HomeMy WebLinkAbout07 14 1992 PC Minutes7-14-92
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JULY 14, 1992
The Albemarle County Planning Commission held a public
hearing on Tuesday, July 14, 1992, Meeting Room 7, County
Office Building, Charlottesville, Virginia. Those members
present were: Mr. Phil Grimm, Chairman; Mr. Walter Johnson,
Vice Chairman; Mr. William Nitchmann; Mr. Tom Jenkins; Mr.
Tom Blue; Ms. Ellen Andersen; and Ms. Babs Huckle. Other
officials present were: Ms. Yolanda Hipski, Planner; Mr.
Rich Tarbell, Senior Planner; Mr. Ron Keeler, Chief of
Planning; and Mr. Jim Bowling, Deputy County Attorney.
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and
established that a quorum was present.
SP-91-63 William Gregory Baldwin - Proposal to permit a
stream crossing in the floodplain of an unnamed stream
[30.3.5.2.11. Property, described as Tax Map 89, Parcel
81J, is located on the south side of Rt. 706 approximately
0.6 miles west of Rt. 631 in the Samuel Miller Magisterial
District. This site is not located within a designated
growth area (Rural Area 4). This request is being reviewed
concurrently with the Poplar Ridge Preliminary Plat.
Mr. Tarbell presented the staff report. Staff recommended
approval subject to conditions.
In response to Mr. Johnson's question, Mr. Tarbell confirmed
that Attachment C to the staff report was for information
only and was not binding, in any way, to the special permit.
The applicant, Mr. Greg Baldwin, offered to answer
Commission questions. Mr. Tom Muncaster, engineer for the
project, was also present.
There being no public comment, the matter was placed before
the Commission.
Noting that no negative issues had been identified, Mr.
Nitchmann moved that SP-91-63 for William Gregory Baldwin be
recommended to the Board of Supervisors for approval subject
to the following conditions:
1. Compliance with all local, state, and federal permit
requirements pertaining to disturbance of a perennial
stream.
2. Department of Engineering approval of crossing design to
ensure compliance with Section 30.3.
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3. Approval by the Water Resource Manager of a water
quality impact assessment.
Mr. Jenkins seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
SUB-91-114 - Poplar Ridge Preliminary Plat - Proposal to
create eight lots averaging 11.2 acres from an 89.63 acre
parcel. The lots are proposed to be served by a private
road. Property, described as Tax Map 89, Parcel 81J, is
located on the south side of Rt. 706 approximately 0.6 miles
west of Rt. 631 in the Samuel Miller Magisterial District.
This site is not located within a designated growth area
(Rural Area 4). This request is being reviewed concurrently
with SP-91-63 William Gregory Baldwin.
Mr. Tarbell presented the staff report. Staff recommended
approval subject to conditions.
Mr. Blue asked for further explanation of a "minor water
quality impact assessment" as referred to in condition 1(e).
Mr. Tarbell explained that this would be handled by the
Water Resources Manager and is related to intrusion in the
water resource protection area. He did not know what type
of calculations would be required of the applicant.
Ms. Andersen asked for an explanation of condition
1(f)--"Staff approval of a road maintenance agreement." Mr.
Tarbell explained this was a standard condition for a
private road and it involved a legal document that will be
recorded with the plat requiring that all lots participate
in the road maintenance agreement for the road since it will
not be taken into the state system. Mr. Nitchmann asked
what happens if a lot owner does not want to participate in
the agreement. Mr. Bowling responded: "It's a covenant
which will run with the land so he won't have any choice in
this particular subdivision."
Mr. Johnson wondered why 1(f) called for "staff" approval of
a road maintenance agreement, and did not mention "county
attorney" approval. Mr. Tarbell explained that in the past
few months the County Attorney's office had requested that
the condition not include County Attorney approval. Mr.
Keeler later explained that the reason for this change is
due to the fact that it is staff who deals with the
agreements and applicants were often going to the County
Attorney with documents which the County Attorney knew
nothing about. Mr. Tarbell explained that the County
Attorney would be consulted if any problems arose.
The applicant, Mr. Baldwin, offered to answer questions.
Mr. Johnson called attention to a note on the plat which
stated -25 feet to be dedicated to public use along the
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roadway." He asked if the applicant was proffering this
dedication, "because it can be eliminated without
prejudice --because in the absence of any information that
this application is causing the (need for) increased
right-of-way, the County has no legal right to require this
dedication." Mr. Baldwin acknowledged that he was aware of
this, but he was making this offer willingly. Mr. Bowling
explained that there was good reason for this dedication
because it made future lot owners aware that this road (706)
will be widened at some time in the future and they can thus
plan their landscaping, fencing, etc., accordingly.
There being no public comment, the matter was placed before
the Commission.
Ms. Andersen moved, seconded by Mr. Jenkins, that the Poplar
Ridge Preliminary Plat be approved subject to the following
conditions:
1. The final plat shall not be submitted for signature nor
shall it be signed until the following conditions are met:
a. Department of Engineering approval of grading and
drainage plans and calculations;
b. Department of Engineering approval of private road
and drainage plans and calculations;
c. Department of Engineering issuance of an erosion
control permit;
d. Virginia Department of Transportation approval of
right-of-way improvements and issuance of a commercial
entrance permit;
e. Water Resource Official approval of a minor water
quality impact assessment for the road construction;
f. Staff approval of a road maintenance agreement.
2. Administrative approval of the final plat.
3. Approval of SP-91-63 for William Gregory Baldwin.
Mr. Jenkins seconded the motion.
Discussion:
Mr. Nitchmann expressed some concern about the building site
on Lot 3 given the fact that it is adjacent to the Rivanna
Rifle and Skeet Club. He felt that it may be necessary to
take that into consideration when determining the building
site. Mr. Bowling explained that the site was flexible so
long as the Health Department can approve both primary and
secondary drainfield sites. Mr. Tarbell also noted that the
name of the owner of the adjacent property would be shown on
the plat so that a future purchaser will be aware of the
existence of the Rifle and Skeet Club. Mr. Baldwin added
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that there are two ridges between the lot and the rifle
range and it is a considerable distance away.
The motion for approval passed unanimously.
SDP-91-083 Covenant Church of God Preliminary Site Plan -
Proposal to construct a 31,300 square foot church with 800
seats and 300 parking spaces on a 10.66 acre site.
Property, described as Tax Map 46, parcels 22, 22D and 26C1
(part of), is located on the south side of Rt. 643
approximately 4/10 of a mile west of the Southern Railway.
Zoned RA, Rural Areas in the Rivanna Magisterial District.
This site is not located'in a designated growth area (Rural
Area 2).
Mr. Tarbell presented the staff report. The report
explained that all staff's concerns had been addressed by
the applicant and therefore staff was recommending approval
subject to conditions.
Mr. Tarbell explained that a variance request to allow the
church to be 45 feet high (rather than 35 feet) had been
withdrawn. Thus, staff was recommending the following
additional condition: "Deletion of note #21 stating the
maximum height not to exceed 45 feet."
So as to make it clear that public water was not being
required, Mr. Johnson suggested that the following be added
to condition 1(e): "...plans; public water service is not
required." Staff expressed no objection.
In response to Mr. Blue's question, Mr. Bowling confirmed
that the Service Authority has a Master Utility Plan. Mr.
Blue asked if the Service Authority considers the issue of
future development of an area when approving private water
systems. He expressed concern about private well users not
wanting to contribute to the cost of public water extension
which will at some time in the future become a necessity
thus resulting in all the taxpayers having to bear the cost
of the public water line rather than current developers who
might be required to pay their share "early." Mr. Tarbell
did not know if the Service Authority considered this issue
or not. Mr. Blue felt it should be required that this issue
be considered by the Service Authority (and some evidence
provided that it has been considered) with some way
developed to require developers to participate at some
future time.
Mr. Blue asked what would happen if the well could not meet
the requirement of 1(g), i.e. "...sufficient to meet the
needs of the sanctuary and ... sprinkler system." Mr.
Tarbell explained that this condition was to make the
applicant aware of what the Health Department would be
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looking for. Mr. Keeler pointed out that if the well was
not sufficient, the concern expressed by Mr. Blue could then
be addressed. (NOTE: The applicant later reported that a
well has been drilled and provides 8 gallons/minute which is
sufficient for a commercial well.)
Ms. Huckle expressed concerns about safety measures in
relation to the "pool," (the holding reservoir for the
sprinkler system). She felt the facility should be fenced
off. This issue was discussed at some length after the
applicant's comments.
The applicant was represented by Rev. Harold Bare. He
explained that a commercial well has been installed which
yields 8 gallons/minute. He explained that the "pool" is
necessitated by the need to provide a reservoir of water to
keep the sprinkler system active until fire trucks can
arrive. He understood Ms. Huckle'c concerns, and assured
her that the church was very safety conscious and would
ensure that the pool was protected. He stated that
different possibilities are being explored with one being a
design where the pool will be shallow around the edges but
deeper in the center, with the center area being protected
by steel bars.
There being no public comment, the matter was placed before
the Commission.
Ms. Huckle stated she could support the request with the
addition of a condition requiring that the pool be made
inaccessible.
Various language to address Ms. Huckle's concerns was
discussed. Rev. Bare did not think a fence would be
aesthetically acceptable in this instance. He suggested
that there were other ways to ensure the pool's safety other
than a fence, e.g. a grid of pipes across the top. It was
finally decided that the following would be added as
condition 1(j): "Staff approval of safety measures to
insure adequate protection from water storage tank to be
noted on the final site plan." The applicant was agreeable.
Without further discussion, Mr. Blue moved that the Covenant
Church of God Preliminary Plat be approved subject to the
following conditions:
1. The Planning Department shall not accept submittal of
the final site plan for signature until tentative approvals
for the following conditions have been obtained. The final
site plan shall not be signed until the following conditions
are met:
a. Department of Engineering approval of grading and
drainage plans and calculations;
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b. Department of Engineering approval of stormwater
detention plans and calculations;
c. Department of Engineering approval of an erosion
control permit;
d. Virginia Department of Transportation approval of
right-of-way improvements to include a commercial entrance;
e. Albemarle County Service Authority approval of
final sewer plans; public water service is not required;
f. Fire Official approval of building plans to verify
adequacy of the proposed fire protection measures including
the water storage facility;
g. Health Department issuance of a well permit for a
Class 3B well. The well yield shall be sufficient to meet
the needs of the sanctuary and capable of supplying water
needs of the sprinkler system storage facility;
h. Staff approval of a final landscape plan;
i. Deletion of note #21 stating maximum height not to
exceed 45 feet.
j. Staff approval of safety measures to insure
adequate protection from water storage tank to be noted on
the final site plan.
2. Administrative approval of the final site plan.
3. A Certificate of Occupancy shall not be issued until the
following condition is met:
a. Fire official final approval.
Mr. Nitchmann seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
Rev. Bare asked for permission to proceed with moving the
house which is currently positioned on the site of the new
sanctuary (prior to completion of the entire site plan
process). Mr. Tarbell stated that staff had no objections
to this request and the issue was being brought to the
Commission as a courtesy. The Commission expressed no
objections. No official action was taken.
ISUB-92-072) - Jones/Spink Relief of Condition - Proposal to
create a 2.24 acre parcel from a 41.83 acre parcel. Access
proposed for the residue and new parcel is through an
existing 30 foot right-of-way on Tax Map 44, Parcel 4F, is
located on Route 676 approximately 0.75 mile west of its
intersection with Route 601. Zoned RA, Rural Areas, this
site is located in the Jack Jouett Magisterial District.
This site is not located in a designated growth area (Rural
Area 1) .
Mr. Keeler described the history of the property. He
explained that normally this request could have been
approved administratively, but a condition placed on a
previous approval, related to future subdivision,
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necessitated Commission review. He noted that staff
concerns had been addressed and the Commission's review
should, therefore, be straightforward.
Ms. Hipski presented the staff report. Staff recommended
approval subject to conditions.
The applicant was represented by Mr. Irving Jones. He asked
if any modifications to the road maintenance agreement can
be made at some future time in the event the special use
permit is abandoned. He felt that if the commercial stable
is abandoned at some future time, then it would be more
equitable for the two houses to share the maintenance costs
equally. Mr. Bowling stated that all Mr. Jones' concerns
could be worked out in the maintenance agreement.
Based on the applicant's concerns, Mr. Johnson suggested
that condition No. 4 be changed to read: "County Attorney
approval of road maintenance agreement." There was no
support for Mr. Johnson's suggestion. Mr. Bowling noted
that the words "County Attorney" should be changed to
"Staff."
In response to Mr. Blue's question, Mr. Jones explained that
the new 30-foot access easement will be solely for the use
of the new property, but that portion from the highway to -
the beginning of the new easement will be shared.
There being no public comment, the matter was placed before
the Commission.
Mr. Johnson stated: "I support this application but with
the understanding that the road maintenance agreement
considers the relative responsibilities of both residences
and the commercial establishment. There are three entities
involved here and, unfortunately, as I read this, only two
of them are referenced in this provision."
Mr. Johnson moved that the Jones/Spink Relief of Condition
request be approved subject to the following conditions:
1. The final plat shall not be submitted for signature nor
shall it be signed until the following conditions are met:
a. Department of Engineering approval of grading and
drainage plans and calculations;
b. Department of Engineering approval of road and
drainage plans and calculations;
C. Department of Engineering approval of an erosion
control permit;
d. Staff approval of road maintenance agreement to
ensure the commercial stable property shall maintain the
entire length of the private road and that the agreement is
enforceable by the residential lot.
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2. Staff approval of final plat.
Mr. Nitchmann seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
MISCELLANEOUS
Mr. Jenkins called attention to an article which had been
sent to him by the Blue Ridge Homebuilders Association. He
felt that more specifics were called for from Blue Ridge
Homebuilders and wondered if those types of specifics had
been included in the report they had submitted to the County
previously on the issue of affordable housing.
Mr. Keeler briefly summarized actions taken at the July 8
Board of Supervisors meeting.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at
8:10 p.m.
V. Wayne Cilimberg a etary
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