HomeMy WebLinkAboutVA199600018 Correspondence 1996-12-01 Dec. 1,1996
County of Albemarle
Department of Building Code and Zoning Services
Attn: Ms.Jan Sprinkle
Dear Ms. Sprinkle,
I am writing in regards to a variance that has been requested for 325 Barracks Hill Rd. in the
Ivy Farms subdivision. As the current President of the Ivy Farms Homeowner's Association I
have had several concerned neighbors calling me over the past week in regards to this issue. I
have also spoken with two members of the Ivy Farm Architectural Review Board and have
tried to understand all aspects of this situation as best I can. I am writing to express what I
believe are the general views of the people I have spoken with as well as my own thoughts on
the issue.
The size and scope of this project has proven to be somewhat of a disappointment to the
neighborhood. However,it is generally understood that the owners of the property were not
initially proposing to do anything that was not allowable by county zoning regulations or
subdivision restrictions. The plans that were presented,prior to construction, to the ARB
represented a structure of a quality similar to the primary residence that had already been
approved by the county as complying with county codes and rules. In the absence of any clearly
defined neighborhood standards for projects of this nature there did not appear to be grounds to
deny the request.
Now that a variance has been applied for to delete a connector between the primary residence
and the new structure,there is concern about why this was not part of what was originally
submitted for county approval. In other words,what is the implication and why if county
regulations require the connector,was the variance asked for after going through the approval
processes and after construction was well underway.
In general, I do not think anyone is opposed to the variance itself. However, if a variance is
granted I would hope that the two structures could not be sub-divided into separate lots(even
by another variance regarding set back rules). Further, the new structure should be used as
presented to neighbors and the ARB members solely as a mother-in-law apartment, private
studio,rental unit to a family member,or storage space. Any commercial use would be out of
keeping with the neighborhood and in conflict with anything that was represented by the
owners during approval processes.
I am not totally familiar with the variance process but what I would like to see if a variance
is granted is that it be conditioned on the issues presented above. Although I am writing this as
an individual, I do think I am fairly expressing the general views of the neighborhood.
I would also like to disclose that I am a licensed REALTOR in the state of Virginia but that
this is out of my scope of expertise and I am writing as a neighborhood Association President,
not as a REALTOR.
Sincerely, IRLEC:FIVED
4
DFC 2 1997
Cindy Kaul QUONTY
ARTMEta
ZONING DEP