HomeMy WebLinkAboutARB202100027 Correspondence 2021-05-10SHIMP ENGINEERING, P.C.
Design Focused Engineering
May 7, 2021
Margaret Maliszewski
County of Albemarle
Department of Community Development
401 McIntire Road, North Wing
Charlottesville, Virginia 22902
RE: Response Letter #1 for ARB2021-27 999 Rio Road Final Site Plan
Dear Margaret,
Thank you for your review of 999 Rio Road. This letter contains responses to ARB comments dated April
6, 2021. Our responses are as follows:
1. Include brick in the materials list for the Craig Units and indicate the proposed manufacturer and
color in the list.
RESPONSE: Please see the attached materials from Craig Builders.
2. Provide a materials list in the Habitat Units architectural drawings.
RESPONSE: Please see the attached materials from Habitat for Humanity.
3. Provide the specs on the window glass. Show that Visible Light Transmittance (VLT) will not
drop below 40% and Visible Light Reflectance (VLR) will not exceed 30%.
RESPONSE: Please see the revised materials from Craig Builders which reference Plygem 1500
series windows (see link for reflectance specs:
https://sweets. construction.com/Manufacturer/Guardian-Glass-NST300/Products/ClimaGuard--
70-36-Residential-Coated-Glass-NST446380-P)
4. Add landscape screening for the equipment west of Lot 1.
RESPONSE: Please refer to the revised landscape plan. Distylium shrubs are now proposed
around the equipment.
5. Add a note to the screening fence detail on C 10 that the fence material is wood. Indicate the
finish.
RESPONSE: The screening fence detail on C10 has been revised to indicate a wood screening
fence. The finish is proposed to be painted either white or to match the brick of the adjacent
residential units. This note has been added to the detail as well.
6. Add landscaping on the west side of Lot 1 to establish a cohesive appearance.
RESPONSE: In addition to the distylium shrubs, a saucer magnolia (originally conflicting with
the RWSA waterline) is now proposed adjacent to Lot 1.
7. Add shrubs and a tree along the Belvedere Boulevard frontage of the dog park.
RESPONSE: Distylium shrubs and a willow oak are now proposed in front of the dog park.
8. Include the standard mechanical equipment note on the architectural plans: "Visibility of all
mechanical equipment from the Entrance Corridor shall be eliminated."
912 E. High St. Charlottesville, VA 22902 1434.227.5140 1 shimp-engineering.com
RESPONSE: Please see the attached materials from Craig Builders and Habitat for Humanity.
9. Add a large shade tree along the Rio Rd. frontage for a total of 5 large shade trees. The location
shown in the revised plan is acceptable. If VDOT doesn't accept that location, find an alternate
location on site.
RESPONSE: Thank you for your preliminary review of the added tree. We will wait to hear
VDOT's response on the tree location; a note on the landscape plan indicates that all trees located
within the sight distance triangle is to be maintained to preserve sight distance.
10. Revise the planting size of the large shade trees along Rio Road to 3 Yz" caliper.
RESPONSE: The caliper of the American Elm has been updated to 3 V2" caliper.
11. Resolve the ornamental tree/water line conflict along the Rio Road frontage. The location shown
in the revised plan is acceptable.
RESPONSE: Comment received. Thank you for your preliminary review of this revision.
12. Show the landscaping that is proposed in the screening areas on the northeast and southeast sides
of the site so that it may be reviewed for consistency with the guidelines.
RESPONSE: The agreed upon screening with the surrounding property owners is now shown on
the landscape plan, which includes a mixture of deciduous and evergreen plantings and a 6'
wooden privacy fence.
13. Add trees and low planting in the area between the developed portion of the site and Rio Road to
help establish a cohesive overall development.
RESPONSE: With this first phase of development, the multi -use path is to be improved, with
Entrance Corridor street trees and ornamental trees proposed along Rio Road. For further
cohesion, saucer magnolia plantings are provided along Rio Road and adjacent to Lot 1. Such
improvements to the multi -use path and proposed plantings/groundcover seek to enhance
cohesion not only along Rio Road, but also within the development. Plantings are not proposed in
one area along Rio Road as the construction of the future building would damage or completely
remove the established plantings. Low maintenance groundcover is to be planted where there is a
3:1 slope proposed and at the time of the future building construction, landscaping will be
proposed and will undergo ARB review.
14. Indicate retaining wall material(s) and color(s) on the plan. A physical sample may be necessary
for review.
RESPONSE: Material and color of the retaining wall has been included in Craig Builders' plans.
If you have any questions or concerns about these revisions, please feel free to contact me at
Rachel anshimp-en ing eering com or by phone at 434-227-5140.
Regards,
Rachel Moon
Shimp Engineering, P.C.
912 E. High St. Charlottesville, VA 22902 1434.227.5140 1 shimp-engineering.com