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Home My WebLink AboutSP200700027 Resubmittal 2008-01-14 LPDA January 14,2008 Ms.Joan McDowell Community Development 401 McIntire Road North Wing Charlottesville,VA 22902 RE:Emmanuel Episcopal Church SP 2007-027—Withdrawal of Variance Dear Joan: This letter is to formally withdraw our request for variance for Emmanuel Episcopal Church. I intended the request to be a waiver,not a variance. It was my misunderstanding. Please refund the fee and withdraw the request. Thank you. Sincerely, Mark Lieberth,ALSA,LEED AP Associate,Land Planning and Design 310 East Main Street LAND PLANNING&DESIGN ASSOCIATES,INC. Suite 200 Charlottesville,Virginia 22902 Landscape Architecture Planning 434.296 2108 Fax:434.296.2109 www.lpda.net LpDA January 14,2008 Ms.Joan McDowell Community Development 401 McIntire Road North Wing Charlottesville,VA 22902 RE:Emmanuel Episcopal Church SP 2007-027—Waiver for Design Standards for Parking Areas Dear Joan: This letter is to formally request a waiver for design standards for parking lots (Sections 4.12.15.a,4.12.15.g, 4.12.16.c and 4.12.16.e) at Emmanuel Episcopal Church. Specifically we are requesting waivers for the following sections: a. 18-4.12.15a Surface materials—We are requesting the use of Prime And Double Seal in place of standard asphalt. The parking will be a hard surface but will look more like gravel and not "suburban"asphalt. b. 18-4.12.15g Curb and Gutter—Again to keep with the rural character,we are requesting not to use curb and gutter. Four inch curbing will be installed in places close to the sanctuary only. Drainage will be collected along the back of parking stalls thereby eliminating gutters. c. 18-4.12.16c Minimum aisle width—We are requesting that this be reduced to 10'in the northwest parking area in order to preserve tree root systems. d. 18-4.12.16e bumper blocks—We are requesting to not use bumper blocks in order to keep rural character. The application of the zoning ordinance creates an aesthetic that we believe is not in keeping with the historic church or the rural area. The materials that we have chosen to use,or not use,are intended to maintain the integrity of the historic and picturesque site. By waiving these standards,the public health,safety and welfare will not be compromised. Sincerely, Mark Lieberth,ALSA,LEED AP Associate,Land Planning and Design 310 East Main Street LAND PLANNWO&DESIGN ASSOCIIA?ES,INC. Suite 200 Charlottesville,Virginia 22902 Landscape Architecture . Planning 434.296.2108 Fax:434.296.2109 www.lpda.net LPDA January 14,2008 Ms.Joan McDowell Community Development 401 McIntire Road North Wing Charlottesville,VA 22902 RE:Emmanuel Episcopal Church SP 2007-027—Critical Slopes Waiver Dear Joan: This letter is to formally request a waiver for the development of critical slopes. We are proposing to disturb approximately 2,000 sf,of critical slopes at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in order to grade for the new structure. Section 4.2 states "Where modification of regulations is sought pursuant to section 4.2.5, such request shall address each concern specified in section 4.2." The concerns addressed in Section 4.2 are:rapid and/or large-scale movement of soil and rock;excessive storm water run-off;siltation of natural and man- made bodies of water;loss of aesthetic resource;and in the event of septic system failure,a greater travel distance of septic effluent. The disturbance of critical slopes proposed will not have an effect on the health,safety or welfare of the public. The disturbance created by the grading of critical slopes: 1. Does not create rapid and/or large-scale movement of soil and rock. The area is limited to a relatively small area and is contained to fill.Large scale disturbance is not planned. 2. Does not create excessive storm water run-off. The area is currently steeply planted and will remain so after disturbance. Therefore,there is no substantial increase in run-off. 3. Will not cause increased siltation of natural and man-made bodies of water. The plans will follow all applicable Virginia Storm Water Management Regulations,and the disturbed area will be seeded and planted when complete causing no increase in siltation. 4. Will not result in a loss of an aesthetic resource. In fact,it will enhance the area by allowing us to preserve the views of the historic church from the entrance corridor. 5. Will not cause event of septic system failure,as the area to be disturbed is not in the path of septic drainage. Section 4.2.5 states that the requirement of section 4.2 may be modified or waived in an individual case and states specific cases. Subsection 4.2.5.b.3 applies to this project. 4.2.5.b.3 Granting such modification or waiver would serve a public purpose of greater import than would be served by strict application of section 4.2. In order for the new structure to be(1)minimally visible from the entrance corridor,.(2)be in close proximity to the sanctuary, (3)maintain the visual character of the site,the best location for this structure was determined to be behind the existing sanctuary. The church desires to have the new fellowship hall on axis with the courtyard centered on the colonnade in following the historic precedence. The proposed location is 310 East Main Street LAND PLANNING is DESIGN ASSOCIATES,INC. Suite 200 Charlottesville,Virginia 22902 Landscape Architecture • Planning 434.296.2108 Fax:434.296.2109 www.lpda.net LPDA Page 2 in the best interest of the entire community,given the National Historic Registrar status to keep the development orderly. The location is also best for the entrance corridor. As stated above,the disturbance of critical slopes on this project does not create an impact on the health, safety or welfare of the public. Furthermore,the benefit gained by the public of the placement of the new structure outweighs the impact of the relatively small disturbance of critical slopes proposed. In short,this location benefits the public interest,without endangering their health safety or welfare. Sincerely, Mark Lieberth,ALSA,LEED AP Associate,Land Planning and Design LPDA January 14,2008 Ms.Amelia McCulley Zoning Administrator 401 McIntire Road North Wing Charlottesville,VA 22902 RE:Emmanuel Episcopal Church SP 2007-027 Dear Ms.McCulley: I am writing you on behalf of the Church to ask for a formal ruling from the zoning department on the parking required at Emmanuel Episcopal Church. As I understand in Section 4.12.6 of the code,the zoning administrator determines parking for churches in the rural area. If the straight zoning were used, 170 would be required on site. My calculations are below.,however,the church feels that this is too many: Church: 1 space per 3 fixed seats (or) 75 @ 225 seats 1 space per 75 sf(greater) 32 @2,368 sf Meeting: 1 space per 75 sf 32 @2,380 sf Marsh LaRue House: 1 space per 200 sf(if office) 13 @2,560 sf New Building: 1 space per 200 sf(if office) 50 @10,000 net sf (code requires study if school) TOTAL 170 spaces The current parking situation is very"loose"in nature. Spaces are not defined,and are not common dimensions. Parishioners often park on the grass and on the entrance road leading to the front of the church. The church feels that this is an unsafe condition,and wants to alleviate this problem,by removing parking from the entrance road,and defining proper spaces. Using a standard 10'space,I have determined that there are approximately 100 existing parking spaces,including all of the"unsafe" spaces. The Church Vestry has completed a parking study informally themselves. At the break between services,the time with the greatest number of cars parked,the Vestry representative counted 94 cars. It should be noted that the Vestry does not plan on adding on to the church sanctuary. If the congregation increases,the church will add a third Sunday service during winter. The church does plan to expand in the future by adding a structure behind the current church sanctuary that will serve as a new fellowship hall, 310 East Main Street LAND PLANNING&DESIGN ASSOCIATES,INC. Suite 200 Charlottesville,Virginia 22902 Landscape Architecture Planning 434.296.2108 Fax:434.296 2109 \VWW.Ip4_ne1. LPDA Page 2 offices,and potentially classrooms. The church is planning this addition to be approximately 10,000 net square feet. The Church is asking for 133 total spaces, 122 of which are located at the church proper,and 11 are located at neighboring house/meeting room that they own in the adjacent ranch style house. The Church feels that this is an appropriate number to balance growth,site features,and provide safe conditions for the members. I have enclosed the site plan,two diagrams showing existing and proposed coyerage,and a phasing diagram for your review. Please review this request and return your ruling to me. As always,feel free to call with questions. Thank you. Sincerely, gAZ Mark Lieberth,ALSA,LEED AP Associate,Land Planning and Design