HomeMy WebLinkAboutSP200700027 Correspondence 2007-06-27 DA�.vLIESH, GILPIN & PAXTON, P. �.
Architecture # Historic Preservation # Planning f Interior Design
John D.Dalgliesh,Jr.,AIA Eric W.Amtmann,AIA
W.Douglas Gilpin,Jr.,FAIR
Roger L.Birle,AIA
Robert L.Paxton,MA Mark T.Bittle,AIA
Joseph J.Chambers,MA
D.Diana Johnson,AIA
John M.Nelson,AIA
27 June 2007 John Peterson,MA
R.David Craig
Director,Interior Design
Mr. Calder Loth
Virginia Department of Historic Resources
2801 Kensington Avenue
Richmond,VA 23221-2470
Re: Emmanuel Episcopal Church
Dear Calder:
I believe a few weeks ago you received a letter from me (a copy) addressed to the Albemarle
County Offices regarding improvements to the Emmanuel Church. The letter was pretty self-
explanatory as it is dealing with parking in and around the Church. Despite our going to two services
for nine months of the year, the Church has become quite popular, and parking and vehicular
ingress/egress can be quite congested. A number of years ago, the idea was floated to have a
comprehensive parking plan around the Church,and since that time we have hired LPDA as our Site
Plan Consultant.
Part and parcel with this is the development of a future site for any Church expansion. The
Vestry has wanted my involvement in this particular aspect, as well as the parking,for many years,
•• and I am pleased with the plan that I am sharing with you today.
There are three main goals that we are trying to achieve:
• Protect the historic character of Emmanuel's architectural design.
• Protect the landscape, including its significant tree coverage.
• Provide a comprehensive parking plan that blends into the landscape.
We studied separate ingress/egress road systems,and we concluded that the existing entry is
the best location,and are suggesting that it be widened slightly from its original 192os configuration.
While we do have parking and drives that circumnavigate the Church and Parish Hall and have a
separate spur lane to the West of the Marston LaRue House,the majority of the new parking is being
proposed to the East of Marston LaRue in a lower area. You will also notice a number of parking
spaces with a hatch mark through them. Those will be overflow parking on permeable grass/crete
pavers that are imbedded into the soil.These are especially important along the Northern edge of the
parking area where the spaces overlook US Route 25o. It is our intent not to provide any retaining
walls or other"modern"types of structures in these locations.
You will also note that we have provided a slight drop off area for our parishioners directly in
front of the Church's Courtyard,and have located a pair of handicapped spaces immediately around
the corner to the East of the Church tower.
P.O.Box 2555,206 FIFr1r STREET,N.E.,CHARLOTTESVILLE,VIRGINIA 22902 PHONE:434-977-4480 FAX:434-296-8720 EMAIL:DEGP@DEGPARCHITECTS.COM
DALGLIESH, GILPIN & PAXTON, I:C.
As can be expected,this will be a long process, and the County with its various departments
will be reviewing this to the nth detail. This will also come before the Architectural Review Board,
and I am certain that questions will be arise regarding the character of the"future structure"to the
South. The letter that I sent to you earlier(an additional copy is attached)describes my vision of the
building, but at this time, I have not even established a program for the specific uses within the
structure. It was the Church's intent to show the future building site rather than go through the
whole Site Plan Process again in five to io years.
I wanted to send this your way as I am certain that representatives from Albemarle County will
contact the Department for commentary. Should you have any specific questions, I am always
available.
Sincerely yours,
By 1))0.4
VV oug Gilpin,Jr., FAIA
WDG/uwr
enclosure
PC: Mark Lieberth,Victor Esch,John Savage,The Reverend Charles Mullaly.
P C) BOX 7.555 7nh Fifth ctrPPt N P CHART fITTF.CVTT.T.P VTRrTNTA 77Qn7_7555 TF.T.RPTIONF•AU-977.44Rn RAX•414-296_R720