HomeMy WebLinkAboutVA199800028 Review Comments 1998-11-02 (—/01 le
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COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE
Department of Building Code and Zoning Services
401 McIntire Road, Room 223
Charlottesville,Virginia 22902-4596
Building Code Information FAX(804)972-4126 Zoning Information
(804)296-5832 TTD(804)972-4012 (804)296-5875
November 2, 1998
Helen & Greg Hudson
5351 Owl Alley Lane
Keswick, VA 22947
Re: Cismont Market Proposal For Dining Seating
Tax Map 065, Parcel 12C
Dear Mr. & Mrs. Hudson:
This is to address your proposal to provide seating area for customers who wish
to eat in the store. I will address your answer first in terms of the use itself, and
second in terms of the technical requirements. In summary, a small portion of a
country store may be utilized for interior dining as an accessory use to that store.
However, all of the zoning requirements such as parking and the like must be
met. In addition, in the case of the Cismont Market, a site plan will be required
showing the provision of additional parking.
The provision of a small dining area has been considered to be an accessory use
to country stores and convenience stores. A small interior seating area is
frequently available at a store which sells prepared foods. The finding that it is
an accessory use is also based on a small space for dining and on a conclusion
that the use is subordinate to the main use. As you know if this proposal were to
involve a building addition, a special permit and variance would be required.
Because what you have proposed is a rearrangement of interior space, the
question is whether a site plan is required. Technical requirements through the
Zoning Ordinance generally and the site plan regulations specifically, are often
directly related to the feasibility of a project. Let me explain further.
It is our opinion that a site plan is required for this proposal because additional
parking is necessary under the regulations of the Zoning Ordinance. By our
calculations, 2 — 3 spaces are necessary for the conversion into 200 — 300
square feet of seating area. Seating area is calculated at 13 spaces per 1,000
11/02/98
Letter to Helen & Greg Hudson
Page 2
gross square feet; whereas the remainder of the store is calculated as a food
store with 1 space per 200 gross square feet. The existing site is nonconforming
with respect to a site plan. The parking does not comply with current regulations
in terms of numbers of spaces, design of spaces, travelways, etc.
If you would like to get more specific comments about your plans and site plan
requirements, I suggest that you join the staff in a pre-application conference.
These are available every Monday afternoon and an appointment can be made
through Ben Blankinship at 296-5832.
In summary, the proposed seating area necessitates a site plan whether or not
the canopy addition is also proposed. The addition of a canopy requires a
special permit and a variance as well as a site plan.
Please contact me if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
ki/-
Amelia G. McCulley, A.I. .P.
Zoning Administrator
AGM/st
Cc: File
cismont market Itr.doc