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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-9-12Tentative BOARD OF SUPERVISORS T E N T A T I V E SEPTEMBER 12, 2012 6:00 P.M., AUDITORIUM COUNTY OFFICE BUILDING 1. Call to Order. 2. Pledge of Allegiance. 3. Moment of Silence. 4. Adoption of Final Agenda. 5. Brief Announcements by Board Members. 6. From the Public: Matters Not Listed for Public Hearing on the Agenda. 7. Consent Agenda. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 8. SP-2010-00036. MonU Park (Signs #49&52). PROPOSAL: Creation of an athletic club with 4 soccer fields and 96 parking spaces (changed from previous description of 7 soccer fields and 168 parking spaces). ZONING CATEGORY/GENERAL USAGE: RA -- Rural Areas: agricultural, forestal, and fishery uses; residential density (0.5 unit/acre in development lots); FH Flood Hazard - Overlay to provide safety and protection from flooding; EC Entrance Corridor - Overlay to protect properties of historic, architectural or cultural significance from visual impacts of development along routes of tourist access. SECTIONS: 10.2.2.4 Swim, golf, tennis or similar athletic facilities (reference 5.1.16). COMPREHENSIVE PLAN LAND USE/DENSITY: Rural Areas - preserve and protect agricultural, forestal, open space, and natural, historic and scenic resources/ density (.5 unit/acre in development lots). ENTRANCE CORRIDOR: Yes. LOCATION: Southeast corner of US 29 and Polo Grounds Road (Route 643).TAX MAP/PARCEL: Tax Map 46 Parcel 18C. MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT: Rivanna. 9. ZMA-2011-00010. Albrecht Place (Sign #101). PROPOSAL: Request to include a required application plan on 3.398 acres for property zoned PDSC which allows shopping centers, retail sales and service uses; residential by special use permit at a density of (15 units/acre). No dwellings proposed. No change in zoning district proposed. ENTRANCE CORRIDOR: Yes PROFFERS No COMPREHENSIVE PLAN: Urban Mixed Use (in Centers) – retail, residential, commercial, employment, office, institutional, and open space in Neighborhood 1 in Places 29. LOCATION: Directly behind the north section of Shoppers World shopping Center and directly behind 2111 & 2115 Berkmar Drive. TAX MAP/PARCEL: 061M00012001E0. MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT: Rio. 10. ZMA-2009-00001. 5th Street-Avon Center (Signs #2,3&5). PROPOSAL: To amend the proffers, application plan and development framework of approved rezoning ZMA-2006- 00009, (changed to include application plan and development framework) which rezoned 81.94 acres. PD-SC - Planned Development Shopping Center zoning district allows shopping centers, retail sales and service uses; and residential by special use permit (15 units/acre). Approx. 470,000 sq. ft. of commercial uses proposed. PROFFERS: Yes. EXISTING COMPREHENSIVE PLAN LAND USE/DENSITY: Community Service/Mixed Use-community-scale retail wholesale, business and medical offices, mixed use core communities and/or employment services, and residential (6.01-34 file:////coba-webapp01/BOSForms/Agenda/2012Files/0912/0.0_Agenda.htm (1 of 2) [10/2/2020 12:30:56 PM] Tentative units/acre) Neighborhoods 4 & 5. ENTRANCE CORRIDOR: Yes. LOCATION: Northeast intersection of Interstate 64 and Fifth Street Extended (Rt 631), bounded on the east by Avon Street Extended. Access is Bent Creek Road. TAX MAP/PARCEL: 076M10000002A0, 076M10000002B0, 076M10000004A0, and 077000000011E0. MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT: Scottsville. 11. SP-2010-000003. 5th Street - Avon Center - Parking Structure (Signs #2,3&5). PROPOSAL: Parking Structure ZONING CATEGORY/GENERAL USAGE: PD-SC Planned Development Shopping Center - shopping centers, retail sales and service uses; and residential by special use permit (15 units/ acre) SECTION: 25.2.2(3) Parking Structure COMPREHENSIVE PLAN LAND USE/DENSITY: Community Service/Mixed Use-community-scale retail wholesale, business and medical offices, mixed use core communities and/or employment services, and residential (6.01-34 units/acre) Neighborhoods 4 & 5. ENTRANCE CORRIDOR: Yes. LOCATION: Northeast intersection of Interstate 64 and Fifth Street Extended (Rt 631), bounded on the east by Avon Street Extended. Access is Bent Creek Road. TAX MAP/PARCEL: 076M10000002A0, 076M10000002B0, 076M10000004A0. MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT: Scottsville. 12. SP-2010-000003. 5th Street - Avon Center. Critical Slopes Waiver. 13. ZTA-2012-00011. Highway Commercial Wall Signs. Amend Sec. 4.15.12, Regulations applicable in the C-1, CO and HC zoning districts, of Chapter 18, Zoning, of the Albemarle County Code. This ordinance would amend Sec. 4.15.12 to increase the maximum area allowed for wall signs in the Highway Commercial zoning district from 100 square feet to 200 square feet, which was the maximum area allowed for such signs prior to a recent text amendment. 14. Discussion: Resolution in Support of the Commonwealth of Virginia Constitutional Amendment on Eminent Domain. 15. From the Board: Committee Reports and Matters Not Listed on the Agenda. 16. From the County Executive: Report on Matters Not Listed on the Agenda. 17. Adjourn to September 21, 2012, 9:00 a.m., Woodland Pavilion at Monticello. C O N S E N T A G E N D A FOR APPROVAL: 7.1 Approval of Minutes: July 11 and August 1, 2012. 7.2 Adopt Resolution Supporting the 2012 Regional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan. Return to Top of Agenda Return to Board of Supervisors Home Page Return to County Home Page file:////coba-webapp01/BOSForms/Agenda/2012Files/0912/0.0_Agenda.htm (2 of 2) [10/2/2020 12:30:56 PM] COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AGENDA TITLE: 2012 Regional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Adopt Resolution supporting the Regional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan STAFF CONTACT(S): Messrs. Foley, Elliott, Davis and Hanson PRESENTER (S): N/A LEGAL REVIEW: Yes AGENDA DATE: September 12, 2012 ACTION: INFORMATION: CONSENT AGENDA: ACTION: X INFORMATION: ATTACHMENTS: Yes REVIEWED BY: BACKGROUND: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) have approved the 2012 Regional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan for member localities of the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission (TJPDC). The purpose of the plan is to prepare for natural disasters before they occur, thus reducing loss of life, property damage, and disruption of commerce. STRATEGIC PLAN: Goal 5: Ensure the health and safety of the community Goal 6: Promote individual responsibility and citizen ownership of community challenges DISCUSSION: Adoption of an active hazard mitigation plan is required by FEMA/VDEM in order for localities to access Pre-Disaster Hazard Mitigation Assistance funds and the Post-Disaster Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. For example, FEMA has recently approved Governor McDonnell’s request for federal disaster assistance in the wake of the June 29 - July 1 storms. Roughly $4 million for hazard mitigation will be available to Albemarle County and other affected areas statewide over the next year. An adopted and active plan is required before these funds can be disbursed to a locality. The Hazard Mitigation Working Group, consisting of planning and emergency operations staff from each member jurisdiction, has guided this update to the TJPDC plan. Throughout this planning process public input has been actively sought and collected by members of the working group. Albemarle County representatives were actively engaged in this process through participation on the Working Group, involvement in two public workshops, review by the Albemarle-Charlottesville-UVa Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) on two occasions, and final review by department heads and the County Executive Office. The final plan is available online at: http://www.tjpdc.org/environment/hazard.asp BUDGET IMPACT: The inclusion of action items in the plan provides the opportunity for our region to seek federal grant funding options to address the recommendations contained in the plan. However, the County will not assume any obligation to fund or complete action items in the plan. RECOMMENDATIONS: Local approval of the plan is required by FEMA; therefore, it is recommended that the Board adopt the attached resolution supporting the Regional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan. ATTACHMENTS: A - Resolution Return to consent agenda Return to regular agenda RESOLUTION ALBEMARLE COUNTY ADOPTION OF THE REGIONAL NATURAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN WHEREAS, the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, as amended, requires that local governments develop, adopt and update natural hazard mitigation plans in order to receive certain federal assistance; and, WHEREAS, the Thomas Jefferson Planning District’s Regional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan has been prepared in accordance with FEMA requirements at 44C.F.R. 201.6; and, WHEREAS, Albemarle County has been involved in the preparation of the Regional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan through participation on the Working Group, participation in two public workshops, review by the Albemarle-Charlottesville-UVa Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) on two occasions, and final review by staff; and, WHEREAS, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have deemed the submitted plan satisfactory with no changes recommended; and, WHEREAS, hazard mitigation is essential to protect life and property by reducing the potential for future damages and economic losses resulting from natural disasters; and, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors does hereby adopt the Regional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan. ADOPTED by the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors on this ____ day of _______ , 2012. Return to exec summary COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AGENDA TITLE: SP201000036 MonU Park SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Additional condition of approval based on Planning Commission action STAFF CONTACT(S): Mr. Clark LEGAL REVIEW: No AGENDA DATE: September 12, 2012 ACTION: INFORMATION: X CONSENT AGENDA: ACTION: INFORMATION: ATTACHMENTS: No REVIEWED BY: Benish BACKGROUND: At its meeting on June 19, 2012, the Commission heard this proposal and deferred action until July 31, 2012 in order to allow the applicant to provide more information on the traffic and noise impacts of the proposed use. On July 31, 2012, the Commission completed the public hearing on this item. The traffic impacts from this use (in addition to the traffic generated by the SOCA soccer facility and existing residential development) were a major issue of discussion. At the conclusion of the hearing, the Commission recommended approval of the special use permit, but directed staff to develop a condition of approval requiring an annual “traffic management plan,” to be approved by the Planning Director, that would prevent major traffic backups due to overlaps with the SOCA facility’s schedule. The Planning Commission also directed staff to clarify condition 2 to make it clearer that portable toilets would be permitted on the site during any month when soccer activity would be permitted. DISCUSSION: Staff found several difficulties with implementing the “traffic management plan” approach recommended by the Planning Commission:  The issue to be addressed in the condition is not traffic management, but major-event scheduling. The focus of the discussion was on preventing overlapping events from occurring at both soccer facilities at the same time.  The Commission did not provide any guidance on what grounds staff should use to approve or deny the plan.  An annual approval is dependent on the information available at the time the plan is submitted, and does not permit later modifications to the plan if events are added to the SOCA schedule later in the year.  An annual traffic plan raises the expectation that County staff will analyze existing conditions and the submitted plan each year before the start of the MonU Park season, irrespective of other workload demands.  Enforcement of compliance with the approved plan would be difficult, as the events would mainly occur at times when no Zoning staff members are available for monitoring and enforcement. The applicant has stated that he would prefer a condition prohibiting MonU Park events on the same days as three named tournaments (the Sunburn, Frostbite, and Labor Day Weekend tournaments) and several tryout events that are the largest daily traffic generators at the SOCA site. Staff has worked with the applicant to develop the following additional condition based on this approach: 12. No games or practice sessions shall be held at MonU Park on the same dates that the following tournaments and tryouts are held at the SOCA sports complex on Polo Grounds Road: a. U11/U12 (combined) tryouts and U13/U14 (combined) tryouts, which are currently held at the end of April or during the month of May. b. The Spring recreational tournament, which is currently called the Sunburn and which is currently held on one weekend in June. c. The Labor Day weekend tournament, which is currently called the College Showcase and which is currently held on the Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day weekend. d. The Fall recreational tournament, which is currently called the Frostbite and which is typically held on one weekend in late November or early December. e. Any other tournaments and tryouts determined by the Zoning Administrator to be of a scale that is similar to the tournaments and tryouts delineated above. This condition shall no longer apply if the Planning Director determines in writing that road improvements or other changes to the existing traffic conditions on Polo Grounds Road, including its intersection at U.S. Route 29, make this condition unnecessary. Staff would point out that even this approach raises problems with enforcement. Staff would not be available for monitoring of the events, and there could be difficulties with the interpretations of specific terms (e.g., “tournament”) as they apply to any given event. RECOMMENDATIONS: Staff recommends that the Board approve SP201000036 MonU Park with conditions, including the changes to condition #2 and the addition of condition #12. 1. Development of the use shall be in general accord with the conceptual plan entitled “Concept Plan for Special Use Permit Application for MonU Park” prepared by Meridian Planning Group LLC, and dated 04-25-12. To be in general accord with the plan, development shall reflect the following central features essential to the design of the development: a. Number of fields b. Number and location of parking spaces c. Absence of structures Minor modifications to the plan which do not conflict with the elements above may be made to ensure compliance with the Zoning Ordinance. 2. Games and practice sessions shall only be held during the months of March, April, May, June, September, October, and November. In addition, during July and August, no games shall be held, but practice sessions solely for club members are permitted. Portable toilets are permitted on site during all months when soccer activity is permitted. 3. Hours of operation for events on Saturdays and Sundays shall be no earlier than 11:00 a.m. and no later than 6:00 p.m. 4. Hours of operation for events Monday through Friday shall be no earlier than 4:00 p.m. and no later than sunset. 5. No overnight parking shall be permitted on the site. The entrance to the property shall be closed by a locked gate when the fields are not in use. 6. No outdoor lighting shall be installed for this use. 7. No artificial irrigation shall be used or installed for the soccer fields. 8. There shall be no temporary or permanent amplified sound system permitted for this use. 9. No fill shall be placed within the portion of the property within the Flood Hazard Overlay District. 10. Upon termination of the soccer-field use, the surfacing of the driveway and parking area shall be removed and the previously-disturbed land surface shall be returned to vegetated cover or an unpaved accessway. 11. A Phase I archaeological survey shall be completed for areas to be graded for this use, followed by appropriate mitigation measures as approved by the Planning Director, prior to issuance of a grading permit. 12. No games or practice sessions shall be held at MonU Park on the same dates that the following tournaments and tryouts are held at the SOCA sports complex on Polo Grounds Road: a) U11/U12 (combined) tryouts and U13/U14 (combined) tryouts, which are currently held at the end of April or during the month of May. b) The Spring recreational tournament, which is currently called the Sunburn and which is currently held on one weekend in June. c) The Labor Day weekend tournament, which is currently called the College Showcase and which is currently held on the Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day weekend. d) The Fall recreational tournament, which is currently called the Frostbite and which is typically held on one weekend in late November or early December. e) Any other tournaments and tryouts determined by the Zoning Administrator to be of a scale that is similar to the tournaments and tryouts delineated above. This condition shall no longer apply if the Planning Director determines in writing that road improvements or other changes to the existing traffic conditions on Polo Grounds Road, including its intersection at U.S. Route 29, make this condition unnecessary. View July 31 Executive Summary Planning Commission June 19 and July 31 Actions letter Staff Report and attachments Planning Commission minutes of June 19 and July 31, 2012 Return to agenda COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AGENDA TITLE: SP201000036 MonU Park SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Updated information for further discussion of this deferred special use permit request for four soccer fields and 96 -space parking area. STAFF CONTACT(S): Mr. Clark LEGAL REVIEW: No AGENDA DATE: July 31, 2012 ACTION: X INFORMATION: CONSENT AGENDA: ACTION: INFORMATION: ATTACHMENTS: Yes REVIEWED BY: Benish BACKGROUND: At its meeting on June 19, 2012, the Commission heard this proposal and deferred action until July 31, 2012 in order to allow the applicant to provide more information on the traffic and noise impacts of the proposed use. Although much of that information proved to be unavailable, the applicant has requested that this application remain on the July 31st agenda for Commission action. The applicant has also requested that staff address a concern about accurately reflecting the club’s operating times that would otherwise have come up in the first hearing. After the public hearing, a Supervisor, Mr. Dumler, and Dr. Steve Thompson, an archaeologist serving on the County’s Historic Preservation Committee, each asked that staff address the issue of possible archaeological resources on this site. All these topics are discussed separately below. DISCUSSION: Traffic: An issue of concern to the Commission and to several nearby landowners was the additional traffic that this use could generate on Polo Grounds Road. Many residents reported that the road already has long traffic delays, especially at the intersection of Polo Grounds Road and US 29, at least in part because of the existing soccer-club facility located to the east of this site. The Commission requested that the applicant and staff provide more information on the existing traffic situation After the public hearing, Mr. Denunzio, the VDOT reviewer for this project, was unable to find any traffic data on file regarding peak-hour traffic volumes or on levels of service at the intersection of Polo Grounds Road and US 29. Since the commission’s meeting on this item, there have not been any major events (peak traffic events at the SOCA facilities), meaning that staff was unable to observe peak traffic patterns during those events. (According to SOCA’s online calendar, events in June and July are mainly adult league games with only one game occurring at any one time.) See Attachment 1 for the applicant’s estimates of the average number of trips generated by this use in various seasons and days of the week. (Please note that each entry or exit is one trip, so these counts are double the number of vehicles using the site.) The estimates range from 20 trips for practice sessions to 48 trips per game. Given four fields and 96 parking spaces, the maximum trip generation per game time would be 192 (96 entering before the game, 96 exiting after the game). This would only occur if games were held on all four fields with the same starting time. See Attachment 2 for the applicant’s observations of traffic for one evening on Polo Grounds Road. Also, staff observed an evening with two adult-league soccer games at the SOCA facility (one at 5:45 p.m., one at 7:20 p.m.). The numbers of vehicles in the left-turn lane on Polo Grounds Road at US 29 were as follows: Traffic Signal Cycle Total # of cars stacked on Polo Grounds at US 29 1 (7:25 p.m.) 3 2 2 3 2 4 3 5 6 6 4 7 (7:40 p.m.) 2 Given the lack of more detailed information on traffic patterns at this site (such as a traffic study), staff has insufficient information upon which to base additional recommendations. Noise: Neither the applicant nor staff was able to find a way to model or demonstrate the level or character of sound that would be generated on this site. No changes to the proposed conditions of approval are further recommended. Please note that the original conditions included a prohibition on the installation and use of amplified sound systems. Archaeology As mentioned above, a concern about possible archaeological resources on this site has been raised. Staff had initially felt that the minimal nature of construction proposed for the site would limit or prevent any impacts. However, Dr. Steve Thompson, the archaeologist mentioned above, stated that this site is potentially of major importance, and that it is likely that many of the artifacts that might be found on the site could be expected to be found very near the surface. Staff will defer to Dr. Thompson’s experience. As part of the approval of the existing SOCA soccer facility that is already in place on Polo Grounds Road, the Board of Supervisors imposed a condition of approval requiring a Phase I archaeology survey (essentially an initial survey) and Planning Division approval of any mitigation measures for construction impacts on identified resources, to be secured before any approval of a grading plan. To appropriately address archaeological concerns consistent with the SOCA approval, staff now recommends that the same condition be applied to the parking area for this proposed use, as that is the only location that would see any significant ground disturbance. Operating Times The original recommended conditions of approval would have prevented all use of the site during July and August. However, this did not accurately represent the applicant’s needs, which include training sessions for club members only during these months. As this is the least intense use the sight would see, staff has revised the conditions of approval to permit practice during those months. RECOMMENDATIONS: Staff once again recommends approval SP201000036 MonU Park with the modified conditions shown below: 1. Development of the use shall be in general accord with the conceptual plan entitled “Concept Plan for Special Use Permit Application for MonU Park” prepared by Meridian Planning Group LLC, and dated 04-25-12. To be in general accord with the plan, development shall reflect the following central features essential to the design of the development:  Number of fields  Number and location of parking spaces  Absence of structures Minor modifications to the plan which do not conflict with the elements above may be made to ensure compliance with the Zoning Ordinance. 2. Games and practice sessions shall only be held during the months of March, April, May, June, September, October, and November. During July and August, no games shall be held, but practice sessions solely for club members are permitted. Portable toilets may only be on the site during these months. 3. Hours of operation for events on Saturdays and Sundays shall be no earlier than 11:00 a.m. and no later than 6:00 p.m. 4. Hours of operation for events Monday through Friday shall be no earlier than 4:00 p.m. and no later than sunset. 5. No overnight parking shall be permitted on the site. The entrance to the property shall be closed by a locked gate when the fields are not in use. 6. No outdoor lighting shall be installed for this use. 7. No artificial irrigation shall be used or installed for the soccer fields. 8. There shall be no temporary or permanent amplified sound system permitted for this use. 9. No fill shall be placed within the portion of the property within the Flood Hazard Overlay District. 10. Upon termination of the soccer-field use, the surfacing of the driveway and parking area shall be removed and the previously-disturbed land surface shall be returned to vegetated cover or an unpaved accessway. 11. A Phase I archaeological survey shall be completed for areas to be graded for this use, followed by appropriate mitigation measures as approved by the Planning Director, prior to issuance of a grading permit ATTACHMENTS: 1. Applicant’s Traffic-generation Estimates (See Below) 2. Applicant’s Traffic Observations on Polo Grounds Road (See Below) Click here to view the June 19, 2012 Planning Commission Staff Report Applicant’s Traffic-generation Estimates Traffic projections for games based on:  2 teams of 15 players per team=30 players. Players typically car pool to average 2 players/car  1 coach and 1 assistant coach per team=4 coaches  3 referees per game  Players/parents=30 trips  Coaches=8 trips  Referees=6 trips  Miscellaneous=4 trips  Total = 48 trips I added 4 miscellaneous trips to allow for less than anticipated car pooling by players/parents. Total trip could also be slightly less than projected due to: 1. More than anticipated car pooling by players 2. Car pooling by coaches 3. Referees that travel to the field and then officiate back to back games, thus being counted twice while only entering and exiting park once Traffic projections for practices based on: 15 players/team, with players typically car pooling to average 2 players/car 1 coach and 1 assistant coach  Players/parents=16 trips  Coaches=4 trips  Total = 20 trips Attachment 1 Applicant’s Traffic Observations on Polo Grounds Road I did sit at our entrance on Polo Grounds Road one weekday evening, and counted the cars that went past our entrance to Route 29. SOCA had 4 games and a camp going on from 5:00-8:00pm which is a fairly good amount of activity. The traffic numbers were: Wednesday, June 27 5:00-6:00pm 79 cars 6:00-7:00pm 40 cars 7:00-8:00pm 92 cars There was not any back up at the light. Return to Sept 12 exec summary Attachment 2 COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE Department of Community Development 401 McIntire Road, North Wing Charlottesville, Virginia 22902-4596 Phone (434) 296-5832 Fax (434) 972-4126 July 13, 2012 Tim Miller, P.E., L.S. / Meridian Planning Group, LLC. 3525 Three Notch Road Kents Store, Va. 23084 Dear Mr. Miller: The Albemarle County Planning Commission, at its meeting on June 19, 2012, by a vote of 5:0 deferred the above-noted petition. Therefore, this item has been rescheduled for Planning Commission public hearing on July 31, 2012. The Albemarle County Planning Commission will meet at 6:00 p.m., Meeting Room #241, Second Floor, County Office Building, 401 McIntire Road, Charlottesville, Virginia. Return to exec summary If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Sincerely, Scott Clark Senior Planner Cc: Monticello United Soccer Club P.O. Box 7214 Charlottesville, Va. 22906 Crockett Corporation 435 Park St Charlottesville, Va. 22901 COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE Department of Community Development 401 McIntire Road, North Wing Charlottesville, Virginia 22902-4596 Phone (434) 296-5832 Fax (434) 972-4126 August 9, 2012 Tim Miller, P.E., L.S. / Meridian Planning Group, LLC. 3525 Three Notch Road Kents Store, Va. 23084 RE: SP201000036 MonU Park (signs 49 & 52) Dear Mr. Miller: The Albemarle County Planning Commission, at its meeting on July 31, 2012, by a vote of 6:1, 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 of the use shall be in general accord with the conceptual plan entitled “Concept Plan for Special Use Permit Application for MonU Park” prepared by Meridian Planning Group LLC, and dated 04-25-12. a. To be in general accord with the plan, development shall reflect the following central features essential to the design of the development: i. Number of fields ii. Number and location of parking spaces iii. Absence of structures b. Minor modifications to the plan which do not conflict with the elements above may be made to ensure compliance with the Zoning Ordinance. 2. Games and practice sessions shall only be held during the months of March, April, May, June, September, October, and November. In addition, during July and August, no games shall be held, but practice sessions solely for club members are permitted. Portable toilets may only be on the site during these months. (Staff to work on language regarding portable toilets prior to Board meeting to clarify that portable toilets are permitted on site during all months when soccer activity is permitted.) 3. Hours of operation for events on Saturdays and Sundays shall be no earlier than 11:00 a.m. and no later than 6:00 p.m. 4. Hours of operation for events Monday through Friday shall be no earlier than 4:00 p.m. and no later than sunset. 5. No overnight parking shall be permitted on the site. The entrance to the property shall be closed by a locked gate when the fields are not in use. 6. No outdoor lighting shall be installed for this use. 7. No artificial irrigation shall be used or installed for the soccer fields. 8. There shall be no temporary or permanent amplified sound system permitted for this use. 9. No fill shall be placed within the portion of the property within the Flood Hazard Overlay District. 10. Upon termination of the soccer-field use, the surfacing of the driveway and parking area shall be removed and the previously-disturbed land surface shall be returned to vegetated cover or an unpaved accessway. 11. A Phase I archaeological survey shall be completed for areas to be graded for this use, followed by appropriate mitigation measures as approved by the Planning Director, prior to issuance of a grading permit. 12. Staff to develop (prior to the BoS meeting) a condition that will require an annual traffic management plan based on the scheduling of events on the site, to be approved by the Planning Director before soccer activity can begin each year. Please be advised that the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors will review this petition and receive public comment at their meeting on September 12, 2012. Return to exec summary 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 Senior Planner Planning Division Cc: Monticello United Soccer Club P.O. Box 7214 Charlottesville, Va. 22906 Crockett Corporation 435 Park St Charlottesville, Va. 22901 COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE STAFF REPORT SUMMARY Project Name: SP201000036 MonU Park Staff: Scott Clark, Senior Planner Planning Commission Public Hearing: June 19, 2012 Board of Supervisors Public Hearing: TBA Owner/s: Crockett Corporation Applicant: Monticello United Soccer Club Acreage: 79.5 acres Special Use Permit: 10.2.2.4 Swim, golf, tennis or similar athletic facilities (reference 5.1.16) TMP: 04600-00-00-018C0 Location: Southeast corner of US 29 and Polo Grounds Road (Route 643) Existing Zoning and By-right use: RA -- Rural Areas: agricultural, forestal, and fishery uses; residential density (0.5 unit/acre in development lots); FH Flood Hazard - Overlay to provide safety and protection from flooding; EC Entrance Corridor - Overlay to protect properties of historic, architectural or cultural significance from visual impacts of development along routes of tourist access. Magisterial District: Rivanna Conditions or Proffers: Yes RA (Rural Areas) Requested # of Dwelling Units: n/a Proposal: Creation of an athletic club with 4 soccer fields and 96 parking spaces (changed from previous description of 7 soccer fields and 168 parking spaces) Comprehensive Plan Designation: Rural Areas Character of Property: The property is a grassed field with wooded buffers along Polo Grounds Road and the South Fork Rivanna River Use of Surrounding Properties: Uphill of the site to the north, and across the river to the south, most properties are in the Development Areas and are residential. There are commercial uses across the river along US 29. East and west of the site is a band of rural land uses between the two development areas. Factors Favorable: 1. As recommended by the Rural Areas chapter of the Comprehensive Plan, the on-site impacts of the proposed use can be reversed if the use ends. 2. The use would assist in meeting the demand for soccer fields in the County 3. Impacts of the use would be limited by the absence of lighting or amplified sound systems on the site. Factors Unfavorable: 1. The use will generate additional traffic on Polo Grounds Road, a rural road that serves both Rural Area and Development Area residents. However, the site’s proximity to US 29 and the scale of the use will limit the extent of those impacts. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of SP201000036 with conditions. Proposal PROJECT: SP201000036 MonU Park PROPOSED: Creation of an athletic club with 4 soccer fields and 96 parking spaces (changed from previous description of 7 soccer fields and 168 parking spaces) ZONING CATEGORY/GENERAL USAGE: RA -- Rural Areas: agricultural, forestal, and fishery uses; residential density (0.5 unit/acre in development lots); FH Flood Hazard - Overlay to provide safety and protection from flooding; EC Entrance Corridor - Overlay to protect properties of historic, architectural or cultural significance from visual impacts of development along routes of tourist access SECTIONS: 10.2.2.4 Swim, golf, tennis or similar athletic facilities (reference 5.1.16) COMPREHENSIVE PLAN LAND USE/DENSITY: Rural Areas - preserve and protect agricultural, forestal, open space, and natural, historic and scenic resources/ density ( .5 unit/ acre in development lots) ENTRANCE CORRIDOR: Yes LOCATION: Southeast corner of US 29 and Polo Grounds Road (Route 643). TAX MAP/PARCEL: Tax Map 46 Parcel 18C MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT: Rivanna COMPREHENSIVE PLAN: The Comprehensive Plan designates the property as Rural Area in Rural Area 2. CHARACTER OF THE AREA: The property is located in a band of Rural Areas land parallel to the South Fork Rivanna River, between a largely residential portion of the Hollymead-Places 29 development area to the north and the commercial and residential areas of Neighborhoods 1 and 2 to the south (see attachments A and B). There is an existing soccer complex with three full-sized field, some smaller fields and practice areas, two paved parking areas, and a field house located approximately 0.25 mile to the east. PROPOSAL: The applicant is requesting to use the existing field for four soccer fields for a childrens’ league. The use would add a driveway and a 96-space parking area to the field. No structures, lights, or amplified sound systems are proposed. PLANNING AND ZONING HISTORY:  SP201000060 proposed a practice baseball field on this same site. Records indicate that the applicant did not pursue this application. ANALYSIS OF THE SPECIAL USE PERMIT REQUEST: Section 31.6.1 of the Zoning Ordinance below requires that special use permits be reviewed as follows: Will the use be of substantial detriment to adjacent property? The proposed soccer use would be a daylight-only use. No lights or amplified sound systems are proposed, and proposed conditions of approval (see below) would prohibit them. Therefore light impacts on adjacent properties would be nil, and sound impacts would be limited to unamplified voices during daylight. With multiple fields in use, it is likely that voices will carry to nearby properties during the daytime hours of use. The majority of nearby dwellings are in the Development Areas. The nearest dwellings are located approximately 1,400 feet to the north, 1,850 feet to the east, and 1,200 feet to the southwest. Staff opinion, therefore, is that these impacts will not be a substantial detriment to adjacent properties. Nearby landowners have expressed concern over possible noise (from pumps) and water- quality impacts if water were to be pumped from the river into the fields for irrigation. The applicant has stated that no artificial irrigation is planned. Staff is recommending a condition of approval that would ensure that no irrigation systems would be installed. The impacts of the use would also be limited by its seasonal nature (spring and fall), as well as by it limited hours (due to the lack of artificial lighting). The applicant’s soccer program operates mainly in the spring and fall. Staff is recommending conditions of approval that would limit games and practices to three-month periods in the spring and fall, and that would limit hours for games and practices to 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekends and 4:00 p.m. to sunset on weekdays. Another recommended condition would require that the portable toilets for the use (no restroom structures are permitted in the FH Flood Hazard Overlay zoning district) be removed during those months when the fields are not being used. Will the character of the zoning district change with this use? This proposed activity would use an existing farm field in the Rural Areas. The use will bring additional recreational use to this portion of the Rural Areas, but would not change the overall character of the Rural Areas district. Recreational uses are permitted in the district by special use permit, and several such permits (for golf courses, soccer fields, etc.) have been approved in the Rural Areas in the past. This use is consistent with other uses permitted in the RA zoning district. Because this use would add no structures, it would have fewer physical impacts and would be more reversible than most other recreational uses. Will the use be in harmony with the purpose and intent of the zoning ordinance? Purpose 1.4.4 of the Zoning Ordinance is “[t]o facilitate the provision of adequate police and fire protection, disaster evacuation, civil defense, transportation, water, sewerage, flood protection, schools, parks, forests, playgrounds, recreational facilities, airports and other public requirements;” This proposal would provide recreational facilities. While it would not create a true public recreation area, it would help to meet existing demand for soccer fields in the community. Purpose 1.4.8 of the Zoning Ordinance is “[t]o provide for the preservation of agricultural and forestal lands and other lands of significance for the protection of the natural environment.” While this use would not confer permanent protection of this rural site, it would not prevent future agricultural production on the site, as only a parking area and driveway would be constructed. Recommended condition of approval (see below) would prevent parking on the site when the fields are not in use, to limit pollution impacts from vehicles, and would require the surfaced parking lot and driveway to be removed and replaced with vegetation if the soccer-field facility is no longer in use. Will the use be in harmony with the uses permitted by right in the district? Permitted uses in the RA zoning district include farming, forestry, conservation, and residential uses. This use would not impact agricultural, forestry, or conservation uses. Residential uses could be impacted by noise and traffic. In this case, the design and scale of the use would limit those impacts. Will the use be in harmony with additional regulations provided in section 5? 5.1.16 SWIMMING, GOLF, TENNIS CLUBS Each swimming, golf or tennis club shall be subject to the following: a. The swimming pool, including the apron, filtering and pumping equipment, and anybuildings, shall be at least seventy-five (75) feet from the nearest property line and at least one hundred twenty-five (125) feet from any existing dwelling on an adjoining property, except that, where the lot upon which it is located abuts land in a commercial or industrial district, the pool may be constructed no less than twenty-five (25) feet from the nearest property line of such land in a commercial or industrial district; No swimming pool is proposed for this site. b. When the lot on which any such pool is located abuts the rear or side line of, or is across the street from, any residential district, a substantial, sightly wall, fence, or shrubbery shall be erected or planted, so as to screen effectively said pool from view from the nearest property in such residential district; No swimming pool is proposed for this site. c. (Repealed 6-14-00) d. The board of supervisors may, for the protection of the health, safety, morals and general welfare of the community, require such additional conditions as it deems necessary, including but not limited to provisions for additional fencing and/or planting or other landscaping, additional setback from property lines, additional parking space, location and arrangement of lighting, and other reasonable requirements; As this use would be located on a 79.5-acre parcel with wooded buffers along the road, staff does not feel that the types of fencing, landscaping, etc. needed for urban swim clubs are needed. No lighting is proposed. e. Provision for concessions for the serving of food, refreshments or entertainment for club members and guests may be permitted under special use permit procedures. No such facilities are proposed for this site. Will the public health, safety and general welfare of the community be protected if the use is approved? The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has approved the proposed entrance design for this use, and stated that the “Soccer Complex” section of the Institute of Transportation Engineers’ Trip Generation manual provides a good estimate of traffic impacts for this type of use. The average trip-generation rate in that table, for a peak hour on a Saturday, is 28.73 trips per field. For this four-field facility, that would mean that the peak hour would see approximately 115 trips. (Each arrival and each departure is a trip, so the number of vehicles involved would be half of the number of trips.) The average annual number of daily trips (for Saturdays) on Polo Grounds Road at the intersection of US 29 was 2,400. For weekdays, the Trip Generation manual does not include estimated traffic-generation rates for facilities with fewer than 7 fields. Given these traffic-generation rates, the VDOT reviewer agrees with the applicant that the 100-foot right-turn taper show on the conceptual plan is sufficient to provide safe access for this use. SUMMARY: Staff has identified factors which are favorable and unfavorable to this proposal: Factors favorable to this request include: 1. As recommended by the Rural Areas chapter of the Comprehensive Plan, the on -site impacts of the proposed use can be reversed if the use ends. 2. The use would assist in meeting the demand for soccer fields in the County. 3. Impacts of the use would be limited by the absence of lighting or amplified sound systems on the site. Factors unfavorable to this request include: 1. The use will generate additional traffic on Polo Grounds Road, a rural road that serves both Rural Area and Development Area residents and an existing soccer facility. However, the site’s proximity to US 29 and the scale of the use will limit the extent of those impacts. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of SP2010-00036 based upon the analysis provided herein, with the following conditions: 1. Development of the use shall be in general accord with the conceptual plan entitled “Concept Plan for Special Use Permit Application for MonU Park” prepared by Meridian Planning Group LLC, and dated 04-25-12. To be in general accord with the plan, development shall reflect the following central features essential to the design of the development:  Number of fields  Number and location of parking spaces  Absence of structures Minor modifications to the plan which do not conflict with the elements above may be made to ensure compliance with the Zoning Ordinance. 2. Games and practice sessions shall only be held during the months of March, April, May, June, September, October, and November. Portable toilets may only be on the site during these months. 3. Hours of operation for events on Saturdays and Sundays shall be no earlier than 11:00 a.m. and no later than 6:00 p.m. 4. Hours of operation for events Monday through Friday shall be no earlier than 4:00 p.m. and no later than sunset. 5. No overnight parking shall be permitted on the site. The entrance to the property shall be closed by a locked gate when the fields are not in use. 6. No outdoor lighting shall be installed for this use. 7. No artificial irrigation shall be used or installed for the soccer fields. 8. There shall be no temporary or permanent amplified sound system permitted for this use. 9. No fill shall be placed within the portion of the property within the Flood Hazard Overlay District. 10. Upon termination of the soccer-field use, the surfacing of the driveway and parking area shall be removed and the previously-disturbed land surface shall be returned to vegetated cover or an unpaved accessway. PLANNING COMMISSION MOTION—Special Use Permit: A. Should a Planning Commissioner choose to recommend approval of this special use permit: Move to recommend approval of SP 2010-00036 MonU Park with 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 2010-36 MonU Park. Should a commissioner motion to recommend denial, he or she should state the reason(s) for recommending denial. ATTACHMENTS Attachment A – Vicinity Map Attachment B – Site Map Attachment C – Conceptual Plan Return to exec summary SO UTH FORK RIVANNA RIVE R RESERVOIR SOUTH FO RK RIVANNA RIVER LAKE HOLLYM EAD NORTH FORK RIVAN NA RIVE R RIVANNA RIVER PO WELL CRE EKSEMINOLE TRLEARLYSVILLE RDRIO MILLS RD POLO GROUNDS RD NORTHFIELD RDW OODBURN RDBERKMAR DRHUNTINGTON RDASHWOOD BLVD BENTIVAR DROLD BROOK RDC A R R S B R O O K D RRIO RD W P A N O R A M A R D H ILLS D A LE D R MILLERS COTTAGE LN RI O RD E HOLLYMEAD DR D O V E R R D RUTLEDGE LN IDLEWOOD DRPOWELL CREEK DRBENTIVAR FARM RDRAINTREE DRBRIDLEPATH DR WOODBROOK DR LOCHRIDGE LN POWELL RDGRIVER INN LNS A N D Y L N B E R WI C K C T CROSS TIMBER RDTURNBERRY CIRBELVEDERE DRR U BIN L N MARLBORO CTPLEASANT PLTANNERS LN MILFORD RD R O B I N L NMADISON DRWI LLI AMSBURG RDHALF MOON CT MYERS DR EASTBROOK DRDELLWOOD RDENGLISH OAKS CIR NSTANLEY DR JUMPERS RUNBETHEL STATION RDRUSTIC WILLOW LNKNIGHT CT BRIGHTON DR TEMPLETON CIR TEAKWOOD CVASHLAND DR NATALI LNMALL DRSUN RI DGE RDSEMINOLE TRLSP201000036 MonU Park 0 0.5 10.25 Miles¯ Attachment A POLO GROUNDS RD SEMINOLE TRLE M O N A C A N D R RIO MILLS RD W MONACAN DRMONET HLP O WH A T A N C I R CHEROKEE CTSEMINOLE TRLSP20 1000036 M onU Park 0 500 1,000250Feet¯ Att achment B Attachment C ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION – JUNE 19, 2012 FINAL MINUTES 1 Albemarle County Planning Commission June 19, 2012 The Albemarle County Planning Commission held a regular meeting on Tuesday, June 19, 2012, at 6:00 p.m., at the County Office Building, Lane Auditorium, Second Floor, 401 McIntire Road, Charlottesville, Virginia. Members attending were Thomas Loach, Richard Randolph, Don Franco, Calvin Morris, Chair and Russell (Mac) Lafferty, Vice-Chairman. Commission members absent were Ed Smith, and Bruce Dotson. Julia Monteith, AICP, Senior Land Use Planner for the University of Virginia was present. Other officials present were Francis MacCall, Senior Planner; Joanne Tu Purtsezova, Planner; Claudette Grant, Senior Planner; Scott Clark, Senior Planner, David Benish, Chief of Planning; Wayne Cilimberg, Director of Planning and Greg Kamptner, Deputy County Attorney. SP-2010-00036 MonU Park PROPOSED: Creation of an athletic club with 4 soccer fields and 96 parking spaces ZONING CATEGORY/GENERAL USAGE: RA -- Rural Areas: agricultural, forestal, and fishery uses; residential density (0.5 unit/acre in development lots); FH Flood Hazard - Overlay to provide safety and protection from flooding; EC Entrance Corridor - Overlay to protect properties of historic, architectural or cultural significance from visual impacts of development along routes of tourist access SECTIONS: 10.2.2.4 Swim, golf, tennis or similar athletic facilities (reference 5.1.16) COMPREHENSIVE PLAN LAND USE/DENSITY: Rural Areas - preserve and protect agricultural, forestal, open space, and natural, historic and scenic resources/ density (.5 unit/ acre in development lots) ENTRANCE CORRIDOR: Yes LOCATION: Southeast corner of US 29 and Polo Grounds Road (Route 643). TAX MAP/PARCEL: Tax Map 46 Parcel 18C MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT: Rivanna (Scott Clark) Scott Clark presented a Power-Point presentation and summarized the staff report. This is a special use permit request for a soccer field facility on Polo Grounds Road at the intersection with US 29 in the Rural Areas. There is an extensive wooded area along Polo Grounds Road and a small riparian buffer along the river. The proposed use would occur entirely on the route of the existing access and within the open area. Proposal Outline • Four grass fields in existing open area of parcel • Paved entrance drive • Surfaced parking area for 96 cars • No lighting • No structures ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION – JUNE 19, 2012 FINAL MINUTES 2 • No amplified sound for the soccer use Some of the neighboring land owners have questioned why the request to expand the SOCA facilities farther down the road in 2006 was denied and staff is recommending approval for this facility. Staff reviewed the Comparison – MonU Park vs. SOCA Expansion Request in a chart. Structures: The structures in the MonU Park proposal would be in the floodplain. However, there can be no structures and no structures are proposed. The SOCA expansion area was up above the floodplain. They proposed a 30,000 square foot building, which would have been one of the 15 largest buildings in the rural areas. Number of Fields: MonU Park is proposing 4 fields. The expansion for SOCA would have had one indoor field and one outdoor field, which would be in addition to the existing fields down at the floodplain. Outdoor Lighting: MonU Park is proposing no lighting. The expansion for SOCA would have had outdoor lighting to be used in the spring and fall season. Distance to Nearest Dwelling: MonU Park – 1,200 feet The expansion for SOCA was 300 feet from an existing dwelling. Other Use Proposed: There are none for MonU Park. Originally the expansion proposal for SOCA included four non-soccer events essentially renting the facility for commercial uses as a fundraiser. That was eventually withdrawn after the Planning Commission recommended denial of the proposal. Different in Season: The SOCA facility would have made it m ore of a year round use. During the summer and winter seasons they were not very active for community use. Traffic Generation: The MonU Park - ITE estimated increase at peak of 57.5 vehicles per hour (half arriving, half departing) – for example, between morning and afternoon sessions. Assuming two (2) sessions and grouped arrivals (within one hour), approximately 115 vehicles per day. SOCA expansion - ITE estimated increase of 515 vehicles per day over current facilities at peak use (from 357 to 872). (Note: The ITE is based on a fairly small sample size. So the numbers are not meant to be exact counts, but indicative of the scale.) Public-facilities Demand: MonU Park – None The SOCA expansion was going to need sewer because the site could no t support a facility of that size on a septic system. Expansion of the sewer into the rural areas is against Comprehensive Plan policy. ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION – JUNE 19, 2012 FINAL MINUTES 3 Reversibility: The Comprehensive Plan talks about reversibility for commercial like uses and can the land go back to agricultural and forestry or conservation, which are priority uses, easily if the use ends. In the MonU Park proposal the only lasting footprint would be the driveway and the parking area. Staff is recommending a condition of approval that those be removed if the use ends. There was no reversibility for the SOCA facility. The 30,000 square foot building plus an artificial field and the facility to support that was not going to go away. Parking: Both proposals would have 96 parking spaces. Critical Slope Disturbance Requested: The SOCA facility needed a critical slopes waiver; whereas, MonU Park does not. Tree Clearing Proposed: There is no tree clearing proposed for MonU Park because it is using an existing driveway and open area. Whereas, ther e was grading on the SOCA facility to create the artificial field that would have disturbed a critical slopes area with trees on it that would need to be replanted. In addition from the SOCA trip estimation it was estimated that 96 percent of the traffi c would go to US 29. The tunnel under the railroad tracks on Polo Ground Road is always a concern for uses in this area. The estimate for the SOCA expansion, again, was denied that said that 4 percent of the traffic would go that way. The MonU Park use similarly is even closer to US 29. Therefore, staff would say that a similar percentage would come from the highway there. Staff passed out a handout to the Commission entitled Summary of Trip Generation Calculation for 4 Fields of Soccer Complex June 19, 2012. Mr. DeNunzio from VDOT is present to explain this and provide more information on why the proposed entrance design, which is a 100’ right turn taper and no left turn, was considered appropriate for this use. Several of the nearby landowners have questioned why this relatively small entrance change was sufficient. Mr. Morris invited Joel DeNunzio to address the Planning Commission. Joel DeNunzio, VDOT representative, apologized that there was no paragraph in the handout that explained it. He explained the first sheet is the trip generation. The original plan was done off of the seventh generation ITE numbers. Since then they have updated it. It is very similar numbers. However, what they see in the handout is the eighth generation. The two highlighted numbers are the peak hour numbers or the 4 to 6 p.m. peak hour, which is 57.5 , and the Saturday peak hour, which is 55. In the red is the existing Route 643 information. Mr. Lafferty pointed out that the copies are not color coded. Mr. DeNunzio noted it was the handwritten information. Mr. Lafferty noted that the handwritten information was barely visible. ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION – JUNE 19, 2012 FINAL MINUTES 4 Mr. DeNunzio explained the Summary of Trip Generation Calculation handout.  The summary said on Route 643 Polo Grounds Road, the speed is 45 miles per hour. The average daily traffic is 2,400 vehicles. Typically when they have traffic data they have what they call a K and D factor. That determines what percentage of traffic occurs in the peak hour as the K factor. Typically that is about 10 to 12 percent. The defector is the directional factor that shows the direction of most of the traffic, which is typically 50 to 60 percent. They don’t have that data for Polo Grounds Road, which does not have enough traffic that they actually generate that data. When they don’t have that data what they assume is 11 percent for a K times D factor. From that they are able to determine right turn and left turn lane warrant out based on that. If they look at the PHDV under the ADT it says 264. Basically that is the 2,400 multiplied by the 11 percent, which is what hourly traffic they expect on Polo Grounds Road in each direction in the peak hour of the afternoon. So that is 264 peak hour trips in each direction on Polo Grounds Road.  From that they look at 264 approaching from the 29 side and 264 from the left. So they look and get the right and left turn lane analysis. Typically their sp lits are not 50/50. Normally it is anywhere between and 50 and 60. So the number beside PHDV says 60 percent. That is if they take the peak hour traffic and they apply the 60/40 split to it and the 317 represents what 60 percent of that is. A conservative approach to this is to take 60 percent on the approach. So 60 percent coming from 29 to look at the right turn analysis and 60 percent coming from the east to look at the left turn analysis. That is just the existing data.  The next page is what they do for right turn lane analysis. He explained the numbers on the graph represent the peak hour numbers for oppo sing and advancing volumes of traffic. They can see the top two dots lie within the taper required. That is how they determined what the right turn taper needed to be. It is all based on the existing volume and proposed volume of the site. The 57 number written in is assuming 100 percent of the traffic is coming from Route 29. A right turn taper is also required for that. So even if 100 percent comes from Route 29 it still warrants only a right turn taper.  The next two sheets are the left turn lane warrant analysis. The first one says likely scenario. That is assuming a 60 percent split coming from the other direction. Most traffic will probably come from Route 29. However, with a conservative approach again he assumed that 60 percent comes fr om the other direction. If they look at what that 60 percent is on the bottom graph these graphs are all based on the volume that turns left into the site. The calculated number as shown on the bottom graph is well outside of the left turn lane warrant analysis.  Basically, what this is showing is that for the traffic generated from this site in the peak afternoon hour, which is the peak hour of the generator, there is no left turn lane warranted and there is no right turn lane warranted; however, there is a right turn taper to allow for some deceleration of the traffic entering the site. Mr. Loach asked Mr. DeNunzio to give an analysis in his opinion about general levels of service on Polo Grounds Road. ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION – JUNE 19, 2012 FINAL MINUTES 5 Mr. DeNunzio replied that the general level of service analysis for Polo Grounds Road was a difficult analysis to come across. Typically, a two lane road can carry 1,700 vehicles per hour per lane, which seems like a real high number. That was seen on roads more like Rio Road down the three lane section. The level of service on a two lane road is nowhere near that. The level of service on a two lane road is for perfect conditions being straight and no grades, good shoulders, horizontal curves, site distance and vertical grades. Every factor that is not perfect decreases that level of service. When they see 2,400 trips on a road even if it is not the perfect road with everything they like to see the capacity is still not an issue on the two lane road itself. Typically the level of service is applied more on the intersection. The sight entrance intersection is not a concern with the level of service. The traffic will be able to move in and out of the site just fine without delay. Mr. Morris invited other questions. Mr. Lafferty said they are putting more traffic on Polo Grounds Road. He asked if they would consider changing the sequence of the light. They were saying that it backs up now. He asked if he was saying there would be a taper on Polo Grounds Road or a taper on 29. Mr. DeNunzio replied all of this information is just for the site entrance. The intersection at 29 and Polo Grounds Road is a different issue. When he was requested to look at that intersection he sent a request to their traffic engineers to send the level of service. He thinks they probably have that data. He sent that request today and did not get it yet. He would share that information when he gets it. What he would be interested in looking at with that data is the overall level of service at the intersection and the level of service on the Polo Grounds approach, specifically the left turns to south 29. The other turns normally would only be blocked by the stacking from the left turns or the volume from Route 29 is so high that they can’t take a turn on red. They should have current counts on that. He would share that information as soon as he gets it. He received calls about that intersection not specific to this site probably within the past couple of years about the stacking problems out there. T ypically the complaints have been from his experience in the a.m. peak hour. If they look at the front sheet the a.m. peak hours is extremely low volumes for this kind of site. They are looking at exiting traffic from the 7 to 9 a.m. peak hour as 3 vehicles. So it is prett y insignificant compared to the overall traffic there. They are looking at 1 vehicle every 20 minutes on average. The queuing in the a.m. peak hours are not a concern. In the p.m. peak hour for this type of site there are 26 vehicles. That is if 100 percent comes to this. It could cause additional queuing and a decrease in the level of service. That is something he would have to look at and get them that information. Mr. Morris noted that it had bothered him if they have 30 to 40 vehicles leaving the new area at any one time and the majority of those will probably head for 29. There is only .2 of a mile of Polo Ground Road between that entrance and light. It seems that is going to stack up and back up very quickly. The number of times he goes there, which is quite a bit living in Key West, the majority of the time the maximum cars that he can see make the left hand turn onto 29 is between 5 and 6. He asked how they can handle this. He would not suggest that they shorten the time of the green light on 29. They ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION – JUNE 19, 2012 FINAL MINUTES 6 can’t do that because they need to have the traffic flow. He can just see Polo Ground s Road turning into a parking lot. Mr. DeNunzio replied the one thing they are looking at, which he was not sure it had been implemented, was similar to the new adaptive technology they have implemented on Pantops, which was called adaptive technology. It works as a system and he believes they are implementing it on Route 29 right now. What it does is work as a whole system and looks at the side streets. It does not just run a total phase but looks at the side streets and allows the side streets to clear whe never there is a gap in the traffic coming up. It has worked very well on 250 and he knew they were l ooking at doing that on 29. He was not sure how much of that had been implemented. However, it was something he could get back to them on regarding the status of that. It could be a big help with all intersections. Ms. Monteith said she understood that he had looked at the turn movements right and left into the site. Since it seems they were so proximate to the intersection with the signal on 29 she was curious why they did not look more into the LOX and functioning of that signal and this use might affect that. Mr. DeNunzio replied that with their understanding that the problem was in the morning and this use was such a low generator in the morning they did not consider that as being a problem. Ms. Monteith asked if they know what time of day this field will be used. Mr. DeNunzio replied what they know from past studies is typically the afternoon from 4 to 6 p.m. is the peak generator. That is when most of the traffic is coming in and out of the site. Mr. Lafferty pointed out it does look like the entrance is 1500’ from the traffic light. Mr. Morris said it was just about exactly .2 of a mile. Mr. Cilimberg noted two of the suggested conditions refer to the time they would begin their operations. It was 11 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays and not until 4 p.m. on Monday through Friday Mr. Clark agreed that was correct. Ms. Monteith noted that correlates with the peaks at least through the week. She was not sure that would really help. Mr. Cilimberg said Mr. DeNunzio would have to speak to that. He thought he said they were sensitive to the morning peaks for the left hand turns. Mr. DeNunzio said it was his understanding that most of the problem now, not considering this application, is in the morning peak. He normally hits the intersection in the afternoon and was not sure about the morning peak. From what he has heard ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION – JUNE 19, 2012 FINAL MINUTES 7 from the phone calls he sends out the traffic guys and asks them to put more green time on that side of the street. He hoped it has helped because he has not received many complaints recently. However, it does not mean that there is not a problem. He asked if they see a p.m. problem now or is it mostly in the morning. Mr. Morris said he never hits it in peak traffic. He always gets there and there are always 3 or 4 cars. He always hits the red light. In talking with the people who live there they say it can be miserable when they have traffic problems with SOCA. Mr. DeNunzio said when they let the traffic out at one time it is causing a problem, and Mr. Morris agreed from what he understands because he did not live on that road. Mr. DeNunzio apologized that he did not have time to get that data today on the level of service at that intersection. He will share it with them when he gets that, which he thinks will address a lot of their concerns regarding when they expect to see the worse conditions out there. Then they could apply that to the existing conditions. Mr. Morris said it would help to have that information. There being no further questions he asked staff to conclude his presentation. Mr. Clark concluded the presentation. Staff has identified factors which are favorable and unfavorable to this proposal: Factors favorable to this request include: 1. Impacts of the use would be limited by the absence of lighting or amplified sound systems on the site. 2. As recommended by the Rural Areas chapter of the Comprehensive Plan, the on-site impacts of the proposed use can be reversed if the use ends. 3. The use would assist in meeting the demand for soccer fields in the County. In the email from Bob Crickenberger he said this facility would help get more soccer fields in the county, which would help reach their goal and take up a portion of the demand for more soccer fields. Factors unfavorable to this request include: 1. The use will generate additional traffic on Polo Grounds Road, a rural road that serves both Rural Area and Development Area residents and an existing soccer facility. However, the site’s proximity to US 29 and the scale of the use will limit the extent of those impacts. Another issue is that several adjacent landowners were concerned with noise even if there was no outside amplification. Some of them have said they hear voices and shouts from the existing SOCA facilities. Again, MonU Park will be a daytime use because there would be no lighting and there is a longer distance from the nearest resident to this site. Staff recommends approval with the conditions as outlined in the staff report. He noted the applicant might want to expand the months in which the facility would be used to include two additional months for practice. During the winter and summer months there would be no impacts on the area. ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION – JUNE 19, 2012 FINAL MINUTES 8 Mr. Morris invited questions for staff. Mr. Lafferty said the drive in would be paved, but how about the parking lot since he just said it would be surfaced. Mr. Clark replied that had not been entirely worked out yet and would be resolved during the site plan process. Because this use involves a change in the entrance and the parking it would require a site plan. That discussion would be held in more detail with the county engineer during that process. Mr. Loach asked since this property was in the floodplain if they have information on the degree of flooding it has. Mr. Clark replied that he did not have information on that. Mr. Benish noted that the property does flood and the SOCA fields have been flooded. Mr. Loach pointed out the only problem he saw was the portable toilets if it gets flooded. Regarding the noise concern he assumed this use would come under the rural noise levels of 65 decibels. The Planning Commission took a break at 7:22 p.m. and the meeting reconvened at 7:29 p.m. Mr. Morris opened the public hearing and invited the applicant to address the Planning Commission. Dan Ivory, Director of Coaching, board member, referee and Coordinator of the Monticello United Soccer Club (MonU), said he had been coaching soccer in this area for 34 years and was present on behalf of the applicant. They started MonU with the goal to provide a more family oriented affordable organization. They are a small youth only club and plan to stay that way. They have no adult divisions or rec divisions. They travel and have one-half of their games away and one -half at home. Their players participate in other community events. They have a very low cost fee and don’t make a lot of money. They operate as a non-profit. Mr. Ivory said they are trying to put four soccer fields on this property. Their entrance would be a quarter of a mile from Route 29. They have a 100’ mandatory deceleration lane. They simply want to grow grass, put soccer goals on it and let the children play soccer. The grass exists and there is no need for any type of irrigation. They would like to keep the land as rural as possible. There would be no buildings, no lights, no irrigation, no water hook and would pull nothing from the river. There is an e xisting entrance and a 400’ driveway that they will modify to meet VDOT specifications. They prefer not to pave the parking lot and will work closely with the county on that. Over the past 6 years they have averaged 98 members which come out to 2 to 3 games a weekend in September, October, November and 2 games a weekend in late March, ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION – JUNE 19, 2012 FINAL MINUTES 9 April and June. They encourage their members to play high school. So the fall system is the peak and in the spring they have younger kids. There is nothing from Thanksgiving through January and February. As Mr. Clark said, they would like to amend the staff report to include the months of July and August since they have training activities during these months. Regarding the adjoining properties there is a thick growth of brush and trees and with the elevation and river it helps muffle sounds. There is no sound system. They have a portable john contract, which removes them from the property at the end of the season. The property slopes away from the river. He invited the input and suggestions from the neighbors. He asked for approval of the request. There being no questions for the applicant, Mr. Morris invited public comment. Ray Caddell, resident of 334 Dover Road, said it was his understanding that there had been no formal traffic study done. He had not heard anyone address what happens when both MonU Park and the SOCA games let out at the same time. He asked how the people in Montgomery Ridge get up and down Polo Grounds Road and what kind of traffic issues it is going to make at the intersection of 29. He questioned if it was going to create a true public recreational area. The very first they have he ard about a public use of it was just now. He asked how many people were going to be allowed to use the facilities and what would happen to the porta johns. He could not even imagine how that is going to work. It is a private organization and serves at the maximum 130 children and not all of the county’s residents. The property is in the rural area and bounded by the Rivanna River. Today they heard for the first time about fertilizer. That was a specific question they asked staff when they met with th em. They were told that was not an issue. To claim that the fertilizer cannot possibly make its way to the Rivanna is absolutely ridiculous. Those who live in that area see all kinds of things float by. The 100-year flood occurs every 2, 3 or 4 years. So it is a very fragile eco system there at the Rivanna. The adjacent nearby property owners were already severely impacted by traffic and noise. He was concerned with the potential noise impacts. He asked that they take the request seriously. Mitch Feldman, resident of 2535 Montgomery Ridge Road, said he was approaching the Commission this evening from a safety standpoint more than anything else for any type of emergency vehicle. In March, 2011 he had to take a family member to the hospital around 6:30 p.m. Usually between 6:30 and 7:00 at night is when the traffic backs up on Polo Grounds Road. He was able to get his mom to the hospital. However, right after that he notified VDOT and sent them several inquires through their website. He did not hear anything. Then he contacted the Albemarle Board of Supervisors. He has been working with Ann Mallek since March of this year. She has been very influential as far as getting VDOT to respond to the issues on Polo Grounds Road. She got back to him last week. About a week ago VDOT did come back by and adjust the timing on the light. That is good news. However, the individual she dealt with from VDOT said that he did not know if this was actually a solution and the real solution to the problem is to widen Polo Grounds Roads. At the current time because of the funding constraints with VDOT it will probably be added to the six-year plan if that happens. Mr. Feldman noted from the Albemarle County Land Use Handbook it states that all county officials have immunity and they are free from liability. However, there are ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION – JUNE 19, 2012 FINAL MINUTES 10 several exceptions. One of them is gross negligence. There was a case back in 2005 Green versus Ingram where basically if gross negligence has been defined show as that degree of negligence which shows indifference to others as it constitutes other disregard to prudence amounting to a complete neglect of the safety of another. Once again, they have a safety issue here and until Polo Grounds Road is widened or until something is done where they can have easy access in and out of their community, the same for emergency vehicles, then he had no problems with the proposed expansion area for soccer fields. Constance Stevens, resident of 3508 Marlboro Road in Carrsbrook, said the noise will adversely impact them. She is not adjacent to it, but still hears SOCA quite loudly since sound does travel in the floodplain. She was concerned with the impact on the Rivanna River, particularly the porta-johns. She asked if somebody is going to be monitoring the weather. The Monticello United Soccer Club is a corporation. It is a commercial enterprise not to benefit the public at large. According to their tax returns some of their directors are compensated. They are being asked to adversely impact many of the neighbors by the noise, traffic and safety. It will very much endanger the river for a commercial enterprise. Therefore, many of the neighbors oppose the request. Joe Kulbok, President of the Montgomery Ridge Owner’s Association, said Montgomery Ridge has 60 families. They have a lot of soccer players and they support that. The only problem is traffic. People are very concerned about it. Montgomery Ridge is .7 of a mile from the intersection with 29. On occasion there will be traffic there. To put additional facilities there without making changes to the road will cause absolute gridlock. He took exception to some of the comments. On a regular basis traffic will back up way beyond the entrance to the new soccer facility. Those people will not be able to get out. He asked the Commission to look down the road for consideration of the growth of soccer. They are not dealing with a small organization. The t raffic situation will get worse and that is going to affect the safety and quality of life for the folks who live in Montgomery Ridge and all the people who live along Polo Grounds Road. It is a very big issue. When they present this to the Board please do not discount that aspect of it. Cathy O’Hara, resident of 2507 Montgomery Ridge Road, said she had a daughter that plays for MouU. She supports the establishment of the MonU Park soccer fields on Polo Grounds Roads. There is a need for recreational facilities in the county. She has three children who play sports. Therefore, she travels that road multiple times a day as a stay at home mom. Recreational facilities in our county are inadequate. The new fields would give an opportunity for more children to play. So this is a great need. She has been impacted by the traffic coming out of SOCA. Primarily the try out days tend to be the worse. She has seen it once or twice backed up to the level of Montgomery Ridge Road. She did not like it and it was not enjoyable since she wants to get through there. She has never sat longer than ten minutes to get through. While it has been an inconvenience she did not believe it has been an emergency situation. She thinks some working with the lights would help to mitigate that. MonU is a very small organization with very few games especially comp ared with SOCA. It is a worthy organization to support and a great need that they have. ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION – JUNE 19, 2012 FINAL MINUTES 11 Nat Howell, resident of 2248 Polo Grounds Road, spoke as a veteran of the soccer war concerning the SOCA request. At that time this board strictly limited the number of fields to four although the request was much larger because of the traffic situation. The traffic and road has not been improved since that time. He and his neighbors live in the rural area and chose to be there. There are inconveniences and benefits. When the county zones a property rural area or industrial it seems that t he citizens should have a right to believe they can count on that before they make their investments. Regarding the road they need to be clear that the VDOT representative talked about the capacity of straight roads. Polo Grounds Road is not straight. It has many twists and turns and is in fact a very dangerous road particularly during rain or in fog. They have had one death on that road before the guardrails were installed. There are times when SOCA traffic backs up to the entrance of Montgomery Ridge. If they get more than six cars through that light someone is in line for a ticket. That is a problem. He is on the Board of the Stony Point Volunteer Fire Company. Emergenc y vehicles have to come into the area. In their area they have real problems with emergency vehicles. One message sent to him was that one must ask how many times we must defend our area from the kind of inconvenience by persons who by and large live elsewhere. If there is a real need for more of these kinds of recreational facilities it is time for the county to look for adding public facilities at schools and public parks. This gentleman is a past Supervisor of this county. Jeff Boecker, resident of River Inn Lane in the Steel Meadows neighborhood, said he lives directly across from the current SOCA field complex. He has absolutely n o problem with the noise. The noise from his neighbor’s lawnmower is louder. He hoped the application would be approved since the proposal will be much smaller than the SOCA facility. He suggested that the four fields will only add incrementally to what is there and really not the problem associated with noise and traffic. From past experience with his children playing soccer, he felt it was obviously that the soccer fields in the county are inadequate. He supported MonU Park’s application and asked that it be approved. David Schmitt, resident of 2308 Walnut Ridge Lane and adjacent to the Bentivar complex, said that he uses Polo Grounds Road for leaving and entering the area. There are issues of need, safety, and traffic. In addition there is the issue of the safety and preservation of the Rivanna River, which is a real consideration. The wetlands need to be considered. Soccer fields played on regularly will need some kind of care. That is going to include water and fertilizer. Those are going to end up in the Rivanna River, which has been declared a national treasure and a wetland. It has to be considered from that point of view. He was sympathetic to the community’s need for playing fields for kids. Well exercised children are an asset to the community. His experience with Polo Grounds Road is that it is a curvy exciting road to drive. Any additional traffic brought by MonU has to be considered in the context of the existing problem with traffic already produced by SOCA. It is tolerable, but at certain times unbearable. This is going to be a jump in the traffic on that road. Anyone coming from the northeast has to cross a one lane bridge coming across the railroad tracks entering onto Polo Grounds from Profit Road. Anyone coming from the east has to deal with the severely angled dangerous underpass. He asked for consideration of future growth of ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION – JUNE 19, 2012 FINAL MINUTES 12 the four soccer fields, which would increase traffic. He was against the approval of the request and he hoped all of the concerns from the community expressed would be considered. This particular area is utterly inappropriate. Jane Williamson, resident of 313 E. Monacan Drive in Carrsbrook, pointed out on the question of the floods they have seen a half dozen to a dozen 100-year floods. They have ridden in a motorized boat across their 80 acre field through a swift current. They have seen the farm crops washed a way in that area. The area has been flooded. They are talking about a child’s game. The question is whether this game is of sufficient value to approve a venue in the rural area in a flood plain which will have many negative effects. She asked the Commission to take into consideration the deterioration of their quality of life as discussed thus far in perpetuity. She spoke against the approval of the request due to the noise impacts. If the county values the game so much then the issue ought to be that they should find some public land to lease or build the fields themselves. Lettie Schmitt, resident of Bentivar, spoke against the request due to the traffic concerns. She has seen the traffic backed up 1.2 miles off of 29 on more than one occasion. They have not talked about the traffic associated with parents dropping off their children or on days with back to back games. If they approve this request they would be doing a disservice to the people who live in the area. James Dean, resident on Profit Road, spoke in opposition to the request. He asked for consideration of the traffic issues and other concerns expressed. Stephen Lavene said he lives in an old farm behind the Bentivar Subdivision. They have 154.5 acres of floodplain just down from the soccer fields. He has lived there five years and has paddled the land twice in a canoe. Those are 100-year floods as others have said. It is clear what the solution is here. The county needs to step up and provide more soccer fields. He is sympathetic with MonU Park. He played soccer and loved the sport. It is healthy for the children. The county needs more fields. However, this is the wrong place for it for all the reasons they have heard. Fred Gercke, President of the Profit Community Association, said he drives Polo Grounds Road twice a day. He has driven the road for 28 years. It is a dangerous road. They are going to force more traffic on the road if they approve the request. There needs to be two lanes at 29 and Polo Grounds Road. Pe ople going right are stuck in line because of the beautiful guardrails. He has seen the floods over the years, which has gotten worse as the area developed. The problem is not with MonU since they are a good organization. What they want to do is a good thing. However, it is just in the wrong place. The county needs additional recreational facilities in the northern end of the county. Gary Hatter, citizen of Albemarle County, said he was very sympathetic to the need for recreational field needs in the area. They all agree that fields around public schools should be better. This is an example of sort of a public/private use where the initiative of a few will benefit quite a few, but not all citizens. The problems stated are incremental and not wholesale changes to people’s lifestyles. MonU is truly a nonprofit and not one ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION – JUNE 19, 2012 FINAL MINUTES 13 is getting rich off this. It is a good fit for children that are overlooked. His children play for MonU and he felt it would be wonderful if the county could step forward and provid e better playing surfaces at the schools. That being unlikely in the current budgetary situation he encouraged the Commission to support the initiative. Gerald Long, a Bentivar resident, said he had no trouble with soccer. It is a wonderful sport. The issue is not whether SOCA or MonU a good organization. He wanted to add his name to the list of those against the list specifically on traffic. Secondly, he was concerned about the future of MonU. He would like to keep their area a rural community. Jeff Werner, PEC representative and a coach in the city, applauds the situation and intentions. However, it is a land use decision and requires evaluation. If the special use permit is approved it will run with the land. The bottom line is they are dealing with rural land with a rural road. They need to work with the traffic situation at the intersection with 29. He hated the traffic when his son played soccer. The situation was created when 150 cars try to leave the parking lot while 150 cars are trying to come in. The traffic situation needs to be evaluated. The special use permit does not preclude clearing for any use. There are a lot of questions. Carol Carter, property owner in Bentivar and real estate agent in area, asked to add her name to list to ask to vote against this. It is a land use decision and also is in rural area. There are a lot of safety issues to consider with the blocking of the road particularly with sitting at the light. It is hard enough to travel the road already and to safely get vehicles through the area. The wildlife needs to respected in the area. There being no further public comment, the public hearing was closed and the matter before the Planning Commission. Mr. Morris invited the applicant’s rebuttal. Pat Reilly, President of Monticello United Soccer Club, provided a rebuttal to the concerns raised. He noted they were not adding to the traffic problem that may or may not exist with their four soccer fields. There was screening on all sides of the property. He did not consider the sound of children playing a noise. The cars and trucks on 29 he considered a noise. He asked for approval of the request. Mr. Morris invited questions. There being none, he closed the public hearing to bring the matter before the Planning Commission for discussion and action. Mr. Morris mentioned that Mr. DeNunzio may have additional information at a future time. He asked if it was something they want to look at prior to making a decision. He questioned if they should ask the applicant to defer until they get this information. The Planning Commission discussed the proposal and whether the outstanding issues could be addressed by conditions on the special use permit. The following issues and concerns were discussed: ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION – JUNE 19, 2012 FINAL MINUTES 14  The use appeared to be appropriate in that location by a majority, but it was a matter of trying to mitigate those impacts. The two major concerns brought up specifically were the traffic and noise issues. The largest issue is the traffic impact issue. It was the matter of trying to understand the data on noise and traffic and how to mitigate those a little bit better.  To understand the noise impact, noise measurements could be taken from certain locations of what SOCA’s noise is now. There is no way to predict the noise on this site very easily without similar activities occurring there. There is another use close by they could take measurement from.  Further traffic analysis is needed. A suggestion was made to defer until Joel DeNunzio from VDOT looked at the LOS and provide a traffic analysis and really looked at understanding what could improve the conditions and what can make it safer for everybody that lives in this community. They need a better understanding of the impacts at the intersection of 29 and Polo Grounds Road. Potentially there could be a traffic management plan as well to help minimize the impacts.  Fertilizing concern (Mr. Benish pointed out fertilizing is not a requirement, but subject to stormwater impacts and the residual impacts from runoff.)  Since the special use permit goes with the land a question was raised about conditioning the special use permit if the MonU Park use vacated from property so the land use reverts back to its current state. (Suggestion made with direction from PC that staff can propose a condition potentially about a time limit after the use vacates the property for the Board. Staff could work with the owner to see if they would be willing to do an easement in lieu of just a condition recognizing that an easement was permanent and a condition would be attached just to this particular use) There was a need for a riparian buffer easement based on the parking and where the road accessed the parking. There is a need for some kind of buffer. Mr. Morris said it is up to the applicant to ask for a deferral. The Planning Commission could take a look at the additional traffic information and noise measurements in order to make an informed decision. After discussion, the Commission suggested that the applicant ask for a deferral until some data was available from VDOT and then they could go back and work with staff. Mr. DeNunzio could get the level of service on 29 and any information on the methodology to improve the overall situation. Mr. Randolph asked Mr. DeNunzio what the time frame would be for the results of the study. Mr. Benish pointed out he was not sure VDOT can do any additional analysis. Staff will need to sit down and factor what kind of information they have. Mr. Franco clarified that it would be some additional traffic information and not a full blown traffic study. It would not be a full blown noise study, but to try to get some ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION – JUNE 19, 2012 FINAL MINUTES 15 typical readings from the adjacent use SOCA and maybe understanding how that was applied to this site. Mr. DeNunzio said what he would be able to provide is the existing level of service there. As far as mitigation they don’t usually identify mitigations for impacts from traffic for this type of special use or a rezoning. It is typically up to the applicant to provide the analysis that shows what would work. They would have existing data that shows what the data shows as the existing function of that intersection. They will not necessarily be able to do the work that proposes and says they need two lanes coming out of Pol o Grounds Road each with 200’ of storage or additional lanes on Polo Grounds Road. They are not going to be able to identify that with the information he has. Mr. Benish pointed out staff would need to assess what that information says and then go from there as to what additional information was needed. Mr. DeNunzio noted what he heard tonight was that perhaps a lot of the impacts are possibly due to another soccer field when they let out. He was not sure of that time. He was not sure the existing traffic data was going to capture those specific events. They are looking at normal average conditions. If they have something that occurs five times in one month for one month out of the year their data available now might not capture those kinds of things. When he hears was that traffic backs up sometimes to Montgomery Ridge. He might not be able to capture that with the data they have available right now because he was not sure when that occurs. He would be able to provide information if VDOT is in the process of implementing the new light system and if they are not when they are going to. It is his understanding that they are looking into implementing that system like they did on Pantops. He should have access to that data within the next few days. Mr. Cilimberg pointed out that it could take a little bit of time to get this figured out. They don’t have the staff either to do the traffic analysis. That is really an applicant responsibility. Ms. Monteith noted that this might need some creative solution. Some kind of a traffic management plan is a potential creative solution here. They also heard from the applicant that SOCA patterns are changing. Mr. DeNunzio made a good point it is a little bit of a moving target that they are working with here. Mr. Reilly pointed out that the traffic backup occurred only a few times possibly in May and June, but was not the norm. Unfortunately, that kind of back up is what would stick in people’s minds. He asked for a deferral pending more information received. Mr. Morris noted that the deferral would be until they had worked out the issues and they were ready to come back. Mr. Kamptner asked that it be deferred to a specific date so that it would not need to be readvertised. ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION – JUNE 19, 2012 FINAL MINUTES 16 Mr. Cilimberg noted that the earliest date would be July 31. They can give a safe date for deferral that would give some time for the work to be done and then see where they are. That way there would be no additional expense for the applicant. Mr. Lafferty said what he heard was the traffic analysis that they have is an average and they probably are not going to get much more specific than that. They are as king the applicant to defer when whatever analysis it will be will come to the board. Mr. Loach said they would have a better a nalysis of the level of service on Route 29 at least at the intersection. That is his understanding. Mr. Monteith said the idea is for VDOT to look at the facts. Then between the planning staff and VDOT they will get some options that could be mitigations for the concerns. Mr. Franco said he thought the other thing that Mr. DeNunzio was pointing out was he may not have specific data associated with some of these events such as SOCA letting out. They won’t have that. However, they could collect that by simply having traffic counts made. It does not have to be with the house across the road. It can be physical counts to have a better understanding of what is going on. At the same time staff and the applicant can go out with a noise meter and pick up th e noise information they are looking for as well. A lot of that information can be collected at little or no cost and help them make a more informed decision. Mr. Lafferty noted the traffic counts are impulse when it is really high. All they have to do is go out at the wrong time and they get 4 or 5 cars per hours. If they go out at the right time when SOCA is getting out they may get 150 cars. However, the way they average the count over a month it comes out much less. Mr. Franco said that is the challenge with traffic. It is all about peaks. It is not really about volume. The complaints come because of the peaks and traffic backing up. Mr. Lafferty noted that it was the frequency of the peaks, too. Mr. Benish said the unique issue here is that it is unlike normal business hours from 9 to 5. This has peaks and volumes by season and by periods of a week. Therefore, it is a bit harder to get that data. Mr. Franco said SOCA is in session so to speak at this time. They should be able to pick a time when they know SOCA is going to have the turn around and pick out that peak to help understand better what that impact is. Motion: Mr. Franco moved and Mr. Loach seconded to accept the applicant’s request for deferral to July 31 in order for the Commission to look at traffic and noise information in order to make a better informed decision. The motion passed by a vote of 5:0. (Dotson, Smith absent) ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION – JUNE 19, 2012 FINAL MINUTES 17 Mr. Morris noted that SP-2010-00036 MonU Park was deferred to July 31, 2012 as per the applicant’s request. Return to exec summary ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION –JULY 31, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES – SUBMIT FOR APPROVAL 1 Albemarle County Planning Commission July 31, 2012 The Albemarle County Planning Commission held a public hearing on Tuesday, July 31, 2012, at 6:00 p.m., at the County Office Building, Auditorium, Second Floor, 401 McIntire Road, Charlottesville, Virginia. Members attending were Thomas Loach, Richard Randolph, Don Franco, Calvin Morris , Chairman; Russell (Mac) Lafferty, Vice-Chair; Ed Smith and Bruce Dotson. Julia Monteith, AICP, Senior Land Use Planner for the University of Virginia was present. Staff present was Sarah Baldwin, Senior Planner; Scott Clark, Senior Planner; Claudette Grant, Senior Planner; Glenn Brooks, County Engineer; Amelia McCulley, Director of Zoning/Zoning Administrator; David Benish, Chief of Planning; Wayne Cilimberg, Director of Planning; Mark Graham, Director of Community Development; and Greg Kamptner, Deputy County Attorney. Call to Order and Establish Quorum: Mr. Morris, Chair, called the regular meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and established a quorum. Deferred Items SP-2010-00036 MonU Park (Signs # 49 & 52) PROPOSED: Creation of an athletic club with 4 soccer fields and 96 parking spaces (changed from previous description of 7 soccer fields and 168 parking spaces) ZONING CATEGORY/GENERAL USAGE: RA -- Rural Areas: agricultural, forestal, and fishery uses; residential density (0.5 unit/acre in development lots); FH Flood Hazard - Overlay to provide safety and protection from flooding; EC Entrance Corridor - Overlay to protect properties of historic, architectural or cultural significance from visual impacts of development along routes of tourist access SECTIONS: 10.2.2.4 Swim, golf, tennis or similar athletic facilities (reference 5.1.16) COMPREHENSIVE PLAN LAND USE/DENSITY: Rural Areas - preserve and protect agricultural, forestal, open space, and natural, historic and scenic resources/ density (.5 unit/ acre in development lots) ENTRANCE CORRIDOR: Yes LOCATION: Southeast corner of US 29 and Polo Grounds Road (Route 643). TAX MAP/PARCEL: Tax Map 46 Parcel 18C MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT: Rivanna (Scott Clark) DEFERRED FROM THE JUNE 19, 2012 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Mr. Morris noted the next item was a deferred item, which was looked at on June 19 of this year and the Commission had a couple of questions that did not have a sufficient answer. So the Commission was going to take a look at that. ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION –JULY 31, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES – SUBMIT FOR APPROVAL 2 Mr. Clark summarized the proposal in a PowerPoint presentation and discussed what information staff was able to get in the time since the first hearing. This is a proposal for the creation of an athletic club with 4 soccer fields and 96 parking spaces (changed from previous description of 7 soccer fields and 168 parking spaces) on Polo Grounds Road near its intersection with US 29. Proposal Outline • Four grass fields in existing open area of parcel • Paved entrance drive • Surfaced parking area for 96 cars • No lighting • No structures • No amplified sound • The existing entrance road will be used. At the first public hearing staff recommended approval based on the following factors: Factors favorable to this request include: 1. Impacts of the use would be limited by the absence of lighting or amplified sound systems on the site. 2. As recommended by the Rural Areas chapter of the Comprehensive Plan, the on -site impacts of the proposed use can be reversed if the use ends. 3. The use would assist in meeting the demand for soccer fields in the County. Factors unfavorable to this request include: 1. The use will generate additional traffic on Polo Grounds Road, a rural road that serves both Rural Area and Development Area residents and an existing soccer facility. However, the site’s proximity to US 29 and the scale of the use will limit the extent of those impacts. The Commission asked staff to get more information on two matters being the traffic and noise. Unfortunately there was not a lot of information available from VDOT regarding peak hour traffic on Polo Grounds Road or the level of service at the US 29/Polo Grounds Road intersection. VDOT does not have any data on that to of fer us. That was unfortunate. The applicant’s traffic-generation estimates are as follows, which is a little more detail than they had last time. Traffic projections for games based on:  2 teams of 15 players per team=30 players. Players typically car po ol to average 2 players/car  1 coach and 1 assistant coach per team=4 coaches  3 referees per game  Players/parents=30 trips ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION –JULY 31, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES – SUBMIT FOR APPROVAL 3  Coaches=8 trips  Referees=6 trips  Miscellaneous=4 trips  Total = 48 trips I added 4 miscellaneous trips to allow for less than anticip ated car pooling by players/parents. Total trip could also be slightly less than projected due to: 1. More than anticipated car pooling by players 2. Car pooling by coaches 3. Referees that travel to the field and then officiate back to back games, thus being counted twice while only entering and exiting park once Traffic projections for practices based on: 15 players/team, with players typically car pooling to average 2 players/car 1 coach and 1 assistant coach  Players/parents=16 trips  Coaches=4 trips  Total = 20 trips (Note: A trip here is an entrance or an exit. Therefore, it would 24 vehicles for a game. There would be up to four games at a time on the site depending on the scheduling.) There is one set of observations Mr. Benish carried out for the eveni ng when there were two soccer games going on at the existing SOCA facility further down Polo Grounds Road. It is just a single example and does not really set up a pattern or document the very large peak events that are known to happen on certain occasion s when SOCA has try outs and things like that. It does show that there were instances where there was traffic backing up in the left turn lane to get back out onto Route 29. See Attachment 2 for the applicant’s observations of traffic for one evening on Polo Grounds Road. Also, staff observed an evening with two adult-league soccer games at the SOCA facility (one at 5:45 p.m., one at 7:20 p.m.). The numbers of vehicles in the left-turn lane on Polo Grounds Road at US 29 were as follows: Traffic Signal Cycle Total # of cars stacked on Polo Grounds at US 29 1 (7:25 p.m.) 3 2 2 3 2 4 3 5 6 6 4 7 (7:40 p.m.) 2 ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION –JULY 31, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES – SUBMIT FOR APPROVAL 4 Given the lack of more detailed information on traffic patterns at this site (such as a traffic study), staff has insufficient information upon which to base additional recommendations. On the noise issue unfortunately staff was not able to provide anything new. Neither staff nor the applicants were able to come up with a way to provide quantifiable data on noise impacts on the site. After the hearing one additional issue came up. One supervisor, Mr. Dumler, and a member of the Historic Preservation Committee raised a concern why they were recommending approval on this site without consideration for archaeological resources. When the SOCA facility down the road was approved by the Board there was a condition applied requiring them to do a phase one archaeological survey and to mitigate based on them. Staff had originally thought that the impacts in this case would be fairly minimal given that there is no foundation digging or anything like that being proposed. However, after talking it over with the members of the Historic Preservation Committee what staff is recommending is one additional condition, which would be the same as the one that was applied to the SOCA use. The condition is to require a phase one archaeological study. If there are significant results found from that the applicant would need to mitigate the impacts on those resources with the staff approval of that process. The revised conditions recommended include a change in condition 2, which was not discussed at the previous hearing, was just to clarify that practice sessions could happen during July and August when this organization typically has small practices but not actual games. Condition 11 added was added about the phase one archaeological survey. However, there was one more slight change that came up today. It was pointed out that it was not clear in condition 2 when practice sessions could occur outside of the July and August period. Staff has made a slight change here in consultation with the zoning department to make sure that they can clarify that practice sessions as well as games can happen during the regular season. Staff recommends approval with those changes added into the conditions. Mr. Morris invited questions for staff. Mr. Lafferty noted in condition 2 of the recommended conditions where it says portable toilets only to be on site during these months. He asked if that is the months when they can only have practice sessions. Mr. Clark replied yes that was the intention. So essentially they would only have to be removed from the site during the winter months when there is no activity there. Mr. Lafferty said that is appears when they are having games they can’t have toilets there. Mr. Clark noted staff could easily clarify that before it goes to the Board. ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION –JULY 31, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES – SUBMIT FOR APPROVAL 5 Ms. Monteith said the text reads that they would have only portable toilets during July and August when there are only practice sessions. That is a little counter intuitive to the use. Mr. Clark pointed out staff can easily fix that before it goes to the Board. Mr. Lafferty noted there was some talk about a synchronized/smart traffic light at 29. He asked if there was some way to mitigate the backup of the traffic and if staff has heard anymore about that. Mr. Clark replied as far as he knows that is not going to happen. However, he knows the applicant has discussed that in detail with VDOT and is probably going to discuss that during his presentation. Mr. Loach asked on the left turn lane what is the capacity there car wise without traffic backing up. Mr. Benish replied there really is not a turn lane there. It just tapers out so that they have a little bit of a slip after the first or second car is stacked depending on how small those cars are. So the stacking really is within one travel way. But again if there are one or two cars stacked usually another car can slip by and make a north turn. So there really is not any stacking for multiple lanes at that entrance. Just to clarify that day there were two games but not going at the same time. They were consecutive games. He looked at the period before the first game ended and as people were leaving for the first game and maybe arriving for the second game. Mr. Morris pointed out some additional information. He was invited out to the MonU soccer fields on Thursday afternoon, July 26. He got there at about 25 minutes after 5:00. There was no traffic other than myself on Polo Grounds Road and it was easy to turn a left into the fields. He was not sure how many cars showed up with children and their parent. However, it was around 20 cars. At 5 minutes to 6 he got in his car and left the area and intermediately turned right onto Polo Ground Road and went to Montgomery Ridge about .4 of a mile. He went up into the subdivision and parked at the circle at the end of Monet Hill. Attachment B shows Monet Hill at the southeastern portion across from that area right up on top of the ridge. He stayed there for 30 minutes. There was a brick breeze moving from the west to the east. This is moving directly from the soccer fields to the subdivision. For ½ hour standing outside the car he could not hear any noise from the soccer field. He could not tell if the children were running or screaming. He did think that they were. The noise was not a factor and the wind was blowing to Montgomery Ridge and not towards Carrsbrook. This is not a scientific study, but he thought they ought to hear it. Mr. Morris pointed out the Commission had the public hearing on the 19th of June. However, there are certain people in the audience that have signed up and with the permission of fellow Commissioners he would like to invite them for public c omment. He opened the public hearing and invited the applicant to address the Commission. ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION –JULY 31, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES – SUBMIT FOR APPROVAL 6 Pat Reilly, President of Monticello United Soccer Club, noted that he did not want to go over too much of what Mr. Clark said or what they covered at the last hear ing. He knows the main issue here is traffic. So that is mostly what he wants to address. He mentioned at the last meeting there were approximately six or seven times a year where there is a significant backup on Polo Grounds Road. He has specific dates for those for the year of 2012 - They were during soccer tryouts on June 11 and 12 and there were 13 or 14 boy and girls. It was on Monday, April 30th, Wednesday, April 2nd, Wednesday, May 9th, and Friday, May 11th. At 6:30 p.m. several hundred cars let out on those dates, and again at 8:30 p.m. several hundred cars let out and there was a significant back up. On Saturday and Sunday June 9th and 10th there was a weekend tournament. There were 56 games played. There is another tournament coming up Saturday and Sunday, September 1st and 2nd, Labor Day Weekend, and Saturday and Sunday, December 1st and 2nd, which should be similar to the June tournament with approximately 50 games that weekend. - Typically they don’t schedule any local games or practices on Labor Day Weekend or anytime in December. They are also willing to do one of two things on those particular dates of, which there were 7 for this past year, when the SOCA events take place. One, they will not schedule any events with times that coincide with SOCA event times. Thus they will not add any additional traffic to the backups caused by the SOCA event. If MonU does have a absolute need to schedule an event that coincides with the SOCA event times Mon U will contact Albemarle County Police Department and submit a special activity request form to have a police officer work the stop light at Route 29 and Polo Grounds Road during the time the MonU event is taking place. This will not only manage the small amount of MonU traffic but it will also help alleviate the traffic generated by the SOCA event. This is done at churches, schools, farmer markets, and other similar events that create an unusual amount of traffic on a specific day and time. - Managing the traffic flow through sensitive schedu ling and events and securing the assistance of local traffic enforcement professionals should be done by those creating the majority of the traffic and not only by MonU. However, they would like to set the example of being a good neighbor and to challenge others to do the same. They do not favor a condition locking them into the two traffic alleviation measures as there are several potential traffic solutions that could occur in the near future. They would be accepting of a condition where they agree to those measures until at least one of the following is done: - The installation of new traffic light technology, or - VDOT secondary road improvements on Polo Grounds Road, such as widening the intersection. - He spoke with Joel DeNunzio yesterday and he said their initial engineering study has decided they are not going to use that specific technology that is being used at Pantops. It was something about the Route 29 corridor did not mix right. That does not mean that some new technology won’t come out. But, that particular technology is not going to be installed at this time. ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION –JULY 31, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES – SUBMIT FOR APPROVAL 7 - They do not feel that there will be any noise impact to the neighboring properties. The fixed screening, the drastic elevation change from MonU Park to both Montgomery Ridge and Carrsbrook makes the sound stay there. They had done a sound test prior to the one Mr. Morris participated in where Dan as at the field with a Moyer cutting and he was at Carrsbrook. They went to the closet cul-de- sacs and he could hear nothing except cars a nd trucks on 29. At the test Mr. Morris was at it was just a normal session with approximately 20 kids and parents. The kids were doing the normal chatter. They could not hear from the proposed parking lot. It is such a big piece of property that the noise dissipates before it goes anywhere. - Regarding the paving for the driveway and parking lot it is their preference for gravel. They will only pave if mandated to by the County. The other issue – for the past five years they have averaged 24 games in the fall and 4 to 8 games in the spring. They are small and their intent is to stay small. Mr. Morris invited questions for the applicant. Mr. Dotson asked if they have considered or would it be feasible to stagger the hours of using the fields. Mr. Morris invited public comment. Tony Iachetta, resident of Polo Grounds Road, said his wife and he had lived on this road for 55 years. He agreed with the traffic concerns already heard. He would raise the issue that first they have scale d back from 7 to 4 fields, which reducing the number of people. Anticipating success with their operation incre mentally they will back again in the future for additional fields. There is plenty of room down there for additional fields. There is no sewage available on tha t site. Therefore, waste water treatment would have to be handled by leech fields. The area floods and he has seen it with water up to the tassels on the corn many times in the past. He did not think floods and leech fields combine very well. They also have the question of the quality of the water in the river , which will become more of an issue with time. If they add population density in that flat he was sorry but human beings contaminate one way or other. They will add to the problem of keeping the water quality. By and large the traffic problem they regard as quite serious. Whether they can solve the traffic problem is very questionable. The environmental issues are not insignificant. He did not believe this use should be permitted there. Dean Wengor, President of Carrsbrook Homeowner’s Association, said they are the community directly across the river from this development. They would directly be affected by this development and made the following comments. - He asked what has changed since the last time they were here on June 19. It was deferred for two reasons – noise and traffic. He suggested after reading the staff report that a few things have and have not changed. He contends that the impact on traffic simply has not been res olved. Or worse yet the imp act on traffic has been learned to be worse than was learned on June 19th. ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION –JULY 31, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES – SUBMIT FOR APPROVAL 8 - The applicant has estimated that there will be 48 trips per game per field potentially. What that means with four fields in 7 operating hours on a typ ical Saturday that is 1,344 vehicle trips on a Saturday. That is significant and frightening for Carrsbrook residents. As to not hearing those things in Carrsbrook he could find neighbors who will be more than happy to tell them that they hear SOCA today. However, these fields are directly across from Carrsbrook. He contends that traffic has not been dealt with. There has been no VDOT traffic study yet. The only study that has been done is one night’s review of the study of the fields which was during the off season. It was also adult games and not kids games. So wonder there was not much heard that night. These were two adult games at night off season. The applicant has requested a change that will worsen the noise. Before games and practice tim es were limited to 7 months a year and now practice times have been extended two more months into July and August. So yet more noise and more traffic is coming. So he was not sure how noise or traffic has been addressed. Finally there is a real possibility of disturbing an historic Monacan Indian site. Ed Howe, resident of Polo Grounds Road, said that he had been to a lot of meetings over the years along with Mr. Iachetta. He was a little confused and would not take a lot of time explaining since he had sent a letter outlining his objections. He had not heard a lot about the quality of the wetlands or studies of the wetlands. There are people in the state that care about that including people who live in our area. He would only add that just before he left to come here he got a note from an observation. There were 46 cars backed up at 29 north at quarter to 5 tonight. It is not just the traffic from the SOCCA although that will add to it. They have increasing traffic of commuters. It is a real problem. Somebody is going to get killed and he did not want to see that. Joe Kulbok, President of Montgomery Ridge, sis there are a c ouple things that came up that he wanted to share. On his way here on Polo Grounds Road he was the sixth car in line at the traffic light and he did not get through. The light was yellow. He could have tried but there was a police officer on the other side. Five or 6 cars is about it. It has people’s attention. With the weather breaking this past weekend he walked around the neighborhood. He had one-half a dozen residents approach him about this issue. That is ten percent of the neighborhood or the homeowners. They are very concerned. They have had medical emergencies and other things that have happened. They ask that the Commission really consider it and not gloss over it. They put up with SOCA now and they exist. Doubling the size of those fields without changing that road will not do anything beneficial for the people who use Polo Grounds Road on a daily basis . There being no further public comment, the public hearing was closed and the matter before the Commission. Ms. Monteith said she was curious why a traffic study was not asked for. Mr. Clark replied that staff discussed the need for traffic data with the applicant and laid out what the options were, which included either having an engineered traffic study done or responding with their own information. They elected to go ahead and have the hearing tonight rather than doing that. It might be better to ask the applicant. He did ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION –JULY 31, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES – SUBMIT FOR APPROVAL 9 not know whether or not they feel they are able to do a full engineered traffic study at this time. However, that would not be a VDOT task but something that an applicant would normally submit. Mr. Lafferty asked did VDOT give staff any indication why they were not going to upgrade the traffic light. The technology for the synchronized lights has gotten much cheaper. Mr. Clark replied a lot of the specifics to what he saw from Mr. DeNunzio said that there are certain intersections that do or don’t work well with this particular system. This one would not work well. He did not explain it in any more detail than that. Mr. Benish noted based on some other locations that he knows that the volume on the side streets has something to do with how that system operates. Staff did not have any more specifics on this one. Mr. Lafferty said it monitors the side streets. The implication was that it was not that it was a problem or was it is not a problem. Mr. Clark said it was in regards to the lighting system. He did not say that it implied anything either way about the suitability of this use on the site. It is about the design standards for this system at this location. Mr. Loach asked as far as the flooding and the portable toliets and the potential for contamination is there in fact a spot where these portable toilets can be put that would be mitigated or eliminated. Mr. Clark replied the zoning division typically allows portable toilets for accessories to recreational uses in the floodplain because no structure is permitted. They cannot build a restroom building. However, there are recreational uses permitted there so they felt that some sort of facility had to be provides. On this particular site he did not think there are places that could be assured to be out of a flood. The area just by the entrance has been due to the changes that the applicant worked on with FEMA has been shown that the area right around the entrance is not in the 100-year designated floodplain. However, that does not mean that in a bigger event it might not flood. He did not think there was any place on this site short of maybe putting the portable toilets right on the road that they could be assured that they would not be affected by a flood. He supposed it was possible to have a condition of approval that would require the applicants to monitor storm events and to have those toilets removed when a certain level of flood is expected. They have discussed that for other uses that are still under review. However, he could not say he knew exactly that would be enforced. Mr. Loach asked if there was any way to quantify what the potential would be if they got into that situation of a flood and what those impacts would be, such as mild, disastrous to the water, etc. Mr. Benish noted that staff could check with the health department. ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION –JULY 31, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES – SUBMIT FOR APPROVAL 10 Mr. Loach said the second question was for Mr. Kamptner. The applicant had talked about adding on a condition where essentially they would try to mitigate the cumulative effects on those days when SOCA held events that increased the traffic. He asked if they could make a condition where those dates change from year to year. Is there a way to put language in there for that? Secondly, they also a sked if there was some form of traffic mitigation to have the condition removed. How would that work? Mr. Kamptner replied first he would think they would probably want to get a list of the specific SOCA events such as spring and fall try outs and have it triggered by that rather than specific dates. As to the latter having a condition go away the language could be crafted in a way that would say this condition shall be deemed satisfied if x, y and z happened. Mr. Smith asked how many toilets. Mr. Clark replied there would be one toilet. Mr. Smith asked if they can have a requirement that the toilets be anchored even though no structures are allowed. Mr. Clark noted the majority of the property is in the floodway rather than the floodway fringe, which contains standing water. The floodway is what carries the flood water. It is a very wide floodway and it is immediately downstream of a dam that tends to some degree regulate floods. But that depends on how water is already in the dam. It is difficult to quantify. Mr. Benish asked if someone from the engineering department wanted to speak to this issue. Mr. Benish noted the question is do they want to require any toilets at all. He did not know that they are necessarily required. Mr. Brooks said it would not solve the contamination problem. It would still be inundated. The effluent would still m ix with the water. Mr. Smith noted it would depend on how deep the water is. Mr. Franco said there is a portion of the site that is outside the 100 year-flood plain. Is there a large enough area that they could require the toilets to be located there. Mr. Clark replied that he did not think that would be practical. It is a very narrow area intermediately by the road. It may technically be out of the 100 -year floodplain. It is such a fine distinction. He was not sure that they could really say that it would not be affected by that large of a flood. Ms. Monteith said following up on the previous question about when the porta potties would and would not be there. He said that would easily be remediated. But she did not know what the remedy is. The way she reads it they would be there in July and ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION –JULY 31, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES – SUBMIT FOR APPROVAL 11 August during the practice sessions. She did not know when they would actually be there based on what they have in the report. Mr. Clark said the wording of the condition could easily be changed. The intention is the porta potties would be there during any month that activity is permitted on the site. Mr. Dotson said he was curious if the applicant would entertain the staggered hour concept being added as a condition about mitigation. He asked if the applicant would entertain the staggered hour concept in order to spread the traffic. Mr. Franco asked if a condition requiring an annual traffic management plan be submitted that would give them an opportunity to put specific dates in there for that year and be able to specify how they were coordinate. If it became unnecessary then that is what it would show Mr. Randolph said it was unfortunate that they were requiring MonU to do this and they are not establishing similar expectations with what is another offending party. He would like to see SOCA provide that on an annual basis similarly if they are going to require it of Monu. The traffic issue remains the compelling issue. They can’t escape that since that road serves as a bypass between Route 20 and 29. They should establish for the purposes of consistency can’t require but request on an annual basis so residents know. It is reasonable to request that. Mr. Morris noted it would be in the form of a recommendation to the Board. Mr. Kamptner said it sounds more like a request directly to SOCA to perhaps work in cooperation with MonU on their annual traffic management plan. Mr. Morris said he thought that would be reasonable for the County. He asked if there was a motion on this matter. Mr. Cilimberg said it should be noted that SOCA is not an item before the Commission and there is no actual way to impose any condition on them. So other than just asking there is not anything else they can do. If they were before the Commission for an application certainly that is something they could do. It would be unfair to this applicant to expect them to have SOCA do that. It is not under their control. Mr. Lafferty said that they are talking about maybe one portable toilet in an 100-year flood, which he know occurs every 5 years, and looking at that as a pollution factor. However, they are forgetting the factor that a lot of kids are going to be using this getting exercise. It is probably, other than farming, the best use of the land. He realized that traffic is a problem, but traffic is a problem now. If there is no event going on and only 6 cars get through the intersection that is more human engineering than anything else. Perhaps by putting the fields in VDOT will say they need to look at this intersection and improve it. He just feels that they are picking a little bit too much and not looking at the overall good. ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION –JULY 31, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES – SUBMIT FOR APPROVAL 12 Mr. Loach said he also sees the other side of the coin. The first time that SOCA came up the community objected to it. As they heard from the community tonight they have lived with it. However, it does not mean that it has gotten better from what he has gathered. Traffic has increased not only because of SOCA but because of the additional development. Now they are adding additional cars to the situation that they have not put a remedy to and as a matter fact have heard that one potential remedy is not something that can be put into place. Therefore, he has questions. Mr. Lafferty said as long as they have the philosophy that our community has to have growth then they are always going to be faced with this situation of additional traffic and things like that. As long as they are having new developments, new shopping centers and things of that nature with more people moving in t hat problem will increase. He did not know they should be punishing one group because of our desire to keep the economy growing by growth. Motion: Mr. Smith moved to recommend approval of SP-2010-00036 MonU Park with the conditions recommended by staff. Mr. Loach asked to add the additional condition that would prevent them from scheduling things that would be conflicting with SOCA at least to mitigate what traffic impacts they can. Mr. Smith asked if the Commission can do that. Mr. Kamptner replied yes, that staff would craft the precise language between now and the Board meeting. There was also a request to clarify condition 2 regarding the months in which the portable toilets can be on site. One way to deal with that would be simply to have that sentence read, portable toilets may be on the site March through November. Amended Motion: Mr. Smith agreed to add suggested condition to the motion. Mr. Lafferty seconded the amended motion. Ms. Monteith noted it should say toilet. Mr. Smith agreed. Mr. Morris asked if there was any other discussion. Mr. Dotson noted he had a question of staff. It had been mentioned to have an annual traffic plan. He asked if that was something t hat were it a condition that it would be approved by the Director of Planning. Do they have experience with doing that kind of thing? Mr. Benish replied that they have done that for other types of events. Usually they are more special event types of uses. However, they do have that condition and could do that. ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION –JULY 31, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES – SUBMIT FOR APPROVAL 13 Mr. Dotson said that might be the more inclusive way to address a variety of mitigations. Mr. Benish said he thought that would have to include what they have asked for in that condition in terms of management of the SOCA activities. Mr. Dotson asked if the maker of the motion include an annual traffic management plan to be approved by the Director of Planning. Mr. Lafferty said before he amended that he requested to ask a question . Then the decision if the plan is not approved they don’t have the right to put in soccer fields or how would that work. Do they shut it down for a season? Mr. Benish replied that the experience has been it is not a question of whether the use can be permitted, but it was just coming to an agreeable plan to how to address the traffic generated by the use. Mr. Cilimberg said that if that is the route taken that management plan would need to be approved before they could establish the use. Once approved it is expected to be the plan that is followed during the operation. Then it becomes more of a zoning enforcement matter at that point. If the condition were structured in such a way that leaves some flexibility for staff to figure out what will work best before the Board gets this. That is the best route to take. He thought what Mr Dotson suggested would allow us to do that. Essentially the concept is staggering the end times and the best way to make sure they get that as a condition for the Board’s action they can determine between now and the Board meeting. Mr. Morris said this would not be a sophisticated type of traffic management plan. As he hears what he is saying when are we going to play, what are the hours and when it is ending so have some idea as to when the traffic is going to be flowing out of this area. Mr. Kamptner noted it was also avoiding the major SOCA events. Mr. Benish said that is the purpose for the annual review is to be able to gage seasonally that schedule each year. Mr. Lafferty said he assumed this was acceptable to the applicant. Mr. Reilly replied yes it was acceptable to have a traffic management plan. Just t o be clear these are the 7 dates he has for this season for SOCA. He would not want to be locked in if all of a sudden they start having up to 15 years they are doing this next year. He did not want to be locked into something that they can keep scheduling and all of sudden those days are out for us. They already know now how many games they will have this fall. They have 7 teams and know they are going to have 28 games this fall. They know they will have 8 games this spring. Mr. Loach asked if they are doing a traffic management plan is it specific to the applicant or does it have to be adhered to by both the applica nt and SOCA. ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION –JULY 31, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES – SUBMIT FOR APPROVAL 14 Mr. Kamptner replied no, this condition would apply only to MonU. Mr. Franco said what he heard them say was that they will work around the 6, 7 or 8 days a year that SOCA has the heavy load, that they would use different techniques such as staggering the ending times of the games, they would be willing to pursue a police officer out there if they can’t schedule around SOCA on those days, and that would be flexible on what day specifically it is. They would look at the SOCA schedule every year and coordinate around that. It would not be a commitment of SOCA to do anything. It was a commitment to work around their 7 days of the year that are heavy generators. Mr. Reilly agreed noting they would be flexible to the dates. When they do these 7 events they will be on different dates during the year. They would be flexible to that, but not flexible to them increasing the number of dates when they are increasing traffic. Ms. Monteith said she had a process question. She did not know how the county does this. If they are asking for a traffic management plan then that is something that is going to be submitted on an annual basis. If the applicant needs some assistance would that be from county staff just to understand where peak hour flows are because that would be an issue also and other issues. Is that assistance available? Mr. Benish replied he thought in this case staff could assist them based on what they were hearing now as the expectations for that. Mr. Loach asked if SOCA is at its capacity or does SOCA have room essentially to expand from where they are now. They are doing a traffic management plan for the applicant and the applicant does not want to get locked in to any more dates. But SOCA can now expand their capacity so there are more dates and there are more conflicts and there is more traffic. Mr. Benish pointed out they have built to what has been approved and there is no expansion capabilities. He could not speak to the intensity that they use the existing facilities. Mr. Cilimberg said he did not believe their condition of approval spoke to the intensity of use or in other words, how many fields can be used and at what times. They have conditions about the number of fields and their seasons like this application does. The extent to which they decide to utilize their fields is really their decision. It is not conditioned. This is going to be in any form not absolute. There is no way because they have a party potentially tied to this management plan that is free to do whatever they want to do within the confines of their approval. This applicant can’t know everything they are going to do in every season. He thinks it needs to be understood that they will do the best they can. Staff will do the best we can. Mr. Reiley asked to address the flooding. This property only floods with hurricane rains. He has been there after torrential rains and it is actually quite the opposite. There will ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION –JULY 31, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES – SUBMIT FOR APPROVAL 15 be many puddles down the street. The water goes straight through this property. The water drains unbelievably here. Other than a hurricane type of rain it does not flood in the years he has been there. In which case there is warning to remove the toilet. He did not see how that is really an issue with flooding and the portable toilet. Mr. Morris asked staff to read back the motion and conditions. Mr. Benish replied what the Commission has directed staff to do is to draft motions. He did not think it would be a good idea to draft them on the fly here. It is the conditions before the Commission on the screen with a condition for a traffic management plan. Mr. Cilimberg added or other language that would pertain to their schedule as related to SOCA. It may not end up being a traffic management plan. He thought they need that flexibility. Mr. Dotson asked if that was acceptable to the maker of the motion. Amended Motion: Mr. Smith, as the maker of the motion, agreed to the amendment to the motion. Mr. Lafferty seconded the amendment to the motion. The motion passed by a vote of 6:1. (Mr. Morris voted nay.) Mr. Morris noted that SP-2010-000036 MonU Park will be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors with a recommendation for approval on a date to be determined with the following conditions, as amended. 1. Development of the use shall be in general accord with the conceptual plan entitled “Concept Plan for Special Use Permit Application for MonU Park” prepared by Meridian Planning Group LLC, and dated 04 -25-12. a. To be in general accord with the plan, development shall reflect the following central features essential to the design of the development: i. Number of fields ii. Number and location of parking spaces iii. Absence of structures b. Minor modifications to the plan which do not conflict with the elements above may be made to ensure compliance with the Zoning Ordinance. 2. Games and practice sessions shall only be held during the months of March, April, May, June, September, October, and November. In addition, during July and August, no games shall be held, but practice sessions solely for club members are permitted. Portable toilets may only be on the site during these months. (Staff to work on language regarding ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION –JULY 31, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES – SUBMIT FOR APPROVAL 16 portable toilets prior to Board meeting to clarify that portable toilets are permitted on site during all months when soccer activity is permitted.) 3. Hours of operation for events on Saturdays and Sundays shall be no earlier than 11:00 a.m. and no later than 6:00 p.m. 4. Hours of operation for events Monday through Friday shall be no earlier than 4:00 p.m. and no later than sunset. 5. No overnight parking shall be permitted on the site. The entrance to the property shall be closed by a locked gate when the fields are not in use. 6. No outdoor lighting shall be installed for this use. 7. No artificial irrigation shall be used or installed for the soccer fields. 8. There shall be no temporary or permanent amplified sound system permitted for this use. 9. No fill shall be placed within the portion of the property within the Flood Hazard Overlay District. 10. Upon termination of the soccer-field use, the surfacing of the driveway and parking area shall be removed and the previously-disturbed land surface shall be returned to vegetated cover or an unpaved access way. 11. A Phase I archaeological survey shall be completed for areas to be graded for this use, followed by appropriate mitigation measures as approved by the Planning Director, prior to issuance of a grading permit. 12. Staff to develop (prior to the BoS meeting) a condition that will require an annual traffic management plan based on the scheduling of even ts on the site, to be approved by the Planning Director before soccer activity can begin each year. Return to exec summary ZMA 201100010 BOS September 12, 2012 Executive Summary Page 1 COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AGENDA TITLE: ZMA201100010, Albrecht Place SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Request to approve an application plan on 3.398 acres for property zoned PDSC, Proposed uses include: 6,000 s.f. of office; 4,500 s.f. of wholesale (open to the public); 13,000 s.f. of wholesale (storage); and 16,600 s.f. of indoor recreation. No dwellings proposed. No change in zoning district proposed. STAFF CONTACT(S): Messrs. Cilimberg and Benish; and Ms. Grant LEGAL REVIEW: NO AGENDA DATE: September 12, 2012 ACTION: X INFORMATION: CONSENT AGENDA: ACTION: INFORMATION: ATTACHMENTS: YES BACKGROUND: On July 17, 2012, the Planning Commission held a public hearing for the Albrecht Place rezoning request. The Commission, by votes of 5:0, recommended approval of ZMA201100010 with the following condition: • The applicant to provide letter from the traffic consultant reiterating what was said at the July 17, 2012 meeting about the traffic impacts when this moves forward to the Board. • The Planning Commission recommended approval of special exception for disturbance of critical slope associated with ZMA201100010 . DISCUSSION: The Planning Commission requested that the applicant provide a letter from the traf fic consultant reiterating what was said at the July 17, 2012 meeting about the traffic impacts, in order to formalize what the applicant stated at the meeting. The Commission also agreed that no other additional information for analysis would need to be provided because they accepted the verbal information provided by the applicant at the meeting as satisfactorily addressing the concern of transportation and traffic. As requested, the applicant has provided a letter from the traffic consultant (Segars Engineering) reiterating what was said at the July 17, 2012 meeting about the traffic impacts. (See Attachment II) RECOMMENDATIONS: Based on the information provided, as described above, staff finds that the applicant has satisfied the expectations of the Planning Commission and recommends approval of ZMA201100010. As recommended by the Planning Commission, staff also recommends approval of the special exception for disturbance of critical slope associated with ZMA201100010. ATTACHMENTS: Attachment I: Planning Commission staff report, dated July 17, 2012 and attachments Attachment II: Letter to Claudette Grant from David Segars, dated July 31, 2012 Planning Commission 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) 972-4012 July 26, 2012 Sue A. Albrecht 255 Ipswich Place Charlottesville, Va. 22901 RE: ZMA201100010 Albrecht Place TAX MAP/PARCEL: 061M00012001E0 Dear Ms. Albrecht: The Albemarle County Planning Commission, at its meeting on July 17, 2012, by a vote of 5:0, recommended approval of the above-noted petition to the Board of Supervisors. The Planning Commission recommended approval of ZMA-2011-00010 Albrecht Place with the following condition:  The applicant to provide letter from the traffic consultant reiterating what was said at the July 17 meeting about the traffic impacts when this moves forward to the Board.  The Planning Commission recommended approval of special exception for disturbance of critical slope associated with ZMA-2011-00010. The requests will go before the Board of Supervisors on a date to be determined. View staff report and attachments Return to exec summary 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, Claudette Grant Planner Planning Division Cc: City of Charlottesville PO Box 911 Charlottesville, Va. 22902 ATTACHMENT I 1 Albrecht Place PC Public Hearing 7/17/2012 COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE PLANNING STAFF REPORT SUMMARY Project Name: ZMA 201100010 Albrecht Place Staff: Claudette Grant Planning Commission Public Hearing: July17, 2012 Board of Supervisors Public Hearing: To Be Determined Owners: Anvince Land Trust, Trustee: Sue A. Albrecht, Co-Trustee: Larry J. McElwain Applicant: Sue Albrecht Acreage: Approximately 3.398 acres Rezone from: No change of zoning is sought. This application seeks to affirm the current PDSC zoning by adding a required application plan. TMP: Tax Map Parcel(s) 061M0-00-12-001E0 (See Attachments A and B) Location: 400 feet north west of the intersection of U.S. Route 29 and Shoppers World Court, directly behind the Shoppers World shopping center. By-right use: The PDSC district allows shopping centers, retail sales and service uses; residential by special use permit at a density of (15 units/acre). Magisterial District: Rio Proffers: No Proposal: Request to approve an application plan on 3.398 acres for property zoned PDSC, Proposed uses include: 6,000 s.f. of office; 4,500 s.f. of wholesale (open to the public); 13,000 s.f. of wholesale (storage); and 16,600 s.f. of indoor recreation. No dwellings proposed. No change in zoning district proposed. (See Attachment C) Requested # of Dwelling Units: – None DA (Development Area): Neighborhood 1in Places 29 Comp. Plan Designation: Urban Mixed Use (in Centers) – retail, residential, commercial, employment, office, institutional, and open space in Places 29. Character of Property: The parcel is wooded and relatively flat. It backs up to a steep slope that defines the edge of the Berkeley Neighborhood. The western side of this parcel is bounded by a storm water channel. The eastern side is bounded by a service alley associated with Shoppers World. Use of Surrounding Properties: Shoppers World shopping center lies to the east of the parcel. Berkmar Drive, inclusive of a variety of commercial uses, such as office and retail is near its northern boundary and the Berkeley Neighborhood is adjacent to the parcel on its western and southern sides. Factors Favorable: 1. The rezoning request would be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. 2. The uses are consistent with those permitted under the existing PDSC zoning district. Factors Unfavorable: 1. Transportation impacts are anticipated, but the extent of impacts have not been studied. 2. Additional requested transportation information has not been provided and is needed to ATTACHMENT I 2 Albrecht Place PC Public Hearing 7/17/2012 3. This rezoning request would validate the existing zoning district with an appropriate application plan. 4. This rezoning request would provide employment opportunities, additional services and expand the tax base in the local community. determine traffic impacts from the proposal. 3. No proffers have been submitted to alleviate potential transportation impacts. 4. The scale of the building is larger than recommended for an office/R&D/flex use, but is consistent with existing adjacent buildings. RECOMMENDATION: Staff cannot recommend approval at this time, as the proposal does not adequately address the potential transportation impacts. Should the applicant provide additional traffic information for staff analysis, or at a minimum provide proffers that adequately address the traffic generated by the development, staff could support the project and the special exception to allow the disturbance of critical slopes. ATTACHMENT I 3 Albrecht Place PC Public Hearing 7/17/2012 STAFF PERSON: Claudette Grant PLANNING COMMISSION: July 17, 2012 BOARD OF SUPERVISORS: To Be Determined ZMA 201100010 Albrecht Place PETITION PROJECT: ZMA201100010\Albrecht Place PROPOSAL: Request to include a required application plan on 3.398 acres for property zoned PDSC which allows shopping centers, retail sales and service uses; residential by special use permit at a density of (15 units/acre). No dwellings proposed. No change in zoning district proposed. ENTRANCE CORRIDOR: Yes PROFFERS No COMPREHENSIVE PLAN: Urban Mixed Use (in Centers) – retail, residential, commercial, employment, office, institutional, and open space in Neighborhood 1 in Places 29. LOCATION: Directly behind the north section of Shoppers World shopping Center and directly behind 2111 & 2115 Berkmar Drive. TAX MAP/PARCEL: 061M00012001E0 MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT: Rio SPECIAL EXCEPTION The proposed rezoning will require the disturbance of critical slopes, which may be approved by special exception under County Code § 18-31.8(a)(1). CHARACTER OF THE AREA The subject site is fairly flat and wooded. The adjacent Berkley neighborhood is located to the south and west with a steep slope of land between the neighborhood and the western portion of the subject property. The Shoppers World shopping center is located to the east and provides access for the subject property. Berkmar Drive is to the north and provides a service drive to the Shoppers World development and the proposed Albrecht Place. There is a mix of commercial uses located on Berkmar Drive. SPECIFICS OF THE PROPOSAL No change of zoning is sought. The County zoned the property PDSC in 1980 with no application plan. The applicant is amending the rezoning to include a required application plan. The proposed development consists of approximately one 48,000 gross square foot (GSF), 32 foot high (1 ½ story) building inclusive of the following commercial uses: 6,000 square feet of office; 4,500 square feet of wholesale (open to the public); 13,000 square feet of wholesale (storage); and 16,600 square feet of indoor recreation. These uses are permitted under the current PD-SC zoning district. Associated parking will be located on the property. The proposed building is located directly behind the “main” large structure in the Shoppers World shopping center. APPLICANT’S JUSTIFICATION FOR THE REQUEST The applicant wishes to remedy a technical deficiency of the 1980 rezoning by supplying a required application plan. Providing infill development of this existing commercially zoned property located in the Development Area is a goal of the Places 29 Master Plan. ATTACHMENT I 4 Albrecht Place PC Public Hearing 7/17/2012 PLANNING AND ZONING HISTORY SP197900007 approved mini-warehouses for the subject site. The County zoned the property PDSC in 1980. ZMA200600022 – Two work sessions were held with the Planning Commission regarding this rezoning request. One on February 13, 2007 and the most recent work session held on August 28, 2007. At the August work session, the Planning Commission made the following comments about The Commons at Albrecht Place: 1. The Commission would not support the critical slopes waiver or waiver to disturb the 20 foot buffer. 2. The design needs to respect the edges next to the developed residential areas. 3. The orientation of the buildings may need to change and some sort of redesign to better use the service alley is desired. 4. The applicant should talk to the neighbors about where and how to formalize pedestrian access since there is already a footpath down to the shopping center. The Commons at Albrecht Place was withdrawn in 2009. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Land Use Plan: With the adoption of Places 29, the land use plan now designates the subject property as Urban Mixed Use (in Centers) in Neighborhood 1. The purpose/intent of the Urban Mixed Use (in Centers) designation is to provide a range of residential, commercial, office, employment, and institutional uses, along with open space. The intent is for these uses to be located along major roadways with provisions for multi-modal transportation networks, such as pedestrian and bicycle access. The County’s Open Space Plan shows a buffer on this site. The application plan shows a 20 foot buffer along the southern and western sides of the property, which is consistent with the County’s Open Space Plan. A retaining wall is also proposed in the vicinity of the buffer, but not in the buffer. It is possible that disturbance could occur in the buffer as a result of grading and/or installation of the retaining walls. If this is to occur, a waiver with regards to disturbance in the buffer will be necessary. The applicant has chosen not to pursue a waiver at this time with the understanding that a waiver might be needed during the site plan stage. Staff believes the proposed use is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan designation for this site in terms of the building being an office/R&D/flex type structure. The scale of the building is larger than recommended in the Master Plan. However, the building’s scale is consistent with the other buildings on the Shoppers World site. This plan and building are also consistent with the input provided by the nearby community and prior staff reviews. The proposed building is primarily hidden behind a building in the Shoppers World shopping center and will barely be seen from the surrounding public streets. These proposed uses are currently permitted in the PD-SC zoning district. The character of the surrounding neighborhood provides a variety of mixed uses. A building with commercial, office, and employment opportunities would not necessarily be out of character in this location. The Neighborhood Model: Staff’s analysis below indicates how well the proposed development meets the 12 principles of the Neighborhood Model: ATTACHMENT I 5 Albrecht Place PC Public Hearing 7/17/2012 Pedestrian Orientation Sidewalks are proposed to be located on the site and to the extent possible the applicant shows a cross walk at the eastern portion of the subject property, leading to the adjacent property, which is owned by a different entity. The applicant is willing to provide a pedestrian connection from the subject parcel to the adjacent Berkley neighborhood; however, it is not supported by the neighborhood residents, so the applicant has decided not to pursue this. The applicant has addressed this principle to the best of her ability. This principle is addressed. Neighborhood Friendly Streets and Paths The street is not really a street, but a travelway and parking area. Trees are proposed for the parking lot, and a sidewalk will be adjacent to the proposed building. The travelway and sidewalk are a typical design for this type of development. This principle is not applicable. Interconnected Streets and Transportation Networks This site has two access points with two way traffic throughout the site. Access is provided through the Shopper’s World shopping center via Berkmar Drive, Route 29 and Commonwealth Drive. The applicant has not provided enough traffic information to determine if the proposed transportation network is appropriate for this site and proffers that could alleviate possible traffic impacts have not been provided. Additional information describing this issue is provided later in this report. (See Anticipated impact on public facilities and services) The only other possible street interconnection would be through Williamsburg Road. This was unsuccessfully vetted with a previous rezoning request with no support from adjacent residents. This principle is not addressed. Relegated Parking Parking is located at the rear of the site, which is the entrance to the building. It appears that loading areas are located at the front of the site as shown. The subject site is located to the rear of a large building that is located on the adjacent parcel. The proposed building and its’ parking will not be very visible from a public road. This principle is addressed. Parks and Open Space This is a small infill site. This principle is not applicable. Neighborhood Centers This is part of the existing Shopper’s World development. There are other shopping centers located in the vicinity with office/meeting space. This principle is met. Buildings and Spaces of Human Scale Based on the submitted site sections, it appears the proposed building and spaces are of human scale. This principle is met. Mixture of Uses This site is part of a shopping center. The uses within the shopping center along with the proposed uses are a mixture of commercial uses. However, with the proximity of additional commercial and residential uses nearby, staff believes this principle is met. Mixture of Housing Types and Affordability This is not applicable, given the type of facility proposed. Redevelopment This principle is not applicable. ATTACHMENT I 6 Albrecht Place PC Public Hearing 7/17/2012 Site Planning that Respects Terrain Critical slopes that are man-made are located at the rear and northeastern sides of the property. These critical slopes are proposed to be disturbed with the installation of retaining walls and grading for the adjacent parking area. The applicant has submitted a critical slopes waiver request. The proposed disturbance appears to be fairly minimal. Clear Boundaries with the Rural Areas This principle is not applicable. Economic Vitality Action Plan The primary goal of the County’s Economic Vitality Action Plan is to: Increase the County’s economic vitality and future revenues through economic development by expanding the commercial tax base and supporting the creation of quality jobs for local residents. This Plan is developed for the benefit and economic well being, first, of current local residents and existing local businesses. The proposed Albrecht Place development (office and commercial uses) would support the Plan by providing additional employment, services and expand commercial tax revenues for the local community. Relationship between the application and the purpose and intent of the requested zoning district Planned Development Shopping Center (PD-SC) Districts are intended to provide for the development of neighborhood, community and regional shopping centers. Developments with a broad range of commercial and service facilities are encouraged within planned commercial centers with carefully organized buildings, service, parking, and landscaped areas. The PD-SC district should have direct access to public streets and be able to accommodate the traffic generated by the development. This project continues to be consistent with the intent of the PD-SC district as the proposed commercial uses within this development will provide appropriate services and activities on a neighborhood, community and regional scale. Anticipated impact on public facilities and services Streets: As identified on the Application Plan, the proposed uses do not appear to be high intensive traffic generated uses. However, this property is zoned PD-SC, which allows a large variety of possible uses on the site. Staff has requested that the applicant provide a more detailed traffic analysis or at a minimum proffer out some of the more intense (traffic generated) uses that are allowed in the PD-SC district. However, the applicant has not provided the level of traffic analysis that staff has requested nor has she provided any proffers that could help alleviate the anticipated traffic impacts. In general, staff has requested that traffic generation figures along with a study examining impacts to the entrances to the public roads be provided. Although the applicant’s consultant has provided trip generation information based on the uses described on the Application Plan, this information depicts low traffic volume being generated from the subject site. The applicant believes these uses are the most intense possible uses that can be provided on the site due to the amount of available parking. The applicant has also explained that other possible leasing scenarios could result in lower traffic numbers, but there is no way to guarantee that this will always be the case. Due to the location of this site, being adjacent to an existing shopping center where there is parking, staff believes it is possible for additional parking arrangements to be made in the future that could intensify the proposed uses on this site. The parking limitation is not necessarily a guaranteed scenario. ATTACHMENT I 7 Albrecht Place PC Public Hearing 7/17/2012 VDOT has indicated the main focus should be on access from Route 29; the dual lefts at the signal on 29 North, and depending on how the traffic enters from 29 South, either lefts on Berkmar, or rights into the shopping center. (See Attachment D) A plan showing the truck circulation has been requested by staff and while the applicant has recently provided such a plan, it is unclear what the source is for the truck circulation pattern that was submitted. For example: Was this part of a study? Is the information anecdotal? Staff is concerned with regards to whether the truck circulation as shown is truly the way that trucks would circulate within the site. Staff is also concerned that certain turning movements of large trucks could be difficult to make if there is not enough turning room for the truck, causing a back up of traffic within the Shoppers World shopping center and Route 29. One suggested way to alleviate this concern could be to provide a proffer with specific truck loading/unloading hours that would not conflict with the daily peak hours of traffic inside and outside the shopping center. (See Attachment E) The applicant has elected to proceed with this rezoning request without providing a more in-depth traffic impact analysis. Staff believes additional information regarding traffic is needed in order to determine the impacts that this proposed development could have on traffic patterns on Route 29 and Berkmar Drive. However, at a minimum, providing appropriate proffers could help eliminate many of the traffic concerns noted in this report. Schools: No residential units are proposed, so no impacts are expected on the schools. Fire and Rescue: The Seminole Fire Station on Berkmar Drive near Fashion Square Mall is the nearest station and is located within the neighborhood of this site. Fire/Rescue has no objection with this development as proposed. Utilities: The site will be serviced by public water and sewer. No immediate or significant service capacity issues have been identified by Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority (RWSA). (See Attachment F ) Albemarle County Service Authority (ACSA) comments are attached (See Attachment G) Anticipated impact on environmental, cultural and historic resources There is no anticipated impact on cultural or historic resources. There are no significant environmental features impacted by this development. There are man-made critical slopes located at the rear and northeastern portion of the site. It is anticipated that some disturbance will occur as retaining walls and parking areas are proposed in the vicinity of the critical slopes. A critical slopes waiver request has been submitted, which staff does not see as problematic. There are also some minor concerns regarding drainage being picked up from adjacent properties before it flows over the proposed retaining walls, however, staff believes these issues can be resolved during the site plan stage. Anticipated impact on nearby and surrounding properties No major anticipated impact is expected on nearby and surrounding properties with this rezoning request. The applicant has worked with the Berkley neighborhood over the last several years to develop a project that would be an appropriate neighbor for this existing residential community. The applicant has outreached to the Berkley neighborhood through letters, phone calls and meetings. The applicant recently held a meeting for the Berkley residents on June 27, in which one neighbor attended. Residents from the Berkley community have contacted the County staff regarding general information ATTACHMENT I 8 Albrecht Place PC Public Hearing 7/17/2012 of the intent of this rezoning, but in general the neighbors have not expressed concern regarding this proposal. Although this proposal will add additional traffic to the area, the applicant anticipates that the amount of additional traffic will be minimal in scope. Public need and justification for the change The proposed addition of a commercial building within the vicinity of an existing shopping center in this portion of the County would be beneficial as it would provide employment opportunities, additional services and expand the tax base. The property is already zoned for this use. This rezoning request validates the existing zoning district with an application plan. PROFFERS The applicant has not provided proffers. The following impact needs to be addressed:  Transportation impact - proffering out permitted uses that are large traffic generators would provide a level of commitment to lowering potential traffic impacts. - proffering loading/unloading hours could also provide resolution to potential truck circulation concerns, which will impact traffic, previously mentioned in this report. SPECIAL EXCEPTION TO DISTURB CRITICAL SLOPES (See Attachment H) SUMMARY Staff has identified the following factors, which are favorable to this request: 1. The rezoning request would be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. 2. The uses are consistent with those permitted under the existing PDSC zoning district. 3. This rezoning request would validate the existing zoning district with an appropriate application plan. 4. This rezoning request would provide employment opportunities, additional services and expand the tax base in the local community. Staff has identified the following factors which are unfavorable to this request: 1. Transportation impacts are anticipated, but the extent of impacts have not been studied. 2. Additional requested transportation information has not been provided and is needed to determine traffic impacts from the proposal. 3. No proffers have been submitted to alleviate potential transportation impacts. 4. The scale of the building is larger than recommended for an office/R&D/flex use, but is consistent with existing adjacent buildings. RECOMMENDATION Staff cannot recommend approval at this time, as the proposal does not adequately address the potential transportation impacts. Should the applicant provide additional traffic information for staff analysis, or at a minimum provide proffers that adequately address the traffic generated by the development, staff could support the project and the special exception to allow the disturbance of critical slopes. ATTACHMENT I 9 Albrecht Place PC Public Hearing 7/17/2012 ATTACHMENTS ATTACHMENT A – Tax Map ATTACHMENT B – Vicinity Map ATTACHMENT C – Application Plan ATTACHMENT D – Truck Circulation, dated June 5, 2012 ATTACHMENT E – Electronic Mail from Joel DeNunzio, dated June 13, 2012 ATTACHMENT F – Electronic Mail from Victoria Fort, dated December 29, 2011 ATTACHMENT G – Electronic Mail from Alex Morrison, dated May 30, 2012 ATTACHMENT H – Special Exception to Disturb Critical Slopes ATTACHMENT I – Letter from Woodson D. Parrish, dated May 7, 2012 Return to PC actions letter PLANNING COMMISSION MOTION: A. If the ZMA is recommended for approval: Move to recommend approval of ZMA201100010 with reasons for approval. B. If the ZMA is recommended for denial: Move to recommend denial of ZMA201100010 based on the recommendation of staff. C. If the critical slopes special exception is approved: Move to approve the special exception to allow the disturbance of critical slopes. D. If the critical slopes special exception is denied: Move to deny the special exception to allow the disturbance of critical slopes with reasons for denial. ATTACHMENT II ATTACHMENT II ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION – JULY 17, 2012 DRAFT PARTIAL MINUTES – SUBMIT TO BOS ZMA-2011-00010 ALBRECHT PLACE 1 Albemarle County Planning Commission July 17, 2012 The Albemarle County Planning Commission held a public hearing on Tuesday, July 17, 2012, at 6:00 p.m., at the County Office Building, Auditorium, Second Floor, 401 McIntire Road, Charlottesville, Virginia. Members attending were Thomas Loach, Richard Randolph, Don Franco, Calvin Morris and Russell (Mac) Lafferty. Commission members absent were Ed Smith and Bruce Dotson. Julia Monteith, AICP, Senior Land Use Planner for the University of Virginia was absent. Staff present was Sarah Baldwin, Senior Planner; Christopher Perez, Senior Planner; Claudette Grant, Senior Planner; Bill Fritz, Chief of Current Development; Wayne Cilimberg, Director of Planning; David Benish, Chief of Community Development; Mark Graham, Director of Community Development; and Greg Kamptner, Deputy County Attorney. Call to Order and Establish Quorum: Mr. Morris, Chair, called the regular meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and established a quorum. ZMA-2011-00010 Albrecht Place (Sign #101) PROPOSAL: Request to include a required application plan on 3.398 acres for property zoned PDSC which allows shopping centers, retail sales and service uses; residential by special use permit at a density of (15 units/acre). No dwellings pro posed. No change in zoning district proposed. ENTRANCE CORRIDOR: Yes PROFFERS No COMPREHENSIVE PLAN: Urban Mixed Use (in Centers) – retail, residential, commercial, employment, office, institutional, and open space in Neighborhood 1 in Places 29. LOCATION: Directly behind the north section of Shoppers World shopping Center and directly behind 2111 & 2115 Berkmar Drive. TAX MAP/PARCEL: 061M00012001E0 MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT: Rio (Claudette Grant) Claudette Grant presented a PowerPoint presentation and summarized the staff report. Proposal: The applicant is requesting approval of an application plan on 3.398 acres for property zoned PD-SC Planned Development Shopping Center zoning district. The proposed uses include 6,000 square feet of office, 4,500 sq uare feet of wholesale that would be open to the public, 13,000 square feet of wholesale that would be for storage use, and 16,600 square feet of indoor recreation. No dwellings are proposed. ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION – JULY 17, 2012 DRAFT PARTIAL MINUTES – SUBMIT TO BOS ZMA-2011-00010 ALBRECHT PLACE 2 Staff reviewed the proposed application plan, proposed buildings, renderings and photographs of the existing area and access to the site. Factors Favorable • The rezoning request would be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. • The uses are consistent with those permitted under the existing PD-SC zoning district. • This rezoning request would validate the existing zoning district with an appropriate application plan. • This rezoning request would provide employment opportunities, additional services and expand the tax base in the local community. Factors Unfavorable • Transportation impacts are anticipated, but the extent of impacts have not been studied. • Additional requested transportation information has not been provided and is needed to determine traffic impacts from the proposal. • No proffers have been submitted to alleviate potential transportation impacts. • The scale of the building is larger than recommended for an office/R&D/flex use, but is consistent with existing adjacent buildings. The unfavorable factors really point to the main issue of concern with this par ticular rezoning request. It really has to do with transportation. The site is a planned development designation. This requires that it meet Section 8.5 of the zoning ordinance. The applicant has met all the requirements of this section with the excepti on of Section 8.5.1.d which requires a traffic impact statement. The staff report gets into some of the details of this. Joel DeNunzio has said around the beginning of the year that this site does not meet the threshold for traffic to require a Chapter 527 Traffic Impact Study. But the site will generate a volume of traffic that will impact surrounding intersections on Route 29 and other side roads. Mr. DeNunzio went on to say that the county should require some type of traffic impact analysis for this proposed use. The county agreed with VDOT and requested that this traffic impact analysis be completed by the applicant and submitted in lieu of the 527. Submission of traffic impact analysis will provide necessary information that will help us determine what impacts if any this development could have on the surrounding roads. Staff wanted to give a little bit of background before focusing on the factors that are unfavorable. The transportation impacts are anticipated. However, the extent of impacts has not been studied. Additional requested transportation information has not been provided and is needed to determine the traffic impacts from the proposal. No proffers have been submitted to alleviate potential transportation impacts. The scale of the b uilding is larger than recommended for an office or a research and development flex use. But it is ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION – JULY 17, 2012 DRAFT PARTIAL MINUTES – SUBMIT TO BOS ZMA-2011-00010 ALBRECHT PLACE 3 consistent with the existing adjacent buildings. With that it is located directly behind a very large building. Recommendation Staff cannot recommend approval at this time, as the proposal does not adequately address the potential transportation impacts. Should the applicant provide additional traffic information for staff analysis, or at a minimum provide proffers that adequately address the traffic generated by the development, staff could support the project and the special exception to allow the disturbance of critical slopes. Mr. Morris invited questions for staff. Mr. Lafferty said that this building is a little bit smaller than a football field to put it in perspective. Ms. Grant agreed. Mr. Lafferty pointed out there are f ive roads that potentially serve this with two that go out onto Route 29 north, one that goes out to Rio Road, and then one that goes by the old Whole foods and connects. However, all of the roads are very small and only one road would allow one to go north on Route 29 directly. Ms. Grant agreed. There being no further questions for staff, Mr. Morris opened the public hearing and invited the applicant to address the Planning Commission. Woody Parrish, architect on the project, represented Susan Albrecht who was present. He presented a visual aid which would be helpful in visualizing this project. He thanked Sharon Taylor and IT folks for loading the appropriate software for Google Earth on the computer so they could make this presentation. - The proposal was on about 3.5 acres right behind Shopper’s World, also behind two buildings on Berkmar Drive, and abutting seven (7) residential lots in the Berkley Subdivision from which they are separated by a 20’ buffer. This land was cleared and graded back when Shopper’s World was built. However, very little has happened with it since then. Trees and brush have moved back in. The more recent history of this – this project has been in development in some form or other for the past 16 years. He has been involved off and on since 2006. The Planning Commission has seen two previous versions of this project. Mr. Morris is the only Commissioner here when they did that in 2007. - The first one was a fairly ambitious project based on the Neighborhood Model and the Places29 Study. It comprised this parcel and four additional parcels. It included a sizeable residential component and considerably more commercial ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION – JULY 17, 2012 DRAFT PARTIAL MINUTES – SUBMIT TO BOS ZMA-2011-00010 ALBRECHT PLACE 4 square footage than what they are now proposing. It also had a vehicular connection down to Dominion Drive. The Planning Commission felt the proposal was too much development for the site. The application was withdrawn. A scaled back version was reviewed at a work session about six months later. The staff report addresses that. The current application fully implements those recommendations with the exception that they are still requesting a critical slopes waiver. That is also adequately addressed in the staff report. - The other little issue is a recommendation that they see what the neighbors thought about the existing footpath that connects the end of W illiamsburg Road and runs down through the site. They have not been successful in getting a lot of input from the neighbors. But what they have heard both at this time and at the time of their previous application lead them to conclude that pedestrian connection is not desired. They are not inclined strongly one way or the other on it in deference to what they believe are the wishes of the neighbors they have not shown any formalized pedestrian connection there. - He disagreed with the staff’s recommendations. However, he would like to say staff has been very patience with us in dealing with issues on this application generally and with the traffic issues in particular. The staff report does acknowledge that this is expected to have fairly light traffic impacts. There is some underlying concern that those might somehow increase in the future. He was thinking that was a very unlikely event. What they have brought is the most traffic intensive thing they could come up with, but with the exception of a multi- story building or structured parking. He had o nly been able to get 183 parking spaces. If they do the math the ordinance actually severely limits the types of uses they can put in this building. Although they have not formerly proffered out any uses the available parking effectively eliminates any of the high traffic uses that would be by right in PD-SC. The actual number is not entirely accurate so they have not studied this tract. - They have had a traffic consultant look at this. They have come up with estimated trip generation. That number turns out to be less than one percent of the traffic that is currently using this section of US 29. It is considerably lower than if this were occupied for a typical shopping center use. There was also a concern that perhaps excess parking on Shoppers World could be leveraged in the future sometime to support more intense use on our parcel. He has counted the parking spaces and they are maxed out. So short of some kind of redevelopment of this site or unless the county decides to rewrite the ordinance they are stuck at their level of trip generation that they have estimated. - The other question had to do with truck circulation on the site. They have a diagram of that in the packets. There was a question about the source of that information. He followed a truck one afternoon that was making a delivery to Staples. He has also spoken with the inventory manager at Staples who is in charge of deliveries and he seemed to have a detailed knowledge of how that ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION – JULY 17, 2012 DRAFT PARTIAL MINUTES – SUBMIT TO BOS ZMA-2011-00010 ALBRECHT PLACE 5 works. He confirmed that entering trucks do come in off Berkmar and they do not use the main Shoppers W orld entrance off 29. So north bound trucks would go up to Rio Road and turn at the light and come around Berkmar and enter the site. Trucks serving the former W hole Foods will come around and exist. One thing that he did not get in the packets but have since known is that the Staples trucks are more likely to leave their loading dock and maneuver back in the corner so that they are then able to make a U turn and exit the way they came in on Berkmar Drive. That option would obviously be available to Albrecht Place trucks as well. He was not sure there was anything else he could say about truck traffic. Their trucks will do the same as other trucks have been doing there for years. - They are submitting this information in lieu of the more intensive study staff has asked us for not out of stubbornness but having spent well in excess of $100,000 to get to this point and still not being at preliminary site plan stage. Recognizing too that this property is already zoned PD-SC they are just having a hard time spending another $15,000 to basically quantify information that he thinks they understand well enough to affirm an existing zoning designation for an infill parcel in the development area that is very consistent with the goals of the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Morris invited questions for the applicant. Mr. Lafferty said the traffic consultant that he had would he be willing to write a letter or put his name to it. Mr. Parrish replied certainly. They were negotiating with him to do a more extensive study and in the end sort of balked at the price. Certainly the information that the traffic consultant furnished he was sure he would put in a letter. Mr. Lafferty noted that this seemed to be the major holdup in the project. Mr. Randolph asked Mr. Parrish to explain the 16,600 square feet of indoor recreation. Mr. Parrish replied that this was a little speculative because they really don’t know how this place is going to lease out. The typical tenant they expect will be a business very much like Design Environs, which Ms. Albrecht owns. That is more in keeping with the wholesale with a little bit of showroom and office. They have had some discussion with a gym who thought they might take some space in here. So that was what they were regarding as their parking maximum traffic scenario if they were able to attract that tenant or someone similar. It is actually likely that they would end up with four tenants in here more similar to Design Environs in which case the traffic impacts would be even lower than they are currently reporting. ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION – JULY 17, 2012 DRAFT PARTIAL MINUTES – SUBMIT TO BOS ZMA-2011-00010 ALBRECHT PLACE 6 Mr. Lafferty said he was curious as to why the driveway on the western end appears to direct the traffic behind the building instead of going out to Berkmar Drive or the curvature of that. Mr. Parrish replied that it is to give a little more turning radius for a left turn here. It is located where it is because of the bio-filter. There may be some details that get refined at site plan. Mr. Morris invited public comment. There being none, the public hearing was closed and the matter before the Planning Commission for discussion and action. Mr. Franco asked staff to explain this. This is really just an application plan. So it is a rezoning to add an application plan that was not with the original zoning. Mr. Kamptner replied what the Planned Development regulations provide for is that before a site plan or subdivision plat can be approved for a lot with Planned Development zoning on it that was approved without an application plan they have to get approval of an application plan and approval of all the other documents that are required to be submitted from Section 8.5. Ms. Grant has already gone through that what the applicant has submitted so far satisfies everything but the requirement under Section 8.5.1.d, which is the traffic impact statement that satisfies state law. The uses have already been approved by the Board in 1980 when the original Planned Development zoning was established and then again when the 1980 Zoning Ordinance was adopted it was given this particular zoning district designation. So the uses have already been established. For these types of projects that are in this condition this is the second step. It is the approval of the application plan and the other documents that are required. So the traffic impact statement is the sole thing that is still in need of resolution at this point. Mr. Franco said despite the fact that the land uses have been determined or set they have the ability to go back and access the impacts for existing zoning because of the lack of the application plan. Mr. Kamptner replied in some applications. This one only the uses were established. There was no prior site plan or anything else that established the intensity of the use. So that has not yet been resolved. This one is a little bit different from some of the others they have had in the past. Mr. Morris asked would the letter from the traffic consultant suffice, as Mr. Lafferty brought up. Mr. Kamptner replied that it might. Zoning would need to determine whether or not that satisfies and probably in consultant with VDOT, Joel DeNunzio, as to whether or not the information that was provided was sufficient to satisfy that provision. ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION – JULY 17, 2012 DRAFT PARTIAL MINUTES – SUBMIT TO BOS ZMA-2011-00010 ALBRECHT PLACE 7 Mr. Cilimberg noted that they would have to see what that letter included and the information. Mr. Loach asked if he had seen the data that was presented tonight and if he disagrees with those numbers presented tonight or was it not extensive enough a study regardless of what numbers they presented. Ms. Grant replied without Mr. Brooks present it is safe to say the information that was shared with the Commission from the consultant that Mr. Brooks feels that he needs additional information. Mr. Randolph added that they have the letter from Joel DeNunzio where he says his main concern is the north bound left turns onto Route 29. Mr. Lafferty has already raised that point and they don’t have that information. They have everything else. He did not have any issue whatever with critical slopes in here given the historical nature of how those critical slopes were developed in the past. His difficulties are the lack of thorough transportation information in here. It is unfortunate that they don’t have that at this point. With that information he would feel very positive towards this application. Mr. Franco asked if they have any discretion here anyway if it is a requirement that information be submitted do they have the ability to act on this anyway. Mr. Kamptner said the Commission is making a recommendation to the Board. They determined several years ago that this particular process is legislative in nature. So there is some discretion ultimately with the Board as to whether to approve or not approve the application plan and the other documents. Mr. Morris asked if that could be made a part of a condition or a stipulation. Mr. Kamptner replied that it could be a recommendation from the Commission that issues a) and b) be addressed before this goes to the Board of Supervisors. Mr. Morris said then it could be moved up anyway. Mr. Kamptner replied yes. The other thing is that it is possible some of these issues such as whether or not VDOT will grant an entrance permit that VDOT may need this information anyway. Mr. Cilimberg noted the entrances exist. So the question would be in a site plan process would be VDOT might require for improvements at the entrances to the site. Mr. Kamptner agreed. So at site plan stage the entrance issues and also the i nternal circulation issues would have to be addressed anyway. ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION – JULY 17, 2012 DRAFT PARTIAL MINUTES – SUBMIT TO BOS ZMA-2011-00010 ALBRECHT PLACE 8 Mr. Cilimberg noted what would not be addressable at a site plan stage would be anything related to use or impacts off site that may be alleviated through some proffers. Proffers are the only way to really address that. They c an’t do that in a site plan of course without the traffic information. They don’t know if those proffers are necessary. Mr. Loach said the practicality of this is if there is difficulty in getting out Route 29, but they actually are not going to use 29 and go out the other route as pointed out by the applicant as the preferred route. Mr. Franco said he was torn because if the 527 Study is not required because it does not meet the threshold then he tends to buy into the information the applicant supplied us tonight as being satisfactory. He was just concerned if they move it forward that engineering may not accept that. Mr. Loach noted that it would go to the Board. They would see the same thing from engineering. He asked if there would be enough time for VDOT to make a determination. Mr. Morris said the visit to the Board is to be determined Mr. Cilimberg said that there is not a date set. Staff would not set a date until whatever the Commission has included in their action has been addressed or the applicant says that he is not going to do it and he wants to go to hearing with the Board. It is the applicant’s choice. Mr. Morris said they could as Mr. Kamptner said these must be addressed and it could be addressed with the applicant, Ms. Grant and Joel DeNunzio. Mr. Cilimberg pointed out that a deferral is at the discretion of the applicant. The applicant can request you take action tonight and send it on and go from there with the Board. Mr. Franco said he was comfortable that the site plan process will address the intermediate adjacent impacts. It may not address the left turns onto 29 or some of the other 29 related impacts. That is where he leans back to the 527 Study requirements . If it is not meeting that threshold he was not sure if he was that concerned about it, especially given the fact that it has the zoning now and it is really just the application plan. His tendency would be to move it forward without conditions. He thinks the explanation that they have supplied the 1 percent or what they heard earlier about what the traffic impacts would be. Mr. Loach said they would move it forward with the letter as part of the packet going forward to the Board from the applicant. ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION – JULY 17, 2012 DRAFT PARTIAL MINUTES – SUBMIT TO BOS ZMA-2011-00010 ALBRECHT PLACE 9 Mr. Franco agreed that letter formalizes what was said here tonight and not to provide additional information. Motion on ZMA-2011-00010 Motion: Mr. Franco moved and Mr. Loach seconded to recommend approval of ZMA- 2011-00010 Albrecht Place with the following condition: 1. The applicant to provide letter from the traffic consultant reiterating what was said at the July 17 meeting about the traffic impacts when this moves forward to the Board. The motion passed by a vote of 5:0. (Smith, Dotson absent) Mr. Morris noted that ZMA-2011-00010 Albrecht Place would be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors with a recommendation for approval with conditions at a time to be determined. Motion on Special Exception/Critical Slopes Motion: Mr. Franco moved and Mr. Randolph seconded to recommend approval of the special exception to allow disturbance of critical slopes associated with ZMA-2011- 00010. The motion passed by a vote of 5:0. (Smith, Dotson absent) Mr. Morris noted that ZMA-2011-00010 Albrecht Place would be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors on a date to be determined with a recommendation for approval. Mr. Cilimberg noted for staff in getting that to the Board they will take the action tonight to mean that they accept what was provided verbally tonight as satisfactorily addressing the concern of transportation and traffic and that their letter is just to document that. Mr. Morris and Mr. Franco agreed that was correct. Mr. Lafferty noted it was a letter from the traffic consultant. Mr. Morris noted that ZMA-2011-00010 Albrecht Place and the special exception for the disturbance of critical slopes would be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors with a recommendation for approval on a date to be determined. Return to exec summary ZMA 200900001 and SP201000003 BOS September 12, 2012 Executive Summary Page 1 COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AGENDA TITLE: ZMA200900001 and SP201000003 5th Street-Avon Center Amendment and Parking Structure SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Request to amend the proffers, application plan, and development framework of approved rezoning ZMA200600009. A special use permit is proposed under Section 25.2.2 (3) of Zoning Ordinance for Parking Structure. No dwellings proposed. STAFF CONTACT(S): Cilimberg, Benish, Grant LEGAL REVIEW: NO AGENDA DATE: September 12, 2012 ACTION: X INFORMATION: CONSENT AGENDA: ACTION: INFORMATION: ATTACHMENTS: YES BACKGROUND: On July 31, 2012, the Planning Commission held a public hearing for the 5th Street-Avon Center rezoning and special use permit requests. The Planning Commission, by votes of 7:0, recommended approval of ZMA200900001 based on the recommendations of staff, as amended, that the following outstanding issues related to the rezoning are addressed prior to the Board approval: 1. The outstanding technical issues with proffers are fixed. 2. Stormwater/BMP facilities that are shown in the floodplain on the application plan are removed from the floodplain. 3. Development Framework is revised to not include items that are already applicable per the Zoning Ordinance. 4. Landfill remediation commitment is made as recommended by Zoning staff. 5. Additional funding is committed to adequately cover the anticipated cost of the Willoughby pedestrian bridge and trail. The applicant requested an amendment to change the proffer amount to $100,000 for the connection to Willoughby with staff working out the proffer language. The Planning Commission by a vote of 7:0, recommended approval of SP201000003 with the following condition: 1. The special use permit approval shall not expire but shall remain in effect so long as the approval of ZMA 200900001 remains in effect. The Planning Commission by a vote of 5:2 also recommended approval of the special exception for a critical slopes waiver. DISCUSSION: The following describes how the applicant has addressed each outstanding issue: 1) The applicant and staff have worked to revise the proffers so that the outstanding technical issues are addressed and the proffers are now legally acceptable per the Commission’s request. The applicant has specifically worked with the City of Charlottesville to provide a more detailed example of improvements to the 5th Street and Bent Creek Road intersection. As a result revisions to Exhibit IA and Proffer 1.A. are now ZMA 200900001 and SP201000003 BOS September 12, 2012 Executive Summary Page 2 reflective of more recent traffic modeling completed by the Thomas Jefferson Planning District for the subject intersection. The applicant has also worked with the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, Inc. to satisfactorily provide new language to proffer 10 D. regarding the Owners commitment to specific roof material in order to protect the view from Mont Alto. Neither staff nor the Commission requested this proffer revision which was offered by the applicant to address concerns raised by the Foundation regarding the viewshed from Mont Alto. (See Attachment II for revised proffers) 2) The stormwater/BMP facilities are still shown in the floodplain on the application plan; however, the applicant has stated that they plan to request the floodplain boundary lines be adjusted, so that the stormwater/BMP facilities will no longer be located in the floodplain. Staff would prefer that the application plan not show improvements located within the floodplain until either the flood plain boundaries are adjusted or a special use permit is submitted for wo rk in the floodplain. However, as long as it is recognized that the Board’s action does not constitute any approval of activities in the flood plain, this issue would be considered addressed. (See Attachment III for revised Application Plan) 3) The Development Framework has been revised to no longer include items that are already applicable per the Zoning Ordinance. (See Attachment III) 4) The applicant and staff have agreed to revised proffer 8. B. which addresses the landfill remediation commitment as recommended by Zoning staff. 5) The applicant has provided a revised proffer 4 that increases the proffer amount from $25,000 to $100,000 for the connection to the Willoughby neighborhood. (See Attachment II) Attachment IV includes staff review and comments regarding the critical slope waiver request, noting that staff supports this general waiver request without conditions. RECOMMENDATIONS: Staff believes all the outstanding issues identified by the Planning Commission have been addressed , provided that the Board makes clear in its action that the application plan showing stormwater/BMP facilities in the flood plain is not an implicit approval of the location for these facilities. Therefore staff recommends approval of ZMA200900001. Staff finds the special use permit request for a parking structure consistent with the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance and the Comprehensive Plan and recommends approval of SP201000003 with the following condition: 1. The special use permit approval shall not expire bu t shall remain in effect so long as the approval of ZMA 200900001 remains in effect. The special exception for a critical slopes waiver is also recommended for approval. ATTACHMENTS: Attachment I: Planning Commission staff report, dated July 31, 2012 Attachment II: Revised Proffers, dated September 4, 2012 Attachment III: Revised Application Plan, dated August 31, 2012 Attachment IV: Memorandum from Glenn Brooks, dated August 29, 2012 Planning Commission 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 August 9, 2012 Valerie W. Long C/O Williams Mullen 321 E. Main Street, Suite 400 Charlottesville, Va. 22902 RE: ZMA200900001 Avon Center TAX MAP/PARCEL: 76/M1-2A, 76/M1-2B, 76/M1-4A, 77/11E SP201000003 5th Street – Avon Center – Parking Structure Tax Map 76M1, Parcels 2A, 2B, 4A Dear Ms. Long: The Albemarle County Planning Commission, at its meeting on July 31, 2012, took the following actions and recommended the above-noted petitions to the Board of Supervisors. Regarding ZMA200900001 By a vote of 7:0, the Planning Commission recommends approval of ZMA-2009-00001, 5th Street-Avon Center based on the recommendation of staff, as amended, that the following outstanding issues related to the rezoning are addressed prior to the Board approval. 1. The outstanding technical issues with proffers are fixed. 2. Stormwater/BMP facilities that are shown in the floodplain on the application plan are removed from the floodplain. 3. Development Framework is revised to not include items that are already applicable per the Zoning Ordinance. 4. Landfill remediation commitment is made as recommended by Zoning staff. 5. Additional funding is committed to adequately cover the anticipated cost of the Willoughby pedestrian bridge and trail. Note: With the amendment made by the applicant to change the proffer amount to $100,000 for the connection to Willoughby with staff working out the proffer language. It is recognized that staff’s recommendations will also trigger revisions in the proffers. Regarding SP201000003 By a vote of 7:0, the Planning Commission finds the special use permit request (SP-2010-00003, 5th Street – Avon Center – Parking Structure consistent with the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance and the Comprehensive Plan and recommends approval of SP-2010-00003 with the following condition: 1. The special use permit approval shall not expire but shall remain in effect so long as the approval of ZMA 200900001 remains in effect. In addition the Commission recommends approval, by a vote of 5:2, of the special exception for a critical slopes waiver. View staff report and attachments Return to exec summary Please be advised that the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors will review this petition and receive public comment at their meeting on September 12, 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, Claudette Grant Senior Planner Planning Division ZMA 2009-00001, 5th Street-Avon Center, SP 2010-00003, 5th Street-Avon Center Parking Structure Planning Commission Public Hearing, July 31, 2012 Staff Report, Page 1 COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE PLANNING STAFF REPORT SUMMARY Project Name: ZMA 200900001, 5th St.-Avon Center Amendment and SP 201000003, 5th St.- Avon Center Parking Structure Staff: Claudette Grant Planning Commission Public Hearing: July 31, 2012 Board of Supervisors Public Hearing: To be Determined Owner(s): New Era Properties, LLC and Avon Holdings, LLC Applicant: New Era Properties, LLC and Avon Holdings, LLC with Valerie Long of Williams Mullen as the contact. Acreage: 81.94 acres Rezone from: PD-SC, Planned Development Shopping Center with proffers to PD-SC with amended proffers, amended plan and amended development framework. A special use permit is proposed under Section 25.2.2(3) of zoning ordinance for a parking structure. TMP: 076M10000002A0, 076M10000002B0, 076M10000004A and 0770000000011E0 Location: Northeast quadrant of Interstate 64 and Fifth Street Extended (Route 631) interchange, bounded on the east by Avon Street Extended. Access is via Bent Creek Road. (Attachments A and B) By-right use: The PD-SC district allows shopping centers, retail sales and service uses; residential by special use permit at a density of (15 units/acre). Magisterial District: Scottsville Proffers: Yes Proposal: To amend the proffers, application plan, and development framework of approved rezoning ZMA200600009. A special use permit is proposed under Section 25.2.2(3) of Zoning Ordinance for Parking Structure. No dwellings proposed. (Attachment C) Requested # of Dwelling Units: None DA (Development Area): Neighborhoods 4 and 5. Comprehensive Plan Designation: Community Service/Mixed Use-community-scale retail wholesale, business and medical offices, mixed use core communities and/or employment services, and residential (6.01-34 units/acre) Character of Property: The majority of the site is undeveloped with woodlands. An access road and the former Grand Piano warehouse building are both located on this property. An old landfill was located on the eastern portion of the site. Use of Surrounding Properties: Commercial uses such as fast food restaurants are located adjacent in the City. Industrial and commercial uses are located adjacent to the site along Avon Street. The Willoughby residential subdivision is located nearby as well as Interstate-64. Factors Favorable: 1. Bent Creek Parkway (Connector Road) will be extended to connect 5th St. and Avon St. 2. Development of the property as a shopping center is consistent with the land use recommendations of the Comprehensive Plan. 3. Funding towards construction of greenway and provision of transit service as recommended in the Comprehensive Plan is provided. 4. Provides shopping and service alternatives for the residents in this portion of the County and City. 5. W ill provide employment opportunities and tax Factors Unfavorable: 1. The proposed application plan does not provide sufficient detail regarding proposed buildings location and architecture to assure consistency with the form recommended in the Comprehensive Plan. It should be noted that the currently approved plan for the development of this property also does not meet all expectations of the Comprehensive Plan regarding form, although it does provide more specificity as to architecture, building locations and building scale in particular areas. 2. Commitments are substantially decreased from ZMA 2009-00001, 5th Street-Avon Center, SP 2010-00003, 5th Street-Avon Center Parking Structure Planning Commission Public Hearing, July 31, 2012 Staff Report, Page 2 revenues to the County. the prior rezoning with revised proffers for the Willoughby pedestrian bridge and trail and transit (either due to offers of cash instead of construction or a reduction in the total amount of funding offered for certain impacts). 3. The proffers are in need of technical revisions. 4. While a work plan with DEQ for the remediation of the former City landfill is proffered, there remain outstanding issues regarding the proffer commitment. 5. Stormwater facilities are shown in the floodplain. 6. Special use permit for fill in the floodplain is still needed for stream crossings to assure the development can take place. 7. Development Framework needs technical revision. RECOMMENDATION: There remain several outstanding issues related to this rezoning, but staff can recommend approval if the following are addressed: 1. The outstanding technical issues with proffers are fixed. 2. Stormwater/BMP facilities that are shown in the floodplain on the application plan are removed from the floodplain. 3. Development Framework is revised to not include items that are already applicable per the Zoning Ordinance. 4. Landfill remediation commitment is made as recommended by Zoning staff. 5. Additional funding is committed to adequately cover the anticipated cost of the Willoughby pedestrian bridge and trail. 1. 2. Staff finds the special use permit request for a parking structure consistent with the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance and the Comprehensive Plan and recommends approval of SP201000003 without conditions. 3. 4. Staff recommends deferral of the critical slopes decision to be determined during the site plan process when specific details regarding the development will be available. ZMA 2009-00001, 5th Street-Avon Center, SP 2010-00003, 5th Street-Avon Center Parking Structure Planning Commission Public Hearing, July 31, 2012 Staff Report, Page 3 STAFF PERSON: Claudette Grant PLANNING COMMISSION: July 31, 2012 BOARD OF SUPERVISORS: To Be Determined ZMA 2009-00001, 5th St. - Avon Center SP 2010-00003, 5th St. - Avon Center Parking Structure PETITION PROJECT: ZMA 2009-01/5th Street-Avon Center PROPOSAL: To amend the proffers, application plan and development framework of approved rezoning ZMA2006-00009, (changed to include application plan and development framework) which rezoned 81.94 acres. PD-SC - Planned Development Shopping Center zoning district allows shopping centers, retail sales and service uses; and residential by special use permit (15 units/acre). Approx. 470,000 sq. ft. of commercial uses proposed. PROFFERS: Yes EXISTING COMPREHENSIVE PLAN LAND USE/DENSITY: Community Service/Mixed Use- community-scale retail wholesale, business and medical offices, mixed use core communities and/or employment services, and residential (6.01-34 units/acre) Neighborhoods 4 & 5 ENTRANCE CORRIDOR: Yes LOCATION: Northeast intersection of Interstate 64 and Fifth Street Extended (Rt 631), bounded on the east by Avon Street Extended. Access is Bent Creek Road. TAX MAP/PARCEL: TMP076M10000002A0, 076M10000002B0, 076M10000004A, and 0770000000011E0 MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT: Scottsville PROJECT: SP2010-000003/5th Street - Avon Center - Parking Structure PROPOSED: Parking Structure ZONING CATEGORY/GENERAL USAGE: PD-SC Planned Development Shopping Center - shopping centers, retail sales and service uses; and residential by special use permit (15 units/ acre) SECTION: 25.2.2(3) Parking Structure COMPREHENSIVE PLAN LAND USE/DENSITY: Community Service/Mixed Use-community-scale retail wholesale, business and medical offices, mixed use core communities and/or employment services, and residential (6.01-34 units/acre) Neighborhoods 4 & 5 ENTRANCE CORRIDOR: Yes LOCATION: Northeast intersection of Interstate 64 and Fifth Street Extended (Rt 631), bounded on the east by Avon Street Extended. Access is Bent Creek Road. TAX MAP/PARCEL: TMP076M10000002A0, 076M10000002B0, and 076M10000004A MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT: Scottsville CHARACTER OF THE AREA The property is located at the Northeast corner of the intersection of Interstate 64 and Fifth Street Extended (Route 631). It is located in the Development Area and surrounded by a significant amount of development. The property has an existing warehouse building on it, but is otherwise undeveloped with woods and the Moore’s Creek. Uses adjacent to the site include commercial uses such as fast food restaurants and gas stations. The Willoughby residential subdivision is also located nearby as well as Interstate-64. SPECIFICS OF THE PROPOSAL The applicant proposes to amend the proffers, application plan, and development framework that were approved with ZMA200600009 on May 12, 2008. The proffers, application plan and development framework have been revised in order to make development of this project more cost ZMA 2009-00001, 5th Street-Avon Center, SP 2010-00003, 5th Street-Avon Center Parking Structure Planning Commission Public Hearing, July 31, 2012 Staff Report, Page 4 effective and viable to construct. The result of this change would be to provide greater flexibility for the location of buildings, associated parking and structures than previously provided with the approved zoning. The connector road commitment remains as proposed with ZMA200600009, providing an inter-connection between Fifth Street Extended (Route 631) and Avon Street Extended (Route 742). The maximum square footage of gross floor area (sfgfa) for all uses in the total project area remains unchanged at 470,000 sfgfa. The zoning district remains PD-SC. The development framework is now incorporated into the Application Plan and describes the expected uses, design elements and other additional details for the development. The proposed framework is similar to the approved one, but now lacks expected design characteristics and provides less specificity regarding the final location of uses and buildings within sections of the development. The framework also includes items that are already covered by the Zoning Ordinance. A special use permit has been concurrently submitted with the rezoning amendment requesting to allow a parking structure within this development. (See Attachment C: Application Plan) Staff comments regarding this proposal that are also addressed in this report are more specifically detailed in Attachment D. The applicant has requested the Planning Commission public hearing in lieu of receiving these comments and responding prior to a public hearing. APPLICANT’S JUSTIFICATION FOR THE REQUEST The applicant has explained that the approved proffers are too restrictive for this site and require the owner/perspective tenants to make financial and other commitments that will be difficult, if not impossible, for them to implement. The applicant has acknowledged a lease commitment from a large tenant for this development, but indicates there has been difficulty getting potential tenants to commit to the specific buildings and locations within the site as required under the current zoning. As a result, the application plan has been revised to provide more flexibility in how the site gets developed and is not as definitive in terms of building locations in order to allow flexibility of site development for tenants. The applicant believes these changes will make the site more marketable to prospective tenants. The applicant believes they will provide the following benefits to the Albemarle County community:  The construction and interconnection of Bent Creek Parkway (Connector Road).  The implementation of the DEQ approved work plan for the former City landfill and remediation of this landfill.  Build a commercial development that will generate substantial revenue, and provide shopping opportunities and alternatives for residents in the southern portion of the County, thus alleviating some traffic issues in other portions of the County. PLANNING AND ZONING HISTORY The western portion of the property is part of the original Willoughby farm, and in the 1960’s and 1970’s it was designated for a major shopping center. From 1975-85 it was part of the Willoughby Planned Unit Development. In 1985, ZMA 85-15 was approved with proffers, rezoning 49.377 acres to LI. In 1989, ZMA 89-14 was approved with proffers, adding 4.516 acres to the LI district. During the 1995-96 review and update of the Land Use Plan, the recommendation for Industrial Service remained unchanged. In 1997 a Comprehensive Plan Amendment was requested from Industrial Service to Regional Service (the Brass, Inc. proposal, CPA 97-05). After a series of public meetings and joint sessions with the City of Charlottesville, the Planning Commission recommended to the Board of Supervisors a designation of Community Service/Mixed Use. The Board subsequently further refined the recommended Comprehensive Plan language, and was prepared to adopt it at its September 15, 1999 meeting. Prior to the meeting, the applicant withdrew the project and the recommended language was never adopted. ZMA 2009-00001, 5th Street-Avon Center, SP 2010-00003, 5th Street-Avon Center Parking Structure Planning Commission Public Hearing, July 31, 2012 Staff Report, Page 5 On July 8, 2003, a revised Comprehensive Plan Amendment (CPA 03-02) was submitted and the Planning Commission held the first of three worksessions regarding the request. The revised request included the Avon Street and Grand Piano property, which expanded the project area by 30.48 acres. The Avon Street property was formerly the City landfill. At its meeting on September 8, 2004, the Board of Supervisors adopted Comprehensive plan language to be added to the Neighborhood 4 Profile. This property is currently designated Community Service/Mixed Use in the Comprehensive Plan. After a series of worksessions and public hearings, the Board of Supervisors approved ZMA200600009, 5th Street-Avon Center and SP200700004, 5th Street-Avon Center Parking Structure on March 12, 2008. This rezoning allowed a regional scale shopping center to be developed. CONFORMITY WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Land Use Plan: The Comprehensive Plan Land Use Plan designates the project area as Community Service/Mixed Use. The intent of this designation is to fulfill a “town center” role by providing a commercial and employment focal point within Neighborhoods 4 and 5. There are some commercial uses to the immediate west in the City and existing residential neighborhoods nearby. Neighborhoods 4 and 5 do not have a “commercial center.” While the primary intent for this area is to provide retail and employment opportunities, a diversity of other uses such as industrial/light industrial, residential, and public amenities could also be considered as appropriate for this site. Maintaining this area’s compatibility with the scale and character of the adjacent and nearby City and County neighborhoods is important. The Comprehensive Plan also explains that because of the location of this property between three entrance corridors and at the confluence of Biscuit Run and Moore’s Creek, this site is of high aesthetic and environmental sensitivity and importance. Open Space Plan: The Open Space Plan identifies major and locally important stream valleys and adjacent critical slopes as significant environmental resources located on this site. There are also floodplains, wooded areas and sensitive soils located on the property as well. The plan shows a stream valley trail/greenway adjacent to Moore’s Creek. The trail is located around the border or outer edges of the site and wraps around the west and north sides of the site. Protection of these environmental resources is an important element of the Comprehensive Plan Amendment. Neighborhood Model: Because there are specific recommendations in the Comprehensive Plan regarding this area, amended into the Plan in 2004, the principles of the Neighborhood model are not fully applicable to this development. Principles that are generally provided for include some pedestrian accommodations, interconnected streets and transportation networks, parks and open space, and neighborhood centers. Attachment E compares how the approved and proposed rezoning requests conform to the Comprehensive Plan recommendations relevant to this proposal. Summary: In general, staff believes the proposal is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan recommendations for this site regarding proposed land uses and “public” improvements, specifically the construction of the connector road, greenway, open space and wooded buffers (along EC Corridors),and provision of transit (although the funding commitment to transit has been significantly reduced) . The new proposal provides less detail as to expected form of development which reduces the assurance that the desired form will be provided (relegation of parking from street, ZMA 2009-00001, 5th Street-Avon Center, SP 2010-00003, 5th Street-Avon Center Parking Structure Planning Commission Public Hearing, July 31, 2012 Staff Report, Page 6 building orientation to streets, and a site design that fosters a higher level of pedestrian orientation within the overall site than would occur under a conventional form of commercial development). In addition, the lack of specific detail regarding site development and building/ parking locations makes it difficult at this time to determine the ultimate impact of site development to the Entrance Corridors. It should be noted that the currently approved plan for the development of this property also does not meet all expectations of the Comprehensive Plan regarding the form of development. Economic Vitality Action Plan The primary goal of the County’s Economic Vitality Action Plan is to: Increase the County’s economic vitality and future revenues through economic development by expanding the commercial tax base and supporting the creation of quality jobs for local residents. This Plan is developed for the benefit and economic well being, first, of current local residents and existing local businesses. The proposed 5th Street - Avon Center (shopping center) would support the Plan by providing additional employment, retail, office, and service uses for the residents who live in this portion of the County. STAFF COMMENT Relationship between the application and the purpose and intent of the requested zoning district: The following section is an excerpt from the Zoning Ordinance: Planned Development Shopping Center (PD-SC) Districts are intended to provide for the development of neighborhood, community and regional shopping centers. Developments with a broad range of commercial and service facilities are encouraged within planned commercial centers with carefully organized buildings, service, parking, and landscaped areas. The PD-SC district should have direct access to public streets and be able to accommodate the traffic generated by the development. This project is consistent with the intent of the PD-SC district as the proposed commercial uses within this development will provide appropriate services and activities on a neighborhood, community and regional scale and provides through access to both 5th St. and Avon St. A special use permit under Section 24.2.2(3) of zoning ordinance for a parking structure is needed for the shopping center facility. Staff opinion is that the use of a structure is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and the zoning ordinance, and is an appropriate use for this site. Staff believes this proposal meets the intent of the PD-SC. Public need and justification for the change: The County’s Comprehensive Plan supports development in the designated development areas that is consistent with use, density, and form recommended in the Plan. The addition of a shopping center in this portion of the County would be beneficial for residents who live in this portion of the County by providing shopping opportunities not currently available. Impact on Environmental, Cultural, and Historic Resources: The applicant has provided proffers that address many of the environmental and historic impacts. However, the following environmental issues remain a concern:  The critical slopes waiver request that was submitted is based on a different application plan than what is now a part of this proposal. The important elements for evaluation of a critical slopes waiver are not specifically shown, leaving insufficient information for the engineering ZMA 2009-00001, 5th Street-Avon Center, SP 2010-00003, 5th Street-Avon Center Parking Structure Planning Commission Public Hearing, July 31, 2012 Staff Report, Page 7 staff to review the waiver request. Engineering and Planning staff believe the critical slopes waiver request will be best reviewed when specific details of the plan are provided during the site plan review process. (See Attachment I)  The Comprehensive Plan Amendment is very clear with regard to the need for protecting, to the extent possible, the floodplains, streams and wooded areas located on this site. Proffers have been provided regarding a commitment to build the connector road from Fifth Street to Avon Street. The Bent Creek connector road crosses the 100 year floodplain in at least one location, including the crossing of Moores Creek. A special use permit will be needed for fill in the floodplain, as an upgrade to the existing bridge over Moore’s Creek will be needed, and potentially for a second stream/floodplain crossing. The applicant has not submitted a special use permit application for this work. It is preferable to review special permits which are needed to develop in conjunction with the associated rezoning request; however this is not a requirement of the County. Staff notes that any approval of the rezoning does not assure approval of the special use permit for work in the floodplain.  Stormwater facilities are shown within the floodplain. Staff does not believe stormwater facilities should be located in the floodplain and the application plan should be revised to not show stormwater facilities in the floodplain.  The proffers specifically describe the need for a work plan with DEQ inclusive of a landfill remediation plan. Although the work plan is not needed in conjunction with this rezoning amendment request, it is still in need of resolution as explained on page four (4) in Attachment D. There are no impacts on cultural resources. Anticipated impact on public facilities and services: Streets: The primary impact will be on Fifth Street and Bent Creek Road in the City of Charlottesville and Avon Street. The applicant has provided proffers intended to address the impacts to these streets. These generally address impacts that need to be addressed with this rezoning. It should be noted that there are road design matters that will need to be addressed with site development. See Attachment D for City comment and Attachment F for VDOT comment. Schools: No residential units are proposed, so no impacts are expected on the schools. Fire and Rescue: A portion of the site (eastern boundary) is covered by the Monticello Fire/Rescue Station off Mill Creek Drive, and the majority of the site will be covered by the City Fire/Rescue station. Utilities: The site will be serviced by public water and sewer. The following comments have been identified by Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority (RWSA): Section 7 of the proffers (Moores Creek Erosion and Buffer Projects) for the above project describes work which would include stream bank restoration and stream channel stabilization. This work would likely have significant impact on the existing RWSA Interceptor, which is located along the north bank of Moores Creek. The proffers mention an “Exhibit A” prepared by CH2MHill in 2004, which shows the areas within the Property on the City side of Moore’s Creek which would be impacted by the erosion and buffer projects. RWSA understands that a scope and schedule will be submitted with the first final site plan ZMA 2009-00001, 5th Street-Avon Center, SP 2010-00003, 5th Street-Avon Center Parking Structure Planning Commission Public Hearing, July 31, 2012 Staff Report, Page 8 submission. RWSA would like to have as much information about this project as soon as possible so that RWSA can resolve any conflicts early in the site plan review process. Albemarle County Service Authority (ACSA) comments are attached (Attachment G). Anticipated impact on nearby and surrounding properties: Surrounding properties are already experiencing a change in character with new development that has occurred in this area. The existing Willoughby subdivision located to the north of the Fifth Street-Avon Center project will experience the changes of this site’s wooded character with development under the prior approved rezoning as well as this proposal. This amendment to the zoning does not substantially change the overall development envelope or the open space features provided between the Willoughby subdivision and the developed portions of the site from that approved with the prior rezoning. Because of the lack of specificity regarding building locations, it is possible that some buildings may be constructed somewhat closer to the Bent Creek connector road, but the same open space and greenway areas are still provided on the proposed plan as were shown on the previously approved plan. This portion of the County will experience more traffic with the proposed 5th Street-Avon Center development. However, anticipated proffers, proximity to Interstate 64, an additional interconnected road with other transportation systems/networks, such as bike/ped options, will help alleviate major transportation impacts. PROFFERS The applicant has provided revised proffers. (See Attachment H) Many of the proffer revisions have been provided for clarification and technical fixes. The following describes major changes to the proffers: Proffer 1. C. Bent Creek Parkway from Bent Creek Road to Avon Street (Excluding the Landfill Segment): This proffer continues to describe that the Owner intends to construct the Parkway to be a rural section in design without curb and gutter. Revisions to this proffer provide that the Owner will construct the Parkway as an urban cross section with curb and gutter if VDOT does not approve the Parkway as a the rural section without curb and gutter or if the County Board of Supervisors does not grant any waiver allowing the Parkway to be a rural section without curb and gutter. This proffer is also revised to say once the owner completes the portion of Bent Creek Parkway which excludes the landfill segment the Owner shall dedicate this portion of the Parkway as a public road within sixty days after the written request of the County. The approved proffer dedicated the same section of Bent Creek Parkway with the approval of the initial final site plan for the Property. Proffer 1. D. 6. Remediation and reopening in the event of closure: Language has been added to allow the businesses to continue operating in the event the Landfill Segment of Bent Creek Parkway is temporarily closed. Proffer 1. F. 3. Transportation Proffers Compliance: The City of Charlottesville expressed concern that the approved proffer said that the Owner is not required to acquire right-of-way or otherwise pay for right-of-way in the City for improvements. The proffer is revised to say that the owner will reimburse the City of its costs if the City acquires right-of-way in the City for improvements. Proffer 2. Greenway Dedication: Instead of the Owner constructing and dedicating the Greenway trail as shown on the Application Plan to the County, this proffer has been revised to permit ZMA 2009-00001, 5th Street-Avon Center, SP 2010-00003, 5th Street-Avon Center Parking Structure Planning Commission Public Hearing, July 31, 2012 Staff Report, Page 9 construction of the trail by the County with funds proffered to the County. Parks and Recreation staff have commented that this change is acceptable. Proffer 3. Dedication for Greenway Park; Cash Contribution for Greenway Trail, Greenway Park and Bike/Pedestrian Master Plan: Instead of the Owner submitting a master plan for and constructing a Greenway Park and Bike/Ped system, this proffer has been revised to describe the Owner providing a cash contribution to the County in the amount of $250,000 for funding the construction of the Greenway Trail, master plan for the development and construction of the Greenway Park and a Bike/Pedestrian system. Parks and Recreation staff have commented that this change is acceptable. Proffer 4. Cash Contribution for Pedestrian Link to Willoughby Subdivision: Instead of the owner constructing the “Willoughby Link”, this proffer has been revised to commit the owner to provide a cash contribution to the County in the amount of $25,000 for construction by the County of a pedestrian path or trail connecting the development to the Willoughby Subdivision. This is a concern for staff as the cost of such a connection is estimated to be approximately $100,000. Proffer 5. Tree Conservation Areas: The approved proffer stated that the Owner would replace trees that must be removed in the areas shown on the plan as Conservation Areas that lie within the Greenway Park. At one time prior to the rezoning approval, there was a plan that showed the Greenway Park located in the Conservation Area. The Greenway Park was relocated prior to the rezoning approval to the location shown on the application plan out of the conservation area. The applicant and staff realized that this proffer language was no longer applicable and the proffer has been revised accordingly. Proffer 6. LEED Standards: for Core & Shell Development: Generally, this proffer language has been revised to be appropriately updated with changes in the industry. Proffer 8. Former Landfill Site; Work Plan; Department of Environmental Quality: This proffer has not been changed. However, staff has recommended that the applicant revise this proffer to include County Engineer review and approval of the landfill work plan. DEQ has explained that the landfill area is an unregulated landfill and is not subject to full regulation under the landfill closure standards. The County is requesting the applicant to treat the landfill area according to the requirements of the County Zoning Ordinance (Section 5.1.28(a) (4)) standards, which is normal County procedure for projects of this type. (See page four (4) of Attachment D for additional details) Proffer 10. B. and C. Stormwater Quality Management and Revegetation: This proffer has been revised to be in accordance with the County’s Water Protection Ordinance and the revised Application Plan. The concern with this proffer is that the stormwater/BMP facility is shown in the floodplain which is not supported by staff. Proffer 10. D. Rainfall Harvesting and Roof Design: This proffer has been revised to replace the requirement for at least 25% of the roofs within the Project to employ extensive green roofs with a requirement for rainfall harvesting elements and the use of energy efficient roofing materials for all buildings within the Project. This revision will be easier for the applicant to fulfill. Proffer 11. Architectural Guidelines: This proffer has been eliminated in lieu of the ARB guidelines, which cover the major elements described in the proffer. Proffer 12. Transit Funding: The approved proffer described the Owner making a cash contribution to the County after the provision of public transit service to the Property. The funding for this proffer was to be made through assessments administered by the Owner based on twenty cents ($.20) per ZMA 2009-00001, 5th Street-Avon Center, SP 2010-00003, 5th Street-Avon Center Parking Structure Planning Commission Public Hearing, July 31, 2012 Staff Report, Page 10 square foot of net rentable commercial space per year and adjusted annually which would help fund on-going service. The revised proffer describes the Owner contributing a one-time $100,000 cash contribution to the County prior to the issuance of the first Certificate of Occupancy within the Project which will not pay for on-going service. The applicant justifies this change as being equivalent to commitments for public transit made to the County with other projects. This amount is consistent with the Albemarle Place/Stonefield proffer. Charlottesville Area Transit (CAT) has not otherwise commented regarding this reduction. Proffer 13. Phasing of Development: This proffer has been eliminated since the development was not proposed to be phased. Proffer 13. Architectural Consistency: This proffer replaces the previous proffer 13 and describes that buildings within the Project will have a consistent architectural theme. One additional proffer request that has not been provided regards the Monticello viewshed. The Thomas Jefferson Foundation, Inc. (The Foundation) has requested the applicant consider following the Monticello viewshed Guidelines as this site would be most visible from Montalto. The County has previously requested applicants to consider proffers regarding the Monticello viewshed Guidelines for projects located in the Pantops area of the County and visible from Monticello. Because this site is not visible from Monticello, staff has not noted that this proffer is necessary. (See Attachment D, pages 5-6) SUMMARY Staff has identified the following factors, which are favorable to this rezoning request: 1. Bent Creek Parkway (Connector Road) will be extended to connect 5th St. and Avon St. 2. Development of the property as a shopping center is consistent with the land use recommendations of the Comprehensive Plan. 3. Funding towards construction of greenway and provision of transit service as recommended in the Comprehensive Plan is provided. 4. Provides shopping and service alternatives for the residents in this portion of the County and City. 5. Will provide employment opportunities and tax revenues to the County. Staff has found the following factors unfavorable to this rezoning: 1. The proposed application plan does not provide sufficient detail regarding proposed buildings location and architecture to assure consistency with the form recommended in t he Comprehensive Plan. It should be noted that the currently approved plan for the development of this property also does not meet all expectations of the Comprehensive Plan regarding form, although it does provide more specificity as to architecture, building locations and building scale in particular areas. 2. Commitments are substantially decreased from the prior rezoning with revised proffers for Willoughby pedestrian bridge and trail, and transit (either due to offers of cash instead of construction or a reduction in the total amount of funding offered for certain impacts). 3. The proffers are in need of technical revisions. 4. While a work plan with DEQ for the remediation of the former City landfill is proffered, there remain outstanding issues regarding the proffer commitment. 5. Stormwater facilities are shown in the floodplain. 6. Special use permit for fill in the floodplain is still needed for stream crossings to assure the development can take place. 7. Development Framework needs technical revision. RECOMMENDATION There remain several outstanding issues related to this rezoning, but staff can recommend approval if the following are addressed: ZMA 2009-00001, 5th Street-Avon Center, SP 2010-00003, 5th Street-Avon Center Parking Structure Planning Commission Public Hearing, July 31, 2012 Staff Report, Page 11 1. The outstanding technical issues with proffers are fixed. 2. Stormwater/BMP facilities that are shown in the floodplain on the application plan are removed from the floodplain. 3. Development Framework is revised to not include items that are already applicable per the Zoning Ordinance. 4. Landfill remediation commitment is made as recommended by Zoning staff. 5. Additional funding is committed to adequately cover the anticipated cost of the Willoughby pedestrian bridge and trail. Staff finds the special use permit request for a parking structure consistent with the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance and the Comprehensive Plan and recommends approval of SP201000003 without conditions. Staff recommends deferral of the critical slopes decision to be determined during the site plan process when specific details regarding the development will be available. Staff Comment on SP 201000003-Request for Parking Structure Use in the PD-SC Planned Development Shopping Center District Section 31.6 of the Zoning Ordinance below requires that special use permits be assessed as follows: Will the use be of substantial detriment to adjacent property? The proposed parking structure use is not expected to have extreme impacts on the adjacent properties. The exact location of the parking structure is not known but will be within the buildable areas. The parking structure use may create some elevated noise when in use, but probably not any more than the adjacent highway. Will the character of the zoning district change with this use? A parking structure use in a shopping center is not believed to change the character of the PD-SC zoning district. The use of a parking structure in many ways is a complimentary use for a shopping center. It is somewhat minimal in nature and can alleviate the sea of parking created from a large surface parking lot. Will the use be in harmony with the purpose and intent of the zoning ordinance? The PD-SC district has characteristics that tend to be large scale commercial in nature. A parking structure use is in keeping with a shopping center. The proposed parking structure use is in harmony with the purpose and intent of the zoning ordinance. Will the use be in harmony with the uses permitted by right in the district? This area contains a wide mix of existing uses; some small to medium scale strip commercial development and some residential uses. The parking structure use seems appropriate with the permitted by right uses in the district. Will the use comply with the additional regulations provided in Section 5.0 of this ordinance? Section 5.1.41 Parking Lots and Parking Structures is applicable to the proposed use and the regulation is states the following: “A site plan shall be required for each parking lot and parking structure, unless the requirement is waived as provided in section 32.2.2.” A waiver has not been requested. A site plan will be expected. Will the public health, safety and general welfare of the community be protected if the use is approved? The public health, safety, and general welfare of the community are protected through the special use permit process which assures that the proposed use is appropriate in the location requested. There are no safety concerns with the proposed parking structure use. SUMMARY ZMA 2009-00001, 5th Street-Avon Center, SP 2010-00003, 5th Street-Avon Center Parking Structure Planning Commission Public Hearing, July 31, 2012 Staff Report, Page 12 Staff has identified the following factor favorable to this request: 1. The use of a parking structure will provide an alternative to the “sea” of parking that could otherwise result from surface parking. Staff has not identified any unfavorable factors. RECOMMENDED ACTION Staff finds that this request generally complies with the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance and the Comprehensive Plan, and recommends approval of SP201000003 without conditions. Staff recommends deferral of the special exception to disturb critical slopes to be determined during the site plan process when more detailed information is submitted regarding the proposed development. PLANNING COMMISSION MOTION—Zoning Map Amendment: A. Should a Planning Commissioner choose to recommend approval of this zoning map amendment: Move to recommend approval of ZMA 2009-00001, 5th St.-Avon Center based on the recommendation of staff. B. Should a Planning Commissioner choose to recommend denial of this zoning map amendment: Move to recommend denial of ZMA 2009-00001, 5th St.-Avon Center. Should a commissioner motion to recommend denial, he or she should state the reason(s) for recommending denial. PLANNING COMMISSION MOTION—Special Use Permit: A. Should a Planning Commissioner choose to recommend approval of this special use permit: Move to recommend approval of SP 2010-00003, 5th St.-Avon Center – Parking Structure. B. Should a Planning Commissioner choose to recommend denial of this special use permit: Move to recommend denial of SP 201000003, 5th St.-Avon Center – Parking Structure Should a commissioner motion to recommend denial, he or she should state the reason(s) for recommending denial. PLANNING COMMISSION MOTION—Special Critical Slopes: Move to recommend deferral of the special exception to disturb critical slopes as recommended by staff. ATTACHMENT A: Tax Map ATTACHMENT B: Location Map ATTACHMENT C: Application Plan, dated June 6, 2012 ATTACHMENT D: Outstanding staff comments ATTACHMENT E: Comprehensive Plan Amendment Comparison Table ATTACHMENT F: Electronic Mail from Joel DeNunzio, dated June 22, 2012 ZMA 2009-00001, 5th Street-Avon Center, SP 2010-00003, 5th Street-Avon Center Parking Structure Planning Commission Public Hearing, July 31, 2012 Staff Report, Page 13 ATTACHMENT G: Electronic Mail from Alexander Morrison, dated June 21, 2012 ATTACHMENT H: Revised/Blackline proffers dated June 6, 2012 ATTACHMENT I: Special Exception to Disturb Critical Slopes ATTACHMENT J: Critical Slopes Waiver Request from Valerie Long, dated February 16, 2010 Return to exec summary I-64 E I-64 W HARRIS RDAVON STREET EXTROYER DR5TH STQUINCE LNF I E L D I N G DR FOXVALE LN LANDIN CIR FOXCHASE RDGSHALE PLCHANDLER CTR OL LING VALLEY C T OLTON PL PEPPER PL TOWLER PLPEREGORY LN HARRI S RDAVON STREET EXT¡742¡631 §¨¦64 76M1-2B 77-11E76M1-4A 7 6 M 1-2 A Prepared by Albemarle CountyOffice of Geographic Data Services (GDS). Map created by Elise Hackett, July 2012. Note: The map elements depicted are graphic representations and are not to be construed or used as a legal description.This map is for display purposes only. Parcels shown reflect plats and deeds recorded through December 31, 2011 0 400 800200Feet 4' Contours Roads Buildings Driveways Streams Water Body Parcels Parcels of Interest$ ZMA 2009-001 / SP 2010-0035th Street - Avon Center City ofCharlottesville AVON STREET EXTFOXVALE LN FOXCHASE RDGROLLING VALLEY C T PEREGORY LN IVY RD RICHMOND RD SCOTTSVILLE RDMONACAN TRAIL R D TH O M AS JEFFERSON PKWY OLD LYNCHBURG RDSTONY POINT RD5 T H ST¡702 ¡729 ¡601 ¡762 }ÿ53}ÿ20 £¤250 §¨¦64 §¨¦64 Prepared by Albemarle CountyOffice of Geographic Data Services (GDS). Map created by Elise Hackett, July 2012. Note: The map elements depicted are graphic representations and are not to be construed or used as a legal description.This map is for display purposes only. Parcels shown reflect plats and deeds recorded through December 31, 2011 0 4,000 8,0002,000 Feet Roads Streams Water Body Parcels Parcels of Interest$ ZMA 2009-001 / SP 2010-0035th Street - Avon Center City ofCharlottesville ATTACHMENT E Abbreviated Comprehensive Plan Amendment (CPA) Approved Rezoning Compared with CPA (Items in red are not consistent with CPA/outstanding issues) Proposed Rezoning Compared with CPA (Items in red are not consistent with CPA/outstanding issues) Neighborhood Four Profile It is intended to fulfill a “town center” role by providing a commercial and employment focal point within Neighborhoods 4 and 5. Provides primarily retail and employment, also provides professional office, open space, greenway trail and parkland, public amenities. Does not provide industrial, light industrial, residential, live/work. Provides primarily retail and employment, also provides professional office and open space. Proffer of cash towards greenway trail/parkland development. Does not provide public amenities, industrial, light industrial, residential, live/work. Environmental Protection A. Preserve existing vegetation, especially exemplary specimen or old growth trees, rock formations sloping down to the existing roads, natural features as a visual buffer. A. Some preservation of existing vegetation, old growth trees and natural features as a visual buffer will be done. Rock formation is preserved. A. Some preservation of existing vegetation, old growth trees and natural features as a visual buffer will be done. Rock formation not preserved. B. Protect bluffs and riparian forest along existing access road/Moore’s Creek corridor. B. Bluffs and riparian forest appear to be protected. Grading along access road could make this protection difficult. B. Bluffs and riparian forest appear to be protected. Grading along access road could make this protection difficult. C. Retain streams and stream buffers. C. A stream crossing will be needed for Bent Creek Parkway. Special Use Permit is needed for this activity. C. A stream crossing will be needed for Bent Creek Parkway. Special Use Permit is needed for this activity. D. Greenway along Biscuit Run and Moore’s Creek. D. Greenway trails are proposed for areas along Biscuit Run and Moore’s Creek. Applicant proffers to construct the trail. D. Greenway trails are proposed for areas along Biscuit Run and Moore’s Creek. A cash contribution toward construction has been proffered. County has to construct the trail and pay any additional ATTACHMENT E Abbreviated Comprehensive Plan Amendment (CPA) Approved Rezoning Compared with CPA (Items in red are not consistent with CPA/outstanding issues) Proposed Rezoning Compared with CPA (Items in red are not consistent with CPA/outstanding issues) costs above and beyond the contribution. E. Preserve and enhance the existing vegetated buffer adjacent to I-64 corridor. E. Plan shows enhancement of the buffer adjacent to I-64 corridor. E. Plan shows enhancement of the buffer adjacent to I-64 corridor. F. Floodplain area northeast of Biscuit Run and Moore’s Creek should become public open space. F. Passive open space and trailhead park is shown to be built by applicant on the plan east of the Biscuit Run and Moore’s Creek confluence. F. Passive open space and trailhead park is shown east of the Biscuit Run and Moore’s Creek confluence. Park will not be built by applicant. Cash contribution provided. SWM/BMP Facility is shown in the floodplain area. G. Should incorporate principles of low impact development and sustainable design. G. Proffers provided to address low impact development and sustainable design. G. Proffers provided to address low impact development and sustainable design. Transportation H. Collaboration between government agencies, and neighbors to develop an integrated transportation system. H. Integrated transportation system has been achieved through proffers. H. Integrated transportation system has been achieved through proffers. I. Integrated transportation system should include: roadway improvements, pedestrian and bicycle facilities and site design to accommodated mass transportation. I. A proffer is provided for roadway improvements and dedication for the greenway park, trail, and bike/pedestrian Master Plan. Proffer is also provided for continuous transit funding. I. A proffer is provided for roadway improvements and dedication for the greenway park, trail, and bike/pedestrian Master Plan. Proffer for transit funding is reduced to one time contribution of $100,000. ATTACHMENT E Abbreviated Comprehensive Plan Amendment (CPA) Approved Rezoning Compared with CPA (Items in red are not consistent with CPA/outstanding issues) Proposed Rezoning Compared with CPA (Items in red are not consistent with CPA/outstanding issues) J. As the site is developed a connection from Fifth Street Extended to Avon Street Extended via the Bent Creek Bridge should be constructed. J. Proffers are provided that commit to the development of this connection. J. Proffers are provided that commit to the development of this connection. K. The existing road should become a parkway along Moore’s Creek. K. The existing road is proffered to be a rural section in order to protect the stream buffer. K. The existing road is proffered to be a rural section in order to protect the stream buffer. L. There should be a new road designed as a main commercial street traversing the town center. The road should have design elements pertinent to the Neighborhood Model. There should be second road for service traffic at the southern portion of the site. L. Two commercial streets traversing the town center with elements of the Neighborhood Model are shown on the conceptual plan. A third road is shown at the southern portion of the site. L. A commercial street traversing the town center with elements of the Neighborhood Model is shown on the plan. A second road is shown at the southern portion of the site. M. The intersection of existing and new roads with Bent Creek Bridge should be designed to avoid or minimize disturbance to the 100 year flood plain, stream buffer and the preserved areas located above and to the east of it. M. The intersection of the existing and new roads with Bent Creek Bridge is designed with A traffic circle and the preservation of the rock outcropping. M. The intersection of the existing and new roads with Bent Creek Bridge is designed as a T-intersection. N. Pedestrian bridge to be constructed between the south side of Moore’s Creek and the Willoughby neighborhood. N. A proffer is provided with commitment to construction of the Willoughby Pedestrian link if the Owner can obtain right-of-way. N. Applicant has revised proffer to provide a $25,000 cash contribution for pedestrian link to Willoughby Subdivision. ATTACHMENT E Abbreviated Comprehensive Plan Amendment (CPA) Approved Rezoning Compared with CPA (Items in red are not consistent with CPA/outstanding issues) Proposed Rezoning Compared with CPA (Items in red are not consistent with CPA/outstanding issues) Land Use O. Development should achieve moderate to high levels of density. Employment opportunities via light industrial uses and/or flex space are encouraged. O. This proposal is for a regional shopping center. Light Industrial uses, nor flex space appear to be intended for this development. O. This proposal is for a regional shopping center. Light Industrial uses, nor flex space appear to be intended for this development. P. Development on the site may balance retail with employment- based uses and other land uses. P. This is difficult to determine since we do not know the entire tenant base. P. This is difficult to determine since we do not know the entire tenant base. Q. Residential, live/work and/or small professional office uses are recommended along the northern edge of the town center. Q. The proposal does not provide for residential, or live/work opportunities. Q. The proposal does not provide for residential, or live/work opportunities. R. Western commercial area is to be a compact, high density area which mixes retail businesses, services, public facilities and civic spaces. Buildings should be oriented to major roads; designed, sized and massed with consideration for adjacent and nearby smaller uses in the Center and on the larger site; and parking should be relegated to the greatest extent possible. R. The approved plan showed buildings and building zones. The approved Development Framework identified planned uses for the various sections shown on the plan. Buildings have an internal orientation as opposed to an orientation to Bent Creek Parkway. The Development Framework provided some information that gave a sense of design, size and mass of proposed buildings. Parking is not relegated from Bent Creek Parkway. The plan and development R. It is difficult to determine the mix of uses, not knowing what uses will end up in the development. It is also difficult to determine if buildings are oriented to major roads; designed, sized and massed with consideration of other nearby uses because we do not know the specific location of buildings and parking. We have envelopes, so we have general information of location, but is parking relegated? ATTACHMENT E Abbreviated Comprehensive Plan Amendment (CPA) Approved Rezoning Compared with CPA (Items in red are not consistent with CPA/outstanding issues) Proposed Rezoning Compared with CPA (Items in red are not consistent with CPA/outstanding issues) framework provide a general sense of where the parking structure is to be located. S. Description of architecture, urban design and landscape treatment of the Property should be integrated to ensure visual interest, massing, scale and organization of the development. Maximum building footprints (excluding garden centers, outside sales and display, awnings, storage areas and grocery stores), the largest single big box footprint should not exceed 150,000 s.f. A grocery store is not considered a big box. S. Proffers, the Application Plan and the Development Framework provide guidance regarding architecture, urban design and landscape treatment. S. The submitted plan does not provide enough information to determine if this Comprehensive Plan description is met. T. Maximum total s.f. of big box structures defined as those having a greater than 75,000 s.f. (exclude garden centers, outside sales and display, awnings, storage areas, and grocery stores) is 300,000 s.f. A grocery store is not considered a big box. If the big box is developed in a two- story or greater configuration, this limitation may be T. The Development Framework describes the maximum square footage of gross floor area (sfgfa) for all uses in the total project area to be 470,000 sfgfa. T. The Development Framework describes the maximum square footage of gross floor area (sfgfa) for all uses in the total project area to be 470,000 sfgfa. This remains unchanged from the approved rezoning. ATTACHMENT E Abbreviated Comprehensive Plan Amendment (CPA) Approved Rezoning Compared with CPA (Items in red are not consistent with CPA/outstanding issues) Proposed Rezoning Compared with CPA (Items in red are not consistent with CPA/outstanding issues) adjusted upward. U. Preference will be given to proposals that maximize the range and mixture of uses, along with a phasing plan that assures a mixture of uses and addresses all parts of the site during the development of the project. U. The approved rezoning did not maximize the range and mixture of uses. It does include a phasing plan. U. The approved rezoning did not maximize the range and mixture of uses. There is no longer a phasing plan. Staff suggested the applicant eliminate the phasing plan that was proposed because it did not phase any of the development. Public Space and Public Facilities/Amenities V. Provision should be made on the site for transit service and a park and ride facility. V. The proffers and application plan provided transit service and a park and ride facility. V. The proffers now provide a decrease in funding for transit service. The applicant is proffering a one-time $100,000 contribution. A park and ride facility is still proposed for the site. W. At least ten percent of the gross site acreage should be devoted to amenities and 15 percent should be preserved or created as green space. Public amenities can be paved areas, such as plazas, courtyards or patios, landscaped areas such as parks or water features and/or natural areas left largely in their undisturbed state. Preserved areas should count toward both W. At least ten percent of the gross site acreage is devoted to amenities and at least 15 percent is preserved or created as green space. Public amenities are also provided within the development. W. At least ten percent of the gross site acreage is devoted to amenities and at least 15 percent is preserved or created as green space. It is difficult to determine if public amenities are provided due to the lack of detail on plan, proffers, and development framework. ATTACHMENT E Abbreviated Comprehensive Plan Amendment (CPA) Approved Rezoning Compared with CPA (Items in red are not consistent with CPA/outstanding issues) Proposed Rezoning Compared with CPA (Items in red are not consistent with CPA/outstanding issues) amenity and green space percentages. County of Albemarle Department of Community Development Memorandum To: Claudette Grant, Senior Planner From: Glenn Brooks, County Engineer Date: 29 Aug 2012 Subject: 5th Street - Avon Center (ZMA2009-1) critical slope waiver request The critical slope waiver request has been reviewed. The engineering analysis of the request follows: Description of critical slope area and proposed disturbance: This is a large site with critical slopes along Moores Creek, Route 64, and internal to the site. Please refer to the exhibit supplied by the applicant, and included below. Areas Acres (numbers supplied by applicant) Total site 77.4 (parcels 76-2B, 76-4A, and 77-11E) Critical slopes 21.8 28% of site Critical slopes disturbed 13.6 62% of critical slopes Exemptions to critical slopes waivers for driveways, roads and utilities without reasonable alternative locations: Some of the disturbances, such as the connector road, would be exempt, were it possible to separate out these disturbances. However, the entire plan will go to public hearing as part of a concept plan for a rezoning. Compliance with Zoning Ordinance 18-4.2: “movement of soil and rock” Proper slope construction, control of drainage and vegetative stabilization may prevent movement of soil. It is not known whether improvements could be made to the grading plan or erosion and sediment control plans in this regard, as this is only a concept plan at this time. “excessive stormwater runoff” Stormwater runoff is proposed to be controlled by stormwater management on the concept plan. It is not yet known if any of the development or roads may be impractical to capture, or if improvements could be made to plans to reduce runoff further. It has been noted that facilities proposed in the floodplain of Moore’s Creek may be prone to flood damage, and placement in the floodplain is not recommended. It is also noteworthy that detention may be impractical due to timing with the flood peaks along Moores Creek. “siltation” Inspection and bonding by the County will help with siltation control during construction. Proper stabilization and maintenance may ensure long term stability. The work in close proximity to Moores Creek and in the floodplain will be a risk for siltation during construction should flooding occur. The grading plan and erosion and sediment control plan will detail how siltation is to be controlled. “loss of aesthetic resource” Albemarle County Community Development Engineering Review comments Page 2 of 2 This area is visible from 5th Street, Avon Street, Route 64, and Willoughby. Much of it has been graded in the past. “septic effluent” This area is serviced by public sewer. Based on the review above, this is a very general plan allowing all disturbances within the envelope of the development. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the critical slopes waiver as necessary for the zoning plan. Following the Planning Commission’s recommendation, it is recommended that an approval be general. The lines shown on the exhibit are general, and it will not be possible to physically locate them on the ground, or on final plans. Actual limits of disturbance required under the erosion and sediment control regulations may differ. Final plans and construction may go outside concept lines in areas, and this should be understood in the approval. Return to agenda file: E1_csw_GEB_5thStreetAvon.doc ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION –JULY 31, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES – SUBMIT FOR APPROVAL 1 Albemarle County Planning Commission July 31, 2012 The Albemarle County Planning Commission held a public hearing on Tuesday, July 31, 2012, at 6:00 p.m., at the County Office Building, Auditorium, Second Floor, 401 McIntire Road, Charlottesville, Virginia. Members attending were Thomas Loach, Richard Randolph, Don Franco, Calvin Morris , Chairman; Russell (Mac) Lafferty, Vice-Chair; Ed Smith and Bruce Dotson. Julia Monteith, AICP, Senior Land Use Planner for the University of Virginia was present. Staff present was Sarah Baldwin, Senior Planner; Scott Clark, Senior Planner; Claudette Grant, Senior Planner; Glenn Brooks, County Engineer; Amelia McCulley, Director of Zoning/Zoning Administrator; David Benish, Chief of Planning; Wayne Cilimberg, Director of Planning; Mark Graham, Director of Community Development; and Greg Kamptner, Deputy County Attorney. ZMA-2009-00001 5th Street-Avon Center (Signs # 2, 3 & 5) PROPOSAL: To amend the proffers, application plan and development framework of approved rezoning ZMA-2006-00009, (changed to include application plan and development framework) which rezoned 81.94 acres. PD -SC - Planned Development Shopping Center zoning district allows shopping centers, retail sales and service uses; and residential by special use permit (15 units/acre). Approx. 470,000 sq. ft. of commercial uses proposed. PROFFERS: Yes EXISTING COMPREHENSIVE PLAN LAND USE/DENSITY: Community Service/Mixed Use-community-scale retail wholesale, business and medical offices, mixed use core communities and/or employment services, and residential (6.01 -34 units/acre) Neighborhoods 4 & 5 ENTRANCE CORRIDOR: Yes LOCATION: Northeast intersection of Interstate 64 and Fifth Street Extended (Rt 631), bounded on the east by Avon Street Extended. Access is Bent Creek Road. TAX MAP/PARCEL: TMP076M10000002A0, 076M10000002B0, 076M10000004A, and 0770000000011E0 MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT: Scottsville (Claudette Grant) AND SP-2010-000003 5th Street - Avon Center - Parking Structure (Signs # 2, 3 & 5) PROPOSED: Parking Structure ZONING CATEGORY/GENERAL USAGE: PD-SC Planned Development Shopping Center - shopping centers, retail sales and service uses; and residential by special use permit (15 units/ acre) SECTION: 25.2.2(3) Parking Structure COMPREHENSIVE PLAN LAND USE/DENSITY: Community Service/Mixed Use- community-scale retail wholesale, business and medical offices, mixed use core ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION –JULY 31, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES – SUBMIT FOR APPROVAL 2 communities and/or employment services, and residential (6.01 -34 units/acre) Neighborhoods 4 & 5 ENTRANCE CORRIDOR: Yes LOCATION: Northeast intersection of Interstate 64 and Fifth Street Extended (Rt 631), bounded on the east by Avon Street Extended. Access is Bent Creek Road. TAX MAP/PARCEL: TMP076M10000002A0, 076M10000002B0, and 076M10000004A MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT: Scottsville (Claudette Grant) Mr. Morris noted that SP-2010-000003 and ZMA-2009-00001 would be heard together but need separate actions. Ms. Grant presented a PowerPoint presentation and summarized staff report. Staff pointed out the photo is the existing warehouse building on the site. Proposal: The applicant is requesting to amend the proffers, application plan and development framework of the approved rezoning. A special use permit is also proposed for a parking structure. The application plan shows the proposed building s and building envelope areas with flexibility in mind regarding how the site is actually developed. The connector road remains an unchanged commitment providing interconnection between 5th Street Extended and Avon Street. The maximum square footage of gross floor area for all uses in the total project area remains unchanged at 470,000 square feet. The zoning district remains Planned Development – Shopping Center or PD-SC. With the approved rezoning the development framework was a separate document desc ribing the expected uses, design elements and other details for the development. The proposed framework is now incorporated into the application plan and is in many ways similar to the approved one, but now lacks expected design characteristics and provid es less specificity regarding the final location of uses and buildings within sections of the development. The proffers and requested changes are described in the staff report. The applicant has recently requested a condition for this special use permit request so that it would not have an expiration date. This is a similar condition that was done for the Martha Jefferson Hospital. The reason for this request is that the applicant is not sure when the parking structure will need to be built. This is a new request and it was not captured in the staff report. Staff is fine with this request and has included a proposed condition for the Commission’s review in a later slide. Staff also wants to bring to their attention that one of the public comments tha t were recently sent to the Commission requested that the parking structure be located away from the adjacent Willoughby neighborhood. At this point they do not know where the parking structure would be located. Staff reviewed the actual approved application plan and the proposed plan and noted the similarities and things that were not quite as similar. The approved plan seems to be ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION –JULY 31, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES – SUBMIT FOR APPROVAL 3 somewhat similar to a plan that staff has just seen and the Commission has just received from the applicant. Factors Favorable: • Bent Creek Parkway (Connector Road) will be extended to connect 5 th St. and Avon St. • Development of the property as a shopping center is consistent with the land use recommendations of the Comprehensive Plan. It is consistent with the approved plan as well. • Funding towards construction of greenway and provision of transit service as recommended in the Comprehensive Plan is provided. Although the level of commitment has changed. • Provides shopping and service alternatives for the residents in this po rtion of the County and City. • Will provide employment opportunities and tax revenues to the County. In many emails recently received there appears to be a lot of support for additional shopping opportunities in this portion of the county. Factors Unfavorable: • The proposed application plan does not provide sufficient detail regarding proposed buildings location and architecture to assure consistency with the form recommended in the Comprehensive Plan. It should be noted that the currently approved plan for the development of this property also does not meet all expectations of the Comprehensive Plan regarding form, although it does provide more specificity as to architecture, building locations and building scale in particular areas. (As noted before the plan that the applicant is now showing that staff has just received yesterday is showing a little more detail than they had to review.) • Commitments are substantially decreased from the prior rezoning with revised proffers for the Willoughby pedestrian bridge and trail and transit (either due to offers of cash instead of construction or a reduction in the total amount of funding offered for certain impacts). • (Staff noted in regards to the pedestrian connection to Willoughby they have received public comment both in favor and not in favor for this connection.) • The proffers are in need of technical revisions. (It is more detailed in the staff report.) • While a work plan with DEQ for the remediation of the former City landfill is proffered, there remain outstanding issues regarding the proffer commitment. (As detailed in the staff report. There are staff present that can speak in more detail to this if there are questions specifically regarding the landfill.) • Stormwater facilities are shown in the floodplain. (That is something not supported by staff.) • Special use permit for fill in the floodplain is still needed for stream crossings to assure the development can take place. • Development Framework needs technical revision. Staff Recommendation: ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION –JULY 31, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES – SUBMIT FOR APPROVAL 4 There remain several outstanding issues related to this rezoning, but staff can recommend approval if the following are addressed: • The outstanding technical issues with proffers are fixed. • Stormwater/BMP facilities that are shown in the floodplain on the applicatio n plan are removed from the floodplain. • Development Framework is revised to not include items that are already applicable per the Zoning Ordinance. • Landfill remediation commitment is made as recommended by Zoning staff. • Additional funding is committed to adequately cover the anticipated cost of the Willoughby pedestrian bridge and trail. (The applicant has proposed $25,000 Staff has gone out and done an estimate, which is about $100,000) • Staff finds the special use permit request for a parking structure consistent with the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance and the Comprehensive Plan and recommends approval of SP-2010-00003 with the following condition: The special use permit approval shall not expire but shall remain in effect so long as the approval of ZMA-2009-00001 remains in effect. • Staff recommends deferral of the critical slopes decision to be determined during the site plan process when specific details regarding the development will be available. (The applicant did apply for a critical slopes wa iver. It was related to one of their earlier versions of the plan. The plan staff has now is very different from the plan. Therefore, staff feels it is best for the applicant to submit this request when they have more detail.) Mr. Morris invited questions for staff. Mr. Loach asked to clarify some wording. On the report at the fourth page conformity to the Comprehensive Plan it says the Comp Plan designates the project area as community service mixed use. He asked is that still the designation for this property. Mr. Grant replied yes. Mr. Loach pointed out staff used the verbiage shopping center. He asked if that was a use versus a zoning type of plan. Ms. Grant replied yes. When she said shopping center she was referring to the zoning district. Mr. Benish noted that the Comp Plan designation is consistent as mentioned. The amendments that were approved earlier assumed that there would be a shopping center built here. The mix of uses that were identified as the possibilities in the Comp Plan were possibilities and not requirements of that mixed use. Mr. Loach said this goes on to say other uses such as industrial, light industrial, residential and public amenities could also be considered appropriate for that site. Mr. Benish noted that could is the operative word. It was not expected that they had to be there, but could be in terms of the recommendation in the Comp Plan. ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION –JULY 31, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES – SUBMIT FOR APPROVAL 5 Mr. Lafferty said in the presentation staff said that it d id not necessarily have the form in the Comp Plan. He asked what staff meant by form. Ms. Grant replied staff was referring to certain expectations described in the Comp Plan amendment that is specific to this particular location. There are certain things that sort of give a sense of an idea of the type of building, how those buildings should be laid out on the site, and buildings should be close to the street. Some of the elements she would consider to be similar to what they looked for in the Neighborhood Model. She did not know if she totally answered the question of form. Mr. Benish noted that it included relegation of parking to the streets and general pedestrian orientation of the development were the types of form issues that are identified in that amendment to the Comprehensive Plan approved earlier in the 2000’s. It should be noted that the prior plan that was approved also did not meet all of those provisions either. It met more of them in the plan that was approved, which was more predictable in the form, whereas this is more flexible in terms of this other form. So it is really a question of whether they are going to get all of those components or not. Mr. Lafferty assumed from the proposal that the applicant has a one anchor store at least and they are trying to fill in and looking for a little bit more flexibility. Ms. Grant pointed out that was correct. Mr. Lafferty said he did not have a problem with that. Mr. Randolph noted as a follow up to Mr. Loach’s question he noted that staff indicated in the report that the principles of the Neighborhood Model are not fully applicable to this development. However, that suggests that there are some principles that are applicable in this development. He certainly wants to have discussion this evening about interconnectivity from a standpoint of not only of pedestrian access north and south to this project but interconnectivity in terms of bicycle access here. He sees this as a significant model project within the southern end of the county. He wanted to see it be a showcase project. His goal will be in the discussions forthcoming is to try to make that as good a project as possible for the residents in the south both from a recreational standpoint as well as from a shopping standpoint. Another question relates to Monticello and to the issue as to whether this project can be consistent with assuring that there is a reduction of a visual impact from Mount Alto. He asked for a little bit of the history as to the reaction to the proposal that there be some sensitivity to Monticello on Mount Alto with this project in terms of architectural design and colors, roof design, etc. Ms. Grant replied that the background is that the Monticello Foundation requested of the applicant that they provide a proffer that provides the details that they normally like to see in proffers. They have done some in the past in the Pantops area for developments that are part of the Monticello viewshed. Monticello Foundation did make this request of the applicant. The applicant did not make any response to the request. There h as been some discussion between the Monticello Foundation and the applicant. The ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION –JULY 31, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES – SUBMIT FOR APPROVAL 6 reason they see it in the report is that staff was also copied on that request. Staff felt it was important to acknowledge that this request had been made. Mr. Lafferty asked for a point of clarification regarding the Monticello viewshed. Since the Foundation bought Carter’s Mountain does the viewshed extend all the way up Carter’s Mountain? He did not think they could see this property from Monticello itself. However, they probably can see it from the top of Carter’s Mountain. Mr. Cilimberg replied that historically in discussions of viewshed regarding the visibility it has been from Monticello the house. They have had some conversation with the Foundation very recently about incorporating into the Comprehensive Plan some viewshed language and possibly a map. Certainly the consideration of what is the appropriate viewshed can be made as part of the Comprehensive Plan work staff will be bringing forward to the Commission. It is not specified anywhere right now in terms of anything other than what is viewed from Monticello. The question whether Mount Alto is considered to be also a point from which the viewshed is determined is really one that they have not discussed other than the potential of that being incorporated into the Comprehensive Plan or not. It may be decided that is not appropriate. They will certainly talk about that during the Comprehensive Plan update. Mr. Lafferty asked as far as this discussion goes they can eliminate that from consideration. Mr. Cilimberg replied that is the Commission’s decision to make. Mr. Morris pointed out that is open for discussion and that is something the Commission has to decide when they go forward on this. There being no further questions for staff, Mr. Morris opened the public hearing and invited the applicant to address the Planning Commission. Valerie Long, representative for the applicant and the owners of the property, presented a PowerPoint presentation to explain the proposal and the present condition of the property. She said that tonight several representatives of both S.J. Collins and Riverbend Management, the co-developers on the project, are present. They also have several of their civil engineers present to address any questions. - The conceptual site plan is similar to the materials and exactly the same to the materials they provided earlier today. As Ms. Grant indicated the property was approved for a shopping center in 2008 consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. It is the Planned District-Shopping Center zoning. So the shopping center is permitted. The zoning district was found to be compatible with that Comprehensive Plan designation. They are proposing not to change the zoning district or change any of the uses or add to the amount of the square footage of the project, but merely to update the proffers to permit the project to be developable and to permit the anchor tenant that they have secured, which is the Waguman Grocery Store. The revisions to the application plan will permit that ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION –JULY 31, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES – SUBMIT FOR APPROVAL 7 flexibility. The existing application plan that was approved in 2008 does not provide that. - The layout does not work for the projects currently nor is it flexible enough to address the current market conditions they are working with. So this is a conceptual site plan. Many versions of this have been seen. It continues to evolve. However, this is how they hope that the project will develop. It will probably continue to evolve. However, Waguman is the majo r anchor tenant. She pointed out the application plan and the conceptual site plan with the application plan building envelopes overlaid so they can see the relation between the two. The application plan still provides the flexibility that they need as they continue to work with tenants and those tenant mixes evolve depending on who they are talking to. As their building needs, sizes and layouts evolve they would have the flexibility to work with all of them and hopefully achieve the best tenant mix for the project. - The next slide provided a close up to give a better understanding of how the building envelopes work and the relation of those buildings to the connector road. The proposed location of the pedestrian connection to the Willoughby Subdivision was highlighted. To address one of the suggestions in the staff report to increase the funding level she noted that they were happy to do that. They are proposing to modify the proffer so it would read when the significant right-of-way is obtained that the right-of-way would have to be obtained, but once it is obtained thus making the path actually buildable to one of the neighborhood streets within Willoughby that they would be willing to increase the proffer amount from $25,000 to $100,000. The way it is written right now the cash would just be provided to the county immediately before the first store opens. If the issue is having sufficient cost for the county to build the trail they are happy to increase the amount once the right-of-way is acquired. They are happy to work with staff on that issue. - She pointed out some of the pedestrian connections to be included between the two major north and south zones of the property to demonstrate and address the questions about pedestrian connectivity. One way they have improved the project is to add a sidewalk along the entire span of the connector road. The original 2008 rezoning does not include a sidewalk. It did include the trails, which were intended or envisioned to create the pedestrian connections on site. Staff has determined in their opinion that won’t provide sufficient pedestrian connections. Therefore, they have added a sidewalk to the plans. - They have heard from some of the Commissioners who are biking experts about the need to provide some bike lanes in some capacity. There are a couple of different slides to review. They are not exactly sure how this is going to eventually come together. They have two options for how they can provide it. The dimensions are approximate since they have to work out the road design and dimensions with VDOT. There are some engineering challenges involved given the proximity of the floodplain and so forth. One option is to increase the width of the sidewalk from 5’ to 10’ and treat it as a shared use path so that pedestrians and bikers could use that together. It will probably be made of asphalt. Then the shoulders on the road travel way would be less wide. An alternate option is to maintain the sidewalk at 5’ and widen the shoulders of the travel way of the road so that bikers could use the shoulder as a bike lane in ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION –JULY 31, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES – SUBMIT FOR APPROVAL 8 essence. That is one option and they are not sure how that will come together. However, they wanted to demonstrate their commitment to continuing to work on that issue and demonstrate they know they can achieve that objective. The sidewalk and bike path would extend all the way from Avon to 5th Street. - She addressed the five issues that were included in the staff report as the conditions. o Two of them are very easy since it is technical revisions to the proffers and the development framework. Those were for the most part mostly technical and they were fine with essentially all of them. They did address the sidewalk or pedestrian path to Willoughby. They will increase that amount to $100,000 once the right-of-way is obtained. o One of the issues had to do with the proposed storm water management facility being located in the floodplain. There are a number of elements of the property that are located in what is currently floodplain. That kn own, as staff indicated, they have to work with the county and obtain a special use permit for fill in the floodplain. Then they have to go work with FEMA to amend the floodplain limit maps. So there are portions of the connector road, for instance, that lie in what is currently floodplain. Once they work with FEMA the maps of the floodplain limits will actually be modified and updated so that neither the road nor any portions of the project or the storm water management facilities will. At the end of the day they will not be in the floodplain. They are hopeful that the Commission can agree that is a reasonable solution to that issue. o The last issue was the landfill work plan. Unfortunately, they are just going to disagree with the staff on that issue. They continue to feel pretty strongly that they are most comfortable having DEQ be the sole decision maker on that issue since they are the state agency with sole jurisdiction and really the expertise to determine how the landfill should be remediated. They are not proposing any substantive changes to the proffers regarding the work plan. They have suggested and been working with DEQ for many months to update it so they can improve it a little bit. But it was the staff that came to us and asked us to kind of change how that work plan is approved. They feel strongly that they would like for that to continue to be DEQ’s sole role. o Regarding the Monticello view shed guidelines; they have actually been having conversations with the Monticello representat ives. They have a representative present tonight. They have pledged to continue to work with the Foundation on addressing their view shed guidelines. They did not think it was in the Monticello view shed at first. However, they found out that maybe it will one day. Depending on the vegetation and what it looks they are happy to do that. Once of the challenges they ran in initially was the proffers provide that they will use highly reflective roofs. That is an improvement to the project, which is esse ntially a white roof. It is the same roof that was installed at the Whole Foods in the city and actually enables you to obtain points on the LEED certification checklist. Of course, a white roof is not as consistent with the view shed guidelines for Monticello, which specifically say no white roof. Through the good works of the engineers and architects on the project they have been able to ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION –JULY 31, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES – SUBMIT FOR APPROVAL 9 identify a product that is essentially has the same environmental characteristics in terms of reflectivity as a white roof, but it is actually an earthtone color – a tan or something like that. They are going to work with Monticello and try to get the actual material samples to them for review. They are happy to work with them on the side and make sure their concerns are addressed. She would be happy to answer questions. Mr. Morris invited questions for the applicant. Mr. Loach noted that he wanted to make sure that the regional anchors and the mini - major tenants are essentially going to be commercial retail structures. Ms. Long replied that primarily that is what they envision at this time. However, they do have the flexibility through the zoning designation, which again is Planned District Shopping Center. There are other non-retail uses that are permitted in a PD-SC zoning district. One use, for instance, that they are interested in attracting if there is a market for it, is a hotel. It depends on whether they consider that a retail use. She would say that it is not. However, that is allowed by right in the PD -SC zoning district. There are a handful of other similar uses. Mr. Loach asked if they have any contemplation of any of the other designations in the community service such as industrial, light industrial or residential. Ms. Long replied that she would have to check the zoning ordinance, but was not sure if any of those uses are permitted in the Planned District – Shopping Center District. Ms. Monteith noted that previous it was 25 percent green roof and now they were talking about another material. W ill it be a mixture of another material and green roofs? What is the combination? Ms. Long replied actually it would be in lieu of the proffer to have 25 percent of the roofs be green or vegetative roofs. They have replaced that with a proffer that says 100 percent of the roofs within the project will be highly reflective roofs meaning a certain reflectivity standard. It is essentially the same standard as the roof material that they intend to use. Ms. Monteith pointed out that the LEED goal is not just about the reflectivity. It is also about storm water management. So it does not do the same thing. Ms. Long said certainly and they acknowledge that. So there are other measures that will have to be considered during the design in order to satisfy the proffer, which says they will design the building to meet LEED certification and build the building to LEED standards. So they know they are going to have to make up for it in other ways. Most likely it will be through rain fall harvesting measures or other storm water management facilities. It addresses certain things just as she noted. Mr. Dotson asked that she explain proffer 12 on transit funding. ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION –JULY 31, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES – SUBMIT FOR APPROVAL 10 Ms. Long replied the proffers as approved in 2008 were very unusual. She has worked on rezoning on a number of large projects in the county over the last 15 years. T hat one had a proffer for transit that is unlike any other that was ever approved. It requires that 20 cents per square foot of rentable square feet within the property be proffered to the county in cash every year in perpetuity and that it would be subject to essentially a CPI increase. That equates to just about $100,000 per year in perpetuity. That is what makes the project as currently approved undeveloped. There was a discussion about it at the Board level. The thought was that charge could be passed on to the tenants in the form of a common area maintenance expense. The tenants would not notice it and would not object to it. It was not really a true cost to the developer be cause it could be passed on. The reality is that is just not the case. Tenants are very focused on their expenses these days far more than ever and those costs just could not be borne by the project year in and year out. She looked at other large projects that had proffered cash for transit and tried to get a feel in how they all handled it. None of the others had a provision like that. Most projects had either a cash proffer at the beginning of the project or a certain amount of cash that was proffered over a term of years. North Point proffered $25,000 a year over ten years. Stone Field/Albemarle Place proffered around $100,000. Hollymead Town Center proffered $150,000. They looked at the differences in the size and scale of the projects and tried to come up with a number that they felt was equivalent for this square footage in this project. Instead of the $100,000 a year over a term in perpetuity they are proposing to contribute $100,000 cash up front so that it would be given or dedicated to the county before the first store can be opened. That is how they got there. The staff report stated that they agree that the amount was appropriate for this size project or it was consistent with similar projects. Mr. Dotson asked staff if that was the case. Ms. Grant replied that it is consistent with other similar projects. She looked specifically at Stonefield. Ms. Long added that it was a matter of just trying to keep the project on an even playing field, too, with other projects of a similar scale in terms of proffer expenses and contributions. Mr. Morris invited public comment. Doug Arrington, of 1836 Fiddlerstick Lanes, noted once again he was concerned with infrastructure. When this project was originally approved Biscuit Run was a going concern. Since then that is devoid and the Southwood Connector is not a concern. The Southern Parkway has been withdrawn from the 20 -year plan. Also, in the proffers for Biscuit Run there was going to be a turn lane from 5 th Street North to 64 east added and the double up of 64 East to 5th Street. There was going to be a turn lane added at 5th Street South to 64 West. The on ramp from 64 West to 5th Street was going to be doubled. He has a serious concern with traffic flow on the 5 th Street Bridge. The bridge is going to have to be widened. The solution as expressed by a staff member was a double turn lane left from 5th Street South to 64 east. There is not enough room for a double ramp to merge and then to merge onto 64 before coming to the Biscuit Run Bridge over 64. There are access problems that he sees there. He wondered about the ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION –JULY 31, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES – SUBMIT FOR APPROVAL 11 width of Bent Creek Parkway as to possible future expansion. Should it be considered possible in the future to expand it to four lanes? It is going to be by default to t he cross over. He questioned the road design proposed and where the traffic is going to go when it gets to the 5th Street Bridge. Nancy Carpenter, resident of Albemarle County, noted what brought her here tonight was the inclusion in the staff summary of several proffers that the developers want to amend regarding trails and public transit. Even though the staff may find some of these amendments acceptable she does not as a resident of that area. She did not know if any of the developers and lawyers att ended any of the meetings with the Neighborhood 4 and 5 groups when they started talking about the Planning Office updating the plan in that area. But, she did. The message was loud and clear from all of the residents of the two meetings that there was a strong desire for bike/pedestrian infrastructure. It was a consistent request that people were looking ahead and trying to figure out ways of moving people because there are a lot of bikers in that area. Moving people from the southern development area up through a retail area, Willoughby, 5th Street and on into Downtown and West Main Street is important. What she sees now is a desire to use green backs, cash, in lieu of actual construction to subrogate what the residents in that area said they wanted to see as part of the vision for this area. It is one of the big areas left in the County left with the ability to do the development right. Don’t make the past mistakes of Hollymead or Route 29 area in this area. They should start with some right tools. The greenways, trails and public transit will make our environment more sustainable with less carbon emissions from cars. It also revitalizes neighborhoods because bike trails, bike paths and pedestrian walkways increase home value. It also increases neighborhood interaction and decreases social isolation in this area. The Commission has stewardship over this issue and she asks that they acknowledge what the residents in this area want and not let this center be built without that infrastructure along with it. Morgan Butler, with the Southern Environmental Law Center, noted that they were very active in the review of this proposal when it came before the county a few years ago. Because this would bring new regional scale commercial uses to a new part of the county they recognized then and recognize now how critical it is that this project improves significantly upon the car oriented sprawling shopping centers that line much of Route 29 in which it contributed disproportionally to traffic and pollution problems along that corridor. It is not just SELC that recognizes the importance of creating a better form of development at this site. The Comprehensive Plan does, too. Specifically it calls for a compact pedestrian oriented an environmentally sensitive development that will serve as a vibrant town center for the southern urban area. The application plan and proffers that were ultimately approved in 2008 contain a number of important commitments to that effect. They are disappointed the applicant is now asking to reduce substantially several of those commitments. He would like to highlight a few of the items that they think are essential to creating the type of development at this location that the Comprehensive Plan envisions. - First, transit to help ensure this development would serve more than just cars. The existing proffers provide for a substantial annual contribution to help fund transit service to the site as Ms. Long just explained. The amended proffer however would simply offer a one -time $100,000 contribution in an amount that ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION –JULY 31, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES – SUBMIT FOR APPROVAL 12 would do little to provide ongoing service. While this may be the same amount of Stonefield’s transit proffer, that seems like an apples to oranges comparison. It will cost more to bring effective transit service to this site than to Stonefield because no service currently extends this far south on Avon Street. There is no evening service that extends this far south onto Fifth Street. A stronger funding commitment to transit is needed. - Like transit, pedestrian orientation is also critical at this site. A shopping center dominated by massive big boxes is a far cry from a town center. The Comprehensive Plan states that the footprint for any single big box store on this site should not exceed 150,000 square feet. It also states that the aggregate square footage of all big box stores on this site should not exceed 300,000 square feet. But the language of the applicant’s new application plan would allow both of those caps to be exceeded. The application plan and proffers should be amended to either incorporate these caps or to clearly demonstrate compliance with the factors that are set forth in the Comprehensive Plan that if met allow those caps to be exceeded. - Similarly they share staff’s concern with the lack of detail regarding the location of buildings and parking lots. This makes it impossible to ensure that this development will achieve the form the Comprehensive Plan envisions. Surely some additional detail could be provided while still providing some of the flexibility the applicant desires. The conceptual site plan the applicant offered today or yesterday does not become part of the enforceable application plan that would apply to this site. - Finally, they support staff’s recommendation regarding additional commitments needed towards landfill remediation. In closing as they deliberate the proposed changes tonight please keep in mind that the form this development takes will have an impact far beyond the boundaries of this particular property. Thank you for the chance to provide input. Natasha Sienitsky, with the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, pointed out they own and operate Monticello and 2,600 of Jefferson’s original 5,000 acres. As a preservation organization they ask that the Commission and Board carefully consider the impact of this development on 3 Entrance Corridors and the views form Monticello’s property. The Foundation has recently updated its analysis of the views from Monticello, which indicates that this property is visible from points of importance on original Jefferson lands. She wanted to address specifically the question of whether it is in view from Monticello, the house. As a Foundation increases its effort s to preserve the house and plantation they are increasingly focused on the landscape. They know that the landscape as it appears at Monticello today is not as Jefferson once saw it. Specifically much of what is forested now would have been in cultivation which really opens up the views to the east and west. She submits that it is for their consideration because as they stand at Monticello now this property is not visible. However, as the Foundation continues its preservation and restoration efforts of the landscape it may be visible in the future. They are delighted that the applicant has expressed a willingness to work with Monticello to use earth tone colors on the roof. They think the most appropriate expression of this commitment would be in the form of a proffer. They are very open and willing to negotiate with the app licant. They have a working relationship with them. They hope to continue those conversations as they approach the Board . ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION –JULY 31, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES – SUBMIT FOR APPROVAL 13 Julienne Mineshell, resident of Willoughby, said she was very active in her neighborhood. It has roughly 230 units. In regards to this development they have not been asked to have a pedestrian right-of-way. They own common area and felt that would be required. That would be something they would need to ask first before deciding about how much money to ask the developer to put fort h. Very likely the Willoughby residents will not want it. They have had local police come and talk to them about safety and how that would impact our neighborhood. They are a dead end subdivision. They get people that come in off of their private trail along Moore’s Creek. They are easily coming and going on that trail. The police say this likely would only encourage more easy access for the car thefts and things like that which they have had happen in their neighborhood. First it would be nice if they were asked. Then it would be a moot point for the Commission to come up with a dollar amount. She was concerned about the landfill and hoped they would allow Albemarle County to work with DEQ only because they are here local. They are able to physically be present more easily than DEQ. It would be really nice to include them in part of the monitoring of the landfill. She hoped they have seen the erosion that her daughter video from the landfill into Moore’s Creek in the devastation with all the developments. She would be happy to provide copies of the video by email. There being no further public comment, Mr. Morris closed the public hearing to bring the matter before the Planning Commission for discussion. He invited the applicant to have the five minute rebuttal. Ms. Long asked to clarify one point. One of the speakers mentioned that the Bent Creek Parkway should be a four lane road or at least have sufficient right -of-way. That is actually covered in the proffers. So it would be a two -lane road initially but it would have sufficient right-of-way to be expanded to four lanes in the future if it is ever deemed to be necessary. Mr. Randolph asked given what she had heard from Ms. Sienitsky would she be open to actually offering a formal proffer that formalizes her commitment to ensuring that visibility is minimal from Monticello held properties. Ms. Long replied they were not opposed to it in theory. The challenge is the implementation of actual proffer language. She has struggled with this on other projects. To have the level of specificity and precision that is necessary for the county to enforce proffers and know when proffers are actually satisfied or not requires such a level of detail that it is far more than any of us are ready to com mit to in terms of exactly what they are willing and able to do. They have not designed all of those things yet. But they are definitely willing to commit to continuing to work with the Foundation and use the earth tone roof materials and work with them on the materials that they provide to them and so forth. They would prefer to have it be a side agreement with the Foundation so they could work directly with them and not have the county be part of that. When that came up before the language has gotten very detailed and they have never been able to get what worked. She feels very confident that they can work with the Foundation because they don’t need that same level of definitiveness because they are not enforcing a proffer like the county is. ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION –JULY 31, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES – SUBMIT FOR APPROVAL 14 Mr. Randolph said it was his understanding that was why they hired lawyers because of their ability to work with details. Ms. Long agreed, but noted again it is a difference of perspective. In order for the county to be comfortable the level of proffers are very detailed. The county attorney’s proffers are incredibly precise details and are sort of the final round of comments to the proffers. That is the level of detail they have to proffer. She app reciates and understands why it has to be done that way. That way they can know on the front end can they agree to this and comply with it. With the view shed guidelines they are not quite there yet. They are confident they can work very well with the Monticello Foundation and work those out. However, they are happy to discuss with them between now and the Board hearing as well. Mr. Randolph suggested she contact Jim Haden at Martha Jefferson Hospital because they did not seem to encounter any difficulty and that was a rather small development project with a minimal visual impact in the county. They seemed to be able to work it out. Ms. Long pointed out that was the exact approach in that they entered into a side agreement to work together to work out the issues about the view shed guideline that were important and relevant for that project. All the county had to do was check in with the Monticello Foundation and confirm that was addressed. That is one of the approaches they have been discussing with them. Mr. Lafferty said he had a problem with expanding the view shed without a separate discussion. If they had done that in the past and they already owned Carter Mountain the Piedmont Community College would not have been built. There would have been a lot of things that would not have been built. It is good that they are working with the Foundation to minimize the visual impact is good. However, he did not think they should make it a requirement because it is still an issue that is up in the air. On a different topic he was against mixing pedestrians and bicycles even on a 10’ walkway. They just don’t mix. A bicycle can be doing 20, 25 or 30 miles per hour and the pedestrians are doing 4 miles per hour. On the roadway if they wanted to put bike trails in the standard is a 5’ bike lane. If they can get it off the road that would certainly be better. As far as the connectivity to the neighborhoods they have tried to emphasize that in connecting neighborhoods. It would be appropriate if they could work it out to connect to Willoughby. However, he understands if they don’t own the land they can’t do that. Ms. Long acknowledged that they can’t build the connection to the Willoughby neighborhood through anybody’s land whether it is privately owned by individuals or by the Homeowner’s Association certainly without their consent and agreement. That is why the proffer is structured the way it is. It has always been structured to be essentially conditioned on being able to obtain that right-of-way way or easements as necessary. That is why originally when they started amending the proffers they knew there was disagreement in the neighborhood about whether the connection was positive or not. Some feel very strongly it is a good thing. However, some feel very strongly that ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION –JULY 31, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES – SUBMIT FOR APPROVAL 15 it may not be a good thing. So th ey thought the best thing was to get out of it and give the county some cash on the front end to start those discussions or start the design. Based on some feedback received from some of the neighbors they thought maybe even a better solution is it would still be conditioned on somebody getting the right -of- way and if it is obtained they will at least contribute the full amount of money that the staff has estimated it would cost. Hopefully, they can obviously provide the money if it works out. If the Homeowner’s Association decides that they don’t want it as a community certainly they would not force it on them. Ms. Monteith agreed with the comment about mixing bikes and pedestrians. Also, in the bike version where they put the bike lanes on the road they also have two directions of bikes. When they put them all on one path and they only allow for one direction they will have a situation where they have two bikes and pedestrians and that can’t happen within ten feet. Mr. Morris noted that he could never recall the question about expanding the view shed be brought up or even considering that as part of the Monticello view shed. He thought this was expansion without reason from his point of view. Mr. Franco said he was not sure it was expansion without reason. He thinks there is a reason, but was not sure that was strong enough to be a proffer. The applicant’s willingness to work with Monticello is enough to satisfy that concern. If they are going to cut down trees at Monticello to replace open fields, that is going to make things more visible. He starts to think then don’t cut down the trees and it won’t be more visible. Mr. Morris agreed as long as the applicant was willing to work with the Foundation fine, but there is nothing that says the view from Mount Alto is sacred. Ms. Monteith requested to ask staff a question. She was trying to understand the concerns around the landfill. She can’t really tell in regard to timing or if they are in regard to process or what the concerns are. Ms. Amelia McCulley asked Glenn Brooks to tag team with her because he has much more technical expertise in this area. She explained the issue: - She wanted to make sure the Commission has one of the attachments that is not in the paper copy but goes into the full comment that describes why they are suggesting this. That would be attachment D page 4 and going over into page 5 where it actually has the performance standards being suggested. - Based on their discussions with DEQ this is not a regulated landfill under their solid waste authority. It is subject to o pen dump criteria. Those are some basic criteria. They have to prevent wash out of waste to the stream and so forth. I t is not subject to regulation as a landfill. It has very little to no cover over some existing solid waste in places. If it were subject to the full blown regulations they would have a liner or a cap monitoring well cells and so forth. They don’t and won’t. What staff suggested initially was that the county engineer be inserted into the review of the work plan. That is primarily because our standards are higher than the more minimal standards that DEQ expects that they can impose for the work plan. When that did not work they stopped and thought what ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION –JULY 31, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES – SUBMIT FOR APPROVAL 16 another way to achieve this is and came up with these performance standards that are in the report. Glenn Brooks is going to explain what is relevant in those standards and how it really is a universally applied standard. Glenn Brooks, County Engineer, said basically they took these out of the general provisions of the zoning ordinance, section 5.1.28, not all of which are applicable. But, they are just asking for a basic cover like they would apply to any other material or waste at a particular site. If they dumped a load of concrete or a sphalt in a certain area one of our erosion control and stability requirements is just to put a layer of clean fill over it before you leave it or plant it. That is the same thing they are asking here. It was a surprise when they met with DEQ about what remediation measures were being discussed. When they had first gone through this application many years ago they had talked about different remediation that would happen in any areas that were near for instance near the trails, roads, storm water facilities or anything the public could get to. What they learned is that they were not going to do any of those things. Those were up to the county. What they would get is people walking through the site and picking up any trash on the surface. If areas of the landfill were too exposed and considered dangerous they would fence it off with a chain link fence. That is just not what they were expecting. So they tried to negotiate something, but the applicant was unwilling to let the county get involved with that. DEQ was unwilling to make any more stringent requirements. They were asking the county to do it. They were saying that they could not take a regulatory stance with this. They actually have some grant money they are trying to push to the project. They don’t want to cite them with a violation because that would make them ineligible for the grant money. It is complicated on their end. However, they are having a very light approach. All they are asking for is the same standard they would apply to any other waste area in the county. Mr. Morris invited questions. Mr. Lafferty said when they granted the Charlottesville Police Department access to the Keene Landfill did they require the same thing. Mr. Brooks replied that Mr. Kamptner could go into that in to more detail. He has been involved with that. So there are some conditions that they are still working out with the Keene Landfill about how they install a road on the property. They have to fill on top of it rather than penetrate the surface and e xpose any landfill that is there now. It opens you up to a liability if they expose any parts of it or if they puncture the surface and create any sort of leech problem or changes in the ground water. He would say they are doing it very carefully and trying to do it all on the surface. Mr. Lafferty noted Keene was an open cell landfill. Mr. Brooks replied it was the same. Mr. Lafferty asked if there were any kind of conditions they could put on this project. For example, put a layer of field on top. Mr. Brooks noted those were staff’s suggested conditions. ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION –JULY 31, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES – SUBMIT FOR APPROVAL 17 Mr. Lafferty said that it should not be so open-ended. Going over a landfill seems like going over a cash pit and they could just toss enough money into it. Mr. Brooks said that he did not know what he meant by open ended because it was a limited site. There is a difficult situation along Moore’s Creek. But, when they talk about road improvements, the storm water improvements, the crossings and then the trails – all these improvements that are going to be in the buffer area and then the county is going to have ordinance requirements for mitigation and what can they do to mitigate the disturbances to the buffer. They are going to be talking about all kinds of fringe improvements and plantings. It just seems sort of silly that on the same stream on the same property they have this glaring problem of landfill waste in the stream bank and they are saying that is okay they are going to do their mitigation elsewhere. It just seems so silly. Mr. Franco asked if they are able to do the mitigation by improvements to that area versus plantings and some of the other things he just talked bout. Mr. Brooks replied that they certainly can talk about them since nothing has been proffered. They should take down the pretty picture because none of that has been proffered and put up the picture that they are actually proposing. So they don’t know what the mitigation might be. They don’t know what the impacts are. Most of the things on the plan that have been proffered say potential areas or possible areas. None of it is concrete it is all still moving. Mr. Smith asked if he has investigated enough with the topography and the proximity to the stream. Can they do what he is thinking about doing physical ly? Mr. Brooks said they have talked about a filtrexx product which is a stabilization product that can be put on the stream bank. A lot of things are possible but expensive. It is a big trade off. There being no further questions, Mr. Morris invited discussion. Ms. Monteith said in regard to the landfill what they heard from staff there seems to be a difference between having DEQ being the final approving agent in this case and having the county actively involved in the process. She thought that ought to be addressed in some way. Mr. Kamptner noted the county and DEQ approach this particular issue from different perspectives. He noted the following:  DEQ is a regulatory agency. This case because it is an open dump is a little bit beyond their direct regulation. County staff is looking at this from the zoning standpoint in addressing impacts and looking at considering the factors that the county is obligated to consider when they are evaluating a request to rezone property. One of the factors is the suitability of the property for particular purposes. Here they have a PD-SC development pretty intense in use and they ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION –JULY 31, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES – SUBMIT FOR APPROVAL 18 have this existing landfill with some materials that are exposed that is also part of the property. That is the direction from whi ch staff is coming. They are trying to address the impacts and trying to assure that this particular consideration is addressed in the process.  They also received some documents around 5:00 p.m. today that may or may not be responding or addressing the issue. It may be that whoever is out of county staff that has been able to review those documents the most if they can share. However, that may help move this discussion along. Mr. Brooks said DEQ sent staff the document at 5:00 p.m. today. It makes some amendments to the work plan that they had previously. There are five or six surveyed areas where they have gone out and identified that trash is exposed or there are areas to be corrected on a slope or something like that. They have offered some solutions to that and the filtrexx product is mentioned and some other things. As far as he knows DEQ has not reviewed it and there are not hard commitments at this point. The applicant can probably speak to that also. They have an incomplete document that refers to a lot of appendixes that they did not get. It had plans and locations and things like that. It is unfortunate because this plan has been in since 2009 and they have been asking for things like this such as the bike paths, the road conditions and the landfill areas. They have been frustrated with not receiving that. They have probably been still working on a lot of it. Obviously, it was just given at 5:00 p.m. today. They just d on’t have a lot of those answers. Mr. Lafferty asked if there have been core samples of the landfill so they know how deep it is and stuff like that. Mr. Brooks said he thought the applicant should speak to those specifics. The report does indicate that there have been surveys and soil borings to see the extent of it. Th ey would know more. Mr. Lafferty said if they do nothing right now the erosion and the exposure to the landfill will continue. Mr. Brooks said they will have to qualify that. It is not a runaway erosion problem. It is like Mr. Kamptner said, there is some exposed waste. A stream is a living thing. It moves around and could have major flood events. It could move it further. It has been sitting there for 30 or 40 years. There is some debris in the stream as the Willoughby residents will tell them it does not look very nice. It has grown up a lot since the 80’s and 70’s when it was more exposed. They could say it is being stabilized further by vegetation, but when a hurricane knocks the vegetation down it could be exposed again. It is a continually evolving area. Mr. Morris said that seems, however, that this is the most problematic area on this entire plan. He can see it on both points. As was said it could be an absolute cash pit. Of course, they have the road going across it. He asked if the a pplicant wants to address with their engineers on this. ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION –JULY 31, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES – SUBMIT FOR APPROVAL 19 Ms. Long noted she was not an expert on the landfill issue, but offered the following information. - She explained they have hired consultants who have been working on this issue for many years. Mr. Brooks is correct that they have been working on this for many years. They had a work plan that was submitted to DEQ in 2007. They have been reviewing it and they asked them to do additional samples of some of the water they found coming out of the base of it to test it. It was tested and found to not be a threat to human health and the environment. So it was in somewhat of a holding pattern because the landfill work plan obviously requires funding to be implemented. It is an extremely expensive remedi ation plan even as it is proposed now. The project will provide the revenue to help implement the remediation plan. Once they obtained the Waugman’s commitment to the project they had the ability to confidently move forward with the implementation of the plan. They are working very hard to be able to do that. It is so dense the consultants literally can’t get in there right now because the paths and roadways are obscured by the vegetation. This winter as soon as all of the dense vegetation dies back they will work on it. - They did ask DEQ to let them amend the plan to improve it to add this filtrexx product that Mr. Brooks mentioned. They think it is a better solution to addressing and providing a natural cover material in a couple of places where the exposure is very severe and it is along a very steep area of the creek bed where really other options don’t address the problem very effectively either from a health and human safety standard or from an aesthetic standard. The filtrexx they call it compost socks. It is essentially applying some compose in a long mess bag and they apply it and stack it up against the side of the creek and hydro spray it. Eventually it turns into a living wall. It has a triple benefit of stabilizing the slope further, covering up the exposed waste, and looking very natural once it grows in. That is an incredibly expensive measure. So they are asking DEQ to let us use that in the areas where the exposure is the most significant. - There are other areas where it simply does not warrant such an expensive measure where DEQ has said don’t pull the waste material out where it is exposed because they will just destabilize the area. But, they don’t want people to be able to climb on it and get hurt either. So put a fence there. The staff had concerns about a f ence being located in the floodplain. They have confirmed they can implement the fencing requirement that DEQ suggested in areas that are beyond the floodplain limits. So those are the kinds of examples of where they are. DEQ as far as they know has been comfortable with our suggestions. They have just recently submitted the revised work plan to them because they have continued to work on it as they said they would. They n eed to get them to review it so they can hopefully approve it in time so that they can actually start the implementation of that work plan in the early winter. - The proffers as they are written now require that the plan be completed before the first CO is issued or the first store is opened. So they are committed to doing that. There is a lot of site work to be done and this is an important part of it. But they need to have the plan be economically viable in order for it to be put in place. One correction, Mr. Brooks mentioned that there was grant money – but there is not actually grant funding for this but there is a low interest loan program that DEQ is working with them on. It is not a grant. ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION –JULY 31, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES – SUBMIT FOR APPROVAL 20 Mr. Morris invited questions. Mr. Lafferty said one of the problems seems to be the applicant’s willingness to work with the county on this. County staff has the county interest at heart. W hat are the problems with working with the county instead of only the DEQ? Ms. Long replied that it really was just the matter of the DEQ staff are the ones who have the experts in hydrology, landfill design and engineering, environmental investigation and remediation, and geology. It may be that some of the county staff has that same expertise, but they know that DEQ has that expertise. Mr. Lafferty said they are going to have to work with the DEQ regardless. What are the problems in working with the county? Ms. Long replied that the challenges of having the county’s standards be added to the DEQ standards are essentially it could create a conflict situation just as they have described in the two examples she mentioned. It is where DEQ is saying we want you to do this and do not pull those exposed materials out of that steep slope because it will destabilize it. They suggested fencing it off and let the natural vegetatio n grow back and obscure it. The county memo says well they think that all of those areas of exposed waste should be pulled out and removed. Our consultants say that would be the worst thing to do. So they can’t be in a situation where they have conflic ting directions with guidelines saying do one thing and DEQ regulations or an approved work plan that says do something else. They have been working in good faith with DEQ for many years on this and as far as they know her understanding is that they have been agreeable to the solutions they have proposed. The only real change is the addition of the filtrexx material, which everyone agrees is a positive. That is the main concern. Their memo made reference to our community’s s tandards for how the landfill should be fixed. They feel that is a regulatory issue that the state DEQ experts should have the say in and the concept of community standards and expectations about how a landfill should be remediated gets to his point about it that the cost would be unending. That is our concern. Mr. Lafferty said as she had mentioned this project is pretty old. It has been going on for a number of years. It seems that they could have some kind of agreement between the county, yourself and the DEQ as to what would go o n. He trusts the county staff more than he does the DEQ to help keep my environment when I live here clean. Their concerns are my concerns, too. He thinks from what has been said tonight the DEQ and the county are looking at it from totally a different perspective. He understands the open ended nature of it and would hope there could be some way they could work with the county on this. Ms. Long asked to clarify or correct her prior statement. It is not that they don’t want to work with the county obviously. They appreciate and respect the county’s concerns and the county’s desire to look out for its interest and those of the community and general public. They have concerns with how they get there. Even the proposed performance standards they were optimistic when she understood the goal of the performance ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION –JULY 31, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES – SUBMIT FOR APPROVAL 21 standards was to instead of having the county have to approve the work plan here is some standards that they would like them to agree to. She thought at first that was a good approach and sent them to their consultants and colleagues who are environmental experts and asked for their input. One of the suggestions in the performance standards was that at every area have a minimum of 2’ of fill. What the consultants are saying is that they would have to spend probably about a million dollar surveying the entire area to establish kind of a grid system and measure what is the fill level in each quadrant of the grid to know whether it needs more fill or not and then go back and add it where it is needed. Then how does that get enforced and how do they always endure that it always 2’ of fill that is always in place. Those of the kind of things that at first she thought it seemed logical and asked if this is okay. They pointed out the challenges of how that would be implemented. So those are the types of things that are not a desired. They want to cover up the waste, too, again especially in the areas where it is very steep and that is the best solution. But in other areas where even DEQ has said that does not make sense or do it a different way - they want to have the ability to follow DEQ’s direction and not have to be subject to undefined community expectations and what someone might think is appropriate when they are not experts. Mr. Lafferty said he thought the project has been going on long enough that these should not be undefined. He thinks the county has shown a willingness to be flexible in this whole project. They are willing to accept a form that is really not defined. So he thinks the county has been trying to work with you. Ms. Long said they would be happy to continue to try in perhaps d efine the standards differently. It is kind of the same issue she talked about a little earlier with the proffers. It is often challenging to get proffer language standards precise enough that everybody can know whether they have been satisfied or not, but yet provide flexibility to be able to know you can implement them. They can’t agree to a standard until they know with certainty that they can comply with it. So they know they can comply with what they have proposed at DEQ and what they have already approved. Really they have already approved it. The only new change was to ask their permission to add the filtrexx in a few locations. That is why they are a little perplexed because the plan was approved and the project was approved already with the same standard or the same language in place in essence that said DEQ has to approve the work plan. They are not asking to change that. This is just all of a sudden came up in the last three or four months or not even that long that the county wanted to have a say in how the work plan was prepared or how it was approved. They have not had a whole lot of time to react to it because they have just been working with DEQ all these years. Mr. Franco said he had a question of staff at this point. He asked staff if they h ave seen the DEQ plan and where are the differences at this point. Both sides are making logical arguments. He was a little torn trying to understand it. Mr. Brooks said he received it at 5:00 p.m. today. It is not even the complete plan. They met with DEQ. Ms. McCulley has done a great job communicating with them. They did not have the same plans that the county staff had when they m et. This was a couple of months ago. They have not seen that plan. He could promise that they would not be in conflict with DEQ. They could make that a condition. The proffer can be written as long ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION –JULY 31, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES – SUBMIT FOR APPROVAL 22 as the county is not in conflict with DEQ. They have written up their concerns in a list, which says they want cover and that is all. Mr. Franco said he was just trying to figure out what their concerns are that DEQ is not going to cover. Mr. Brooks noted that DEQ is not going to cover the landfill. T hey are going to put up chain link fences around areas. Mr. Kamptner pointed out that was part of the concern. Up until late this afternoon our understanding from DEQ was that they were going to require the chain link fence at the top of the stream bank. Mr. Brooks noted it was still in the plan and it was still there. Mr. Kamptner said but that was the extent of it and the concern that staff had. Mr. Franco said he was trying to understand it. If they were not going to be in conflict with DEQ, but if they say that is a better solution but is not what staff wants , then aren’t they in conflict. Mr. Brooks said that they are not offering solutions. It is a voluntary thing right now with them. It is not a landfill site, it is a dump site. They are not cited with any sort of violations. They are working with the applicant to do what they can. Is fencing something off improving it? He did not know. How long is a fence going to last? Mr. Kamptner noted that the applicant is committing to do what the work plan requires. So it is getting that work plan to be acceptable. Mr. Brooks said that he did not know. Does the county know that? Can the work plan change at any time. It is not up to us. Mr. Lafferty noted the project seems like it has a lot of pluses for the county. He can’t quite understand why they are hung up on this point except the economics of it. He can understand the developer’s perspective there. He can’t imagine they would want to have one of their exits from their project going over a bunch of tin cans laying around and rotting garbage. But, they always have to consider the worse case sitting up here. If they don’t require something then they may in fact get the worse case and they will say well that is all you required of us. Mr. Franco said that he was not sure, again if that is the worst case. Some of this is the aesthetics. Driving past the tin can that he just described and walking the green way trail as staff described earlier and not wanting to see this - that is an aesthetic issue. If DEQ is saying that is the safest way to deal with it versus pulling this stuff out and opening up even more of the landfill he was torn as to whether that is the better solution or not. ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION –JULY 31, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES – SUBMIT FOR APPROVAL 23 Ms. Monteith said she can’t agree that when one has a riparian adjacency that is just aesthetics. Mr. Brooks clarified that nobody has said tear anything out. All they have said is cover. They have never said remove. He heard that mentioned a couple of times. Mr. Smith asked steep is the slope. How steep is the slope normally from the bottom of the creek bank to the top of the dump. Mr. Brooks replied it was 30 to 40 feet. Mr. Smith said if they put dirt on it how are they going to get the dirt on it and have it compacted on a slope which is probably a 1 to 1 slope. Mr. Brooks replied that would be the area they are talking about using a different product on the slope or the face itself. It could be a number of things. Mr. Smith said he knew that they could not put dirt on a slope like that and have it stay there without it going into the creek. Mr. Brooks agreed and that it was in the creek now. Mr. Smith said that it is not just tin cans but everything from refrigerators to washing machines. Mr. Brooks said that is right. It is not just an aesthetic issue to staff. It is public safety and welfare. If they have to fence it off it is a danger to people. The other is the environmental concern. There have been some studies of the leeches coming out. DEQ said that it was only tested for organics and nothing else. So there was not a broad spectrum of tests and they don’t know what is in there. Mr. Loach noted that tonight sounds more like a work session. The more he heard from staff and the public the more questions he had at least i n the proffer language. He certainly did not think tonight was the place to try to make let’s make a deal over the proffers. The question he had was on the recommendation they should have to move for approval of the rezoning is there a way to do that. A s Mr. Lafferty said in certain respects there are all these benefits, but it seems like they are a long way from a resolution of the problems to get at those benefits. The question goes back to in making the approval what is he approving and what would be lost if he did not approve it or did approve it and could not get back to because they have approved it. He did not want to make a recommendation for approval of something that is going to come back to bite them later on because they did not resolve all the problems that were associated with the application. Mr. Benish pointed out what staff is recommending are the issues that they feel needs to be addressed. If the Commission agrees with those recommendations the Board should take under considerations before they act on the proposal before them. So there is sort of a leap of faith the Commission is taking if they agree with these conditions that ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION –JULY 31, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES – SUBMIT FOR APPROVAL 24 those will be addressed with the Board in the future. If the Commission feels they want to see this information before they make a recommendation, then that is their prerogative to consider. That is the type of recommendation before them now. They have done that before. It is not the normal practice, but these are the issues staff feels need to be addressed for our recommendation. Some of those are technical issues. The landfill is more of a substantive issue. Mr. Loach said he feels uncomfortable with a vote when the engineer for the county comes in and says the solution to this came in at 5:00 p.m. and he does not feel it is a complete solution. For the Planning Commission what level of comfort do they have in forwarding this to the Board in the condition it is in? Mr. Franco pointed out his answer to that is staff has four issues or conditions. Mr. Cilimberg pointed out that was not all of them. There was another one. Mr. Franco said that there are five concerns listed in the staff report. It sounds if they follow the conditions of staff that the concerns Mr. Loach was talking about would be addressed because staff would have the ability to say yea or nay to the landfill plan. He was comfortable if they move it forward with these conditions. He was not sure if he was comfortable with all of the conditions. - He goes back to some of the discussions th at were made on bullet one – the outstanding technical issues. It does not seem to be an issue on either side. So he was comfortable with that. It sounds like staff and the applicant is comfortable with that. - Number 2 is the BMP facilities. Having heard the applicant’s explanation of it he clearly understands what they are saying there. As long as it is a condition in the proffers that says that the BMP’s will not be located in the future floodplain, then that seems to be something that would satisfy staff’s concern. - Number 3 is the framework. That does not seem to be a debate to staff or the applicant. - Number 4 is the landfill. They have been talking about that. - Number 5 is the funding for Willoughby. The applicant offered to provide the additional funding if the right-of-way has been acquired. - Therefore, it really boils down to item 5 regarding the landfill and whether they are comfortable with staff’s recommendation for including them as one of the entities on the review and approval of that plan. Mr. Benish pointed out that they could not condition the rezoning. What they are identifying are those issues that need to be resolved through the proffers or plan of development. Mr. Loach added that there were pertinent issues raised by the public tonight that were in the context of these issues which included the infrastructure and the funding. The funding will now be a single funding, which should be taken into consideration as well. Mr. Cilimberg said the Commission needs in their action to decide what expectations they have. If that is one they decide to add, then that needs to be included in the action. ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION –JULY 31, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES – SUBMIT FOR APPROVAL 25 Staff identified what they identified as the points that should be addressed before the Board would take its action. Mr. Morris agreed with what he was saying. Mr. Franco said that it was a tough balance to figure out view shed versus LEED credits and things like that. He was not saying they were exclusive. However, it is a tough balance at times. He would be comfortable moving this forward tonight, but would prefer to eliminate issue 4 landfill and trust with DEQ that they know best. Mr. Randolph asked does DEQ have the capability to do the verification on site that is necessary for the application. Mr. Franco said that is not what they are talking about. They are talking about the plan and whether it should be fenced or not fenced. Ms. Monteith said apparently they don’t know what the plan is. Mr. Loach said that he had heard suggestions on ways that staff and the applicant may come together, but certainly at this point he would not say there is a conclusion. Mr. Franco agreed that he did not know what the plan is either. However, the plan will have to be approved by DEQ. Mr. Kamptner recalled that the current proffers provide that the work plan be approved. They did not know what the work plan would be when the original proffer was accepted. It was anticipated that DEQ would approve some work plan that at that time the county was comfortable accepting and going with. He thinks county staff decided that they wanted to step in because they did not see the work plan accomplishing what had been anticipated. What came in at 5:00 p.m. today they don’t know. Staff needs to evaluate that. Mr. Morris said that will be known if this goes before the Board of Supervisors. Mr. Kamptner replied that it would certainly be known before this goes to the Board of Supervisors. Mr. Franco pointed out what would be known is what come in tonight and not necessarily the final plan. That does not have to be implemented until before the final CO. Mr. Morris said that at least Mr. Brooks will be able to see the plan and if there is a difference iron those differences out. Mr. Franco said that is where he gets confused in what is being said. He understands what Mr. Brooks said earlier that the water was not tested for anything but organics. He asked if the county would then require that it be tested for metals or other things. ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION –JULY 31, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES – SUBMIT FOR APPROVAL 26 Mr. Brooks replied that they have no standing so there won’t be any agreement. They have no standing in the process. They will handle it with DEQ and they tell us there is a work plan with DEQ, then the proffer is satisfied. Mr. Loach said that is a problem that he worries about is that DEQ is the expert but also the lowest common denominator. Mr. Brooks noted that it is true that they don’t have the expertise and won’t know what tests to ask for in the water. DEQ is better at that. Mr. Franco noted that part of it goes back to the balance. Nothing is happening now. They have an existing environmental problem now that may not be the ultimate fix that is occurring towards some of the details that staff is looking for. However, it has to be better than what they have got now and they have had for the last few years. Ms. Monteith asked Mr. Brooks if they have a precedent for this. Is there a way he can work with DEQ to get this resolved? Mr. Brooks replied that he did not think they have a precedent. He asked Ms. McCulley since she works more with waste areas and dumps. Ms. McCulley said she thought it was all a matter of whether they can impose higher standards in places such as the area that would be chain link fence exposed waste or whether they go with the most minimal standard that DEQ would apply, which is the open dump standard. They have said they have to accept it. They have not said that this is really what they would want in their best professional practice. This is what they have to accept because that is the limit of their authority. Mr. Dotson commented that Commissioner Franco said he was comfortable with the rezoning going forward without item #4. He was comfortable with it going forward with item 4. Mr. Lafferty agreed. It is probably a very time sensitive proposal anyway because of Waugman’s and the whole project is being sold on its beauty in bringing in a high end tenant. So he would hope they could work this out. But, he thinks item 4 should be included. He was comfortable with moving it forward in a positive manner. Mr. Morris asked if he was making that as a motion with conditions as stated. Motion: Mr. Lafferty moved to recommend approval of ZMA 2009-00001, 5th St.-Avon Center based on the recommendation of staff Mr. Kamptner added with the five (5) recommendations of staff plus the proffers as addressed as recommended by staff. Mr. Lafferty agreed adding the amendment of $100,000 offered by the applicant. ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION –JULY 31, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES – SUBMIT FOR APPROVAL 27 Mr. Kamptner said it was recognizing that staff’s recommendations will also trigger revisions in the proffers. Mr. Benish noted that the minutes will note that they have already committed to that. Motion: Mr. Lafferty so moved as amended. Second: Mr. Dotson seconded the motion. Mr. Franco asked to hear f rom the applicant one last time since they were putting additional conditions on it. Ms. Long said it would help her because she was not quite sure she understands how the landfill condition or proffer would be handled. Mr. Franco replied what they were saying was between now and when they go to the Board they would have to increase the landfill remediation commitment to the satisfaction of the zoning staff and the county engineer. Ms. Long said that they were happy to continue to work on that. She asked to provide some clarification to correct some things that were stated regarding the landfill plan. Our consultants sent the plan to DEQ. They did not unload that on the staff at 5:00 p.m. today just for clarification. They submitted that to DEQ because they have asked us to resubmit it. The plan was first developed in 2007. It is not a new plan. There are small elements of it that are proposed to be updated. Those were to improve it and use this filtrexx product. She wanted to make it clear that it was not that they have been doing things at the last minute or not working with DEQ. They have been working with DEQ literally since 2007. The plan was in place in terms of it was submitted to DEQ in 2007. The project was approved in March of 2008. So it was approved with that plan. All they are asking is the ability to update it to improve it. Certainly now she personally was regretting that decision. Second, the areas where DEQ has suggested the chain link fencing would be appropriate are those areas where the waste may be slightly exposed in some areas more. But there is no ongoing threat to human health in the environment. That is the one thing that the consultants have stated very, very stringently to her. The testing determined that there is no ongoing threat to human health or the environment. DEQ’s concern was keeping individuals off of it so that literally they would not cut their feet on the exposed waste. So their suggestion was a chain link fence. They are agreeable to that. Those are the concerns. She just wanted to be clear because she felt like it was misrepresented or there were some of the Commissioners who felt they had dropped this off on the staff at the last minute and that was not the case. Mr. Morris noted there was a motion and second. He asked if there was any further discussion. Mr. Lafferty said his motion was made on the feeling that they will be installing a quality product. It certainly will be a safety product as far as things go, but it will also have the ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION –JULY 31, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES – SUBMIT FOR APPROVAL 28 aesthetic value. They need to work out the details with DEQ and the county. That is the nature of the motion he was making. Mr. Morris noted that they already have a motion on the table. Mr. Lafferty agreed and that it had been seconded. Mr. Loach said the motion is that this is going to the Board for further review. There is nothing written in stone now except these issues have to be resolved. Mr. Benish said the Commission is recommending that these issues be resolved for the Board to approve this. The motion passed by a vote of 7:0. Mr. Morris noted that ZMA-2009-00001 5th Street-Avon Center will be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors with the following recommendation: The Planning Commission recommends approval of ZMA -2009-00001, 5th Street-Avon Center based on the recommendation of staff , as amended, that the following outstanding issues related to the rezoning are addressed prior to the Board approval. 1. The outstanding technical issues with proffers are fixed. 2. Storm water/BMP facilities that are shown in the floodplain on the application plan are removed from the floodplain. 3. Development Framework is revised to not include items that are already applicable per the Zoning Ordinance. 4. Landfill remediation commitment is made as recommended by zoning staff. 5. Additional funding is committed to adequately cover the anticipated cost of the Willoughby pedestrian bridge and trail. Note: With the amendment made by the applicant to change the proffer amount to $100,000 for the connection to Willoughby with staff working out the proffer language. It is recognized that staff’s recommendations will also trigger revisions in the proffers. Mr. Kamptner said it was recognizing that staff’s recommendations will also trigger revisions in the proffers. He pointed out that the Commission needed to take an action on the special use permit, SP-2010-00003. Action on SP-2010-00003 Motion: Mr. Lafferty moved and Mr. Dotson seconded to recommend approval of SP- 2010-00003, 5th St.-Avon Center – Parking Structure with the condition recommended by staff. 1. The special use permit approval shall not expire but shall remain in effect so long as the approval of ZMA 200900001 remains in effect. ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION –JULY 31, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES – SUBMIT FOR APPROVAL 29 The motion passed by a vote of 7:0. Mr. Morris noted that SP-2010-00003 would also be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors to a date to be determined with a recommendation for approval. Critical Slopes waiver Request Mr. Cilimberg noted that with this project there was also the critical slopes waiver request that staff had suggested deferring to the site plan. Mr. Morris asked if staff wanted a motion on that. Mr. Franco asked if the applicant was comfortable with that recommendation since they had not talked about it. He suggested hearing from the applicant. Ms. Long said they would actually ask the Commission consider approving the cr itical slopes waiver. They submitted the waiver two years ago. The plan has evolved during that time. The limits of disturbance, however, have not changed. They are exactly the same. Some of the critical slope areas are man-made. She has a slide that shows the critical slopes if anyone wants to see them. The waiver was o riginally recommended for approval by staff in early 2010, but they could not get to the Commission for action to be taken on that. So they would ask if the Commission is inclined to take action on that tonight so that they know they have that in place and can move forward without having to wonder about that. Mr. Morris asked what the pleasure was of the Commission. He asked Ms. Grant if she agreed with the recommendation. Ms. Grant replied that staff does not agree with that recommendation. Mr. Benish said they can defer to Mr. Brooks for specifics. But again, the plan that was originally submitted was based on a different plan. Staff feels that it would be better to look at details at the site plan level for the critical slopes waiver since there is less specificity to the current plan. Mr. Morris said based on the staff report he felt this is something they would be looking at later. Mr. Lafferty asked if this would be delaying the project. Mr. Franco noted his concern is if they deal with it at site plan it is an unknown until it is actually granted. Depending on where these slopes are, for instance in the middle of the site, he would want some kind of assurance before he started to spend the big design dollars to know that he could disturb those slopes. If the limits of clearing and grading have not increased and they were willing to support before simply not having the information now does not bother him as long as those limits are consistent. ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION –JULY 31, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES – SUBMIT FOR APPROVAL 30 Mr. Brooks said they don’t have the limits of clearing and grading at this point. They have a concept plan with a rezoning and a lot of moveable parts. Mr. Franco asked how they know which slopes they are asking to be disturbed. Mr. Brooks replied they can look at the general areas on the concept plan they have shown development on and give them a blank slate if that is what the Commission wants to do. Mr. Kamptner noted in Attachment I on pages 82 and 83 are the considerations for the Commission. However, staff was unable to provide the Commission with that information. It does not look like they have the information unless it can be pr esented here verbally to make a well informed recommendation. But that is all the Comm ission would be doing is making a recommendation. The other thing the Commission has to recall is that like a special use permit the Commission has 90 days to act and he would assume that they were up against the 90 day period. Perhaps at least the Commission should make a recommendation tonight recognizing that when this does go to the Board staff has to have the information upon which to make an informed recommendation. Mr. Franco asked if the Commission could see the graphic that shows where the slopes are. Mr. Morris asked Ms. Long if she had that graphic. Ms. Long replied they submitted a critical slopes waiver exhibit as recently as April of this year as part of their resubmittal in April. They then resubmitted the actual application plan again. They did not get any comments from the staff to the April critical slopes waiver. She did not believe it was in their packet either. There is an exhibit that shows the limits of disturbance. They also have their civil engineer present who prepared that exhibit, the application plan and assisted her with the original waiver application. She noted he can provide additional guidance on that. Mr. Kamptner said he did not know if Ms. Long was referring to Attachment J, which is her letter from February 16 or maybe something more recent than that. Ms. Long said it may be February of 2010 that was from when they originally submitted the application. There was an exhibit that went with that waiver application. Once they amended the plan, and again it evolved, they resubmitted an updated exhibit to accompany the critical slopes waiver application. That was submitted to the staff with the other proffer revisions in April. Therefore, staff does have that information. She was trying to find her hard copy in her file. She probably only has one copy, but can dig it out. Mr. Franco asked if the Commission has that in their packet. Mr. Morris replied no. ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION –JULY 31, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES – SUBMIT FOR APPROVAL 31 Mr. Randolph asked for help with this disconnect and if staff can explain the history of the missing critical slopes information. Mr. Brooks replied the Commission has a very vague plan. Anything that is shown on the plans now can change pretty significantly in the future. Therefore, he was not comfortable giving his approval to something that he really did not know how much it would move. Mr. Randolph questioned whether it was definitive. Mr. Brooks agreed that was correct. He did not think they were going to get that before the Board meeting because the plan is not going to get any more concrete before then. He learned today they wanted to move the floodplain to accommodate the storm water facility. Mr. Randolph said in light of the hour it is 9:30 p.m. and they were finding they were dealing with quick sand. There is no definition here. One of the best things they can do is defer making a decision on critical slopes because they don’t have the information. He was not comfortable saying they are going to pass it on to the Board of Supervisors and waive their responsibility here to make this decision. Mr. Loach said the discomfort comes because Mr. Brooks says it won’t be ready by the time it goes to the Board of Supervisors. Ms. Monteith noted that staff does make a recommendation in the report. Mr. Lafferty noted staff recommended the decision be deferred. Mr. Franco said the applicant also submitted the information and it did not get passed on to us. Mr. Morris said he thought they granted the critical slopes waiver when they use to have that authority. Really they saw it if they look at the site where is it going to go. He thought that was exactly what he was saying. Mr. Franco agreed. He understands without the graphic it is hard to really respond to some of the comments. However, if it is disturbance that is required to execute the plan that they have seen he would support it because they are supporting the plan. So he would be comfortable since they are just making a recommendation to say that graphic would have to be provided again or included in the packet to the Board that those are the limits and that as long as they stay within that box it should be granted. Mr. Morris said the development site is the same as it was in 2007 and 2008. He was comfortable with the recommendation going forward. Mr. Franco asked do they have the application number for this request. Mr. Randolph replied that it was not in the packet. ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION –JULY 31, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES – SUBMIT FOR APPROVAL 32 Mr. Franco moved for a recommendation of approval of the critical slopes waiver request. Mr. Smith seconded the motion. Mr. Morris invited questions. Mr. Loach asked if they heard enough from the applicant that there would be adequate data on the critical slopes for the Board of Supervisors to make a decision. Otherwise , they are going to be as blind as the Commission. Mr. Brooks pointed out this was similar to the special use permits for the fill in the floodplain. Those can move around, too, and they are not approving them with the rezoning. They will have to come in later. If they are in the box they will probably approve them, but it is not guaranteed. Typically, when he looks at these he would lay out what the disturbances are in his opinion and it is never the same as what they claim. There is always erosion control disturbances in other areas that they will need to go and carry it down the slope for instance and things like that. He will make some recommendations on that. He thinks the storm water management facility should be moved over and as long as they meet those conditions he will recommend approval of the critical slopes waiver. However, he just can ’t do that here. There is just not enough to the plan. He thinks Ms. Grant and his recommendation is to save the request until later is one approach. If they want to give them a clean slate like Mr. Franco is suggesting then that is fine. Mr. Franco said he was not necessarily trying to give them a clean slate. However, he would like to give them some assurance that they could execute the plan that came before us today. He asked if there was anything that prevents us from some point in the future if they are at the site plan level coming back and saying no for some reason they have decided they can’t disturb the middle of the site where the parking lot is. Mr. Brooks added or they can’t disturb the floodplain for instance in this location or that location and now the whole layout has to change or they have to put everything underground like Stonefield did. When Stonefield came up for approval they told them those storm water facilities are not going to work. They said don’t worry about it since it is just a fringe detail. Then the whole thing changed when it came to the site plan. He suspects that the same thing might happen here. Especially if they come to the Commission and say that it is not their usual practice to put up dams in the floodplain to move the floodplain so they can allow storm water management facilities. That is not a good practice and he recommends against it. If they end up not approving it that way, then it has to move and they have to provide storm water facilities somewhere else on the site or underground. Lots could change. Critical slopes are just one piece of it. They still have to get a waiver to use a rural section for the connector road for instance. Our ordinance currently requires a curb and gutter section. They have discussed that so they have proffers that allow either/or. However, he noticed that all the documents that have been submitted to DEQ require a rural road section. They have to get special approval to do that. ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION –JULY 31, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES – SUBMIT FOR APPROVAL 33 Mr. Franco pointed out that rural roads are a bit different and that is not a go or no go. Mr. Brooks said that it was just another detail that is not finished. Therefore, it did not seem like a big deal to leave that one too. Mr. Franco said if he put it in the context of this being a re zoning he did not expect to have all that level of detail at this point in time. Mr. Morris said they have a motion on the table. He asked for a second. Mr. Kamptner noted the motion was to recommend approval. Mr. Smith seconded the motion. The motion passed by a vote of 5:2. (Randolph and Loach voted nay) Mr. Morris noted that the special exception for the critical slopes waiver will be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors with a recommendation for approval on a date to be determined. Mr. Kamptner noted a minor procedural note was the Commission did need to act tonight, but it was because it they had already acted on the rezoning and the special use permit. The special exception regulations provide that the special exception should be acted upon at the same time as the rezoning so everything goes to the Board at once. That was just to correct that. Mr. Franco questioned if that included the rural section roads. Return to exec summary COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AGENDA TITLE: ZTA-2012-00011 Highway Commercial Wall Signs SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Public Hearing to consider adoption of ZTA 2012-00011 to amend Sec. 4.15.12, Regulations Applicable in the C- 1, CO and HC Zoning Districts, to correct the maximum wall sign size permitted in the HC, Highway Commercial zoning district. STAFF CONTACT(S): Ron Higgins LEGAL REVIEW: No AGENDA DATE: September 12, 2012 ACTION: X INFORMATION: CONSENT AGENDA: ACTION: INFORMATION: ATTACHMENTS: Yes REVIEWED BY: BACKGROUND: The Board of Supervisors adopted ZTA 2010-05 on March 14, 2012, which amended a number of sign regulations, including those for wall signs in conventional and planned commercial districts. Under the prior regulations, signs in the Highway Commercial (“HC”) district were subject to the same standards as those for two planned commercial districts, and wall signs in those districts were allowed to be up to 200 square feet in area. In ZTA 2010-05, the HC district became subject to the same standards as those for two other commercial districts; Commercial Office (“CO”) and Conventional Commercial (“C-1”). Wall signs in those districts are allowed to be up to 100 square feet in area. The Planning Commission adopted the attached Resolution of Intent to correct this issue (Attachment A). The attached proposed Zoning Text Amendment (Attachment B) will correct that inadvertent change. STRATEGIC PLAN: Goal 3. Encourage a diverse and vibrant local economy DISCUSSION: The regulations adopted in ZTA 2010-05 reduced the maximum wall signage area permitted in the HC district from 200 square feet to 100 square feet. This was an inadvertent change and one that was not discussed during the ZTA process. The intent of ZTA 2010-05 was to allow for a change in the wall sign area calculation for the CO and C-1 districts from 1 square foot of sign area per linear foot to 1.5 square foot of sign area per linear foot of establishment structure frontage. That change was made so that the basis of the wall area sign calculation would be consistent with the HC district. It was not intended to reduce the allowable wall sign area in the HC district from 200 square feet to 100 square feet. The attached amendment would correct that inadvertent error in the HC district and would not affect the 100 square foot maximum in C-1 and CO districts. At its August 21, 2012 public hearing, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of the attached Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA 2012-00011). BUDGET IMPACT: No budget impact is expected. RECOMMENDATIONS: After the public hearing, staff recommends that the Board adopt the attached Zoning Text Amendment (Attachment B). ATTACHMENTS: A – Resolution of Intent adopted by PC July 31, 2012 B – Proposed Ordinance PC minutes: July 31 and August 21, 2012 Return to agenda ATTACHMENT A RESOLUTION OF INTENT WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 12-18(2), adopted March 14, 2012, amended the Albemarle County Zoning Ordinance to, among other things, have signs in the Highway Commercial zoning district subject to the regulations in County Code § 18-4.15.12, which also pertains to signs in the Commercial and Commercial Office zoning districts, instead of County Code § 18-4.15.13, which also pertains to signs in the Planned Development Shopping Center and Planned Development Mixed Commercial zoning districts; and WHEREAS, County Code § 18-4.15.13 allows wall signs of up to 200 square feet in area and County Code § 18-4.15.12 allows wall signs of up to 100 square feet in area; and WHEREAS, it may be desirable to allow wall signs in the Highway Commercial zoning district to have wall signs of up to 200 square feet in area, as was previously allowed when signs in the Highway Commercial zoning district were subject to County Code § 18-4.15.13. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT for purposes of public necessity, convenience, general welfare and good zoning practices, the Albemarle County Planning Commission hereby adopts a resolution of intent to consider amending County Code § 18-4.15.12, Regulations Applicable to Signs in the C-1, CO and HC Zoning Districts, to allow wall signs in the Highway Commercial zoning district of up to 200 square feet in area, and amending any other sections of the Zoning Ordinance deemed to be appropriate to achieve the purposes described herein; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the zoning text amendment proposed pursuant to this resolution of intent, and make its recommendations to the Board of Supervisors at the earliest possible date. Return to exec summary Draft: 07/31/12 ATTACHMENT B 1 ORDINANCE NO. 12-18( ) AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 18, ZONING, ARTICLE II, BASIC 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 II, Basic Regulations, is hereby amended and reordained as follows: By Amending: Sec. 4.15.12 Regulations applicable in the C-1, CO and HC zoning districts Chapter 18. Zoning Article II. Basic Regulations Sec. 4.15.12 Regulations applicable in the C-1, CO and HC zoning districts The following regulations pertaining to the number of signs permitted per lot or establishment, the sign area, sign height, and setback requirements shall apply to each sign for which a sign permit is required wi thin the Commercial (C-1), Commercial Office (CO) and Highway Commercial (HC) zoning districts: Sign Type Number of Signs Allowed Sign Area (Maximum) Sign Height (Maximum) Sign Setback (Minimum) Directory 1 or more per establishment, as authorized by zoning administrator 24 square feet, aggregated 6 feet 5 feet Freestanding 1 per street frontage, or 2 per entrance, per lot with 100 or more feet of continuous street frontage plus 1 per lot if the lot is greater than 4 acres and has more than 1 approved entrance on its frontage 32 square feet, aggregated, plus bonus tenant panels as provided in section 4.15.16(b); if more than 1 sign at an entrance, no single sign shall exceed 16 square feet 12 feet 5 feet Projecting* 1 per street frontage 32 square feet 30 feet, but not to exceed the top of the fascia or mansard Not applicable Temporary 1 per street frontage per establishment 32 square feet 12 feet, if freestanding sign; 30 feet if wall sign, but not to exceed the cornice line 5 feet Wall* As calculated pursuant to section 4.15.20 In the C-1 and CO zoning districts,1.5 square feet per 1 linear foot of establishment structure frontage, not to exceed 100 square feet; in the HC zoning district, 1.5 square feet per 1 linear foot of establishment structure frontage, not to exceed 200 square feet Not to exceed the cornice line Same as that applicable to structure *Each establishment may have both a projecting sign and a wall sign. If the establishment has both such signs, the allowed sign area of the wall sign shall be reduced by the sign area of the projecting sign (which may not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet). (12-10-80; 7-8-92, § 4.15.12.5; Ord. 01-18(3), 5-9-01; Ord. 12-18(2), 3-14-12) State law reference – Va. Code § 15.2-2280. Draft: 07/31/12 ATTACHMENT B 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 _________________________. Return to exec summary ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION –JULY 31, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES – SUBMIT FOR APPROVAL 1 Albemarle County Planning Commission July 31, 2012 The Albemarle County Planning Commission held a public hearing on Tuesday, July 31, 2012, at 6:00 p.m., at the County Office Building, Auditorium, Second Floor, 401 McIntire Road, Charlottesville, Virginia. Members attending were Thomas Loach, Richard Randolph, Don Franco, Calvin Morris , Chairman; Russell (Mac) Lafferty, Vice-Chair; Ed Smith and Bruce Dotson. Julia Monteith, AICP, Senior Land Use Planner for the University of Virginia was present. Staff present was Sarah Baldwin, Senior Planner; Scott Clark, Senior Planner; Claudette Grant, Senior Planner; Glenn Brooks, County Engineer; Amelia McCulley, Director of Zoning/Zoning Administrator; David Benish, Chief of Planning; Wayne Cilimberg, Director of Planning; Mark Graham, Director of Community Development; and Greg Kamptner, Deputy County Attorney. New Business Resolution of Intent: Highway Commercial Wall Signs Rebecca Ragsdale PROPOSAL: Amendment to correct the maximum wall sign size perm itted in the HC Highway Commercial zoning districts. Mr. Cilimberg noted that if the Commission does not have any questions, they can go ahead and act on the resolution of intent for Highway Commercial Wall Signs because it is simply a resolution of intent. The Commission will be getting the actual matter as a public hearing item next month. Motion: Mr. Franco moved and Mr. Loach for approval of the resolution of intent for Highway Wall Signs. The motion passed by a vote of 7:0. Mr. Morris noted the Planning Commission adopted the resolution of intent for Highway Commercial Wall Signs as follows. Staff will set the public hearing for the Planning Commission as soon as possible. Adopted Resolution of Intent – Highway Commercial Wall Signs WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 12-18(2), adopted March 14, 2012, amended the Albemarle County Zoning Ordinance to, among other things, have signs in the Highway Commercial zoning district subject to the regulations in County Code § 18 -4.15.12, which also pertains to signs in the Commercial and Commercial Office zoning districts, instead of County Code § 18-4.15.13, which also pertains to signs in the Planned Development Shopping Center and Planned Development Mixed Commercial zoning districts; and ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION –JULY 31, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES – SUBMIT FOR APPROVAL 2 WHEREAS, County Code § 18-4.15.13 allows wall signs of up to 200 square feet in area and County Code § 18-4.15.12 allows wall signs of up to 100 square feet in area; and WHEREAS, it may be desirable to allow wall signs in the Highway Commercial zoning district to have wall signs of up to 200 square feet in area, as was previously allowed when signs in the Highway Commercial zoning district were subject to County Code § 18-4.15.13. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT for purposes of public necessity, convenience, general welfare and good zoning practices, the Albemarle County Planning Commission hereby adopts a resolution of intent to consider amending County Code § 18-4.15.12, Regulations Applicable to Signs in the C -1, CO and HC Zoning Districts, to allow wall signs in the Highway Commercial zoning district of up to 200 square feet in area, and amending any other sections of the Zoning Ordinance deemed to be appropriate to achieve the purposes described herein; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the zoning text amendment proposed pursuant to this resolution of intent, and make its recommendations to the Board of Supervisors at the earliest possible date. Mr. Kamptner handed out information requested by the Commission pertaining to how to deal with disruptions at public meeting Return to exec summary ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION – AUGUST 21, 2012 PAGE 1 DRAFT PARTIAL MINUTES – ZTA-12-11 HIGHWAY COMMERCIAL SIGNS Albemarle County Planning Commission August 21, 2012 The Albemarle County Planning Commission held a public hearing, and meeting on Tuesday, August 21, 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 Joanne Tu Purtsezova, Planner; Christopher Perez, Senior Planner; Ron Higgins, Chief of Zoning; Francis MacCall, Senior Planner; Wayne Cilimberg, Director of Planning; Sharon Taylor, Clerk to Planning Commission & Planning Boards; David Benish, Chief of Planner; Mark Graham, Director of Community Development; and Greg Kamptner, Deputy County Attorney. Call to Order and Establish Mr. Morris, Chair, called the regular meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and established a quorum. ZTA-2012-00011 Highway Commercial Wall Signs – Amend Sec. 4.15.12, Regulations applicable in the C-1, CO and HC zoning districts, of Chapter 18, Zoning, of the Albemarle County Code. This ordinance would amend Sec. 4.15.12 to increase the maximum area allowed for wall signs in the Highway Commercial zoning district from 100 square feet to 200 square feet, which was the maximum area allowed for such signs prior to a recent text amendment. The full text of the ordinance is available for examination by the public in the offices of the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors and in the Department of Community Development, County Office Building, 401 McIntire Road, Charlottesville, Virginia. (Amelia McCulley) Ron Higgins presented a PowerPoint presentation and summarized the executive summary. Proposal/Request/Subject: Amendment to Sec. 4.15.12, Regulations applicable in the C-1, CO and HC zoning districts to correct the maximum wall sign size permitted in the HC, Highway Commercial zoning district. This is kind of a repeat of a little piece of something the Commission was dealing with last year. They did a lot of sign ordinance amendments. The Board of Supervisors adopted ZTA 2010 -05 on March 14, 2012. This Sign Ordinance ZTA amended a number of sign regulations including those for Planned Developments and shopping centers, freestanding and monument sign setbacks, temporary sign regulations, window sign regulations, and wall signs in commercial districts. Throughout that whole process one of things they dealt with was to make consistent the sign area allowance in commercial districts of 1.5 square feet per linear foot of building wall. Virtually all the districts except C -1 and CO, which were more concentrated smaller scale commercial districts, t hey allow that figure except with a cap of 200 square feet on a wall sign on a much larger wall. In C -1 and CO it is 100 square feet. In staff’s movement of things around from one chart to another they actually put HC in the chart with C -1 and CO and simply inadvertently limited the maximum in HC to 100 square feet. Staff did not intend that. None of the Roundtables, proposals or discussions anticipated that. Therefore, staff is correcting th e inadvertent change that resulted in reduced maximum wall sign area permitted in the HC, Highway Commercial District (Code § 18-4.15.12). The Planning Commission adopted a Resolution of Intent to correct this. The proposed zoning text amendment will correct that change in the HC district maximum wall sign area. Staff recommends approval of the Zoning Text Amendment to the Board of Supervisors as shown in Attachment A of the executive summary. It is scheduled for public hearing with the Board on September 12th. There being no questions for staff, 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. ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION – AUGUST 21, 2012 PAGE 2 DRAFT PARTIAL MINUTES – ZTA-12-11 HIGHWAY COMMERCIAL SIGNS Motion: Mr. Loach moved and Mr. Franco seconded to recommend approval of ZTA -2012-00011 Highway Commercial Wall Signs as recommended by staff and shown in Attachment A of the staff report. The motion was passed by a vote of 7:0. Mr. Morris noted that ZTA-2012-00011 Highway Commercial Signs would be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors with a recommendation for approval as outlined by staff and shown in Attachment A of the staff report, as follows. (Attachment A in staff report) ORDINANCE NO. 12-18( ) AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 18, ZONING, ARTICLE II, BASIC 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 II, Basic Regulations, is hereby amended and reordained as follows: By Amending: Sec. 4.15.12 Regulations applicable in the C-1, CO and HC zoning districts Chapter 18. Zoning Article II. Basic Regulations Sec. 4.15.12 Regulations applicable in the C-1, CO and HC zoning districts The following regulations pertaining to the number of signs permitted per lot or establishment, the sign area, sign height, and setback requirements shall apply to each sign for which a sign permit is required within the Commercial (C-1), Commercial Office (CO) and Highway Commercial (HC) zoning districts: Sign Type Number of Signs Allowed Sign Area (Maximum) Sign Height (Maximum) Sign Setback (Minimum) Directory 1 or more per establishment, 24 square feet, 6 feet 5 feet ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION – AUGUST 21, 2012 PAGE 3 DRAFT PARTIAL MINUTES – ZTA-12-11 HIGHWAY COMMERCIAL SIGNS as authorized by zoning administrator aggregated Freestandin g 1 per street frontage, or 2 per entrance, per lot with 100 or more feet of continuous street frontage plus 1 per lot if the lot is greater than 4 acres and has more than 1 approved entrance on its frontage 32 square feet, aggregated, plus bonus tenant panels as provided in section 4.15.16(b); if more than 1 sign at an entrance, no single sign shall exceed 16 square feet 12 feet 5 feet Projecting* 1 per street frontage 32 square feet 30 feet, but not to exceed the top of the fascia or mansard Not applicable Temporary 1 per street frontage per establishment 32 square feet 12 feet, if freestanding sign; 30 feet if wall sign, but not to exceed the cornice line 5 feet Wall* As calculated pursuant to section 4.15.20 In the C-1 and CO zoning districts,1.5 square feet per 1 linear foot of establishment structure frontage, not to exceed 100 square feet; in the HC zoning district, 1.5 square feet per 1 linear foot of establishment structure frontage, not to exceed 200 square feet Not to exceed the cornice line Same as that applicable to structure *Each establishment may have both a projecting sign and a wall sign. If the establishment has both such signs, the allowed sign area of the wall sign shall be reduced by the sign area of the projecting sign (which may not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet). (12-10-80; 7-8-92, § 4.15.12.5; Ord. 01-18(3), 5-9-01; Ord. 12-18(2), 3-14-12) State law reference – Va. Code § 15.2-2280. ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION – AUGUST 21, 2012 PAGE 4 DRAFT PARTIAL MINUTES – ZTA-12-11 HIGHWAY COMMERCIAL SIGNS 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 Return to exec summary Resolution in Support of the Commonwealth of Virginia Constitutional Amendment on Eminent Domain Whereas, this country was founded on the principal of private property rights and this has become an important aspect of the American dream; and Whereas, the Supreme Court of the United States has indicated that the use of eminent domain laws are a States’ rights issue; and Whereas, the government taking of privately owned property shoul d be limited to the need for public use projects only; and Whereas, citizens should be adequately compensated when their property is taken for government use including loss of use and/or income; and Whereas, both the House of Delegates and the Senate of the Commonwealth of Virginia has twice passed an amendment to the Constitution of Virginia regarding eminent domain; and Whereas, the constitutional amendment will be on the November 6, 2012 ballot for approval by a majority of voters in Virginia. Now , Therefore Be It Resolved That, the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors does hereby support this constitutional amendment restricting the use of eminent domain in the Commonwealth and encourages its citizens to vote yes on the ballot in November. 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 _________________________. Return to agenda COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AGENDA TITLE: Constitutional Amendment on Eminent Domain SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Resolution in Support of the Commonwealth of Virginia Constitutional Amendment on Eminent Domain STAFF CONTACT(S): Messrs. Foley and Davis PRESENTER (S): None LEGAL REVIEW: Yes AGENDA DATE: September 12, 2012 ACTION: INFORMATION: CONSENT AGENDA: ACTION: INFORMATION: ATTACHMENTS: Yes REVIEWED BY: BACKGROUND: A Board member requested that the attached Resolution in Support of the Commonwealth of Virginia Constitutional Amendment on Eminent Domain (Attachment A) be placed on the September 12, 2012 agenda for the Board’s consideration. STRATEGIC PLAN: Mission: To enhance the well-being and quality of life for all citizens through the provision of the highest level of public service consistent with the prudent use of public funds. DISCUSSION: Staff has assembled background material regarding the proposed Constitutional Amendment for the Board’s information. (See Attachments B – F) In addition, information and analysis regarding the proposed Constitutional Amendment are available at the following websites: http://valocalitylaw.com/2012/02/02/proposed-constitutional-amendment-on-eminent-domain-cons-and-pros/ (Attachment G) and http://www.ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/Virginia_Eminent_Domain_Amendment,_Question_1_(2012) (Attachment H) RECOMMENDATION: The Resolution in Support of the Commonwealth of Virginia Constitutional Amendment on Eminent Domain is attached (Attachment A) for the Board’s consideration. ATTACHMENTS: A – Resolution in Support of the Commonwealth of Virginia Constitutional Amendment on Eminent Domain B – 2012 Eminent Domain Referendum Question to appear on November 6, 2012 ballot C – Constitutional Amendment Legislation (HJ 3 and SJ 3) D – Code of Virginia amendment (SB 437) effective January 1, 2013 contingent upon the adoption of the Constitutional Amendment E – VACO background materials on proposed Constitutional Amendment F – Attorney General Opinion regarding proposed Constitutional Amendment G – Published analysis of the proposed Constitutional Amendment by Andrew McRoberts, a member of the Government Group of Sands Anderson, PC. H – Information regarding the proposed Constitutional Amendment from Ballotpedia website Return to agenda ATTACHMENT A Resolution in Support of the Commonwealth of Virginia Constitutional Amendment on Eminent Domain Whereas, this country was founded on the principal of private property rights and this has become an important aspect of the American dream; and Whereas, the Supreme Court of the United States has indicated that the use of eminent domain laws are a States’ rights issue; and Whereas, the government taking of privately owned property shoul d be limited to the need for public use projects only; and Whereas, citizens should be adequately compensated when their property is taken for government use including loss of use and/or income; and Whereas, both the House of Delegates and the Senate of the Commonwealth of Virginia has twice passed an amendment to the Constitution of Virginia regarding eminent domain; and Whereas, the constitutional amendment will be on the November 6, 2012 ballot for approval by a majority of voters in Virginia. Now , Therefore Be It Resolved That, the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors does hereby support this constitutional amendment restricting the use of eminent domain in the Commonwealth and encourages its citizens to vote yes on the ballot in November. 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 _________________________. Return to exec summary Attachment B Question: Shall Section 11 of Article I (Bill of Rights) of the Constitution of Virginia be amended to eliminate the General Assembly’s authority to define a public use for which private property may be taken or damaged and to provide that no private property shall be taken or damaged for a public use without just compensation to the property owner and that only so much of the property as is necessary to achieve the public use is taken or damaged?” Return to exec summary ATTACHMENT C ATTACHMENT D ATTACHMENT D ATTACHMENT D ATTACHMENT E ATTACHMENT E ATTACHMENT E ATTACHMENT E ATTACHMENT E ATTACHMENT F ATTACHMENT F ATTACHMENT F ATTACHMENT F ATTACHMENT F ATTACHMENT F ATTACHMENT F ATTACHMENT F ATTACHMENT F ATTACHMENT F ATTACHMENT F ATTACHMENT F ATTACHMENT G ATTACHMENT G ATTACHMENT G ATTACHMENT G ATTACHMENT G ATTACHMENT G ATTACHMENT G ATTACHMENT G ATTACHMENT H ATTACHMENT H ATTACHMENT H