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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08 12 80 PC Minutes,. August 12, 1980 The Albemarle County Planning Commission conducted a public hearing on Tuesday, August 12, 1980, 7:30 p.m., Board Room, County Office Building, Charlottesville, Virginia. Those members present were Col. William R. Washington, Chairman; Mr. Layton McCann; Mr. Kurt Gloeckner; Mr. James Skove; Mr. David Bowerman; Mr. Charels Vest; and Mr. Corwith Davis. Absent were Mrs. Norma Diehl, Vice -Chairman; and Mr. Tim Lindstrom, ex-Officio. Other officials present were Mr. Robert Tucker, Director of Planning; Douglas W. Eckel, Senior Planner; and Frederick W. Payne, Deputy County Attorney. Col. Washington called the meeting to order after establishing that a quorum was present. Minutes of June 17, 1980, and June 24, 1980, were approved as submitted. Minutes of July 15, 1980, were approved subject to corrections made by Messrs. McCann, Davis, and Bowerman. SP-80-39. FAIRFIELD BRIDGE CO., INC., has petitioned the Board of Supervisors for temporary construction facilities on 61.9 acres zoned A-1. Property is located on the north side of Route 601 near the intersection of Routes 678 and 601. Tax Map 29, Parcel 67, White Hall District. Mr. Tucker presented the staff report, noting the letter from Mr. Douglas Frame, requesting that the area be re -seeded after the trailer is removed. Mr. Tucker noted that is part of the contract between Fairfield Bridge and the Virginia Department of Highways. Mr. Roger Farris of Fairfield Bridge advised the Comission that the trailer is very temporary and all construction materials and facilities will be removed from the site by early November, 1980. Mr. Coburn thanked the County for its cooperation in permitting Fairfield Bridge to proceed prior to the approval of the special use permit. He said that 32% of the work has already been accomplished. He recommended that this use be handled in an administrative process in the future, pointing to the crucial time element. Mr. Tucker advised the Commission that the staff recommends this become an administrative matter under the proposed zoning ordinance. There was no public comment, and Col. Washington closed the public hearing. Mr. McCann said that he feels that if the use is included in the proposed zoning ordinance as a use by right, to be handled administratively, it should be for both public and private uses. rr Mr. Gloeckner moved approval of the special use permit with no conditions. Mr. McCann seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. SP-80-44. GARY DUNCAN has petitioned the Board of Supervisors for a Group Home on 152 acres zoned A-1. Property is located south of Route 810, approximately 3.5 miles south of Boonesville General Store adjacent to Adventure Bound School. Tax Map 6, Parcel 40, White Hall District. Mr. Tucker presented the staff report. Mr. Duncan said that he has no problem with any of the recommended conditions of approval. There was no public comment and Col. Washington closed the public hearing. Mr. Gloeckner established that this is a residential school with 24 students and 18 staff members. Mr. Skove said that 152 acres seems adequate to handle the use. Mr. Gloeckner moved approval subject to the following conditions: 1. Submittal of copies of approvals from appropriate federal, state and local agencies. Should requirements of any approval agency conflict with requirements contained here, the more stringent requirement shall apply; 2. Upgrading of entrance road to the reasonable satisfaction of the Zoning Administrator for purposes of emergency vehicle access; 3. Building and Fire Official approvals; 4. Not more than 8 children, other than children of the applicnat, may be housed on the premises. All such children shall be enrolled in Adventure Bound School. This permit is issued to the applicant and is not transferrable. Mr. Vest seconded the motion, which carried unanimously, with no discussion. PUBLIC HEARING TO INCLUDE THE PARKS AND RECREATION PLAN AS AN ELEMENT OF THE ALBEMARLE COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Mr. Tucker noted that the plan being presented is based to some degree on the work sessions held by the Commission, as well as the recommendations of the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Doug Eckel summarized the plan. He presented the following summary of recommendations ( see attachment ). Mr. McCann said that he does not support busing of people from one section of the county to another for their enjoyment of the county amenities. Mr. Davis said that as opposed to building numerous swimming pools, he would like to look for natural swimming facilities, such as lakes. Mr. Skove said that he does not feel that the location of any new park should depend in any way upon a lease -type arrangement at Lake Reynovia. Col. Washington said that the term "school site" should replace "school" throughout the plan. SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS A listing of recommendations, drawn from the discussions in chapters one through four of this report, would include the following: FIVE YEAR CAPITAL PLAN (1) reliance on the capital construction needs outlined in Table 16 of the Comprehensive Plan, in combination with a policy of utilization of existing, growth area school sites, to set minimum goals for the five year capital plan; i.e. the following facilities to be funded in the 1980-1985 time period; or 1/3 of the total for the 1980-1995 planning period: 4 softball fields 6 tennis courts 6 play equipment areas 6 basketball courts 7 picnic areas 1 mini -park ( with site acquisition for a second park ) * 1 neighborhood park* (2) adoption of the priority listing for mini -park service districts as " follows: 1.4, 7.2, 5.2, 2.5, 7.3, Scottsville and 2.2 as high priority, with the presently undeveloped districts in Crozet ( C.3 and C.5 ), North Garden, and Piney Mountain as secondary priority to be reviewed under the next five year update; (3) coordination of all mini -park locations with the County's Patizways Plan ( under preparation ), with new park construction undertaken only after or at the same time as sufficient pathways are provided serving developments within the park's service district; (4) construction of a neighborhood park preferably within the Urban Area, in a location accessible to both bicyclists and motorists, with softball. facilities as its major component, but containing also tennis and picnic facilities ( an attempt should be made to interest the City of Charlottesville in sharing the cost of such a facility ); (5) initiation of fee waivers, expansion of part-time shuttle programs, and/or construction of a new swimming facility serving the southeastern corner of the County. In the event that Lake Reynovia remains closed, this facility should be located where it can serve most of the region south of the City. If Lake Reynovia is reopened, a new regional facility should he located closer to Scottsville. (6) initiation of a lease -type arrangement for continuing operations at the Lake Reynovia picnic and swimming facility. *The total needs for mini- and neighborhood parks minus the existing growth area school sites equivalent to these facilities times 1/3. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PROGRAMMING (1) concentration of recreational programming for the elderly in the rural service districts of Crozet, Stony Point, North Garden and Scottsville and urban districts 1.4 and 5.2; (2) establishment of a formal agreement between the Parks and Recreation and Education Departments for utilization of County schools, abandoned school buildings and school buses. (3) establishment of cooperative agreements between the City and County for scheduling of athletic leagues with common membership; (4) continued utilization of County school sites for additional playfields in all growth areas with possible expansion and upgrading of those sites to help accommodate facilities needed during the. 1980-1.985 p.l.anning period; and (5) utilization of differential pricing for admission to regional parks for non -county residents, or revenue sharing agreements with the City oi- Charlottesville and Greene County, for the purpose c_>f financing additional space at the facilities and alleviating crowded ccnd.tions. Mr. Gloeckner felt that as opposed to differential pricing for users outside the county, the facilities should be a joint effort by the different localities. Mr. Skove agreed that it could be done through the Capital Improvements Program. Mr. Eckel pointed out that the city is already using differential pricing for such things as swimming pools. The recommendation in the plan is based on overcrowded conditions. Mr. McCann said that he does not mind county funding of the acquisition of park sites, however once built, they should be selfsupporting. Mrs. Marilyn Posten then addressed the Commission. Among her topics of discussion were the accomplishments with the Hollymead School recreational facilities and future plans, her urging the Commission to recommend a strong and well -conceived parks plan, and the need for a Parks Commission and active Parks Department. She also discussed the possibilities for federal funds under certain conditions and well as other other sources of monies for parks development. Mr. McCann said that he feels the proposal is an ambitious plan looking for federal funds that may have the county in "over its head" in 10 years. Col. Washington noted that there seems to be less vandalism where there are user fees for recreational facilities. Mr. Vest said that on a sliding scale of the ability to pay, he has no problem with user fees. Mr. McCann said that the growth areas are around the city, and most rural residents won't benefit any more than they currently are. Mr. Bowerman said that he realizes that the Comprehensive Plan sets forth some of the standards for parks. He said that he is also aware that the recommendations of the Comprehensive Plan were based on a polling of 1500 persons, and he does not feel that establishes the need for what is being recommended. He asked who it is that is expressing the desire for all these facilities. Mr. Eckel responded that the Parks Department has received some inquiries. He did acknowledge that the survey was done as part of the work on the Comprehensive Plan update in 1977. Mr. Bowerman felt it important to look at real needs as opposed to consideration of some grand scheme. Mr. Tucker said that the Planning Department was asked to do a five year plan for Parks as part of the Comprehensive Plan. Mrs. Posten said that there seems to be a tendency to favor mini -parks over the concept of use of the existing school sites. She felt that the school sites are most important in the consideration of an expanded parks program. She urged the commission to analyze the various school sites, make an inventory of resources, materials and available facilities and compare Albemarle's standards with another locality, and lastly hold various neighborhood workshops. Mrs. Graves said that in its consideration, the Commission should remember what crime costs if the facilities did not exist. She urged that the Commission pursue, once again, the Whitewood Road site as a passive recreational facility for that highly developed area. Mrs. Graves also felt it would be important to count the facilities that are renting from the County at the present time. Mr. McCann said that he would like to see the plan with cost figures. Mr. Gloeckner said that the plan should be realistic, using the people that the county already has, as well as other free resources. Mr. Skove said that he is not sure a survey will indicate what is actually needed. Mr. Bowerman said it is important to emphasize the role of the community and school board in the planning for recreational facilities. A mechanism for all things to come together with a minimum capital expenditure is needed. He stated that access to Albemarle High School and its facilities for that growth area should be pursued, and then the county should begin work on the Whitewood Road site. Mr. McCann said that government should respond to the needs of the citizens, not initiate concepts such as this parks plan. Mr. Gloeckner recommended that the school board give up vacant land for parks when there is a demand by a neighborhood for a park, as long as there is no projected school. Mr. Bowerman suggested a work session to continue dealing with the parks plan. Mr. Gloeckner felt it important to plan for the Hollymead and Berkeley/Four Seasons areas, upgrade the facilities at the schools and get them in order with any community participation that is possible, and refurbish regional parks. Then any other facilities that are necessary can be constructed. Mr. Vest said that he had thought the Parks Plan was supposed to comply with the Comprehensive Plan. If the Commission does not intend to following the recommendations of the Plan, then it should say so at this time. Mr. McCann said that if this plan becomes an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan people will soon be pushing for it to become a reality. Mr. Skove said that won't be possible if the plan prioritizes. Col. Washington closed the public hearing. Mr. Vest moved that the Commission defer indefinitely the Parks Plan, to be considered at a later work session. Mr. Bowerman seconded the motion, which carried unanimously, with no further discussion. Bishop Hill Subdivision Plat: Mr. Tucker advised the Commission that Mr. Dale Addler is under contract to buy lot 10 in Bishop Hill. It is difficult to meet the setback on Route 734 in order to properly site the house because of the drainage swale. He said that Mr. Addler is requesting that the setback be amended from 75 feet to 50 feet. Mr. Skove said that he feels this is a question for the BZA, however he would move that the Commission accept the plat with the amended setback of 50 feet on lot 10 of Bishop Hill Plat. Mr. Bowerman seconded the motion, which carried by a vote of 5-0-2, with Mr. Davis and Col. Washington abstaining. Mr. Tucker advised Commission members that the VCPA Workshop will soon be held at Natural Bridge if anyone is interested in attending. Col. Washington brought the Commission up to date on the recent General Electric luncheon, stating that GE's proposal is a $31 million expansion at its facilities on Route 29 North. There will be a net increase of 100 employees over approximately two years. There was no further business, and the Commission adjourned at 11:05 p.m. ff- -t W. Tucker, Jr. - Se ret�art C��