(2), 15.2-2262.
Article IV. On-Site Improvements and Design
Division 3. Water, Sewers and Other Improvements
Sec. 14-415 Central water supplies and sewerage systems.
A subdivision for which public water and/or sanitary sewerage service is not reasonably available
as provided in section 14-414, and which will have twenty-five (25) or more lots of two (2) acres or less,
may be served by a central water supply or central sewerage system, or both, if authorized by the board of
supervisors under chapter 16 of the Code, as follows:
A. A subdivision whose net average lot size is less than forty thousand (40,000) square feet
shall have both a central water system and a central sewerage system. A subdivision whose net average
lot size is between forty thousand (40,000) square feet and sixty thousand (60,000) square feet, inclusive,
shall have either a central water system or central sewerage system.
BA. The design and construction of each central water system and central sewerage system
required by this section shall be approved by the Virginia Department of Health, or its local office, the
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, and the board of supervisors. Each system shall
complement or supplement existing or proposed county utilities to the extent that the agent finds existing
public utilities to be inadequate.
CB. Neither a central water system nor a central sewerage system shall be required : (i) for a
subdivision whose net average lot size is greater than sixty thousand (60,000) square feet; or (ii) if the
subdivider establishes to the satisfaction of the county engineer that the soils and parent materials of all of
the lots created for the purpose of transfer of ownership are such that waste disposal methods for the
entire property are satisfactory to the health director, and that n o well pollution can occur from the
proposed lot configuration.
DC. No final plat for a subdivision served by a central water system and/or a central sewerage
system shall be approved until the requirements of Chapter 21 of Title 15.2 of the Code of Vi rginia have
been satisfied.
(9-5-96, 8-28-74; 1988 Code, § 18-23; Ord. 98-A(1), 8-5-98, § 14-517; Ord. 05-14(1), 4-20-05, effective
6-20-05)
State law reference--Va. Code § 15.2-2241(4).
Sec. 14-416 Individual private wells and septic systems onsite sewage systems.
A subdivision for which public water and/or public sewerage service is not reasonably available
as provided in section 14-414, and for which a central water supply and/or a central sewerage system is
not authorized under section 14-415, shall be served by individual private wells or septic systems having
conventional drainfields onsite sewage systems, or both, and shall meet all requirements of the health
department and be approved by the health director.
(§ 18-23 (part), 9-5-96, 8-28-74; § 18-27, 9-5-96, 8-28-74; 1988 Code, §§ 18-23, 18-27; Ord. 98-A(1), 8-
5-98, § 14-518; Ord. 05-14(1), 4-20-05, effective 6-20-05)
State law reference--Va. Code § 15.2-2241(3).
Draft: 03/15/12
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ATTACHMENT A
I, Ella W. Jordan, do hereby certify that the foregoing writing is a true, correct copy of an Ordinance duly
adopted by the Board of Supervisors of Albemarle County, Virginia, by a vote of _____ to _____, as
recorded below, at a regular meeting held on _________________________.
__________________________________
Clerk, Board of County Supervisors
Aye Nay
Mr. Boyd ____ ____
Mr. Dumler ____ ____
Ms. Mallek ____ ____
Mr. Rooker ____ ____
Mr. Snow ____ ____
Mr. Thomas ____ ____
ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION 1
MARCH 20, 2012 - DRAFT PARTIAL MINUTES
ZTA-2012-2 AND STA-2012-1 WATER/SEWER REGS
Albemarle County Planning Commission
March 20, 2012
The Albemarle County Planning Commission held a regular meeting on Tuesday, March 20, 2012, at 6:00
p.m., at the County Office Building, Lane Auditorium, Second Floor, 401 McIntire Road, Charlottesville,
Virginia.
Members attending were Richard Randolph, Bruce Dotson, Ed Smith, Thomas Loach, Don Franco,
Calvin Morris, Chair; and Russell (Mac) Lafferty, Vice Chair. Julia Monteith, AICP, Senior Land Use
Planner for the University of Virginia was present.
Other officials present were Lee Catlin, Assistant to the County Executive for Community and Business
Partnerships, Rebecca Ragsdale, Senior Planner; Phil Custer, Engineer; Glenn Brooks, County Engineer;
Ron White, Director of Housing; Elaine Echols, Principal Planner; Amelia McCulley, Director of
Zoning/Zoning Administrator; Francis MacCall, Planner; Wayne Cilimberg, Director of Planning and Greg
Kamptner, Deputy County Attorney.
Public Hearing Item:
STA-2012-00001 Water/Sewer
Amend Secs. 14-106, Definitions, 14-309, Soil evaluations, 14-310, Health director approval of individual
private wells and/or septic systems, 14-415 Central water supplies and sewerage systems, and 14-416,
Individual private wells and septic systems, of Chapter 14, Subdivision of Land, of the Albemarle County
Code. This ordinance would amend the regulations pertaining to onsite sewage systems serving
subdivision lots by adding definitions pertaining to onsite sewage systems (14-106), and by allowing
subdivision lots to be served by either conventional or alternative onsite sewage systems, requiring health
director review of such systems, and revising the terminology (14-309, 14-310 and 14-416); and would
amend the minimum area requirements for lots served by central water supplies or central sewerage
systems (14-415). A copy of the full text of the ordinance is on file in the office of the Clerk of the Board of
Supervisors and in the Department of Community Development, County Office Building, 401 McIntire
Road, Charlottesville, Virginia. (Glenn Brooks)
Mr. Brooks summarized STA-2012-00001, Water/Sewer Regulations, which is the corresponding
subdivision text amendment. In the sections of Code staff added the state definitions and allowed a
provision for onsite alternative systems.
Mr. Kamptner noted the purpose for this zoning text amendment was simply to align the subdivision
ordinance with the changes that the C ommission just recommended in the zoning ordinance, which
brings these regulations up-to-date with state statutes and regulations.
Mr. Morris invited questions for staff. There being no questions, Mr. Morris opened the public hearing and
invited public comment.
Neil Williamson, with The Free Enterprise Forum, said he believed Mr. Dotson may have misspoken.
There is nothing in any of the regulations that controls the pace of development in the rural area or the
development area. The pace of development is controlled by the markets.
There being no further public comment, Mr. Morris closed the public hearing to bring the matter back to
the Planning Commission for additional discussion and a recommendation.
Motion: Mr. Lafferty moved and Mr. Loach seconded to recommend approval of STA-2012-00001,
Water/Sewer Regulations.
The motion passed by a vote of 7:0.
Mr. Morris said that STA-2012-00002, Water Sewer Regulations, will be forwarded to the Board of
Supervisors with a recommendation for approval at a date to be determined.