HomeMy WebLinkAboutVA199500005 Correspondence 1995-05-22 Cafe No Problem NAY 2 2 1995
Richard A. Cooper
Owner - .:4)1,, ,
Post Office Box 62
Crozet, Virginia 22932
Wayne Cilimberg
County of Albemarle
Department of Planning and Community Development
401 McIntire Road
Charlottesville, Virginia 22902-4596
May 22, 1995
Dear Mr. Cilimberg,
As you requested, I am writing this letter to supplement the application to
amend the service authority jurisdictional area for limited sewer service at
the restaurant site, Tax Map 57, Parcel 31A.
The Board of Supervisors past conditional approval of on site sewerage,
based on the "State's criteria to serve the existing structure, existing use
and existing capacity only," has been interpreted by me and many county
officials in many different ways. The State has many criteria.
EXISTING STRUCTURE
The Board did not prohibit the existing stucture from being expanded,
enlarged, or modified in compliance with all zoning and building
regulations applicable. The proposal seeks permission to change the
structure from one level to two levels consistent with other structures in
the immediate vicinity. The Zoning administrator requires board approval
to modify the structure instead of applying the Zoning Ordinance. We have
applied for necessary variances.
EXISTING USE
The current proposal before the Planning Commission requests permisssion
to build an employee apartment above the restaurant. The use will
expand only to a use which is less intense and to one which is otherwise
permitted by right in C-1 Districts. The use would be less intense than a
restaurant's and would allow the building and its business to exist as a
place both optimally cared for and well maintained. Historically and
currently, many great restaurant operators eagerly live where they work
and find this a great convenience because of the long hours involved in
running the business as well as for security reasons.
EXISTING CAPACITY
The current proposal seeks an occupant load of 100 customers. You have
asked me to gather data based on "state's criteria" to determine what the
seating capacity of the existing structure was when the Board gave its
approval in December of 1992. The most recent document found at the
Thomas Jefferson Health Department shows they approved a Temporary
Pump and Haul permit for an occupancy of 85 people for one evening
meal per day pending a permanent sewer solution. According to the BOCA
code, the existing structure could handle at least 115 people. And Planner,
Bill Fritz, informs me there are even more "state's criteria" for determing
existing capacity that would yield still different results.
Being mindful of The Board's limits on the sewer system/ pump station, its
design is for 100 people. Jim Moore of the State Health Department in
Lexington has approved the current system- its ability to pump more is
limited only by the size of the pumps.
The current proposal before the Planning Commission requests permission
to build an employee apartment above the existing structure in accordance
with Zoning and Building Regulations. The capacity will not expand, and
thus there is no need for additional sewerage or parking. Alternatively we
ask, if this cannot be accommodated unconditionally, for permission to
downsize the restaurant seating capacity from 100 seats to 98 and allow
for 2 employees to live above and work in the restaurant.
We appreciate all your efforts to maintain the viabiliity of this site and to
ensure the restaurant's best chance for survival in an already competitive
market. We are confident Cafe No Problem will one day live up to its name
and be an asset to the Albemarle Community consistent with the fine
character of this neighborhood.
Respectfully,
/- ,j1, 4
Rich 4 A. Coop