Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutARB202100040 Staff Report 2021-05-12ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD STAFF REPORT Project #/Name ARB-2021-40: Scotts Ivy Exxon Final Site Plan Review Type Final Site Plan and Review of Architecture Parcel Identification 058A2-00-00-02100 Location 4260 Ivy Rd, on the north side of Rt. 250 approximately 265' east of the Rt. 250 and Ivy Depot Rd. intersection. (See Figure 1). Zoned Commercial (C1), Entrance Corridor (EC) Owner/Applicant SR&DR LLC/Collins Engineering (Scott Collins) Magisterial District Samuel Miller Proposal To construct a 3,200-sf addition to an existing service station and to complete associated site improvements on approximately 1.59 acres. Context The subject property is comprised of a ca. 1950s service station, a fuel pump canopy/fueling area, and a ca. 1950s residence north of the service station in the heart of the Ivy commercial area. Railroad tracks are located to the north, a residence converted to offices is to the west and commercial uses are to the southwest and west of Owensville Road. Properties zoned Village Residential are to the north and south with a Rural Area zoned property to the east. Beyond the central commercial area, the Entrance Corridor is characterized by wooded frontages. (Fig. 1.) Visibility The addition is proposed at the rear of the existing service station, 75' from the right-of-way and approximately 98' from the Rt. 250 edge of pavement. Three sides of the proposed addition, as well as much of the parking areas, will be clearly visible from the EC (Rt. 250). ARB Meeting Date May 17, 2021 Staff Contact Khris Taggart PROJECT HISTORY The building, which predates the establishment of the Entrance Corridor, is representative of small-scale mid-201 century service stations. It appears to have been originally built with two overhead bays with the taller western bay added later. The ARB previously reviewed and approved the existing fuel pump canopy and the refacing of the pole -mounted sign for this site. The ARB provided comments on the preliminary architecture and recommended approval without conditions on the initial site plan on January 4, 2021. Figure 1: Google Image (left) showing project area along the Rt. 250 Entrance Corridor and County GIS map (right) highlighting subject property. ANALYSIS REF GUIDELINE RECOMMENDATIONS 1/4/21 ISSUE 5/17/21 RECOMMENDATIONS 5/17/21 GENERAL GUIDELINES Purpose, Compatibility with significant historic sites and the character of the Entrance Corridor, Structure design 1 The goal of the regulation of the design of development within the Provide samples for all materials and Regarding the building elevations, Revise the proposal to provide a design designated Entrance Corridors is to ensure that new development colors. windows have been added to the second that maintains a connection to the within the corridors reflects the traditional architecture of the area. story of the concrete block portion of the historic architecture of the area, and that Therefore, it is the purpose of ARB review and of these Guidelines, Revise the proposal to provide a design addition and the windows on the does not use trademark colors as a major that proposed development within the designated Entrance Corridors that maintains a connection to the corrugated metal portion have been design element. reflect elements of design characteristic of the significant historical historic architecture of the area, that does shifted up to align with them. The landmarks, buildings, and structures of the Charlottesville and not use trademark colors as a major addition of windows along the second Albemarle area, and to promote orderly and attractive development design element, and that establishes a story of the south elevation helps to within these corridors. Applicants should note that replication of cohesive overall design with human relieve the blankness that was present historic structures is neither required nor desired. scale and minimal blankness. there. 2 Visitors to the significant historical sites in the Charlottesville and Albemarle area experience these sites as ensembles of buildings, Material and color samples have been land, and vegetation. In order to accomplish the integration of provided. The material samples confirm buildings, land, and vegetation characteristic of these sites, the the utilitarian nature of the materials. Guidelines require attention to four primary factors: compatibility The color samples confirm that color with significant historic sites in the area; the character of the choices are outside the typical Entrance Corridor; site development and layout; and landscaping. approvable range and that they clearly represent trademark design. The 2' 3 New structures and substantial additions to existing structures should respect the traditions of the architecture of historically significant reduction in height of the blue band and buildings in the Charlottesville and Albemarle area. Photographs of the shifting of the color stripes are historic buildings in the area, as well as drawings of architectural positive changes, but the placement and features, which provide important examples of this tradition are extent of those colors emphasize the contained in Appendix A. trademark nature of the design, and using the gray color on the whole building 4 The examples contained in Appendix A should be used as a guide for building design: the standard of compatibility with the area's emphasizes the mass. Maintaining the historic structures is not intended to impose a rigid design solution red brick of the existing building, for new development. Replication of the design of the important replacing the color stripes with historic sites in the area is neither intended nor desired. The architectural detailing, and choosing a Guideline's standard of compatibility can be met through building more muted earth -tone color for the scale, materials, and forms which may be embodied in architecture addition would be appropriate. These which is contemporary as well as traditional. The Guidelines allow changes might allow for some minimal individuality in design to accommodate varying tastes as well as painted corporate color at the addition. A special functional requirements. significant reduction in brand design elements and overall visual impacts are 9 Building forms and features, including roofs, windows, doors, materials, colors and textures should be compatible with the forms still needed. and features of the significant historic buildings in the area, exemplified by (but not limited to) the buildings described in Appendix A [of the design guidelines]. The standard of compatibility can be met through scale, materials, and forms which may be embodied in architecture which is contemporary as well as traditional. The replication of important historic sites in Albemarle County is not the objective of these guidelines. 5 It is also an important objective of the Guidelines to establish a pattern of compatible architectural characteristics throughout the Entrance Corridor in order to achieve unity and coherence. Building designs should demonstrate sensitivity to other nearby structures within the Entrance Corridor. Where a designated corridor is substantially developed, these Guidelines require striking a careful balance between harmonizing new development with the existing character of the corridor and achieving compatibility with the significant historic sites in the area. 10 Buildings should relate to their site and the surrounding context of buildings. 13 Any appearance of "blankness" resulting from building design should be relieved using design detail or vegetation, or both. 1 I The overall design of buildings should have human scale. Scale should be integral to the building and site design. 12 Architecture proposed within the Entrance Corridor should use forms, shapes, scale, and materials to create a cohesive whole. 15 Trademark buildings and related features should be modified to meet the requirements of the Guidelines. g The architectural elements of a building should not be altered to reflect trademark canopy design. 14 Arcades, colonnades, or other architectural connecting devices None. An addition connected to the rear of the None. should be used to unify groups of buildings within a development. existing building is proposed, so a connecting device is not necessary. 16 Window glass in the Entrance Corridors should not be highly tinted or None. Specifications on the proposed glass None. highly reflective. Window glass in the Entrance Corridors should have been provided and meet the EC meet the following criteria: Visible light transmittance (VLT) shall Guidelines. not drop below 40%. Visible light reflectance (VLR) shall not exceed 30%. Specifications on the proposed window glass should be The window glass note has been submitted with the applicationforfinal review. provided on the drawings. Accessory structures and equipment 17 Accessory structures and equipment should be integrated into the Coordinate the appearance and location The location of the dumpster enclosure Coordinate the appearance of the overall plan of development and shall, to the extent possible, be of the dumpster screen in both the site has been coordinated in both the site plan dumpster enclosure in both the site plan compatible with the building designs used on the site. plan and color renderings. The location and color renderings. However, it is and color renderings. shown in the architectural renderings is noted in the site plan that the enclosure is more appropriate than the one in the site to be painted to match the building, but Revise the architectural plan to specify plan. the color renderings show an unpainted the color proposed for the vending enclosure. machine enclosure. Provide street level views looking east and west from Rt. 250 with and without The location of the mechanical Revise the plans to show a fence design landscaping illustrating as much of the equipment has been noted on the plans. to screen mechanical equipment and site as possible. Reduce width of The site plan notes a 6' wooden picket vehicles awaiting repair that relates to travelways as much as possible to reduce fence to screen the mechanical the building and commercial context of visibility of the addition from the EC. equipment and tank storage along the western perimeter of the building. the site and is appropriate for the EC. Chain link fencing is not appropriate 18 The following should be located to eliminate visibility from the Entrance Corridor street. If, after appropriate siting, these features will Show the location of mechanical However, the screen is not continuous fencing for the EC. still have a negative visual impact on the Entrance Corridor street, equipment (building- and ground- and it includes 4 openings along its screening should be provided to eliminate visibility. a. Loading areas, mounted) on the site and architectural length, which does not provide for b. Service areas, c. Refuse areas, d. Storage areas, e. Mechanical plans and show how it will be screened complete screening. Sheet ARB.08 says equipment, f. Above -ground utilities, and g. Chain link fence, barbed from the EC. If the location is inside the that the existing screening will remain, wire, razor wire, and similar security fencing devices. building, note this on the plans. If and new screening will be added. The 19 Screening devices should be compatible with the design of the located on the rooftop, provide a roof existing picket fence looks out of place, buildings and surrounding natural vegetation and may consist of plan showing equipment locations, and additional picket fence would not be a. Walls, b. Plantings, and c. Fencing. show the equipment locations and appropriate, and a mix of designs would heights on the elevation drawings. also not be appropriate. A fence material and design that better relate to the Coordinate the color of the vending commercial nature of this site would be machine enclosure with the approved appropriate. building color. The opening of the existing vending Consider rotating the vending machine machine enclosure has not been rotated enclosure so that the closed end faces the so that the closed end faces the street, but street. the color has been revised to what appears to be a dark gray. No fencing is shown to screen the area for vehicles awaiting repair north of the building. By ordinance, no vehicles awaiting repair may be visible from the roadway. Since the fence will be visible from the street, the fence design must be consistent with the EC Guidelines. Chain link fencing is not appropriate for the EC. 21 The following note should be added to the site plan and the None. The note is on both the site and None. architectural plan: "Visibility of all mechanical equipment from the architectural plans. Entrance Corridor shall be eliminated." Lighting 22 Light should be contained on the site and not spill over onto adjacent Provide a lighting plan with the next A lighting plan has been provided with None. properties or streets; submittal. this submission. The lighting does not exceed .5 footcandles over any public roadways or adjacent properties. 23 Light should be shielded, recessed or flush -mounted to eliminate The photometric plan shows maximum Coordinate the quantity of pole lights glare. All fixtures with lamps emitting 3000 lumens or more must be lighting levels (1.0 fc) well below the shown in the luminaire schedule and the full cutoff fixtures. Guideline's maximum. The luminaire lighting plan. schedule mentions 8 pole lights but a note on the lighting plan only mentions a single existing pole light. The existing Revise the lighting plan to show that all new and moved light fixtures meet all 24 Light levels exceeding 30 footcandles are not appropriate for display lots in the Entrance Corridors. Lower light levels will apply to most pole light that is proposed to be relocated ordinance requirements. other uses in the Entrance Corridors. is not a full cutoff fixture and emits over 3000 lumens (5500). Non -conforming Revise the lighting plan to show that all fixtures moved to new locations must new and movedpole-mounted fixtures meet all current ordinance requirements. are full cutoff styles and have a color temperature between 2000K — 3000K. 25 Light should have the appearance of white light with a warm soft The plan notes the color temperature of glow; however, a consistent appearance throughout a site or the existing canopy lighting as 4000K. development is required. Consequently, if existing lamps that emit Color temperature consistency across a non -white light are to remain, new lamps may be required to match site is typically appropriate; however, them. due to the minimal lighting on -site and in the surrounding area, a wane white light (2000K — 3000K) for the building and pole -mounted lighting would be appropriate. 26 Dark brown, dark bronze, or black are appropriate colors for free- The color of the building -mounted None. standing pole mounted light fixtures in the Entrance Corridors. fixtures has been indicated as medium gray. This lighting is located on the rear of the building and is not expected to be 27 The height and scale of freestanding, pole -mounted light fixtures should be compatible with the height and scale of the buildings and visible from the EC. the sites they are illuminating, and with the use of the site. Typically, the height of freestanding pole -mounted light fixtures in the Entrance Corridors should not exceed 20 feet, including the base. Fixtures that exceed 20 feet in height will typically require additional screening to achieve an appropriate appearance from the Entrance Corridor. 28 In determining the appropriateness of lighting fixtures for the Entrance Corridors, the individual context of the site will be taken into consideration on a case by case basis. 29 The following note should be included on the lighting plan: "Each The standard lighting note is on the None. outdoor luminaire equipped with a lamp that emits 3,000 or more lighting plan. initial lumens shall be a full cutoff luminaire and shall be arranged or shielded to reflect light away from adjoining residential districts and away from adjacent roads. The spillover of lighting from luminaires onto public roads and property in residential or rural areas zoning districts shall not exceed one half footcandle." 30-31 Guidelines for the Use of Decorative Landscape Lighting Provide a lighting plan with the next No decorative landscape lighting is None. submittal. proposed. Landscaping 7 The requirements of the Guidelines regarding landscaping are None. The proposed planting island along the None. intended to reflect the landscaping characteristic of many of the frontage helps to provide space for area's significant historic sites which is characterized by large shade frontage landscaping to soften the trees and lawns. Landscaping should promote visual order within the appearance of the existing fuel pump Entrance Corridor and help to integrate buildings into the existing canopy/fueling area and integrate the site environment of the corridor. into the surrounding area. 8 Continuity within the Entrance Corridor should be obtained by planting different types of plant materials that share similar Portions of the existing paved area along characteristics. Such common elements allow for more flexibility in the frontage (south and east of the the design of structures because common landscape features will existing fuel pump canopy) are being help to harmonize the appearance of development as seen from the removed to provide planting islands. street upon which the Corridor is centered. Shade trees with interspersed ornamentals and a row of shrubs are shown along the frontage in these planting islands. While the spacing exceeds 35' where the existing entrances 32 Landscaping along the frontage of Entrance Corridor streets should include the following: are located, the required number of large a. Large shade trees should be planted parallel to the Entrance trees are proposed. Corridor Street. Such trees should be at least 3% inches caliper (measured 6 inches above the ground) and should be of a plant species common to the area. Such trees should be located at least every 35 feet on center. b. Flowering ornamental trees of a species common to the area should be interspersed among the trees required by the preceding paragraph. The ornamental trees need not alternate one for one with the large shade trees. They may be planted among the large shade trees in a less regular spacing pattern. c. In situations where appropriate, a three or four board fence or low stone wall, typical of the area, should align the frontage of the Entrance Corridor street. d. An area of sufficient width to accommodate the foregoing plantings and fencing should be reserved parallel to the Entrance Corridor street, and exclusive of road right-of-way and utility easements. 33 Landscaping along interior roads: None. There are no interior roads in this site None. a. Large trees should be planted parallel to all interior roads. Such plan. trees should be at least 2% inches caliper (measured six inches above the ground) and should be of a plant species common to the area. Such trees should be located at least every 40 feet on center. 34 Landscaping along interior pedestrian ways: a. Medium trees should be planted parallel to all interior pedestrian ways. Such trees should beat least 2% inches caliper (measured six inches above the ground) and should be of a species common to the area. Such trees should be located at least every 25 feet on center. None. Other than the walkway shown along the rear and eastern side of the building, no interior pedestrian pathways are proposed. None. 35 Landscaping of parking areas: Revise the landscape plan to add one The plan has been revised to show 33 Revise the landscape plan to add two a. Large trees should align the perimeter of parking areas, located 40 additional interior tree. parking spaces. This requires three large shade trees at 2%" caliper along the feet on center. Trees should be planted in the interior of parking Revise the landscape plan to show all interior trees. The landscape plan has eastern side of the parking area. areas at the rate of one tree for every 10 parking spaces provided and interior trees at 2.5" caliper at time of been revised to show an additional tree, should be evenly distributed throughout the interior of the parking planting. but only two of the interior trees satisfy Revise the landscape plan to shift the area. the planting size requirement. These two London Plane trees to the east of the b. Trees required by the preceding paragraph should measure 2'/z Revise the landscape plan to provide trees are not evenly spaced throughout stormwater facility. inches caliper (measured six inches above the ground); should be additional trees and shrubs consistent the parking areas, but are acceptable evenly spaced; and should be of a species common to the area. Such with the rest of the proposal at the given the constraints of the site. trees should be planted in planters or medians sufficiently large to southwest corner of the site. maintain the health of the tree and shall be protected by curbing. Along the eastern perimeter of the site, c. Shrubs should be provided as necessary to minimize the parking the landscape plan shows a combination area's impact on Entrance Corridor streets. Shrubs should measure of large deciduous and evergreen trees 24 inches in height. and shrubs. Four large trees have been provided along parking perimeters, but two more are required. Two of those that are proposed — London Plane trees located north and south of the stormwater facility — may conflict with pipes and hardscaping. Shifting them east of the facility may allow for better spacing. Additional trees and shrubs consistent with the rest of the proposal have been provided at the southwest comer of the site. 36 Landscaping of buildings and other structures: None. No planting areas are provided along the None. a. Trees or other vegetation should be planted along the front of long front elevation of the existing building, buildings as necessary to soften the appearance of exterior walls. but the length of the elevation does not The spacing, size, and type of such trees or vegetation should be require "softening". A dogwood is determined by the length, height, and blankness of such walls. shown in a planting island near the b. Shrubs should be used to integrate the site, buildings, and other northeast comer of the building. structures; dumpsters, accessory buildings and structures; "drive thru" windows; service areas; and signs. Shrubs should measure at least 24 inches in height. 37 Plant species: None. The proposed plants are on the None. a. Plant species required should be as approved by the Staff based recommended species list. upon but not limited to the Generic Landscape Plan Recommended Species List and Native Plants for Virginia Landscapes (Appendix D. 38 Plant health: The following note should be added to the landscape plan: None. The note is present on the plan. None. "All site plantings of trees and shrubs shall be allowed to reach, and be maintained at, mature height; the topping of trees is prohibited. Shrubs and trees shall be pruned minimally and only to support the overall health of theplant." Development paftern 6 Site development should be sensitive to the existing natural None. The site is accessed from Rt. 250. The None. landscape and should contribute to the creation of an organized travelway and parking have an organized development plan. This may be accomplished, to the extent pattern. practical, by preserving the trees and rolling terrain typical of the area; planting new trees along streets and pedestrian ways and The existing building is set back from choosing species that reflect native forest elements; insuring that any the road parallel to the EC street. The grading will blend into the surrounding topography thereby creating proposed addition maintains the a continuous landscape; preserving, to the extent practical, existing layouttform of the existing building. significant river and stream valleys which may be located on the site and integrating these features into the design of surrounding There are no existing pedestrian ways development; and limiting the building mass and height to a scale along this portion of Route 250. that does not overpower the natural settings of the site, or the Entrance Corridor. A portion of the site where the addition 39 The relationship of buildings and other structures to the Entrance and expanded paved area is proposed is Corridor street and to other development within the corridor should wooded and will be removed to be as follows: accommodate the development. a. An organized pattern of roads, service lanes, bike paths, and pedestrian walks should guide the layout of the site. Views around the site are not expected to b. In general, buildings fronting the Entrance Corridor street should be negatively impacted. be parallel to the street. Building groupings should be arranged to parallel the Entrance Corridor street. c. Provisions should be made for connections to adjacent pedestrian and vehicular circulation systems. d. Open spaces should be tied into surrounding areas to provide continuity within the Entrance Corridor. e. If significant natural features exist on the site (including creek valleys, steep slopes, significant trees or rock outcroppings), to the extent practical, then such natural features should be reflected in the site layout. If the provisions of Section 32.5.2.n of the Albemarle County Zoning Ordinance apply, then improvements required by that section should be located so as to maximize the use of existing features in screening such improvements from Entrance Corridor streets. f The placement of structures on the site should respect existing views and vistas on and around the site. Site Grading 40 Site grading should maintain the basic relationship of the site to None. The existing site grading is not being None. surrounding conditions by limiting the use of retaining walls and by significantly altered. shaping the terrain through the use of smooth, rounded landforms that blend with the existing terrain. Steep cut or fill sections are generally unacceptable. Proposed contours on the grading plan shall be rounded with a ten -foot minimum radius where they meet the adjacent condition. Final grading should achieve a natural, rather than engineered, appearance. Retaining walls 6 feet in height and taller, when necessary, shall be terraced and planted to blend with the landscape. 41 No grading, trenching, or tunneling should occur within the drip line of Show the tree protection fencing The site plan set has been revised to None. any trees or other existing features designated for preservation in the consistently throughout the landscaping, show tree protection fencing consistently final Certificate of Appropriateness. Adequate tree protection fencing grading, and E&S plans. throughout. should be shown on, and coordinated throughout, the grading, landscaping and erosion and sediment control plans. H 42 Areas designated for preservation in the final Certificate of Appropriateness should be clearly delineated and protected on the site prior to any grading activity on the site. This protection should remain in place until completion of the development of the site. 43 Preservation areas should be protected from storage or movement of heavy equipment within this area. 20 Surface runoff structures and detention ponds should be designed to fit None. A stormwater feature is proposed None. into the natural topography to avoid the need for screening. When adjacent to the parking on the eastern visible from the Entrance Corridor street, these features must be frilly side of the site. A mixture of trees and integrated into the landscape. They should not have the appearance of shrubs is proposed between the facility engineered features. and the parking spaces. Off -site wooded area limits some of the visibility of this 44 Natural drainage patterns (or to the extent required, new drainage patterns) should be incorporated into the finished site to the extent portion of the site. possible. Signs Sign applications are required for all Signage is reviewed and approved by Sign applications are required for all proposed signs. separate submission. However, the proposed signs. Note that cabinet and following comment is provided. channel letter style signs would not be Limit wall signs to individual letter appropriate for this location. signs. The color renderings appear to show either a long panel sign or cabinet style sign added to the south elevation of the existing building. A smaller panel style sign is existing and, dependent on design, a larger panel sign may be appropriate. However, a cabinet style sign is not appropriate for a wall sign in the Entrance Corridors and a channel letter sign would not be appropriate given the context. SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Staff recommends the following as the primary points of discussion: 1. Painting the red brick of the existing building. 2. Adding trademark colors to the existing building and addition. 3. The landscaping of the exterior parking area. Staff offers the following comments on the proposal: 1. Revise the proposal to provide a design that maintains a connection to the historic architecture of the area, and that does not use trademark colors as a major design element. 2. Coordinate the appearance of the dumpster enclosure in both the site plan and color renderings. 3. Revise the architectural plan to specify the color proposed for the vending machine enclosure. 4. Revise the plans to show a fence design to screen mechanical equipment and vehicles awaiting repair that relates to the building and commercial context of the site and is appropriate for the EC. Chain link fencing is not appropriate fencing for the EC. 5. Coordinate the quantity of pole lights shown in the luminaire schedule and the lighting plan. 6. Revise the lighting plan to show that all new and moved light fixtures meet all ordinance requirements. 7. Revise the lighting plan to show that all new and moved pole -mounted fixtures are full cutoff styles and have a color temperature between 2000K — 3000K. 8. Revise the landscape plan to add two large shade trees at 2%" caliper along the eastern side of the parking area. 9. Revise the landscape plan to shift the two London Plane trees to the east of the stormwater facility. 10. Sign applications are required for all proposed signs. Note that cabinet and channel letter style signs would not be appropriate for this location. ATTACHMENTS • Attach. 1: ARB2021-40: Scotts Ivy Exxon Final Site Plan • Attach. 2: ARB2021-40: Scotts Ivy Exxon Architectural Drawings TABLE A This report is based on the following submittal items: Site Plan 1 Cover 4/5/21 2 Existing Conditions & Demolition Plan 3 Site Plan 4 Grading & Drainage Plan 5 Landscaping Plan 6 Notes & Details 7 Lighting Plan 8 Sight Distance Profiles Architectural Drawin s ARB.01 Cover Sheet 4/5/21 ARB.02 I Existing Site Views 12 ARB.03 First Floor Plan ARB.04 Screening/Mechanical Plan ARB.05 Second Floor Plan ARB.06 Roof Plan ARB.07 Front Route 250 Elevation ARB.08 Left West Side Elevation ARB.09 Right East Side Elevation ARB.10 Rear Elevation ARB.11 Proposed Materials ARB.12 Elevated Entrance from across Rt. 250 ARB.13 Right Rear View of Building ARB.14 Aerial View of Bay Entrances and Vehicle Storage ARB.15 New Entrance from across Rt. 250 ARB.16 Side Parkin Lot(Facing West ARB.17 Entrance Approach from Rt. 250 East ARB.18 Entrance Approach from Rt. 250 East — No Landscaping ARB.19 Entrance Approach from Rt. 250 West Top of Hill ARB.20 Entrance Approach from Rt. 250 West Top of Hill — No Landscaping 13