HomeMy WebLinkAboutSDP202100022 Correspondence 2021-03-22 (7)SHIMP ENGINEERING, P.C.
Design Focused Engineering
March 22, 2021
Andy Reitelbach
County of Albemarle
Department of Community Development
401 McIntire Road, North Wing
Charlottesville, Virginia 22902
RE: Response Letter #1 for SDP2020-66 Albemarle Business Campus — Initial Site Plan
Dear Andy,
Thank you for your review of the initial site plan for Albemarle Business Campus. This letter contains
responses to County comments dated December 18, 2020. Our responses are as follows:
1. [General Comment] This property is potentially located within the Monticello viewshed. It is
recommended that you reach out to Liz Russell (lrussell@monticello.org) at Monticello to
discuss this project if you have not already done so.
RESPONSE: Comment received. Communication with Liz Russell was established during the
ZMA process.
2. [General Comment] Development of the site will need to meet the requirements of the
performance agreement with the Economic Development Office that was approved by the Board
of Supervisors on April 15, 2020.
RESPONSE: Comment received.
3. [32.5.2(a)] Include the application number for this project on the cover sheet of the plan.
RESPONSE: The final site plan submission attached to this comment response pertains only to
Block 5 (Self-Storage/Retail), so the initial site plan application number has only been included
under the Zoning subhead.
4. [32.5.2(a)] Include the correct zoning designation for this property on the cover sheet. It is NMD,
Neighborhood Model District, in accordance with the Application Plan and the Code of
Development of ZMA2019-00003, approved by the Board of Supervisors on October 7, 2020. All
references to the "pending" zoning district need to be removed and replaced with the actual
approved zoning district.
RESPONSE: The final site plan submission has been revised accordingly.
5. [32.5.2(a)] Include on the cover sheet the zoning overlay districts that these parcels are subject to.
RESPONSE: Comment received. The overlay districts have been added under the Zoning
subhead.
6. [32.5.2(a)] Ensure the correct tax map and parcel numbers are provided on the plan, as they will
likely change as the proposed BLA and subdivision plats move forward.
RESPONSE: Comment received.
912 E. High St. Charlottesville, VA 22902 1434.227.5140 1 shimp-engineering.com
[32.5.2(a)] Revise the sheet index on the cover sheet. It does not accurately reflect the actual
sheets that are included within the site plan. There are additional sheets included in the site plan
that are not listed in the index.
RESPONSE: Thank you for bringing this to our attention. The sheet index has been corrected.
8. [32.5.2(a)] The source of title needs to be revised to include all parts of the property. The Region
10 portion of the property is not currently included in this section.
RESPONSE: The Region Ten portion has been included under the Source of Title.
9. [32.5.2(a)] Include on the cover sheet a reference to the special exception that was approved with
this rezoning, for the waiver of a minimum of at least two housing types within an NMD.
RESPONSE: A reference to this special exception has been added under the Zoning subhead.
10, [32.5.2(a)] Boundary line adjustment (BLA) and/or subdivision plats will be required prior to
final site plan approval for any of the buildings and/or blocks that are proposed to be located on
individual parcels. These plats will require review and approval by CDD staff prior to their
recordation at the courthouse.
RESPONSE: Comment received.
11. [32.5.2(a)] On the cover sheet, include the parking setback lines for blocks 3 and 4 that are
identified in the COD.
RESPONSE: Information regarding parking setbacks will be included with the final site plan
submissions for blocks 3 and 4.
12. [32.5.2(a)] The stepback requirements for the blocks need to be included on the cover sheet, in
addition to the setbacks and building heights.
RESPONSE: Comment received. The stepback requirements for Block 5 have been included with
this submission.
13, [32.5.2(a)] Include on the cover sheet of the site plan that this site lies within a state dam break
inundation zone. Depict the limits of the state dam break inundation zone on the site plan.
RESPONSE: This notation has been added under the Zoning subhead. The state dam break
inundation zone is now shown on the existing conditions sheet and site plan sheet.
14, [32.5.2(d)] Depict and label the managed steep slopes on all applicable sheets of the site plan for
staff to determine the relationship of the proposed improvements to the locations of the managed
slopes.
RESPONSE: Comment received.
15, [32.6.2(h)] Provide a signature panel with a line for each member of the Site Review Committee
on the final site plan.
RESPONSE: The signature panel has been included on this final site plan submission.
16. [32.5.2(e)] Provide more details about the existing landscape features as described in Section 18-
32.7.9.4(c).
a. The Albemarle County Conservation Plan Checklist and Chapter 3.38 of the Virginia
Erosion and Sediment Control handbook. The Conservation Plan Checklist will need to
be signed by the owners and provided as an exhibit on the final site plan.
912 E. High St. Charlottesville, VA 22902 1434.227.5140 1 shimp-engineering.com
RESPONSE: Conserved areas of existing landscape features are not proposed.
17. [32.5.2(c)] The phase lines need to encompass the entire property and go all the way to the
property lines. No portion of the property can remain outside of the phase lines. At least the
northern portion of the dog park is not included within phase lines.
Phase lines also need to follow constructed or natural features so that each phase can stand on its
own. An individual phase must include all requirements for a Zoning Clearance and CO to be
issued. For example, a phase line cannot go through the middle of a parking space, like is
currently shown in the northern portion of the line between blocks 2 and 5. That line should be
extended east to incorporate all of that parking lot.
The phase lines at the eastern end of the proposed private street, near Wahoo Way, also need to
be revised. The phase with the street should include all of that intersection and not defer part of
that intersection until Phase 3, as is currently shown.
The phase lines must also be a part of the first final site plan that is submitted so that staff can
ensure they encompass all that is required.
RESPONSE: The final site plan submitted at this time only encompasses Block 5 and the interior
road.
18. [32.5.2.1(b)] The match lines need to be provided or revised. Portions of the existing conditions
sheets are missing — the northern parts of each section, block 1 and blocks 2-5. Also, the northern
part of block 1 on sheet C7 is missing and needs to be provided.
The match lines shown on sheets C8 and C9 need to identify which sheets they match with.
RESPONSE: For this submission, we have not shown match lines as the area of Block 5 fit
within the frame.
19. [32.5.2(b)] Information regarding the proposed use.
a. The two apartment buildings in the northwest of Block 1 indicate they have 4 floors of 8
apartments, which is 32 apartments. However, they indicate they have only 28 units.
Clarify this discrepancy or provide more information.
RESPONSE: This will be addressed with Block 1's final site plan submission.
b. Clarify what the "Portion of Stepback" is in the office building and whether that is a part
of the 17,000 sq.ft. office footprint, or in addition to it.
RESPONSE: A revised footprint and clarifying notation will be included with the final
site plan submission for Block 3. The stepback is shown as part of the total footprint.
c. Provide the square footage of non-residential space in each of blocks 2-5 so that staff can
ensure the ranges identified in the Code of Development are met.
RESPONSE: The land use schedule has been revised and provided on the cover sheet.
The square footage of non-residential space in Block 5 is proposed to be 104,935 sq. ft.
d. Identify the acreage of each of the proposed blocks 1-5.
RESPONSE: The acreage for Block 5 has been included with the land use schedule.
e. Provide the number of one -bedroom multi -family units and the number of two -bedroom
multi -family units that are provided. Staff cannot accurately calculate the number of
parking spaces required without knowing the exact number of each type of unit.
912 E. High St. Charlottesville, VA 22902 1434.227.5140 1 shimp-engineering.com
RESPONSE: A revised parking study will be submitted at a later time.
f. Provide more information on the amount of proposed greenspace and amenities. Also
identify all the amenities that are being provided. 20% of the site must be greenspace, and
20% of the site must be amenities; however, these two elements can overlap in many,
though not all, circumstances. It is not clear what is being counted as greenspace, what is
being counted as amenity area, and what is counting toward both calculations. Provide
more detailed calculations of these elements.
Recreational facilities in accordance with 18-4.16 of the Zoning Ordinance are not
provided in block 1, as required by note 1 on sheet 5 of the COD. Provide these required
amenities and recreational facilities in block 1. If substitution of these facilities is desired,
provide a substitution request with justification to Planning staff for review.
In addition, the dog park on block 5 is not shown as a part of the site plan at all.
Who will be maintaining the private greenspace and amenity areas? Some sort of
agreement will be required.
RESPONSE: Block 5 will contribute 2,006 SF of amenity space to Block 2-5's total
required 74,488 SF. This square footage comes from the portion of the paved path in the
rear of the parcel. Please refer to the land use schedule for the area of greenspace. A dog
park in Block 5 was not part of the approved Code of Development. Recreational
facilities for Block I will be addressed with that block's final site plan submission.
g. Provide the maximum height of all structures.
In addition, two of the apartment buildings are shown as four stories tall; however, the
Code of Development limits the height of buildings in that block to three stories only.
Revise.
RESPONSE: Comment received. The maximum height of the building has been noted on
the site plan (43'). Regarding the apartment buildings, the maximum height will be
addressed with Block 1's final site plan.
h. The parking schedule needs to be revised. Sufficient parking must be provided for the
development. There is not currently enough parking, and the Zoning division has not
approved the requested reduction in parking.
1. Staff cannot determine the number of parking spaces required in Block 1 because
the number of each type of unit has not been provided. In addition, more parking
needs to be provided in that block. The minimum amount required has not been
provided.
RESPONSE: Comment received. The parking study for the multifamily portion
will be submitted separately at a future time.
2.As this development is proposed to be phased, enough parking must be provided
for each phase, cumulative with the previous phases, so the parking calculations
must be separated out by phase. (Block 1 cannot be included with the cumulative
total as its parking must be provided separately from blocks 2-5.)
RESPONSE: Comment received. The parking study will be adjusted accordingly
when submitted at a later time.
912 E. High St. Charlottesville, VA 22902 1434.227.5140 1 shimp-engineering.com
3. Block 3 requires 267 parking spaces.
RESPONSE: Comment received.
4. Block 4 requires 66 parking spaces.
RESPONSE: Comment received.
5.A written request will need to be made to the Zoning Administrator regarding the
number of parking spaces required for the self -storage use, as it is an
unscheduled use.
RESPONSE: Comment received. A written request has been included with this
submission.
6. More parking spaces are required for blocks 2-5, as there is not currently
sufficient parking provided to accommodate the proposed uses.
RESPONSE: Comment received. The parking study will be submitted at a later
time.
7.As the parking spaces are proposed to be shared among blocks 2-5, a shared
parking agreement will be required prior to site plan approval.
RESPONSE: Comment received.
20. [32.5.2(i)] Streets, easements, and travelways.
a. At the time of subdivision, a request, with justification, for a private street will be
required for the proposed new street through blocks 2-5. Requests for private streets in
non-residential areas are reviewed administratively. If the request for a private street is
granted, a private improvement maintenance agreement will also be required.
RESPONSE: Comment received.
b. A separate submission of road plans will be required for the proposed new street through
blocks 2-5.
RESPONSE: Comment received.
c. Identify all proposed bike lanes or multi -use paths, along with proposed bike parking.
Provide the amount of bike parking that is proposed, on the cover sheet.
RESPONSE: The multi -use path is not shown with this submission as it is part of Block 3
and 4. The amount of bike parking has now been included under the Parking Schedule.
d. Identify on the site plan the proffered right-of-way dedication depicted in the "Single -
Lane Roundabout Exhibit."
RESPONSE: The proffered right-of-way dedication allocated for the roundabout will be
included with Block 4's site plan.
e. The application plan identifies the interior street as having 12-ft. travel lanes. The interior
street through blocks 2-5, as depicted, does not meet this width requirement, being only
20 or 22 ft. in width.
RESPONSE: Due to Fire/Rescue's comments, we have widened the road to 13-11 travel
lanes. While this street section differs slightly from the application plan, the intent of the
application plan's conceptual street sections is met. Travel lanes are accompanied by
912 E. High St. Charlottesville, VA 22902 1434.227.5140 1 shimp-engineering.com
street parking with 6' landscape strips and 5-6' sidewalks, creating an urban streetscape
along the interior road.
f Identify all proposed access easements. Access easements will require an approved plat.
RESPONSE: Comment received. An access easement of variable width (set 0.5' behind
the sidewalk) for the interior road is now. A plat will be provided before final site plan
approval.
21. [32.5.2(m)] Show the distance to the centerline of the nearest existing street intersection from the
proposed ingress and egress for Block 1 on sheet C7.
RESPONSE: The distance to the centerline of the nearest existing street intersection will be
provided with Block 1's final site plan submission.
22. [32.5.2(n)] Existing and proposed improvements.
a. Provide the maximum height of all buildings.
RESPONSE: The maximum height for the structure in Block 5 has been provided.
b. Provide the maximum footprint of the multi -family buildings in block 1.
RESPONSE: This information will be provided with the final site plan of Block 1.
c. Identify the height of all proposed retaining walls and whether they are located within
areas of managed steep slopes. Retaining walls within steep slope areas must be terraced,
with no individual wall being greater than six feet in height. Railings or guard rails may
be required on the retaining walls, depending on their height.
RESPONSE: Comment received. One retaining wall has been provided in Block 5,
located outside of managed steep slopes. The maximum height of the wall has been
included on the grading plan, at 6'.
d. Provide accessible ramps with the sidewalks.
RESPONSE: CG-12s are now shown on the site plan.
e. A sidewalk must be provided along Mountainwood Road, as shown in the COD and the
application plan.
RESPONSE: Comment received. The sidewalk will be provided with the multifamily
final site plan.
f A pedestrian connection must also be provided from Mountainwood Road to the interior
sidewalks of block 1, as shown in the COD and the application plan.
RESPONSE: Comment received. The sidewalk will be provided with the multifamily
final site plan.
g. Identify the widths of the planting strips.
RESPONSE: Labels for the 6' planting strips have been added.
h. How are residents supposed to enter the most southern apartment building? There is no
sidewalk connecting it to the parking lot.
RESPONSE: A sidewalk will be included with the multifamily final site plan.
912 E. High St. Charlottesville, VA 22902 1434.227.5140 1 shimp-engineering.com
i. A sidewalk or path needs to connect to the northern end of the crosswalk in block 2 near
the dog park.
RESPONSE: Comment received. This will be included with Block 2's final site plan.
A crosswalk needs to be provided across the eastern end of the proposed new street, from
the block 2 vehicle entrance toward block 3.
RESPONSE: Comment received. A crosswalk has been provided at this location.
k. Crosswalks and accessible ramps need to be provided at the western entrance of the
proposed new street.
RESPONSE: Comment received. Crosswalks and accessible ramps have been provided at
western entrance.
I. Provide the proposed crosswalk across Old Lynchburg Road at Country Green Road.
m. The sidewalks at the northwest corner of the 4,219 sq.ft. retail building need to connect.
RESPONSE: This will be addressed with the final site plan for Block 4.
n. How is trash collection proposed to be performed?
Dumpster pads need to be provided throughout the development. See 18-4.12.13 and 18-
4.12.19. The dumpster pads will also need to be screened, with profiles of their
enclosures provided.
RESPONSE: Two 65-gallon trash totes have been provided, on a 7x7' dumpster pad. The
dumpster pad will be screened with a wooden fence.
o. Loading spaces need to be provided throughout the development. See 184.12.13 and 18-
4.12.18. Identify the locations of the loading spaces on the site plan, and provide their
dimensions.
RESPONSE: Loading spaces are not needed within Block 5. Short-term loading may be
utilized in the rear of the structure within the 27' travelway.
p. Identify the length of the parking spaces provided. Many spaces are identified as 9-ft.
wide. However, none of the parking spaces have their lengths identified. Spaces must be
at least 18 feet long or 16 feet long with a 2-ft. unobstructed overhang provided.
RESPONSE: The site plan has been updated to include the length of parking spaces,
which are 18'.
q. Provide the dimensions of the on -street parking for the proposed new street through
blocks 2-5. The widths of the parallel spaces are not provided. No dimensions are
provided for the angular parking spaces.
RESPONSE: Dimensions (angle, length, width, and stall depth) are now provided.
912 E. High St. Charlottesville, VA 22902 1434.227.5140 1 shimp-engineering.com
23. [32.5.2(o)] Identify all areas proposed to be dedicated to public use, and identify the entity
(VDOT, the County, etc.) to which those areas will be dedicated. The dedication will require a
plat or plats.
24. [32.5.2(o)] Provide the right-of-way dedication along Mountainwood Road that is depicted in the
application plan.
RESPONSE: An inset plan of this area will be provided at the time of the multifamily site plan
submission.
25, [32.5.20); 32.5.2 (k)] Label all existing and proposed water, sewer, and storm drainage
easements by type and include a size/width measurement. For existing easements, state the deed
book and page of the recorded instrument. For proposed easements, an easement plat will need to
be submitted, reviewed, approved, and recorded at the courthouse prior to approval of the final
site plan being granted.
RESPONSE: Existing easements are shown with the recorded DB PG. Proposed easement plats
will be provided prior to final site plan approval.
26. [32.5.2 (I)] Label all existing and proposed utility easements by type and include a size/width
measurement. For existing easements, state the deed book and page of the recorded instrument.
For proposed easements, an easement plat will need to be submitted, reviewed, approved, and
recorded at the courthouse prior to approval of the final site plan being granted.
RESPONSE: Utility easements will be updated with Block 1's site plan submission. Proposed
utility easements will be provided prior to final site plan approval.
27. [32.5.2(n); 4.17; 32.7.81 A lighting plan that complies with sections 32.7.8 and 4.17 of the
Zoning Ordinance must be submitted with the final site plan, for any outdoor lighting that is
proposed on the site.
RESPONSE: A lighting plan is provided with this submission.
28. [32.5.2(p); 32.7.9] A landscape plan that complies with section 32.7.9 of the Zoning Ordinance
must be submitted with the final site plan. When submitting final site plans, keep in mind that the
landscaping requirements need to be met individually for each phase of the development, as the
phases must be able to stand independently.
RESPONSE: Comment received. A landscape plan for Block 5 has been provided with this
submission.
29. [COD] Identify the number of units proposed to be affordable in Block 1, in accordance with the
COD. In addition, include the affordable unit language from the COD in the final site plan for
Block 1.
RESPONSE: This information and notation will be provided with the multifamily final site plan.
912 E. High St. Charlottesville, VA 22902 1434.227.5140 1 shimp-engineering.com
If you have any questions or concerns about these revisions, please feel free to contact me at
Keane@shimp-en ine eering com or by phone at 434-227-5140.
Regards,
Keane Rucker
Shimp Engineering, P.C.
912 E. High St. Charlottesville, VA 22902 1434.227.5140 1 shimp-engineering.com