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Home My WebLink AboutSP199800072 Other 2020-11-06ATTACHMENT I Attachment to Application for Special Use Permit for The International Center for Jefferson Studies December 14, 1998 Existing Use Residential and research offcces. Kemvood has been home to Monticello's International Center for Jefferson Studies (ICJS) since 1992 under a previous `public use " determination. Before 1992, Kemvood was a private residence. How will the proposed special use affect adjacent property? The proposed use would not be a change in character from the current use (see Existing Use, above). The proposed library will involve temporary construction activity and maybe visible from some areas of adjoining properties once completed. The activity related to the ICJS would not affect the adjoining properties in any negative way. How will the proposed special use affect the character of the district surrounding the r^* property? The district is currently a mix of residential, agricultural, and historical tourism. The appearance of the new building and the activity related to its use would have an impact similar to or less than the nearby winery and negligible impact relative to the touristfacilities. Its design, restricted use, limited hours of operation and residential component would make it compatible with the adjoining residential property. How is the use in harmony with the purpose and intent of the Zoning Ordinance? The Zoning Ordinance allows for academic institutions in rural areas under its `private school" designation. The ICJS is a residential research and teaching program that blends in well with the quiet, rural environment. This use is consistent with the intent of the Ordinance which is designed, in part, to promote and protect the rural character of the District. How is the use in harmony with the uses permitted by right in the district? The ICJS was a "by right" use until a recent change of ownership (from the University to the University Real Estate Foundation (UREF)). Other "by right" uses in the immediate vicinity, not including residential and land in cultivation, are a winery, a cemetery and state hospital complex. In addition, there is a historic taverrdrestaurant/general store operating under a special use permit. The ICJS, with its proposed library, would be more in harmony with the residential character of the district than any of these activities because of its limited traffic and quiet activity. 10"a 2: ZIA Y Jo 34. Ito A, XT4 3 3ff 2: 31 13 1. MORTICELL.0 It Y et J29_ Sir 0 OrA— SP 98-72, The International Center ZIA — \ IS ..I ki I page 2 Attachment to Application for Special Use Permit The International Center for Jefferson Studies How will this use promote the public health, safety, and general welfare of the community? The ICJS use of Kemvood contributes to the general welfare of the community by providing gainful employment without placing additional demands on community resources. It also enhances the County's reputation as a center for scholarly pursuits and activities - particularly those related to our nation's history. Describe your request in detail and include all pertinent information such as numbers of persons involved in the use, operating hours, and any unique features of the use: The International Center for Jefferson Studies is a program of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation (TJMF), developed in cooperation with the University of Virginia. to foster Jefferson scholarship. The ICJS oversees three existing TJMF departments - Research, Education and Archaeology -which are located at other sites. Kemvood has provided a temporary residence for individual Jefferson scholars and teachers and a venue for related lectures, seminars, conferences and educational programs. This program is made possible by the University's contribution of a long-term lease on the Kemvood property. Kemvood's proximity to Monticello, its existing facilities and Usability to accommodate a research library are critical to the success of the program. Without Kenwood, the ICJS would not exist! The existing 7,400 square foot house will continue to house the offices of the ICJS, as well as host seminars in its parlor. The house has room for nine offices, only four of which would be used by ICJS staff. The others would be available for temporary offices for visiting scholars, interns, and TJMF staff. There are two other structures currently on the property: a two - bedroom cottage and a one -bedroom apartment above a garage. They would still be used to house visiting scholars and interns. Though the facilities described above could accommodate as many as a dozen individuals, we anticipate that no more than nine people would be using . them at any one time. This special use permit application includes a request for approval of the construction of anew research library. The building will be designed to accommodate projected growth in our collection of research materials and in the number of scholars and staff doing work on Jefferson and his times. As the only new building planned for Kemvood, the library is intended to be a complimenting addition to the existing structures. It will be positioned on a grade which slopes downward from the house site itself so that only one of its two stories will be visible from the house. It also will have wall facings of white painted brick and roofing of slate shingles like those which unify the other buildings on site. Furthermore, the library is proportioned in plan - and will be scaled in elevation - to "live" quietly beside the house. Though available to all li serious Jefferson scholars, this would not be a public library; access to it will be by advance arrangement and the hours of operation will be limited (typically SAM to 6PM, Mon -Fri). It would include office space for up to twenty persons. This includes research staff (S), library staff (S), and anew editorial staff for the Jefferson papers (10). These are long-range, ?~ maximum staffing projections; start-up staffing for the library and Jefferson papers project would be closer to twelve persons. page 3 Attachment to Application for Special Use Permit The International Center for Jefferson Studies Kenwood has long been used for public gatherings. The house, built by General Edwin "Pa " Watson and his wife, Francis Nash Watson, an acclaimed concert pianist, was used for meetings of a musical society and for piano recitals. Ms. Ellen "Enie" Nash, a former County supervisor and lifelong resident of Kenwood, regularly hosted large gatherings of the local Democratic Party. Since 1992 the ICJS has hosted several conferences and dozens of lectures on subjects related to Jefferson and his times, attended by as many as sixty-five scholars. Monticello has used Kenwood as a venue for related receptions and gatherings including a company picnic attended by more than two hundred employees. The site can easily accommodate parking for large groups in the surrounding fields, and we know of no negative reaction to these occasional uses from the neighbors. The lease between the University Real Estate Foundation and TJMF clearly limits the use of Kenwood to "educational purposes consistent with the residential setting of the Leased Premises" (see Agreement of Lease, article F.4. c). off � MONTICELLO February 2, 1999 Ms. Susan Thomas, Planner Department of Planning and Community Development County of Albemarle 401 McIntire Road - Room 218 Charlottesville, Virginia 22902 Dear Ms. Thomas: RECEIVED FEB U 'c , Planning Dept. MICHAEL B. MERRIAM Director aJ Facifitirs Planning and Construction I am writing in response to our recent conversation about the size, frequency and logistics of special group events anticipated for Monticello's International Center for Jefferson Studies (ICJS) at Kenwood. As you will see from the descriptions below, these events are extremely limited and are consistent with past and current levels of activity. The ICJS program includes occasional conferences and Iectures on topics related to Thomas Jefferson. As there is no lecture hall or auditorium planned for the new library, these gatherings are limited by the size of the existing parlor at Kenwood to groups of less than sixty. Such lectures could take place as often as once a month, as they have over the past four or five years. There will be times when Monticello will want to use Kenwood as a venue for special events such as a reception or a staff picnic. Events involving over sixty people would not take place more tharr four times in a year nor be attended by more than 250 people. Kenwood has been host to many of these larger events both during the decades when Miss Ellen Nash was in residence and during the more recent occupancy by Monticello. Traditionally, guests have parked in the field along the entrance drive. Though field parking has been safe and non -intrusive, there is ample additional parking on the grounds of Monticello if conditions warrant. In that case, we would make arrangements for transportation of guests between Monticello and Kenwood. The library construction plans call for parking lots that will accommodate up to fifty-four vehicles and will allow for safe maneuvering of buses. I hope this provides you with all the information you need for your report. If there is anything else that I can do to help, please do not hesitate to ask. cc: Dan Jordan Ann Taylor a^ wrt.s.J Sincerely, THONIAS JEFFERSON SIEMORIAL FOUNDATION, INC. POST OFFICE BOX 316 CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA R902 PHONE 804 984-9898 FAX 904 9777757 hap://, w ..monticeLlo.org