HomeMy WebLinkAbout09 12 89 PC MinutesSeptember 12, 1989
The Albemarle County Planning Commission held a public hearing on
Tuesday, September 12, 1989, Meeting Room 7, County Office Building,
Charlottesville, Virginia. Those members present were: Mr. David
Bowerman, Chairman; Mr. Keith Rittenhouse, Vice Chairman; Mr. Tom
Jenkins; Mr. Harry Wilkerson; Ms. Norma Diehl; Mr. Tim Michel; and Mr.
Peter Stark. Other officials present were: Mr. Wayne Cilimberg, Director
of Planning and Community Development; Mr. Ron Keeler, Chief of
Planning; Mr. Bill Fritz, Planner; Mr. Rich Tarbell, Planner; and Mr.
Jim Bowling, Deputy County Attorney.
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. and established
that a quorum was present. The minutes of August 29, 1989 were
approved as submitted.
SP-89-69 Robert Hatcher - Request in accordance with Section 30.3 of the
Zoning Ordinance to allow for the construction of a stream crossing
through the 100-year floodway fringe. Property, described as Tax Map
48, Parcels 30 and 49 is located on the southwest side of Rt. 600,
approximately 1.25 miles south of its intersection with Rt. 20 near
Stony Point. Rivanna Magisterial District. Deferred from Planning
Commission meeting of September 7, 1989.
Mr. Tarbell presented the staff report. Staff recommended approval
subject to conditions.
The applicant was represented -by Mr. Sam. Saunders. He described the
proposal as being a "basic driveway crossing," which would be adequate
to serve two large lots.
The Chairman invited public comment.
Mr. Joe Pratt, a neighboring property owner, addressed the Commission.
He questioned whether or not a third entrance was necessary since
the property already has two entrances. He expressed concern about the
safety of the access because of its location on a very narrow road.
He expressed interest in what type of -design would be required for
the entrance. Mr. Tar -bell explained that a commercial entrance
would not be required since this will serve only two lots, but
when the driveways are constructed a permit will be required from the
Virginia Department of Transportation. Mr. Bowerman confirmed that
if the property were subdivided further a commercial entrance would
be required. Mr. Keeler explained that the Highway Department had
not reviewed this request because this is an exempt subdivision.
Mr. Pratt was concerned about the ultimate development of the property
and the resulting increase in traffic. He was also under the impression
that a turn lane would be required. Mr. Keeler stated that was not
the case because it was unheard of for a turn lane to be required
on anything other than primary or heavily -travelled secondary roads.
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September 12, 1989
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There being no further comment,the matter was placed before the Commission.
Mr. Michel noted that this is a by -right division and moved that
SP-89-69 for Robert Hatcher be recommended to the Board of Supervisors
for approval subject to the following conditions:
1. Department of Engineering approval of grading and drainage plans and
calculations;
2. Department of Engineering issuance of an erosion control permit;
3. Compliance with all Federal, State, and local permit requirements
pertaining to the disturbance of a perennial stream;
4. The revised plat shall include a note to the effect that no further
stream crossings will be allowed;
5. The revised plat shall clearly identify and dimension 30' joint access
easements, and that access to Tracts 7 and 8 shall be limited to the
joint access easement over the proposed stream crossing;
6. The revised plat shall delineate a flood easement on Tract 6.
Mr. Stark seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
SP-89-70 Wendell Wood - Request in accordance with Section 30.3.3.2 of the
Zoning Ordinance for the issuance of a special use permit to allow for fill
within the 100-year flood zone. Property, described as Tax Map 4581,
Section 6, Parcel 1B is located on the east side of Rt. 29N adjoining the
south side of the South Fork Rivanna River. Charlottesville Magisterial
District.
Mr. Fritz presented the staff report. The report concluded: "Staff believes
that approval of this permit constitutes the unwise development of lands
subject to inundation discouraged by the intent of the flood hazard overlay
district. Staff can find no public benefit to be served by this request
and that the request is not in harmony with the purpose and intent of the
Ordinance. Therefore, staff recommends denial of SP-89-70 for Wendell
Wood."
'Mr. Keeler explained that the existing situation is a violation of the
site plan and a violation of Section 30.3 Flood Hazard Overlay District
of the Zoning Ordinance. He further stated that this section must be
adhered to stringently because the flood insurance program is based on
our compliance with our own ordinances.
The applicant was represented by Mr. Hunter Wood. He read the following
letter from his father:
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September 12, 1989
Page 3
Dear Mr. Chairman &.Members -of the Commission:
Our request for a special use permit to fill in
the flood plain was created by a mistake our
superintendent made while grading our site. The RWSA
was moving a water line and had placed the silt fence
Just inside the flood plain: area and we filled to the
silt fence. It appears that only 250-500 cubic yards
of fill have been placed in the flood plain.
The RWSA discovered the error and subsequently we
had a meeting with Engineering, Zoning, Planning and
RWSA on July 24, 1989. The consensus after that
meeting -was that if we reached an agreement with RWSA.
and since the area had already been seeded with grass
growing, the other departments would have no problem
due to the small amount of fill. Steve Cresswell,
Amelia Patterson, John Grady, Bill Fritz, Peter"Parsons
and Tom Blue were present at the meeting. An agreement
has been reached and excuted with the RWSA. I have
agreed to bear the cost of repairing or replacing the.
driveway in the event the RWSA must have access.
Additionally it appears that it would be sound
engineering practice to redesign a small amount of
storm sewer which would require approximately 1,000
additional yards if fill. This would improve the
drainage and also improve the travelway in the rear of
the building. The additional fill is not necessary but
apppears to make sense from an engineering and logical
point of view. I have or will not receive any economic
benefit from this change and in reality will bear the
cost of redesigning and !stalling the plan.
I apologize for being unable to attend the
meeting, however, my engineers along -with my staff are
present to answer any questions. Again, this was an
honest mistake made in the field and I appreciate your
consideration of our.request.
Sincerely;'
Wendell W. Wood
President
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September 12, 1989 Page 4
Mr. Buddy Edwards, also representing the applicant., addressed the Commission.
He explained that the existing ravine had been filled in years ago and has
a large 60" drain pipe which drains other upstream properties. He stated
the pipe is eroding and the applicant is asking to fill what has eroded
out of this fill bank. He explained it is the applicant's desire to "go
to the end of the existing pipeand put a drop -type manhole and then exit
the bottom of that through this area that has eroded out and extend that
pipe closer to the river, then fill that in and in doing so he would
greatly improve the situation out there as far as erosion is concerned."
He added that the applicant could "still put a parking lot and roadway
around the building and build a small retaining wall."
Mr. Bowerman summarized the applicant's position: "There was a mistake
made and some extra filling was done that went into the floodplain. So
you're requesting a permit to fill in the floodplain which would allot~
that situation to become legal, but you are also saying, at the same
time, 'Look if you're going to grant us the permit, there's been some.
erosion_ problems there that exist prior to our filling --if you'll give us
the permit, we're going to go ahead and do work beyond what's already
been done to make it better for the public.' You're using as part of
your justification for getting this special permit in the fill making
an existing situation better." Mr. Edwards acknowledged this was accurate.
There being no public comment., the matter was placed before the Commission.
In response to Mr. Bowerman's question, Mr. Fritz explained that the fill
shown on the drawing contemplates what the applicant is proposing, not
what currently exists, i.e. what currently exists is less than what is
shown.
In response to Ms. Diehl's question, Mr. Cilimberg explained that the
violation was identified by the Zoning Department and that necessitated
the request for the special permit. However, the violation to the site
plan exists also and even if the special permit is approved the applicant
will still have to seek approval of an amended site plan.
.As. Diehl stated she agreed with the staff report. Regarding the
erosion on the slope, she felt that if the Sewer Authority had considered
that an important issue, it would have been mentioned in the memorandum,
but the memorandum stated they preferred that the original plan be
followed. She concluded she could not support the special permit.
Ms. Diehl felt the erosion problem should be addressed but not in the
way the applicant is proposing.
Mr. Bowerman stated that while he was not in favor of having the existing
fill removed, he still could not support this request because it was
against policy and inconsistent with the Ordinance. He added that he
would not be opposed to considering an amended site plan which would allow
the applicant to "accomplish this without filling in the floodway."
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September 12, 1989
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Ms. Diehl moved that SP-89-70 for Wendell Wood be recommended to the Board
of Supervisors for denial.
Mr. Michel seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
SP-89-49 Phil & Mary Sheridan - Request in accordance with Section
10.2.2(28) of the Zoning Ordinance for the issuance of a special use
permit to allow a 12-lot resort community subdivision in the rural
areas.. Property, described as Tax Map 26, Parcels 33A & 33B, is located
on the west side of St. Rt. 801,.access on the west side of Rt. 673.
White Hall Magisterial District.
The applicant was requesting deferral to September 19, 1989.
Mr. Jenkins moved, seconded by Mr. Wilkerson, that SP-89-49 for Phil
and Mary Sheridan be deferred to September 19, 1989. The motion passed
unanimously.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
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V. Wa Cilimber Se etary
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