Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout09 02 1997 PC Minutes9-2-97 SEPTEMBER 2, 1997 The Albemarle County Planning Commission held a public hearing on Tuesday, September 2, 1997, in the County Office Building, Charlottesville, Virginia. Those members present were: Mr. Jared Loewenstein, Chairman; Mr. David Tice, Vice Chairman; Mr. William Nitchmann; Ms. Hilda Lee -Washington; Ms. Babs Huckle; Mr. Bruce Dotson; and Mr. William Finley. Other officials present were: V. Wayne Cilimberg, Director of Planning and Community Development; Mr. Greg Kamptner, Assistant County Attorney; Ms. Susan Thomas, Planner, and Ms. MaryJoy Scala, Senior Planner. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. and a quorum was established. The minutes of August 19, 1997 were unanimously approved as submitted. SP 97-19 CFW Wireless, Britts Mountain - Petition to construct a 150-foot telecommunications tower and associated facilities on a portion of 65 acres zoned RA, Rural Areas and EC, Entrance Corridor Overlay District [10.2.2(6)]. Property, described as Tax Map 75, Parcels 22 and 23, is located on the east side of Route 29, Monacan Trail Rd., on Britts Mountain. This site is located in the Samuel Miller Magisterial District and is not located within a designated development area. Deferred ,%we from the August 19, 1997, Commission meeting. En The applicant was requesting indefinite deferral. MOTION: Mr. Nitchmann moved, Ms. Washington seconded, that SP 97-19 be indefinitely deferred. The motion passed unanimously. SP 97-039 Woolen Mills Warehouse - Proposal to construct 2 warehouses totaling 10,000 square feet on approximately 6.7 acres zoned LI, Light Industry. The applicant requests a special use permit for fill in the floodplain of Moore's Creek. This property, described as Tax Map 77, Parcel 40, is located on the south side of Franklin Street, between the Charlottesville City limit and Moore's Creek. This property is located within the Scottsville Magisterial District and is recommended for Industrial Service in Neighborhood 4. WED SDP 97-086 Woolen Mills Warehouse Preliminary Site Plan Waiver Request - Proposal to construct 2 warehouses totaling 10,000 square feet on approximately 6.7 acres zoned LI, Light Industry. 176, 9-2-97 2 Staff was requesting deferral to September 16, 1997, due to a notification error. Public comment was invited. None was offered. MOTION: Mr. Tice moved, Mr. Nitchmann seconded, that SP 97-039 and SDP 97- 086 be deferred to September 16, 1997. The motion passed unanimously. SP 97-032 Blue Ridge Equine Clinic - Request for a special use permit to establish an equine veterinary hospital [20.4.2(1)], in an existing structure on 3.96 acres in Hickory Ridge PUD in Earlysville. The property, described as Tax Map 30, Parcel 110, is located in the Whitehall Magisterial District. Access to the property is from Milllington Road (Route 665). The property is zoned PUD, Planned Unit Development, and is designated RA, Rural Areas, in the Comprehensive Plan. The applicant was also requesting a waiver of Section 5.1.11(a) and (c) of the Zoning Ordinance, related to noise. Ms. Thomas said the closest structure is approximately 200 feet from the carriage building. However, she said she feels the noise regulations in paragraphs (a) and (c) were not meant to address animals such as horses, which do not usually generate a lot of noise. Ms. Thomas presented the staff report. Staff recommended approval of the special permit subject to conditions, and approval of the waiver. Mr. Tice asked why paragraph (c) needs to be waived because, as Ms. Thomas described, horses are not noisy animals. Ms. Thomas said Ms. Sprinkle, in the Zoning Department, cited paragraph (c) as being applicable. Ms. Thomas was not sure she agreed, because the horses will never be anywhere except in an enclosed building. Mr. Loewenstein asked if staff had received any comments from the Building Inspector after his inspection. Ms. Thomas said no concerns were identified. The building is considered to be suitable for the use. Mr. Tice asked if the special permit would restrict the applicant to being able to treat horses only. Mr. Kamptner said he believes that is what is envisioned in the application, but the Commission may specify that the permit is for the treatment of horses only if it so desires. (Condition No. 1 was re -worded to address this concern.) The applicant was represented by Reynolds Coles. Regarding the noise regulations, he recalled that when those regulations were adopted there had been no discussions about large animal facilities. Therefore, there is no exclusion for large animals. He said he would have no objection to paragraph (c) not being waived, with the exception / r/ 9-2-97 3 �., of emergencies which may come in late in the evening. He said the facility is strictly for the treatment of horses, and the animals will housed at all times. There will be two small, portable, quarter -paddock exercise pens. Mr. Coles displayed photographs of the facility. He said the adjacent property owner, Ms. Sprinkle, is supportive of the use. He said the average recovery time of patients is 4 days; the average surgery load is approximately 5 major surgeries and 3 minor surgeries per week. He estimated night visits at a yearly average of 1 every two weeks --concentrated mostly in the spring. In the spring it could be 1 night visit every 4-5 days. Stall waste is removed by a contractor and is taken to a disposal pile on the property. It is composted and is used by local landscapers and gardeners. Other animal waste (besides stall waste) is stored in a dumpster and hauled away. Mr. Finley questioned the need to confine the horses from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. (paragraph c), given the fact that there are horses all around this area. Mr. Coles agreed that there are horses turned out 24 hours a day on the property, in adjoining paddocks. This facility will have less horses on the property than currently exist. There being no public comment, the matter was placed before the Commission. Mr. Finley said he has visited the site and the use fits well with the surrounding environment. Mr. Tice said he was satisfied with both paragraphs (a) and (c) being included in the waiver, provided it is clearly understood the facility is for horses only. Mr. Cilimberg suggested a re -wording for condition No. 1 to address Mr. Tice's concern. Mr. Dotson said he feels an advantage of this use is that it will bring the property under the control of one user and one owner. MOTION: Mr. Finley moved, Mr. Tice seconded, that SP 97-32 for Blue Ridge Equine Clinic be recommended to the Board of Supervisors for approval subject to the following conditions: 1. The clinic shall be for equine care only and shall be operated in accordance with the plan described in the applicant's description, attached to the staff report as Attachment B, and the information contained in the letter dated July 23, 1997 sent to homeowners and attached to the staff report as Attachment C. 2. The applicant shall obtain a commercial entrance permit from VDOT for the existing entrance to the proposed clinic from Mockernut Lane. The motion passed unanimously. M /79 9-2-97 4 MOTION: Ms. Huckle moved, Ms. Washington seconded, that a waiver of Section 5.1.11, paragraphs (a) and (c) be approved for Blue Ridge Equine Clinic (SP 97-32). The motion passed unanimously. SP 97-38 Randolph R and Catherine Lang - Proposal to establish an antique and gift shop on approximately 2.0 acres. Property, described as Tax Map 69, parcel 7A, is located on the north side of Route 250 West (Rockfish Gap Turnpike) at the Nelson County line in the White Hall Magisterial District. The property is zoned RA, Rural Areas and EC Entrance Corridor, and is designated Rural Area in the Comprehensive Plan. Ms. Scala presented the staff report. Staff recommended approval subject to conditions. Staff also recommended that the applicant apply for a site plan waiver, with staff to review, instead, a sketch plan which will address parking layout, consolidation of entrances and landscaping. The ARB will review landscaping, signage and any exterior lighting. Mr. Cilimberg said a site plan waiver request could be placed on the Commission's Consent Agenda. The applicant will request that the Health Department allow the bathroom to serve both the employees and customers. It is believed the drainfield is adequate for such S%W' usage, but would be not adequate for a restaurant usage. It is doubtful that there is adequate space for another drainfield. The applicant was represented by Penny Wright and Catherine Lang. They offered to answer questions. Ms. Wright said she understood the need to request a site plan waiver. There being no public comment, the matter was placed before the Commission. Mr. Dotson noted that this property is in the Rural Areas, and this use will be less intensive than a restaurant (the previous use for the property). MOTION: Mr. Tice moved, Ms. Huckle seconded, that SP 97-38 for Randolph and Catherine Lang be recommended to the Board of Supervisors for approval subject to the following conditions: 1. Site plan or site plan waiver to address the parking layout, consolidation of the entrances, and landscaping. 2. Engineering Department approval of entrance improvements. 3. Architectural Review Board approval. 1715 9-207 5 A Health Department approval of use of existing septic system. 5. Exterior lighting to be shielded. The motion passed unanimously. MISCELLANEOUS A joint City/County Planning Commission meeting will be scheduled sometime in October to review the final draft of the CATS (Charlottesville Area Transportation Study). ------------------ As he has several times in the past, Mr. Nitchmann asked about the status of the Rt. 250/Rt. 729 Intersection traffic study. Mr. Cilimberg said it has been listed by VDOT as a study to be done in the next year. Mr. Nitchmann was very concerned that this study continues to be delayed. Mr. Nitchmann asked about the status of discussions on an Eastern Bypass. Mr. Cilimberg said the CATS document will have a discussion of eastern routes included. A Major investment ent Study is being done for the entire n forth io-east corridor area. Mr. Nitchmann said he is very concerned about the fact that as the eastern section of the County continues to grow, along with the growth in Fluvanna County and at Zion Crossroads, Rt. 250 east is going to become more and more crowded. Mr. Nitchmann asked about the status of Growth Area discussions particularly for the Rt. 20 south area. Mr. Cilimberg said the Board's directions, at the time the Land Use Plan l was completed, were or no expansion l of development areas at this time. Those lose discussions will, be deferred until after the completion of the Development Areas Initiatives Study, which is to be delivered to the Board next June. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m. I a M V. Wayne)Cilimberg, tafy