HomeMy WebLinkAbout09 13 2011 PC MinutesAlbemarle County Planning Commission
September 13, 2011
The Albemarle County Planning Commission held a regular meeting on Tuesday, September 13, 2011, at
6:00 p.m., at the County Office Building, Room #241, Second Floor, 401 McIntire Road, Charlottesville,
Virginia.
Members attending were Duane Zobrist, Don Franco, Russell (Mac) Lafferty and Calvin Morris, Vice
Chair. Commission members absent were Thomas Loach, Linda Porterfield, and Ed Smith. Julia
Monteith, AICP, Senior Land Use Planner for the University of Virginia was absent.
Other officials present were Claudette Grant, Senior Planner; Steward Wright, Permits Planner; Ron
Higgins, Chief of Zoning; Elaine Echols, Principal Planner; David Benish, Chief of Zoning; Wayne
Cilimberg, Director of Planning; and Greg Kamptner, Deputy County Attorney.
Call to Order and Establish Quorum:
Mr. Zobrist, Chair, called the regular meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and established a quorum.
Committee Reports
Mr. Zobrist invited committee reports.
Mr. Lafferty reported that the CHART Committee met and were interested in trying to come up with a
further definition of their charges. Starting tomorrow there will be a bicycle count in 31 areas, which will
set the baseline for the future counts.
There being no further reports, the meeting moved to the next item.
Other Matters Not Listed on the Agenda from the Public:
Mr. Zobrist invited comment from the public on other matters not listed on the agenda.
Neil Williamson, Free Enterprise Forum, asked the Planning Commission to review the Board's direction
from the recent joint ARB/PC/BOS meeting. He was not certain that was the most appropriate meeting
environment for discussion. He would respectfully request that this body review with staff what the
direction of the Board was and if that really was the intent. He was not exactly sure since it was a long
day meeting the direction they are headed with regard to the ARB and their role in development in the
community.
There being no further comments, the meeting moved to the next item.
Review of Board of Supervisors Meeting — September 7, 2011
Mr. Cilimberg summarized the actions taken by the Board of Supervisors on September 7, 2011.
Consent Agenda:
Approval of Minutes: August 16, 2011
Mr. Zobrist asked if any Commissioner would like to pull an item from the consent agenda for further
review.
Motion: Mr. Morris moved and Mr. Franco seconded for acceptance of the consent agenda.
The motion carried by a vote of (4:0).
ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION - SEPTEMBER 13, 2011
FINAL MINUTES
Mr. Zobrist noted the consent agenda item was approved.
Public Hearing Items:
ZMA-2010-00010 Peter Jefferson Overlook (Sian # 82 & 83)
PROPOSALS: Rezone 2.09 acres from Pantops Place PRD Planned Residential District - residential (3 -
34 units/acre) with limited commercial uses to PRD Planned Residential District residential (3 - 34
units/acre) with limited commercial uses and Special Use Permit for commercial offices. No residential
units are proposed.
SECTION FOR SP: 19.3.2.9 which allows offices by special use.
PROFFERS: Yes.
EXISTING COMPREHENSIVE PLAN LAND USE/DENSITY: Urban Density Residential - residential
(6.01-34 units/acre) and supporting uses such as religious institutions, schools, commercial, office and
service uses in Pantops Neighborhood.
ENTRANCE CORRIDOR: Yes
LOCATION: NE Corner of Route 250/Pantops Mountain Road.
TAX MAP/PARCEL: 07800-00-00-055A7.
MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT: Rivanna
(Claudette Grant)
AND
SP-2010-00039 Peter Jefferson Overlook Offices (Sian # 82 & 83).
PROPOSALS: Rezone 2.09 acres from Pantops Place PRD Planned Residential District - residential (3 -
34 units/acre) with limited commercial uses to PRD Planned Residential District residential (3 - 34
units/acre) with limited commercial uses and Special Use Permit for commercial offices. No residential
units are proposed.
SECTION FOR SP: 19.3.2.9 which allows offices by special use.
PROFFERS: Yes.
EXISTING COMPREHENSIVE PLAN LAND USE/DENSITY: Urban Density Residential - residential
(6.01-34 units/acre) and supporting uses such as religious institutions, schools, commercial, office and
service uses in Pantops Neighborhood.
ENTRANCE CORRIDOR: Yes
LOCATION: NE Corner of Route 250/Pantops Mountain Road.
TAX MAP/PARCEL: 07800-00-00-055A7.
MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT: Rivanna
(Claudette Grant)
Ms. Grant presented a PowerPoint presentation and summarized the staff report. (See Staff Report for
Details)
Purpose of Hearing: To amend the application plan adopted with the original rezoning to Planned
Residential Development (PRD) to show offices and to request approval of a special use permit to allow
those offices in a PRD district.
The plan shows two professional office buildings, one two-story building with 10,518 square feet and
another two-story building with 22,848 square feet. There is also surface parking throughout the site.
The Land Use Plan Map shows this area designated as Urban Residential.
This project was submitted to the Planning Commission in a work session held in January, 2011. The
Planning Commission and Pantops Advisory Committee reviewed the proposal and weighed in on it.
Both groups were split on whether the office use could be in compliance with the Pantops Master Plan. In
regards to the scale and the design of the development being appropriate the Commission was open to a
non-residential use if it complimented the non-residential uses in the vicinity. Although the proposed
design is similar in scale to the nearest residential buildings the site is somewhat overdeveloped resulting
in a request for less parking than required, building sizes that are slightly larger than the master plan
ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION - SEPTEMBER 13, 2011
FINAL MINUTES
goals for this area, landscaping in the right-of-way of Route 250, and the retaining wall at the rear at the
rear of the site possibly requiring grading and construction easements from the adjacent property owner.
Staff is not sure if they will agree with these easements. It is not clear if the proposed uses for these
buildings will compliment the residential uses in this area. Should the remains of the stone wall and
hedgerow on the eastern most side of the property be preserved and retained. The current proposal
shows the stone wall and hedgerow in place and cleaned up and some of the stones used to perform the
low retaining wall on the side of the property. The last question of the work session was what type of
frontage characteristics should be provided along Route 250 East. While sidewalks are proposed
adjacent to Route 250 there is no connection between the sidewalks and the front entrances of the
proposed buildings. The street trees are located within the right-of-way on Route 250 and not on the
subject property. The staff report suggests alternatives for this particular issue.
Factors Favorable:
• Development of the property as professional offices will include another use in the Pantops Place
PRD, thereby increasing the mix of uses.
Factors Unfavorable:
• The proposed office use is not in compliance with the Pantops Master Plan and no compelling
justification has been provided for developing office, rather than residential uses on the property.
• The proposal for the site is so overdeveloped that the design requires street trees to be planted in
the VDOT right-of-way along U.S. 250 and grading/construction easements will be necessary to
construct the retaining wall along the north side of the property.
• The applicant has requested a 10 percent reduction in the amount of required parking spaces, but
has provided no explanation or justification for the request.
• The applicant has not applied for a critical slopes waiver, so staff has not analyzed whether such
a waiver should be recommended. If such a waiver cannot be granted later in the site plan
process, the applicant will be left with an unbuildable project.
Staff Recommendation:
• Staff recommends denial of ZMA 2010-00010, Peter Jefferson Overlook because the office use
proposed is not in compliance with the Pantops Master Plan land use designation and all by -right
uses in the PRD district have been proffered out.
• Staff recommends denial of SP 2010-00039, Offices because the office use proposed is not in
compliance with the Pantops Master Plan land use designation.
Mr. Zobrist invited questions for staff.
Mr. Morris asked if they approve what is being proposed will the requirements remain in place such as
easements and so forth. He understood that it was originally and now zoned for additional cottages that
would tie in from Jefferson Heights although the cottages in Jefferson Heights are two different entities.
He asked if everything in there, such as an easement for sewage, connecting the two properties would
remain in effect.
Ms. Grant replied based on the plan provided they would need to get easements for the work shown to
happen on the site.
Mr. Morris noted that he was referring to existing easements. The reason he asked this is the
management company located in Annapolis, Maryland he talked to today and that was one of their
concerns if it were rezoned would the requirements remain in place. He assumed that it would since an
easement is an easement.
Mr. Kamptner noted that zoning changes wouldn't affect any existing easements. If those easements
conflict with the zoning approval the applicant would need to work around that somehow.
Mr. Zobrist opened the public hearing and invited the applicant to address the Commission.
ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION - SEPTEMBER 13, 2011
FINAL MINUTES
Justin Shimp, with Shimp Engineering representing the owner, explained the proposal as follows:
Regarding easement, certainly all the access easements remain. There are utility easements,
which were all subject to Service Authority requirements and things like that for public easements.
The easement being affected the most, which is addressed by a private covenant, is the Pantops
Mountain Road access. There is a covenant whereby if they change their use they have to pay a
pro-rata share portion for maintenance as figured by a traffic study. That is not something they
need to worry about since it is in the covenants with Westminster.
As Claudette mentioned there is quite a lot of history from the work session and the Pantops
Advisory Committee. They never got a straight answer on what the land use should be here.
That is why he is here tonight for that answer basically.
• A couple features of the development are, as follows:
Neighborhood scale buildings located on the frontage with parking relegated in the back.
- On the traffic study they have identified that the right and left turn lanes into the Pantops
Mountain Road are adequate for their traffic, but not per a current design. They have agreed to
update it to the current design of VDOT.
The sidewalk will be provided on 250 consistent basically with the rest of Pantops project. It has
a 6' landscape strip with a 5'sidewalk. It is a reasonable sidewalk in the front. They agree to add
the connection from their buildings to the sidewalk in the front.
- On the overdeveloped statement he had a couple of thoughts on that. They are seeking a request
for the parking reduction based on the fact that the parking as required is too much parking.
Otherwise, they are going to have to comply with every ARB requirement and rezoning
requirement. They are not asking for any other waivers of those. They are showing a maximum
footprint on the site. The odds are it will end up smaller after they do all of the engineering. It is
all going to be subject to site plan regulations. It does not seem fair to say overdeveloped when
really they are just saying here is a commercial spot and it will be developed much like this to
meet all of the requirements of the zoning ordinance.
- Street trees are somewhat the same. He has talked with VDOT and they will approve the street
trees subject to maintenance agreement. It has been discussed. Typically the street trees are
even close to the street and in the right-of-way. In this case the trees are in the other side of the
sidewalk because of the clear zone requirements. They can have those in the right-of-way with a
maintenance agreement.
- Density Wise — the Luxor offices building are a good comparison. Those are 24,000 square feet
on 1.35 acres, which is 17,500 square feet per acre built. They are proposing a maximum of
16,000 square feet per acre. They are less than the density on that project.
- Parking — The justification for the parking is that he looks around Pantops and sees full buildings
and parking spaces open all the time. They don't need to create more parking than necessary.
- They are also on the bus line. It is a convenient place for people to stop by bus. They hope there
are some users from Westminster and Jefferson Heights that can use shuttle buses or walk. That
is justification for the ten percent reduction.
- The land use issue is the critical thing. Previously a bank was proposed. The property has been
for sale for quite some time. He has received calls from all kinds of uses that all want to be on
Pantops. All the time he has said that professional office space is the appropriate use here. That
is the most compatible of all the non-residential uses with the neighboring properties. The office
use being a 9 to 5 kind of use, which makes this compatible with this kind of residential
development.
- There is an argument for office space, but why not residential. This currently is approved for
cottage use. He did not think this was a neighborhood street for residential use. They have no
interest in competing with Jefferson Heights and that sort of style. He could not imagine the
scenario of an apartment building with children running in and out all day. Those are non -logical
reasons for having residential.
- Office use is a more appropriate use of the site. Regarding neighborhood services, there
certainly are some doctors and offices already available in the neighborhood. This will likely be
more of the same. He did not see a problem with too much of that.
They are asking for a 10 percent parking reduction, which they feel is a reasonable request. They
feel a professional office space is a reasonable use at this location and hoped they agree.
ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION - SEPTEMBER 13, 2011 4
FINAL MINUTES
Mr. Zobrist asked if the owner had received the PRD designation and if his client owned the property at
the time of the Pantops Master Plan process.
Mr. Shimp replied that the owner bought the property in 2007 after the PRD designation. He did not
participate in the Pantops Master Plan.
Mr. Zobrist opened the public hearing and invited public comment.
G. Theresa Thomas, representative for Westminster Canterbury of the Blue Ridge, noted one of their
concerns is that they want to make sure that if approved it will be limited to professional offices and not to
a general commercial. They are really concerned that they want professional offices in that area.
There being no further public comment, Mr. Zobrist closed the public hearing and the matter before the
Planning Commission.
Mr. Morris said this was a very interesting situation. What he would like to try to do is to keep it on the
large scale and not look at the plan per say, but to ask is it appropriate. Listening to the lady from
Westminster Canterbury it sounds like they think it is appropriate. Having queried the people at Jefferson
Heights and talking with the individuals from Annapolis, Maryland who are the management folks for the
Cottages at Jefferson Heights, they think it is appropriate.
- To get to that property whether it is going to be residential or office space they are going to have
to come into the turn off going up the hill towards Westminster Canterbury and take a right into
almost a hairpin turn down into the property. Regardless to what is there that is the way they
were going to have to come in.
- In looking at the map that is a nightmare intersection. Number one, Westminster Canterbury
owns that road. As they see where any traffic that is going to go to whatever is on that property is
at a juncture where they could turn left and go to social security or one of three other office
buildings. Or, they could take a right and go into Jefferson Heights Cottages or swing around to
the property in question. He did not know what they could do to that. The applicant has said let's
come in off 250, which has been shot down by VDOT. There is a problem no matter what goes in
there.
- Looking at it realistic he has not seen anyone come up with a proposal to put in residential in that
area. If they look at development already there actually having office buildings in that area would
be in keeping with what is already there. The thing that bothers him the most is that it is not in
keeping with the Pantops Master Plan. Virtually everything that has been brought before the
Commission for Pantops is eating away nibble by nibble on the master plan. Looking at logically
this could be a very good use of the property. They have not heard anything come before them
asking for residential. It is not an easy question and there are definitely pluses and minuses.
However, the plan is not consistent with the master plan.
Mr. Franco said to follow up on those comments he took a micro view. He felt this is really a comp plan
issue and supported upholding the Pantops Master Plan. If they bring offices or uses that would serve
these residents it would be great. However, he could see them being general offices that support the use
across the street versus the neighborhood.
Mr. Lafferty noted the entrance they were stuck with regardless of what use is put there. He had a
problem with ignoring the master plans because so much work went into those. He would hate to see a
strip mall go in all the way down 250 to Richmond. He questioned if the Commission could restrict the
use since it seemed that professional offices would be the best use of the land.
Mr. Kamptner pointed out the Commission's recommendation could include the addition of a proffer from
the owner that would agree to restrict it to a specific use.
Mr. Cilimberg commented that it was noted in the report if the Commission was inclined to recommend
approval of the rezoning and special use permit; there were things that should be addressed before the
ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION - SEPTEMBER 13, 2011 5
FINAL MINUTES
Board meeting. It would be good to get their input on that so staff would understand how that would
move forward. It included the six items noted on page 13.
- Regarding number one, if things are discovered in the site plan process that did not enable them
to develop all of the building area or restrict what their parking can be, that those things certainly
can downsize the development that would not be permitted by the rezoning. The applicant would
have to stick within the form that the rezoning shows.
- Then there was also the question of getting a parking reduction. That is not for the Commission
to grant tonight. That would be for the zoning administrator ultimately to grant. He suggested the
Commission not deal with that at this point in time. This assumes a parking reduction. If the
applicant cannot get it, then their building size gets affected. That is another matter that is
beyond this approval.
- There are things raised regarding the uses. They don't think it should remove all the by right
uses. That is no typical. Normally the by right uses stay in case there is a need to develop it
ultimately and alternatively from what was proposed. They would want to address the special use
permit uses that could be allowed. It has been raised office only. The applicant could certainly
speak to that.
- The critical slopes waiver could mean a difference in terms of how much of the development can
be undertaken. The Commission does not have that analysis tonight. Therefore, there is no way
to grant that.
Mr. Lafferty said that he looked at this and after hearing the applicant he felt it is somewhat of a
conceptual plan and not very specific. He asked if he misinterpreted that.
Mr. Franco replied that he thought it was the confusion of years of what they were looking at. In the past
some people have been able to say they vested that size building and have been able to keep that. He
thought they need to make that as part of their approval that the concept and layout is what they are
approving and that no waivers to that might be necessary in the future to achieve that.
Mr. Lafferty said he would be very reluctant to give a critical slopes waiver. He did not think they could do
that.
Mr. Morris noted it was exactly what it says. It is asking for the map amendment and so on keeping it on
the larger scale.
Mr. Franco agreed the parking should be dealt with. During the site plan process there is a process
reducing parking requirements providing studies and information to the zoning department.
Mr. Kamptner said to clarify the Planned Development (PD) regulations do allow the requirements in
Section 4, which would include the parking and critical slopes to be done as part of the rezoning process.
It doesn't necessarily have to be separate. However, in this case they don't have any information that
would allow the Commission to make a recommendation on those issues.
Mr. Franco agreed and that he would not be comfortable doing that at this point.
Mr. Zobrist said he was not in favor of this.
Motion: Mr. Morris moved and Mr. Lafferty seconded to recommend denial of ZMA-2010-00010 Peter
Jefferson Overlook based upon the recommendation of the staff.
Mr. Zobrist invited further discussion.
Mr. Franco said the only question he would ask is does the applicant want to move forward with the
request having heard all of the discussion.
Mr. Morris noted that the applicant has a five minute rebuttal time.
ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION - SEPTEMBER 13, 2011
FINAL MINUTES
Mr. Zobrist asked if the applicant wanted to give a rebuttal prior to the vote
V%w Justin Shimp asked to make one statement, which would probably not change their opinions. He
understands what they are basing it on. There were a couple of things discussed that he would like to
address. One, it was his intention to restrict the use only to professional offices. That was based on his
opinion. Also he had spent a lot of time talking with the neighbors about what felt like a reasonable use
for the site. Concerning the intersection one of the big problems there is it is not striped at all. There are
three lanes and room for a turn lane. One of the things they have agreed to develop this plan is to
restripe that working with the county engineer and with Westminster on a plan mutually agreeable. He
could not say it is not in the neighborhood zone or neighborhood comp plan area because it is. After
dealing with this project for six months, talking with the neighbors, and looking at what is realistic to the
site he did not feel it should be residential uses. At this point he would ask them to vote their opinion on
that.
The motion for the recommendation of denial for ZMA-2010-00010 Peter Jefferson Overlook passed by a
vote of 4:0.
Mr. Zobrist noted that a second motion was needed on SP-2010-000039.
Motion: Mr. Morris moved and Mr. Franco seconded to recommend denial of SP-2010-00039 Jefferson
Overlook Offices based on the recommendation of staff.
The motion for denial passed by a vote of 4:0.
Mr. Kamptner asked based on the wording of the motion to deny the request could staff assume that the
Commission recommends when this goes to the Board that those changes identified in the staff report to
the proffers should be made. The motion was for the reasons stated in the staff report and part of that
was staffs recommendation that all of the proffers need to be addressed.
Mr. Morris and Mr. Franco agreed with Mr. Kamptner.
Mr. Zobrist noted SP-2010-00039, Peter Jefferson Overlook Offices and ZMA-2010-00010 Peter
Jefferson Overlook would be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors with a recommendation for denial as
recommended by staff for the reasons noted below.
• The proposed office use is not in compliance with the Pantops Master Plan and no compelling
justification has been provided for developing office, rather than residential uses on the property.
• The proposal for the site is so overdeveloped that the design requires street trees to be planted in
the VDOT right-of-way along U.S. 250 and grading/construction easements will be necessary to
construct the retaining wall along the north side of the property.
• The applicant has requested a 10 percent reduction in the amount of required parking spaces, but
has provided no explanation or justification for the request.
• The applicant has not applied for a critical slopes waiver, so staff has not analyzed whether such
a waiver should be recommended. If such a waiver cannot be granted later in the site plan
process, the applicant will be left with an unbuildable project.
Public Hearing:
ZTA 2010-00005 Signs — Amend Secs. 4.15.1, Purpose and intent, 4.15.2, Definitions, 4.15.4, Signs
authorized by sign permit, 4.15.6, Signs exempt from the sign permit requirement, 4.15.7, Prohibited
signs and sign characteristics, 4.15.8, Regulations applicable in the MHD, RA, VR, R-1 and R-2 zoning
districts, 4.15.9, Regulations applicable in the R-4 and R-6 zoning districts, 4.15.11, Regulations
applicable in the PUD, DCD and NMD zoning districts, 4.15.12, Regulations applicable in the C-1 and CO
zoning districts, 4.15.13, Regulations applicable in the HC, PD-SC and PD-MC zoning districts, 4.15.14,
Regulations applicable in the HI, LI and PD-IP zoning districts, 4.15.15, Regulations applicable in the
entrance corridor overlay district, 30.6.4, Certificates of appropriateness, and 30.6.5, Development
ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION - SEPTEMBER 13, 2011
FINAL MINUTES
exempt from requirement to obtain certificate of appropriateness, and add Sec. 4.15.4A, Signs authorized
by temporary sign permit, of Chapter 18, Zoning, of the Albemarle County Code. This ordinance would
amend the stated purpose and intent of the sign regulations (4.15.1), add and amend definitions (4.15.2),
amend the procedures for obtaining sign permits and permits for temporary signs (4.15.4, 4.15.4A),
increase the number of permits for temporary signs allowed in a calendar year from 4 to 6 and allow the
60 day period to be aggregated among the several permits (4.15.4A), amend the scope of home
occupation and window signs that are exempt from the sign permit requirement (4.15.6), increase the
area of a window or door covered by signs from 25% to 50% before they are considered prohibited signs
that obstruct vision (4.15.7), amend the sign regulations applicable to the several zoning districts by
increasing the maximum size of freestanding signs from 24 to 32 sq. ft. and allow bonus panel signs in
some districts, reducing the minimum sign setback for directory and temporary signs in certain districts
from 10 to 5 feet, amending the maximum height of temporary and wall signs in some districts,
standardizing the method for calculating the permitted area of a wall sign (1.5 sq. ft. per linear foot of
structure frontage), allowing sandwich board signs in the commercial and planned industrial zoning
districts, and having the Highway Commercial district be subject to the sign regulations in section 4.15.12
rather than section 4.15.13 (4.15.8, 4.15.9, 4.15.11 through 4.15.14), eliminate the requirement of a
certificate of appropriateness for a window sign or a sign visible through a window (4.15.15), add
standards for bonus panel signs and sandwich board signs (4.15.16), allow all signs, rather than just walls
signs, to be eligible for a countywide certificate of appropriateness (30.6.4), and amend the class of signs
exempt from the requirement for a certificate of appropriateness (30.6.5). A copy of the full text of the
ordinance is on file in the office of the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors and in the Department of
Community Development, County Office Building, 401 McIntire Road, Charlottesville, Virginia.
(Ron Higgins)
Ron Higgins presented a Power -Point presentation and summarized the executive summary for ZTA-
2010 -0005 Signs.
BACKGROUND and ORIGIN:
On January 6, 2010, the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors adopted a "2010 Albemarle County
Action Plan" (see Attachment B of staff report) which included as item #6 the following: "Sign Ordinances
— The sign ordinances need to be re-examined to ensure they do not overly restrict economic vitality of
area businesses. Staff should work with local retailers to develop new ordinances that will help promote
good business practices as well as maintaining quality aesthetic values."
The Board of Supervisors adopted a Resolution of Intent on the Sign zoning text amendments (ZTA) on
May 12, 2010 (see Attachment C of staff report). Throughout this process we hosted three roundtable
discussions to seek input from those in the sign industry, business community, local elected and
appointed officials and various other groups, to hear what they had to say about the present sign
ordinance and sign permit approval process and, finally, to comment on the proposed ordinance draft.
On August 16, 2010 we held a work session on the Potential Sign ZTAs with the ARB. They were asked
to comment on a number of items, including: the predictability of the sign review process in the entrance
corridors; improvements in sign application materials and application process; changes in sign regulations
for planned developments; making some standards more consistent (e.g. wall sign allowances,
freestanding sign setbacks); window sign regulations and applicability; review of sign packages and
coordination with site plans; entrance corridor guidelines, and; increased heights for wall signs. The ARB
supported changes and suggested that regulations be simplified in most cases.
We brought the results of the roundtables, ARB discussions and other comments to you for discussion at
your work session on October 19, 2010. At that session we presented a number of proposed changes
and received comments and guidance on those. The proposed sign ordinance changes reflect that
guidance.
DISCUSSION:
ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION - SEPTEMBER 13, 2011
FINAL MINUTES
As you will recall, we heard more about the sign review and approval process than about sign standards
throughout the discovery process. It was evident in the discussions with various stakeholders that the
perception was that the process took too much time and effort on the applicant's part. To this end the
staff and ARB has implemented a number of efforts to streamline the approval process, including: better
coaching of applicants on what to provide to get a speedy review; county -wide administrative ARB
approval standards, and; improvement to the sign application and materials to better guide applicants.
This has resulted in significant reductions in the time it takes to review and approve sign permits, as we
reported at your October 19, 2010 Work Session.
Regarding the sign ordinance changes, we heard that these should be limited and result in simplifications
and improvements in process that save time for applicants, boards and staff. All of the text amendments
proposed are intended to do that. It was important to not develop amendments that would increase staff
time in an era of reduced staffing levels. For example, eliminating reviews for special permits for off -site
signs in planned developments saves staff time in developing a report to the Board of Zoning Appeals,
saves the Board time in reviewing such applications and saves applicants time and money by permitting
an administrative review without the costly application fee and advertising fees. Not requiring a permit or
review for window signs reduces staff time and the standard simplifies enforcement of the regulations by
Code Enforcement Officers.
PROPOSED SIGN ORDINANCE CHANGES:
The changes that are represented in the Proposed Ordinance to amend sign regulations include the
following, along with some reference corrections and clarifications (see Attachment A):
Planned Developments and shopping centers:
--The "site" has been redefined to include the entire planned development in order to address the
issue of "off -site" signs in unified developments, thus no longer requiring an SP for these.
--The size for a freestanding sign for planned developments and shopping centers has been
increased to allow for up to 54 sq. ft. maximum if "bonus tenant panel" signs are to be included within the
primary sign. The current ordinance limits this to 32 sq. ft. in some districts and 24 sq. ft. in other districts.
Currently, in shopping centers with at least 100,000 sq. ft. in gross floor area you can have one anchor
sign at 6 sq. ft. for each 100,000 sq. ft. This provision has been eliminated and replaced with the "bonus
tenant panel" sign type.
--The anchor sign provision has been eliminated and replaced with a "bonus tenant panel"
definition and provision which eliminates multiple freestanding tenant signs.
Freestanding and monuments signs:
--Setbacks have been made consistent (e.g. all 5' instead of some at 5' and some at 10' as the
current regulations require).
Wall Signs:
--The area maximum has been made the same in all commercial and planned districts (e.g. 1'/2
sq. ft. of area for each 1 linear foot of wall)? Currently it is 1:1 in some and 1 %2:1 in other areas.
--The height would now be allowed to be above the current 30' maximum in non-residential
development for buildings that are taller. This is now defined as "not to exceed the cornice line and the
"cornice line" has been defined.
Temporary Signs:
--The number per year has been increase from the current limit of four to six.
--The length of time they are up remains the current limit of 15 days. However this can be done
in any combination of time periods as long as the aggregate does not exceed the current calendar year
limit of sixty (60) days.
--The fifteen day limit does not apply to a temporary sign erected while a permanent sign is being
made. However, the sixty day calendar year limit would still apply to such signs.
--Sandwich board signs would now be allowed in all planned development districts as they
currently are in the Downtown Crozet district.
ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION - SEPTEMBER 13, 2011
FINAL MINUTES
09
Window Signs:
--Window signs would not be subject to permits or ARB approvals.
--Window signs would now have a 50% maximum coverage area per window.
--Window signs that exceed 50% coverage would now be prohibited signs.
PUBLIC PURPOSE TO BE SERVED:
As stated earlier, all of the changes would result in more clarity for applicants, reduced staff and board
time and reduced cost to the applicants. The changes would not have an adverse impact on aesthetic
values present in the county.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the Planning Commission recommend to the Board of Supervisors, approval of
the proposed Ordinance to amend various sign regulations in the Zoning Ordinance as found in
Attachment A of staff report.
Mr. Zobrist invited questions for staff.
Mr. Lafferty asked that they go back to the Kohl's sign. He asked if it was two signs or a temporary sign.
Mr. Higgins replied that the place available sign is a real estate sign, which is exempt from the sign
ordinance and only allowed because it is advertising space.
Mr. Kamptner noted that a real estate sign would be exempt.
Mr. Lafferty suggested that it might be helpful if they had examples of worst cases.
Mr. Higgins replied that he had a picture of Central Park in Spotsylvania County, but he did not have it at
the meeting. That sign might be 2,000 square feet and have 50 signs on it that are unreadable from the
stoplight. He felt that having a certain limit was helpful.
Mr. Lafferty noted what he meant was worse case given the ordinance that they are trying to pass.
Mr. Zobrist noted that it would be the worse looking sign they can come up with based on the new
ordinance.
Mr. Higgins pointed out the biggest sign they could come up with in Albemarle County would be about'/2
the size of the Rio Hills sign, which would be 64 square feet. If they look at the Kohl's and Hollymead
Town Center that is 32 square feet. It would be another 32 square feet added to that, which would be the
worst case scenario.
Mr. Lafferty said in Stonefield with the multi -story buildings they will be able to put sign at the top.
Mr. Higgins replied yes, it would be up just below the cornice. He suggested the hotel might want to do
that. The ARB has already looked at some of the preliminary designs and started to anticipate that on
that project.
Mr. Lafferty said they will be out of the loop pretty much.
Mr. Higgins replied that they would be out of the loop on the sign to the extent that they would be looking
at the design of the building and where the signs would go. The ARB would have some input on that at
that level. However, they would issue the permits if they met the standards.
ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION - SEPTEMBER 13, 2011 10
FINAL MINUTES
Mr. Kamptner said that the six -story or so bank at Pantops is an example where the sign is higher. They
had to go through the Board of Zoning Appeals to get a variance for that. They recognize that with taller
buildings on the way they needed to deal with the issue legislatively.
Mr. Morris noted the Commission received an email late this afternoon from Ben Foster requesting that
they ask about the use of digital, electronic signs. He asked if staff had any input on that.
Mr. Higgins replied that he discussed this with Mr. Foster at length. The director, zoning administrator
and he had communicated with him about this. That is an issue that other localities are looking at across
the state and United States with very mixed results at this time. Our position is two levels. That can be
done now in Albemarle County with a special use permit because it is called an electronic message sign.
That fits within that definition. Mr. Foster does not want to have to get a special use permit because he
feels that is the same as a no. Although he feels they are better than the special use permit that they get
for electronic LED signs. The other part of that answer is that the Federal Highway Administration is
conducting a very extensive study right now, which will look at the safety of these signs in a more
comprehensive fashion. Until that comes back they are going to stay on the safe side and not suggest
any new regulations for that right now. Somewhere down the line there may be room for that.
Mr. Zobrist noted that they have very few of those signs in the county that are flashing and moving.
Mr. Higgins said that there is one sign like that at the corner of Rio. McDonalds had wanted that type of
sign because they felt it was well worth the cost for one sign. The jury is out on that. Mr. Foster has sent
staff various studies. He has looked at all of them for the past year and a half. There is also a study that
was done by various professionals consisting of planners, engineers, and sign makers and they were
somewhat inconclusive. Mr. Graham has felt that it would be better just to see what the FHA says will
work and use that as a spring board one way or the other to look at it. At this point they are not going to
do anything until the Board of Supervisors reviews the ordinance amendment. Staff is looking at the
issue.
Mr. Zobrist noted there were many such signs in Las Vegas, which made traveling the roads very
dangerous.
Mr. Higgins pointed out that staff has some information on that if the Commission is interested.
Mr. Zobrist opened the public hearing and invited public comment.
Morgan Butler, speaking for The Southern Environmental Law Center, made the following comments.
• This past January Charlottesville Tomorrow hosted Ed McMahon, a land use expert for the Urban
Land Use Institute. Mr. McMahon gave an excellent presentation on the connection between
economic vitality and community character. He offered several examples of how communities
with high development standards maintain a unique character and a quality of life that are huge
economic assets. Albemarle's unique character and quality of life are certainly two of our area's
best economic assets. The development standards they have in place are vital in protecting the
assets. While they should be on the lookout for reasonable ways to make our development
standards easier to administer they should proceed with changes carefully, especially with
something that affects the visual character of a community as much as signs do. Many of the
proposed changes before them tonight are fair improvements to the sign ordinance.
• He thanked staff for their work on this and for their efforts to seek public input and answer
questions. However, they remain concerned that a number of the proposed changes go too far.
They would like to recommend some changes before this goes before the Board of Supervisors.
For example, as Mr. Higgins explained wall signs are currently limited to a height of either 20' or
30' in all zoning districts. Under the proposed changes this height limit would be raised all the
way to the cornice line at the top of the building's walls in all commercial and planned districts.
While it may occasionally make sense to allow a higher wall sign in an individual case, such as
when one building partially blocks a fagade of another, they think those isolated cases could be
better dealt with by individually allowing for a variation or modification rather than enacting a
ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION - SEPTEMBER 13, 2011 11
FINAL MINUTES
sweeping change that would essentially eliminate the height restriction altogether. Second, the
proposed changes would also double the potential size of window signs and eliminate certificates
r of appropriateness for window signs in Entrance Corridors. There needs to be some safe guard
against store fronts becoming de -facto billboards especially along our Entrance Corridors. At the
very least a certificate of appropriateness should continue to be required for window signs visible
from an Entrance Corridor when they are above a certain size.
• As a third example, they think the proposed switch from anchor signs to bonus tenant panels at
shopping centers could hold promise if it results in consolidating signs in one central location.
However, the idea losing force if shopping centers that are too small to qualify to put up anchor
signs under the current ordinance would now qualify to put up tenant panels under the proposed
changes. In that case they are not consolidating but just allowing new signs that were not
allowed before. That is what is being proposed here. Instead the shopping center square footage
thresholds that currently apply to anchor signs should be the same thresholds that would apply to
the bonus tenant panels under the changes. In closing, thank you for considering their concerns
and suggestions and remembering that preserving our community's character is a key factor in
the county's long term economic prosperity.
M
Neil Williamson, with The Free Enterprise Forum, said this was the second time through with the sign
ordinance. He was involved with the 2004 sign review. They continue to make what he considers
refinements and improvements. There is a line in the ordinance now that recognizes that signs are an
important part of customers finding businesses. Mr. Butler raised a concern that they need to restrict
abilities to see those signs as preserving community character. He did not believe those were mutually
exclusive. He believed that staff has found a way to go somewhat to hit the middle of road here with this
ordinance. There is more that he would like to see. He did not think that window signs should be
regulated at all. He thought that they should be over 100 percent of the window. Now someone raised a
safety concern. He might suggest that if the shop has 100 percent coverage and they don't want the
police to see in what point is it for the government to tell them that they should allow the police to see in.
There have been studies on this. The Southland Corporation did a study about ten years ago. He
believed that 50 percent of all window covering and window availability is a reasonable approach. The
groceries stores he goes to have great big windows over the top of their entrance way. Those windows
are for light and to put up the weekly special. Those window signs do not meet the 50 percent criteria.
However, there are huge windows in the fronts of most of these grocery stores. That would be 50 percent
of the total window covering. He accepts the 50 percent and thinks it is a reasonable compromise. He
applauds staff for working through these. He thinks the bonus tenant panel provision as written is a
positive one and could really improve some signs. There are a number of signs that are grandfathered
right now that under the current ordinance could not be erected without modifying in a manner that is in
conflict with folk's contracts with their tenants. The tenant bonus provision may provide a way to allow
those signs to be brought up to date and look better along the Entrance Corridor and throughout the
county.
There being no further public comment, the public hearing was closed and the matter before the Planning
Commission.
Mr. Zobrist asked how they handle the big painted trucks that become surrogate signs that they are
putting up along Route 29.
Mr. Higgins replied that there is a current provision for that. Staff is actually enforcing two right now that
have basically parked themselves as what is called in the county ordinance an advertising vehicle. They
are doing civil penalties. In enforcing they provide a notice of violation and give them a certain amount of
time to remove it. Then they will start fining them. It is covered now. The provision is if it is not parked in
an approved parking space and it is not an operable vehicle, which would not have current license and
inspection. There is a little gray area there, but they still try to pursue them.
Mr. Zobrist suggested that they work on that to get it black and white.
ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION - SEPTEMBER 13, 2011 12
FINAL MINUTES
Mr. Franco said Mr. Butler raised the question about anchor signs for shopping centers below 100,000
square feet.
Mr. Higgins replied that he forgot to mention that. They actually reduced the 100,000 to 50,000 square
feet. They still have not more than four for a shopping center, but only one sign is permitted per 50,000
square feet now. The other thing is those are bonus tenant panels only. They have removed the tenant
anchor sign completely from the ordinance. They will no longer be able to do the freestanding anchor
signs and only be able to do the bonus tenant panel if it is added to an approved freestanding sign for the
shopping center. They have limited it thinking that it will probably be a better way to deal with that need.
Motion for ZTA-2010-00005:
Motion: Mr. Morris moved and Mr. Franco seconded to forward a recommendation of approval of ZTA-
2010-00005 Signs as presented by staff of the proposed ordinance to amend various sign regulations in
the Zoning Ordinance as outlined in Attachment A of staff report.
The motion passed by a vote of 4:0.
Mr. Zobrist noted ZTA-2010-00005, Signs would be forwarded with a recommendation of approval to the
Board of Supervisors to a date to be determined. (See Attachment at End of Minutes)
Mr. Zobrist noted the next item was preparation for the upcoming Joint City -County Planning Commission
meeting.
Preparation for Joint City -County Planning Commission Meetinq on September 20, 2011
(Elaine Echols)
Ms. Echols noted the Joint City -County Planning Commission meeting would be held on September 20,
2011 at 5:30 at City Hall in the NDS (Neighborhood Development Services) Conference Room, 610 East
Market Street.
Staff provided a handout with the goals. There were several people at the last meeting in August who
had some questions about their process. However, two of them are not here tonight. Therefore, she did
not know if anyone present had questions about the process or the goals. They could use this as a
question and answer session.
Staff would discuss the County's Environmental Goals as part of the Comp Plan Update and then
proposed having a Question and Answer session. The main reason staff wanted to do this was to make
sure the Commission was familiar with the county's goals before they got into discussing them with the
city. Their project was to see if they could come up with joint goals. If there are things in our list of goals
that they would need to know more about she was going to try to help the Commission with those now.
Mr. Zobrist said that was a good format. It looks like these are staffs bullet points. The question is
whether the Commission would like to proceed with questions and make this a Q and A or do they want
staff to make a presentation. The Commission asked for a Q and A session.
Mr. Franco said when going over this he could not find the packet from a couple of weeks ago when they
did a work session that laid out the vision of the county and the core values. At that time one of his
comments was they were consolidating the goals, objectives and everything else that follows. It would be
nice to see them relate to those core values. What he got is that he looked at this and part of the
confusion was really trying to tie those back to core values. It would be helpful to include those in the
packet so they understand what they are trying to achieve in essence. Right now the focus is so much on
goals there is a loss in his mind why they even have that goal. What is the value it is protecting or
improving upon?
ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION - SEPTEMBER 13, 2011 13
FINAL MINUTES
Ms. Echols replied that there was some work going on right now at the Board of Supervisors level to
develop their strategic plan. They are looking at the core values. They probably won't change those core
values. However, they are looking at that and a vision. The ones she had given the Commission
previously were from a prior strategic plan. So staff can do that in terms of getting these things tied into
our core values and the last vision statement and core values from the last strategic plan. She would
email that information to the Commission so they can have that information for a frame of reference.
Before they do much more with that staff is kind of waiting on finding out what the Board is going to give
us so that they don't have to reinvent the wheel.
Mr. Franco said that he appreciates that. What it really tied in for him was looking at just the
environmental stuff where it becomes so focused in the growth area debate in whether they should allow
different standards in the growth area, the development areas versus the rural areas, etc. It all seems to
fall out because they don't have the next step up in the thought or the bigger picture. He had a hard time
balancing how this really relates somewhat to the city. It would be helpful to see those.
Ms. Echols said she would email that information tomorrow.
Mr. Franco noted the other question he had was looking at the Comparisons City versus County. Part of
this would also be not just common ground — but would she be prepared to comment on what they might
be able to learn from the city. Some of it is kind of interesting. If they take their development areas one
might argue that they have a different standard for that. There are places in here that say they want to
maintain wooded cover. However, they have competing goals like the form of development, and overlot
grading that would reduce the amount of canopy. He sees as one of the goals that the city has is to
maintain a 40 percent canopy requirement. One of his questions would be if staff would be looking at that
as well to sort of provide some background saying this is where they ought to be heading because it
represents their future.
Ms. Echols said one of the things they want to do with our new comp plan because it is not clearly
,, articulated in some places about natural resources is how they do look differently at the natural resources
in the development areas and look at the natural resources in the rural areas. There are some things that
they did in that first flush of goals and objectives several months ago that tried to make those distinctions.
Staff would like to approach this from those particular distinctions about what they are trying to do tree
cover wise and land coverage wise in the rural areas and what they are doing in the development areas.
What staff wants to do is find out how important that is to the Commission. Where they are with wooded
areas and that type of thing is they have our tree canopy requirements for commercial developments and
residential developments. They have particular areas in our Comprehensive Plan, the Open Space Plan
and some of the Master Plans that talk about specific wooded areas to be preserved. It is clear that they
need to be articulating that better. However, whether or not the county wants to pursue a 40 percent tree
canopy in its development areas is more of a question for the Commission in terms of the goals they have
for just the reason he described. They have competing goals. She did not think they were
recommending that. She was not sure that was a starting place for staff to make a recommendation. But
if it is important to the Commission and they think that is where they need to be, then staff needs to hear
that from them. They will also hear that from the public.
Mr. Franco said that he was not necessarily saying that they need to be there. However, when he looks
at all of the goals, objectives, tactics, and things like that he did not see their number in there. He had to
do a lot of searching back and forth. He asked what our anticipated canopy requirement is today.
Ms. Echols replied that they don't have one.
Mr. Franco noted they have a canopy requirement for site plans. He asked what that would be.
Ms. Echols replied that it was 10 percent in commercial developments and between 10 and 20 percent in
residential developments depending on the density.
ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION - SEPTEMBER 13, 2011 14
FINAL MINUTES
Mr. Franco asked if they have any data that talks about residential development. He understands they
don't have a requirement. However, what have they seen over the years? It would be helpful to know
what our developed community looks like and what it feels like relevant to that 40 percent standard.
Mr. Cilimberg noted it was a measurement.
Ms. Echols said that would be a measurement that they don't have right now. They have land coverage.
It is something she thought they could get.
Mr. Cilimberg said it seemed like in part what he was hearing, which Mr. Franco was maybe speaking to,
is there is a potential because our development areas are ultimately intended to be more like the city for
those same environmental goals for the city and our development area to have some similarities. They
need to understand what it meant before they would say it should be like that. That is an opportunity that
could come out of this process.
Mr. Franco noted it was learning from their past mistakes if there are mistakes or their past wisdoms. For
instance, personally he thought they were coming back around towards our rural area requirements as
they look at the remaining areas to be developed in the city with their critical slopes and everything else.
They want it to be more rural. They have allowed development to occur close to creeks and sort of given
up on some of the environmental benefits of creeks over the years. However, now they are coming back
and claiming that. Therefore, what should they be doing up front to learn from their past lessons?
Mr. Lafferty said one thing that struck him is the measures that the city has in there. They say a certain
percentage and it was glaring that they came up with a statement in the environment goals to continue
research and update the Comprehensive Plan for viable strategies for green buildings. That does not say
anything to him basically. He was not going to talk about it right now. He would look at it and research it.
When they contrast that with them having definite measures it made him think that he would like to get
together with the rest of the Planning Commission without having a joint meeting. Then they could sit
down and talk about different issues. For instance, they were talking about where the 5 percent came
from urban versus developed area. They could have some discussions like that. Then he would have a
better understanding being a new Commissioner as of where they are coming from.
Ms. Echols noted that Mr. Benish talked to her about that. He explained to the Commission about the 5
percent not being a deliberate number having been the result of how the percentage worked. They
definitely are going to be talking to them about that on October 11. It relates to the expansion areas. It
relates to how much capacity they have for growth and all those kinds of things. Staff definitely will be
back to the Commission on that one. They have the opportunity to build in work sessions based on the
topics that they want to go over with the Commission, but also ones that would come up that may relate
to policies. This is an input process. Next week is like the first discussion where they are looking at this
and thinking about questions that they have and information they can provide. The Commission should
ask for that. Then staff can give it back to them in order to review it along with the public input to see
what kinds of recommendations they would want to make.
M. Lafferty asked what kind of information they are waiting on from the Board of Supervisors.
Ms. Echols said that is an excellent point. She was just listening to their last meeting. There seemed to
be a question about what our goals needed to look like in terms of performance measures. They are
talking about specifically the sustainability kinds of things that are in the city's comp plan that might not be
in our comp plan.
Mr. Lafferty replied no, he was talking about things in general like where they should be going with the
comp plan, and things like the interchange study.
Mr. Cilimberg said the comprehensive plan work really starts with the Commission. He did not think they
should be expecting the Board is going to be coming up with a list of directives of things that they expect
them to do in a certain way. What staff tried to do is convey to the Commission and the Board the things
ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION - SEPTEMBER 13, 2011 15
FINAL MINUTES
they were going to be covering. One thing that Ms. Echols did mention earlier was that they expect the
Board will be doing probably in October is completing their strategy plan. That is where they have an
"'\r% updated vision and statements in support of that vision that they would expect they would approve. Staff
does not think they are going to be earth shattering changes of any type, but they are going to be updated
based on where the Board feels like it wants to be over the five years in addressing some of the issues
they have. Certainly those are things they want to convey to the Commission. However, that is not really
holding them up in terms of the work they are doing.
Mr. Lafferty suggested it might be good idea that they have a joint meeting with the Board of Supervisors
to get some feeling as to what they are talking about in this strategy plan. That would affect his outlook or
the way he would perceive the job he has in front of him.
Mr. Cilimberg pointed out that the strategic plan is a five-year plan of the things that they want to be
addressing in five years. The vision piece is much longer term, which is also what should be considered
as important for the comprehensive plan. It is also where they are addressing things that are not part of
the comprehensive plan. They may address things like education, which the Commission does not really
do from a service standpoint. What might be helpful for the Commission, which staff can schedule into
their upcoming meeting, is a review of the updated strategic plan so they can understand what they did.
Then if they have some questions that arise out of that and they think they ought to do something else,
such as a joint meeting with the Board, then they can do that.
Mr. Morris agreed with what he is hearing with his colleagues that to do their job they need to know as
clearly as possible what is the Board's vision and core values that they can then work from.
Mr. Cilimberg said staff can have a presentation to the Commission of that when they are complete.
Mr. Franco said for lack of having those now then he guessed in order to get through this process where
they are starting he would like to start backup at those things. He thought staff came to them a while ago
with 70 pages pared down to 25 pages. With the goal of paring that down even further, he would like to
focus in on that so that they can have streamline goals and better understand those goals before they
begin too much of this back and forth with the city. He would like to have those somewhat solidified in our
minds so they know where they are headed.
Mr. Morris agreed.
Mr. Lafferty said it was valuable to him with the city if nothing else so they get more comfortable with each
other and get to know each other. Staff has done a great job in consolidating this and refining it down to
something that is a little bit more understandable. He looks forward meeting with the city folks because
he had learned a lot from them just in discussions. However, he thinks there are many questions that he
has had that are sort of more fundamental questions they are talking about.
Mr. Cilimberg said in meeting with the city there are an exchange of ideas and learning that goes on there
that is important if they are trying to find some common areas that they want to utilize in their future plans
that people who live in the area can rely on as being consistent between the city and the county. It is very
easy for staff to get a presentation for the Commission of the strategic plan decisions of the Board once
they are complete with that. It is not lengthy stuff. The Board will review that in an October meeting and
he assumed they would take action. Once they have completed that staff will have a presentation so the
Commission can see what that says and think about how that is tying into the comp plan work.
Mr. Franco said in the meantime if they related to the existing core values that would be helpful. As he
reads through this he suggested that they try to consolidate the existing goals because there are a lot of
repetitive goals. There are also things that are objectives that are listed as strategies and vice versa. He
thought they could pare this down pretty quickly and have it make more sense.
Mr. Cilimberg noted the vision statement is something that would be part of the strategic plan. He can't
tell them exactly what that is going to say. That is one piece. Right now there are four values. They are
ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION - SEPTEMBER 13, 2011 16
FINAL MINUTES
really more about how they look at conducting business as a county. They are not about land use value
or service value per say. It is about how they do business and about learning, stewardship, and
innovation. Those kinds of things are the value statements. He thought what they would find interesting
and would want to think about in terms of how they are looking at the comprehensive plan and the work of
the strategic plan is where they are focusing their attention in the next five years. What is it that they
really want to try to address or use as their guiding principles in the next five years? That will inform them
in terms of making sure in the comprehensive plan they understand those things. He did not think there
would be anything that is drastically different than what they have already seen. Staff can certainly
connect the goals and objectives to what they have now in terms of those.
Mr. Franco said he would like to start trying to streamline it more and more each time they see it. It is not
to change what is out there other to consolidate it and make it more user friendly.
Ms. Echols asked them to look at the packet next week. They might see some of that in more of a
consolidated fashion that will help with the conversation next week.
Mr. Franco agreed that it was helpful.
Mr. Zobrist thanked staff since it is more manageable by having her boil it down to the bullet points. It
certainly is eye opening to see the differences. This is one step in getting on one page.
Ms. Echols introduced Matt Weaver who is their staff person with TJPDC. He is working in our office for
three days a week. He did a lot of the work with the city on getting those goals together.
New Business
Mr. Zobrist invited new business.
• Joint City/County PC Meeting on September 20, 2011 at City Place at 5:30 p.m.
There being no further items, the meeting proceeded.
Old Business
Mr. Zobrist asked if there was any old business. There being none, the meeting proceeded.
Adjournment
With no further items, the meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m. to the Tuesday, September 20, 2011 Joint City-
Count�r Planning Commission at 5:30 p.m. at City Space NDS Conference Room, 610 East Market Street
(100 5 h Street North East), Charlottesville, Virginia. - . /
V. Wayne Cilir *erg, Secretary
(Recorded and transcribed by Sharon C. Taylor, Clerk to Planning Commission & P
ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION - SEPTEMBER 13, 2011 17
FINAL MINUTES