HomeMy WebLinkAboutSP202000012 Review Comments Historic Preservation 2021-01-29COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE
Department of Community Development
401 McIntire Road, North Wing
Charlottesville, Virginia 22902-4596
Phone (434) 296-5832 Fax (434) 972-4126
MEMORANDUM
TO: Chris Perez
FROM: Margaret Maliszewski
RE: SP2020-12: Sruby Verizon Wireless Tier III
DATE: January 29, 2021
The Scruby Verizon tower proposal was presented to the Historic Preservation Committee on January
25, 2021. Committee members requested that comments from the Virginia Department of Historic
Resources be made available to the Planning Commission (PC) and Board of Supervisors (BOS) prior to
the PC and BOS meetings at which this item would be considered, requested that photo -simulations be
forwarded to the County for consideration, and asked if an alternate site had been proposed to avoid
impacts to historic resources.
On January 28, 2021, the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (VDHR) commented on the recently
received photo -simulations. VDHR determined that the proposal would have a negative impact on the
Greenwood -Afton Rural Historic District and on the individually designated Mirador Farm and Seven
Oaks properties and asked for additional information. The text of the VDHR comment is copied below.
Historic Preservation staff viewed the balloon test conducted on January 11, 2021. Available views of the
balloon indicated that the proposed monopole would appear well above the trees and would be skylit
from various vantage points within the Greenwood -Afton Rural Historic District and from individually
designated properties including Mirador Farm and Seven Oaks. Staff agrees with VDHR that the level of
visibility would have a negative visual impact on the character of the historic district and the individually
designated properties. Consequently, an alternate location and/or reduced height are recommended.
Email received 1/28/2021:
This is to notify you that the Lead SHPO/THPO has requested additional information on the
following filing:
Source: Virginia Department of Historic Resources
Date of Action: 01/28/2021
Comment Text: Having viewed the recently submitted photo simulations, we believe that the
proposed tower will have an effect on the Mirador Farm property, the Seven Oaks Farm
property, and the Greenwood -Afton Rural Historic District -- all of which are listed on the
National Register of Historic Places. In order to ensure that the effect is not adverse, we request
that the applicant explore measures to reduce the visual effect of the proposed tower. These
may include reducing the height to the greatest extent possible that still achieves the desired
coverage, finding an alternate location, or employing a stealth design. We need the applicant to
provide coverage maps and an alternatives analysis, demonstrating that they have considered
alternatives to what they are currently proposing. If alternatives are not possible, we need for
the applicant to explain why.
Thanks,
Chris Novelli
Virginia Dept. of Historic Resources