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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10 22 1991 PC MinutesOCTOBER 22, 1991 The Albemarle County Planning Commission held a public hearing on Tuesday, October 22, 1991, Meeting Room 7, County Office Building, Charlottesville, Virginia. Those members present were: Mr. Keith Rittenhouse, Chairman; Mr. Harry Wilkerson, Vice Chairman; Mr. Tom Jenkins; Mr. Phil'Grimm; Ms. Ellen Andersen; Mr. Walter Johnson; and Ms. Babs Huckle. Other officials present were: Mr. William Fritz, Senior Planner; Mr. Rich Tarbell, Planner; Mr. Wayne Cilimberg, Director of Planning and Community Development; 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. The minutes of October 8, 1991 were approved as submitted. CONSENT AGENDA Mr. Tarbell briefly previewed the Forest Lakes Townhouse "C" Final Site Plan which was to appear on the October 29 Consent Agenda. Lakeland at Reynoyia Phase II Section A Final Plat - Proposal to create 20 lots with an average lot size of 0.3 acres from 14.1 acres with 5.7 acres of open space. All lots shall access internal public roads. Property, described as Tax: Map 90, Parcel 36, is located on the west side of Rt. 742 (Avon Street Extended) between Mill Creek North and Mill Creek South in the Scottsville Magisterial district. The property is zoned R-4, Residential with ZMA-88-11 and EC, Entrance Corridor. Mr. Fritz presented the staff report. He noted the following change in the wording for condition No. 1: "No final plat containing the 50th unit in total for the Reynovia development shall be signed until the following condition has been met: Bonding or construction of internal access road to Mill Creek." He explained this would allow the applicant to get the plat for Phase IIA signed first. He stated the condition was "the same in spirit as was previously approved." Mr. Jenkins moved, seconded by Ms. Andersen that the Consent Agenda be approved. The motion passed unanimously. SDP-91-081 - East Rivanna Fire Department Preliminary Site Plan - Proposal to construct a 23,001 square foot volunteer fire station with 143 parking spaces on a 6.0 acre site. Property, described as Tax Map 93, Parcel 59 (part) is located on the south side of Route 250 East and access will be provided through the Glenmore development. Zoned PRD, 451 10-22-91 Planned Residential Development and EC, Entrance Corridor Overlay District in the Rivanna Magisterial district. This site is located within a designated growth area. Mr. Tarbell presented the staff report. Staff recommended approval subject to amended conditions. (Mr. Tarbell distributed copies of amended conditions of approval.) In response to Ms. Huckle's question, Mr. Tarbell explained that it was approximately 120 feet from the travelway at the back of the parking lot to the adjacent property line (Beiker). There is presently no dwelling on the adjacent property. Mr. Johnson asked staff to explain the purpose of 143 parking spaces. Mr. Tarbell explained that some of the parking spaces would serve the community center area. Mr. Tarbell confirmed that it is anticipated that the water line will be within 1,000 feet of the fire station. He explained that a condition of approval requires connection to the water line within 6 months after the line is operational. He noted that it is possible that the line will not come within 1,000 feet and then the question of "reasonable availability" becomes an issue. Regarding the issue of the Fire Station's source of water for their tank trucks until the water line connection is made, Mr. Rittenhouse explained that a special permit would be needed if the usage exceeded a certain number of gallons per day. Mr. Tarbell explained that he had not included a condition addressing this concern because that is not a site plan issue and he questioned its enforceability. Ms. Huckle asked if the existing East Rivanna Fire Station would be moved to this location or if this would be a second site. Mr. Rittenhouse responded that there would be no requirement that the East Rivanna Station move. Mr. Cilimberg recalled a special permit for Keswick School which proposed to use a portion of the existing East Rivanna facility for expansion of the school, should they relocate. At that time, the special permit was predicated on this occurring. He added: "There is also some use that is anticipated at that facility. The applicant may be able to speak to that, as to how they anticipate their existing facility is going to be used." The applicant was represented by Mr. John Hood. He explained the reasons for the expansion. His comments included the following: --Mr. Kessler (who had donated the property) has indicated he is in favor of the plans. a.6a 10-22-91 3 --Mr. Livingood, a neighboring property owner, has expressed support of the plan. --Mr. Beiker, an adjoining property owner, is opposed to the plan. --The facility will serve both as a fire department and a community center (thus the reason for the size of the building and the number of parking spaces). Bingo games generate some of the revenue needed by the fire company to survive. --It is planned that the existing fire station will be moved and the facility will be sold to the Keswick School. --It is a condition of the deed that the station will connect to public water when it becomes available. (Connection to public sewer will be made when it becomes available). --Tank trucks are not filled from wells because there is not enough water and the process is too slow. Currently, the trucks are filled at a hydrant at State Farm. --The facility will not use as much water as would a large family because washing of clothes will not take place and only 4 - 8 firemen will be present at the station at any one time. The only other water usage will be what takes place during bingo games or community functions. --The building will not have sirens and truck sirens are not started until there is a "public danger problem." --In response to Mr. Johnson's question, Mr. Hood stated he does not, at this time, anticipate a problem with access. There is good sight distance at the driveway and there is currently "no signal which comes out on the main road now (Rt. 250)." Mr. Hood explained that the issue will be addressed if it should become a problem. He explained that the fire station would probably cause traffic at the 250 intersection only "once a week for a few minutes." (Mr. Johnson noted that proffer 8B (9-24-90) says "VDOT consideration of traffic light at Rt. 250 for exit of the emergency vehicles." He stated that was one of Mr. Kessler's proffers and interpreted "As I read it you can have access... if it should become a problem.") Mr. Hood stated he was not aware of that proffer. --The fire company is financing the project, with assistance from the County in the form of an interest -free loan. $504,000 will be borrowed, to be paid back in 15 years. Bingo games will make it possible to repay the loan in 12 years. --Guidelines for usage of the facility for community activities will be established by the fire company, e.g. homeowners' association meetings, dances. Bingo is presently the only "planned" activity. --Approximately 550 calls are received by the station per year. ---The facility will have two kitchens. C�M3 10-22-91 4 --It is anticipated that response time will be unaffected for the Rt. 231/22 area and may be somewhat improved because the building will be manned at all times, the roads are better, and there will be two response routes (Rt. 616 and 250 to 22). --In response to Mr. Johnson's question regarding weight limitations on the bridge on Rt. 616, Mr. Hood explained this has always been a problem and the bridge is avoided if possible. The fire company would like to see the bridge improved, but it is owned by the railroad. Even if the bridge should become impassable, there are alternate routes. The Chairman invited public comment. Mr. Archibald Craig, a resident of Keswick, addressed the Commission. He expressed opposition to the movement of the existing facility. He explained that the community had been responsible for the establishment of the existing fire company, even purchasing the existing building. The community feels "there is a need for what has been there for 20 years, especially to the north as this area continues to grow." He called attention to development currently taking place at the old Keswick County Club. Mr. Dan Bieker, adjacent property owner, addressed the Commission. He expplained his main concern dealt with the water issue and the continuing uncertainty as to whether the line will pass within 1000 feet of the station. He stressed that the area has a very low water table. Mr. Jim Carswell, a Keswick resident, expressed support for the new fire station, but was opposed to the closing of the existing station. He explained that the movement of the fire station would effect insurance rates of many homeowners (i.e. the station will now be more than 5 miles away for some people and response time will be greater). He felt the Keswick community had a vested interest in the existing fire station. There being no further public comment, the matter was placed before the Commission. Ms. Huckle asked why there was no condition requiring Health Department approval of the septic system. Mr. Tarbell explained that approval had already been received for the septic system but the well application is still under review. Mr. Wilkerson asked Mr. Hood to comment on the issue of response time. Mr. Hood explained that the new facility would be 3 miles from the old one (via Rt. 250) or 1.8 - 2 C:Vs� 10-22-91 5 miles from the old one (via Rt. 744), which translates to the possibility of 3-4 minutes additional response time. However, he stressed that because the new building will be manned at all times, a lot of time will be saved because the firemen will already be at the station. He felt that the northern part of Rt. 22 would have better fire protection because response time will be shorter, even though the station will be 2-3 miles farther away. (It was determined current response time, for "a typical call," is 15 minutes--6 minutes for firemen to arrive at station plus 9 minutes travel time.) Mr. Hood described the coverage area, which he estimated to be 200 - 300 square miles. He stressed that the station has an obligation to this entire area and not just to the Keswick area. Mr. Johnson asked Mr. Hood to comment on the possibility of keeping some sort of service at the existing site. Mr. Hood responded: "It's too close. The difference in response time ... would not make it economically feasible. We're only talking about a minute and a half. We could not afford to maintain those facilities." Regarding the insurance fee question, the Fire Chief stated he did not feel the change would cause any change to insurance costs. He stated the entire area is a 9AAA rating and that is not effected by the location of the fire station. The rating is based on water availability. Mr. Johnson noted that the distance to the fire station is a consideration in his fire policy. In answer to Ms. Andersen's question, Mr. Hood stated that money received from the sale of the existing building would be applied to the financing of the new building. Mr. Grimm moved that the East Rivanna Fire Department Preliminary Site Plan 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 and drainage plans and b. Department of control permit; C. Department of design for access from site; Engineering approval of grading calculations; Engineering issuance of erosion Engineering approval of road Glenmore Way to fire station 10-22-91 -N d. Virginia Department of Transportation approval of right-of-way improvement to include a commercial entrance, if required; e. Virginia Department of Transportation approval of road and drainage plans and calculations, if required; f. Health Department issuance of a well permit; g. Staff approval of a final landscape plan to include a conservation plan delineating the limits of clearing; h. Delete note: "Driveway by others"; i. Delete: "Note pavement section here to match that of entrance road"; 2. The site shall hook up to public water within six months of the Glenmore water line being operational and located within 1,000 feet of the fire station. The water line plans shall be reviewed and approved by the Albemarle County Service Authority. 3. Administrative approval of the final site plan. 4. A Certificate of Occupancy shall not be issued until the following condition is met: a. Fire Official final approval. Ms. Andersen seconded the motion. Discussion: Mr. Johnson expressed concern about the excessive number of parking spaces. He asked that issue be reviewed before final site plan approval to see if there were any alternatives to avoid turning "that much green space into asphalt." Mr. Tarbell noted that the proposal was only 6 spaces above requirement, based on the square footage of the building. Mr. Johnson felt 143 parking spaces were not needed for a fire station. Mr. Cilimberg pointed out that the parking requirement was based on the recognition that the facility would be used as a community center. Mr. Johnson pointed out that this facility has from the beginning been referred to as a fire station and not a community center. Mr. Wilkerson noted that all questions raised had been addressed and in regards to the "sub=station" he stated: "i don't think there's anything the Commission can do about that. Ms. Huckle asked if the parking area (for the community center) could be gravelled in the interests of groundwater replenishment. Mr. Tarbell stated that suggestion could be 1--2-s6 10-22-91 hl passed on to the Engineering Department. Mr. that the driveway and parking area for trucks paved, but he, too, preferred that the public remain gravel. The motion for approval passed unanimously. Hood commented had to be parking area SDP-91-082 -State Farm Insurance Preliminary Site Plan - Proposal to construct a 11,248 square foot office building with a 1,344 square automobile inpsection building on a 3.5 acre site. Property, described as Tax Map 46B2, Section 1, Parcel 2 (part) is located on the east side of Route 29 North bounded by North Hollymead Drive and South Hollymead Drive. Zoned PUD, Planned Unit Development and EC, Entrance Corridor Overlay District in the Rivanna Magisterial district. This site is within a designated growth area. Mr. Tarbell presented the staff report. Staff recommended approval subject to conditions. Ms. Huckle asked if the Architectural Review Board would review the landscaping for that portion which faces the interior part of Hollymead. Mr. Tarbell explained that the existing large pine trees will remain and the landscape plan will supplement what exists. Mr. Tarbell was not aware of any objection from adjoining property owners. In response to Ms. Huckle's question, Mr. Tarbell explained it was his understanding that the automobiles would still be driveable. He compared the operation to Jiffy-Lube. The applicant was represented by John Felty. He expressed support for the staff report. He offered no additional comment. There being no public comment, the matter was placed before the Commission. Mr. Wilkerson moved that the State Farm Insurance Preliminary Site Plan 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; 10-22-91 8 b. Department of Engineering approval of road and drainage plans and calculations relative to the proposed private road; C. Department of Engineering approval of stormwater detention plans and calculations; d. Department of Engineering issuance of an erosion control permit; e. Virginia Department of Transportation approval of right-of-way improvements to include commercial entrances and a 12' wide, 100' x 100' left turn and taper lane on South Hollymead Drive and a 12' wide, 100' x 100' right turn and taper lane on North Hollymead Drive; f. Virginia Department of Transportation approval of drainage calculations; g. Albemarle County Service Authority approval of final water plans; h. Staff approval of a landscape plan. 2. Administrative approal of the final site plan. 3. Administrative approval of the plat to be supplemented by a private road maintenance agreement. 4. A Certificate of Occupancy shall not be issued until the following condition is met: a. Fire Official approval. Mr. Jenkins seconded the motion. Mr. Rittenhouse noted that the Zoning Administrator has determined that the use is by -right. The motion for approval passed unanimously. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:00 P.M. .ti V.. Way Cilimber , Secretary Recorded by: Janice Wills Transcribed by: Deloris Bradshaw