The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutVA200400011 Correspondence 2004-07-03 Ana Kilmer From: Sara Lee Barnes [libassoc@virginia.edu] Sent: Tuesday, August 03, 2004 12:39 PM To: akilmer@albemarle.org Cc: amcculley@albemarle.org Subject: Re: Zoning appeal VA-2004-011 Importance: High Dear Ms. Kilmer, Please share this email with the members of the Zoning Appeals Board at your meeting this afternoon. I know this is the last minute to comment on the proposed zoning changes for the requested variance VA-2004-011 (at Shadwell between Rt. 22/231/ and Rt. 250) , I have been out of town for several weeks. I have reviewed the staff report on this request and concur with the findings and recommendations of the staff that this be denied. Our neighborhood is very concerned with the daily traffic along our road. We have been working for over eight years with state and local officials to mitigate the issues of increased traffic, speed limits, and through truck traffic on Rts. 22/231. If this variance is requested we will see an increase of both car and truck traffic at an already very busy intersection. Please take your guidance from the staff' s conclusion and deny this variance. Thank you for your consideration. Sara Lee Barnes 4670 Cloverefields Farm Keswick, VA 22947 1 ROBET K. & CAROLYN W. MICHIE 1066 Shadwell Station Ln. Charlottesville, VA 22911 (434) 293-8874 August 3, 2004 County of Albemarle Department of Community Development 401 McIntire Rd. Room 227 Charlottesville, VA 22902 ATTN: Amelia G. McCulley, A.I.C.P. RE: VA 2004-011 Albemarle First Bank T/A Shadwell Building, Tax Map 79 Dear Ms. McCulley: When this building was constructed we were told that the owner was landscaping along the railroad to block Oil Company and our home. Once it was built and "Landscaped", we had to contact them concerning the lights on the side and rear of building. The lights were angled and reflected into our home. We could move around our house at night without lights. We spoke to the building's owners and requested that they plant a buff of trees along the railroad and angle the lights down so we could get some sleep. To my knowledge neither was done. The railroad will cut the present tree growth from the bank by fall and we will view again the pink building and lights. We also are on a well facing this property and since you allowed GOCO to hook up to public water, why not these people. If an effort is made to plant trees along the railroad area to block lights and the building, we have no objection to this. If this is not done we strongly object to any changes, as the more offices, shops you allow to more in, we will endure more lighting problems. Sincerely, Carolyn W. Michie Landowner VA-2004-011 TM 79 parcels 19 and 19B Zoning C-1 Commercial and EC Entrance Corridor 2.03 acres My name is Marcia Joseph, and I am president of the Southwest Mountains Coalition. I am here to ask you to deny the request to allow the variance of 18.63 acres of area that would allow 15 establishments within the existing building, and reject the temptation to allow more than one establishment on this site. Ms. McCulley has indicated that the applicant has not met the hardship test required for granting the 18.63 acre variance. She states that the applicant has provided evidence that the variance requested will not affect the character of the area. I respectfully disagree with Ms. McCulley. The addition of more than one establishment on this site would increase the traffic in this area and most definitely intensify the use and change the character of the area. Any more than one establishment would bring more traffic to this site. The building would begin to take on a strip mall pattern of traffic and intensity of use. This building is located at the gateway to the Southwest Mountains Historic District and one of the most protected areas in Albemarle County. It is on a Virginia designated Scenic By Way, and is on an Entrance Corridor as defined by Albemarle County. Recognition by these various entities is warranted. It is a beautiful road. The area along the roadway is well tended by its owners and the road serves as a major tourist route. Although the argument may be made that there have been more than 2 and perhaps as many as 15 vendors operating within the building in the past, I want to remind you that they were all selling antiques. This retail sales specialty, antiques sold by several vendors, would attract less traffic than a diversity of sales. This one use, selling antiques, with more than one vendor is far different than allowing more than 15 different establishments. The C-1 zoning district allows 15 retail and service establishments and 26 services and public establishments by right. That diversity of use could only serve to increase the traffic and intensify the use. Section 4.1.3 was included within the Albemarle County Zoning Ordinance to help limit the intensity of use within areas not served by public water and sewer. It is a means to limit the intensity of use in areas out side the development areas, help direct the growth into the development areas, and to help protect the environment in the rural areas within Albemarle County. If this policy, or philosophy is to be changed, please let the Board of Supervisors make the decision for this change in policy. Because of the many reasons stated above and because the Zoning Administrator has determined that no hardship exists, please deny this request and allow the applicant to pursue a zoning text amendment. + � Ow.-� c.Js O C c7��C- /v�.c > P(ece4 S u L.,)0,..Q s . 0C 5-715-..;QJ _ezxr\---,;vn c29. 5 Lo o (ri ►M 0 st Vir6.";0. . I-1 -74 vk/k e —(4,4 ---(242^,ave-P V-(7-1 -je() (Jo ot ert;e A ,f,4„ U 5,� A,rt 2 ) 2ooy 674^-t CoLA,t .R 00,A0...4 Co ;v eX G-, � P w�e \c; us4 , /n c c �— oo �oc�cQ vl- c,Q f eek.al LA a k4za,•4o -- 5 k 4 (11-011 5-4d2n it c 0 v .►In-ems c i /�i s W o C A 1-1-1,*1 Q i su s�� v+�- (M�-�i�n�