HomeMy WebLinkAboutVA200200018 Action Letter 2002-11-04 47). NOV 12
BUILL "G CC 7E S 7..7CcES
COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE
Department of Planning&Community Development
401 McIntire Road,Room 218
Charlottesville,Virginia 22902-4596
(434)296-5823
Fax(434)972-4012
November 8,2002
Richard E. Carter
Taylor,Zunka,Milnor and Carter,Ltd.
414 Park Street
Charlottesville,VA 22902
RE: ARB-2002-102: Yancey Mills Rotary Log Crane,Tax Map 055,Parcel 112
Dear Mr.Carter:
At its meeting on Monday,November 4, 2002, the Albemarle County Architectural Review Board voted 4:1 to forward the
following recommendation to the BZA:
Based on the existing Heavy Industrial zoning, the ARB has no objection to ARB-2002-102, Yancey Mills Rotary
Crane,request for variances with the following conditions:
1. No new site lighting associated with the use of the crane shall be installed.
2. Logs shall not be stacked higher than 30'.
3. Logs shall not be stacked within 30' of the property line along Route 250.
4. Revise the proposed landscaping plan to show a ten-foot strip parallel to Route 250 and along the northwest
corner. Provide a continuous mixed informal planting consisting of 2 to 3 different species of screening trees
with interspersed shade trees along the full distance of the Route 250 frontage allowing for necessary
ingress/egress. Integrate proposed landscaping with existing trees. Show the existing trees on the plan.
Screening trees shall be 6-8' in height at the time of planting.
5. Provide a plan that clearly shows the access points into the site from Route 250 for proper coordination with
landscaping.
If you have any questions about this action,please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
,G
Margaret Maliszewski
Design Planner
Cc: File
R.A.Yancey, 1895 Woodberry Road,Charlottesville,VA 2201
VAmelia McCulley
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD STAFF REPORT
Project#: Name ARB-2002-102: Yancey Mills Rotary Crane
Application Type Advisory review for a variance request
Parcel Identification Tax Map 55, Parcel 112
Location South side of Route 250 West at Yancey Mills Lane (Route 825), east of
the I-64 interchange
Zoned Entrance Corridor(EC), Heavy Industry (HI)
Magisterial District White Hall
Proposal Erect a 100' tall rotary log crane
ARB Meeting Date September 3, 2002
Staff Contact Margaret Maliszewski
HISTORY: A mill operation has existed at this site since 1949. There are no previous ARB reviews on this
site.
PROJECT DETAILS: The applicant proposes to erect a rotary log crane at the lumber mill. The crane would
allow logs to be stacked higher than they are stacked currently. Current stacking height is approximately 20';
future stacking height would be approximately 30'. The crane would rise 100' in height and would extend
approximately 155' in length. It would operate in a circular area whose radius is 180'. The center of the crane
would be located approximately 200' from the property line along the EC (including a 20' setback). There is
approximately 40' from the property line to the edge of pavement of Route 250.
Variances requested:
1. Increase height from 65' to 100' (variance of 35').
2. Decrease setbacks based on height:
a) from Route 250 from 180' to 63' (variance of 117');
b) from Route 825 from 180' to 20' (variance of 150');
c) from adjacent Rural Areas property from 230' to 0' (variance of 20');
3. Decrease setbacks from Route 825 from 50' to 30' (variance of 20'); and from adjacent Rural Areas
property from 100' to 0' (variance of 100').
ANALYSIS
Site Development,Layout,and Grading: The site is already developed as a lumber mill. Various buildings
and equipment are located throughout the site. The crane would be located at the western end of the property.
No grading would be required.
Visibility: The existing operation is clearly visible from the EC. Structures, equipment, stacked logs, and
trucks are visible. The entire rotary crane would be readily visible along the EC in locations along the property.
It is anticipated that the upper portions of the crane would be visible from greater distances along the EC in
ARB 9/3/2002 Yancey Mills Rotary Crane Advisory Review-Page 1
both directions.
Context: No other commercial or industrial development is immediately visible from the site. Residential
buildings exist nearby. The I-64 interchange is located a short distance to the west. The general character of
the surrounding area is rural.The current character of the site is that of a lumber mill,but the appearance does
not meet the intent of the ARB guidelines. Although the crane is equipment associated with the mill use, the
crane is out of character with the surrounding area.
Compatibility with historic sites/structures: Though lumber mills have a long history in this country, the
proposed crane has no particular connection to the historic architecture of the area.
Scale: The proposed crane is a large structure without human scale.The height and radius of the structure are
out of scale with the existing buildings on site.
Forms and Features: The primary feature of the crane is expected to be its size. The increased height of the
stacked logs will also be a prominent feature.
Lighting: The mill operates from 7 AM to 5 PM. Lighting would be used, as necessary, for safe operations
during this time period; for example, early morning and late evening in the winter.
Appearance and Impact: The anticipated impact of the crane has some similarities to that of a cell tower.
Both are fully visible at close range and both are visible at distances above the treetops. However, the crane
is much bigger and there is not proposal to screen it from view. The proposed development does not reflect
the traditional architecture of the area and it does not promote attractive development within the corridor.
SUMMARY:
The current character of the site does not meet ARB guidelines and the addition of a 100'-tall rotary crane
would further distance the site from attaining a character and appearance that are appropriate for the Entrance
Corridor. An increased height for stacked logs is likewise considered inappropriate for the EC. The proximity
of the development and the proposed crane to the EC increases the visibility and impact on the EC and
eliminates the ability to add screening.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff cannot support the proposed variances and recommends that the ARB forward the following
recommendation to the Board of Zoning Appeals:
The ARB cannot support the proposed variances because the installation of the proposed rotary crane
would not reflect the traditional architecture of the area and would not promote attractive development
within the Entrance Corridor, as specified by the ARB guidelines.
Should the ARB choose to recommend support for the proposal, staff recommends the following conditions
of approval:
1. No new lighting associated with the use of the crane shall be installed.
2. Logs shall not be stacked higher than 30'.
ARB 9/3/2002 Yancey Mills Rotary Crane Advisory Review-Page 2
a
ARB ACTION MEMO
Date: November 4, 2002
Time: 1:30 PM
Meeting Room: # 241
Members:
M. Kirk Train, AIA, Chairman: Present
Marcia Joseph, ASLA, AICP, Vice-Chairman: Present
Katie Hobbs: Present
Candace M.P. Smith, A.I.A.: Present
Charles T. Lebo: Present
Staff:
Margaret Maliszewski: Present
Janet L. Miller: Present
DEFERRED ITEMS
ARB-2002-102: Yancey Mills Rotary Crane- Advisory Review for a Variance Request - (Tax Map
055, Parcel 112)
Proposal: To erect a 100-foot tall rotary log crane.
Motion: Ms. Joseph made a motion that, based on the existing Heavy Industrial zoning, the ARB has
no objection to ARB-2002-102, Yancey Mills Rotary Crane, request for variances with the following
conditions:
1. No new site lighting associated with the use of the crane shall be installed.
2. Logs shall not be stacked higher than 30'.
3. Logs shall not be stacked within 30'of the property line along Route 250.
4. Revise the proposed landscaping plan to show a ten-foot strip parallel to Route 250 and along the
northwest corner. Provide a continuous mixed informal planting consisting of 2 to 3 different species of
screening trees with interspersed shade trees along the full distance of the Route 250 frontage allowing
for necessary ingress/egress. Integrate proposed landscaping with existing trees. Show the existing
trees on the plan. Screening trees shall be 6-8' in height at the time of planting.
5. Provide a plan that clearly shows the access points into the site from Route 250 for proper coordination
with landscaping.
Second: Ms. Smith.
Vote: The motion carried (4:1). (Hobbs— No)
Ms. Hobbs' objection was based on her finding that the use and the appearance of the crane were
not appropriate for the EC or for tourist routes into Albemarle County.
ARB-2002-106: Joseph Terry Site Plan - Preliminary Review of a Site Development Plan - (Tax
Map 032, Parcel 38A)
Proposal: Proposed changes to the parking along the front of the site, the EC frontage, the northeast
corner of the property, and new parking spaces on the north side of the building.
Motion: Ms. Smith made a motion to grant approval of a Final Certificate of Appropriateness for
ARB-2002-106, Joseph Terry Site Plan, with the following conditions to be approved administratively
by staff.
1. Coordinate proposed landscaping locations with the locations of existing trees and shrubs.
2. Space the shade trees at 35' on center along the EC. The existing Japanese Maple located south
of the grass swale may be counted as one of the required shade trees. The new trees should be
located 10' from the pipe shown on the plan.
3. Intersperse ornamental trees along the EC.
4. Provide the Nellie Stevens in a row along the north side of the site. Continue the row from the
northeast corner of the site to the 24" double Ash tree.
5. Revise the shrub planting along the EC side of the site according to one of the following plans:
ARB Action Memo— November 4, 2002
Page 1