HomeMy WebLinkAboutZMA202100016 Review Comments Zoning Map Amendment 2022-01-28COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE
Parks & Recreation Department
401 McIntire Road, Charlottesville, Virginia 22902
Telephone (434) 296-5844 1 Fax (434) 293-0299
To: Bill Fritz, AICP, Development Process Manager, Community Development Department —
Lead Reviewer for ZMA202100016 (UVA North Fork Discovery Center)
From: Tim Padalino, AICP, Chief of Parks Planning, Parks & Recreation Department
Date: January 28, 2022
Subject: ACPR Review Comments for ZMA202100016 — UVA North Fork Discovery Center
(Dated December 13, 2021)
ACPR Review Status: "See Recommendations"
ACPR Review Comments:
ACPR staff have reviewed application materials for ZMA202100016, as well as relevant zoning
materials for previously -approved Zoning Map Amendments involving the subject properties included in
ZMA202100016 Project Narrative and Application Plan, and request the following clarifications and
information:
[ZMA202100016 Project Narrative]:
A. Please clarify which recreational amenities are currently being provided, and which amenities
are being voluntarily proffered; and of the amenities to be voluntarily proffered with
ZMA202100016, please provide project details and identify when such amenities will be
developed and dedicated to the County for public use.
Comment #1.A explanation: ACPR recognizes and affirms the Foundation's prior dedication of
a 100' greenway easement along the North Fork of the Rivanna River from Dickerson Road to
U.S. 29 (as recorded in Deed Book 3532, Pages 588-598, on December 27, 2007). However,
ACPR is not aware of any dedication or provision of a "greenway trail," "an extension of the trail
over the Route 29 bridge," or "dedicated Sports Field."
The Project Narrative explains that "The portion of North Fork remaining PDIP includes open
space, trails, cemetery, and a proffered dedicated athletic field" in the section titled
"Consistency with Neighborhood Model Principles / Parks, Recreational Amenities and Open
Space." Similarly, the section titled "Impacts on Public Facilities & Public Infrastructure" —
"Parks" explains that "Included in the previous rezonings, proffers were provided for
the dedication to the County of a greenway and trail along the Rivanna River and an extension
of the trail over the Route 29 bridge when the adjacent property develops similar
connections, as well as a dedicated Sports Field within the PDIP area. The recreational
amenities continue to be provided, and together with the additional recreational amenities
provided in the NMD area, will offer a variety of options for recreation for both the public and
the residents of North Fork."
[ZMA202100016 Application Plan]:
B. Please revise Exhibits A, B, C, and D of the Application Plan for ZMA202100016 to accurately
depict and describe the existing 100' greenway easement along the North Fork of the Rivanna
River (as recorded in Deed Book 3532, Pages 588-598, on December 27, 2007).
C. Please revise Exhibit D to clarify which Open Space Areas and Recreational Amenities are
existing and which are proposed; and for proposed recreational amenities, please describe the
scope and proposed timing of development (and dedication, as may be applicable).
D. Please clarify if the Green Space area (and trail network within the Green Space) in the
proposed NMD District would be publicly accessible.
E. Please provide more information about the proposed "Trailhead Locations" and "Potential
Trailhead Locations' in the proposed NMD District, including whether or not those would be
publicly accessible and if they would accommodate vehicular access or not.
In locations where trails are proposed to cross streets or travelways, please clarify if those
locations would include any safety accommodations, including but not limited to signage,
pavement markings, crosswalks, and/or any other safety enhancements. Please note that such
enhancements would likely require justification to and approval from VDOT at locations
involving public street ROWs.
ACPR staff have reviewed application materials for ZMA202100016, as well as relevant zoning
materials for previously -approved Zoning Map Amendments involving the subject properties included in
ZMA202100016 Project Narrative and Application Plan, and have also referenced applicable formally -
adopted plans and other relevant studies including the following:
■ Albemarle County Comprehensive Plan —
o Attach. A: "Greenway Plan for the Development Areas' (Figure 3, Page 11.15)
o Attach. B: "Greenway Plan Details" Appendix Item — Future Major Greenway Trails in the
Development Areas" (Page A.11.25)
o Attach. C: "Greenway Plan Details" Appendix Item — River and Stream Crossings' (Page
A.11.26)
■ Places 29 Master Plan —
o Attach. D: "Parks and Green Systems Map North"
■ Albemarle County Parks and Recreation Needs Assessment —
o Attach. E: "Facility Rankings" (Figure 3.3.2, Page 52)
Page 2 of 8
Virginia Outdoors Plan —
o Attach. F: "North Fork Rivanna River Proposed Water Trail" / Virginia Outdoors Plan
Mapper / Virginia Outdoors Plan Mapper (arogis.com)
After this review, ACPR staff anticipate that the proposed residential uses would contribute to
increased use of and impacts to the County's public recreational facilities and open spaces. We
acknowledge your proposal includes some proposed recreational amenities which could help to
mitigate the reasonably anticipated impacts.
However, with regard to existing and formally planned recreational facilities and open spaces, ACPR
staff are partially unable to determine that this proposal is consistent with the above -noted plans and
studies, and are partially unable to determine if this proposal is consistent with prior ZMA approvals
and proffers. Therefore, ACPR recommends the following specific revisions to ZMA202100016:
A. ACPR recommends that the timing of the development of proposed and proffered recreational
amenities in ZMA202100016 be expedited to be concurrent with the initial phase of proposed
NMD development. This recommendation is made with the following important considerations:
in order to help mitigate reasonably anticipated impacts on existing County facilities that
would be generated by the proposed new residential uses, by accommodating some of
the increased recreational needs on -site;
ii. in anticipation of the proposed future residents' needs for convenient access to
recreational amenities and natural open spaces;
iii. in light of the ongoing gap between demand for and supply of athletic fields; and
iv. in response to the 2018 Albemarle County Parks & Recreation Needs Assessment,
which identifies the County's need for specific types of facilities and amenities by
ranked priority in Figure 3.3.2 "Facility Rankings."
B. ACPR recommends that the proposal include development and dedication of a publicly -
accessible greenway trailhead for the "Rivanna Greenbelt," as well as development and
dedication of a greenway trail [built within the existing "Rivanna Greenbelt" and meeting "Class
B — Type 2" or "Class A — Type 1" standards as identified in the Albemarle County Engineering
Design Manual (2015)] to accommodate public access to and recreational use and enjoyment
of the previously -dedicated riverfront greenway area.
Note: Because the Foundation has previously dedicated a greenway easement along the North
Fork of the Rivanna River to the County, the County can coordinate with the Foundation on
establishing a construction access easement and/or related easements that would be
necessary to develop a greenway trail within the "Rivanna Greenbelt" portion of the subject
property's Open Space.
Page 3 of 8
C. ACPR recommends that the proposal include development and dedication of a publicly -
accessible river access point and (non -motorized) boat launch facility near Dickerson Road
within the "Rivanna Greenbelt," to enable public access to and (non -motorized) recreational
use and enjoyment of the North Fork of the Rivanna River, which is currently not publicly
accessible.
Note: Because the Foundation has previously dedicated a greenway easement along the North
Fork of the Rivanna River to the County, the County can coordinate with the Foundation on
establishing a construction access easement and/or related easements that would be
necessary to develop a river access point and boat launch facility within the "Rivanna
Greenbelt" portion of the subject property's Open Space.
D. ACPR recommends that the proposal include the development and dedication of the athletic
fields complex, including multi -purpose athletic fields, parking, and other unidentified
improvements or amenities, as conceptually shown on ZMA202100016 Application Plan Exhibit
D "Conceptual Master Plan."
Note: ZMA199500004 Proffer 6.1 "Developed Recreational Areas" and ZMA200500003 Proffer
6.1 "Developed Recreational Areas" both previously proffered the development and dedication
of "ball fields" or "sports fields" (respectively) to the County for public use, but these
recreational amenities were not depicted on ZMA202100016 Application Plan "Exhibit N. -
Open Space System Phasing Plan." Those previously -proffered recreational amenities have
not been developed or dedicated; and the need for and benefit of such facilities has grown
since those prior proffered commitments (and would increase further with the development of
proposed residential uses within the subject property).
E. ACPR recommends that the proposal include the platting and dedication of a greenway
easement along Jacobs Run, between Dickerson Road and the existing 100' greenway
easement along the North Fork, to accommodate the formally planned greenway connection
between the North Fork of the Rivanna River and Chris Greene Lake Park.
Page 4 of 8
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Attach. A: Comprehensive Plan / Greenway Plan for the Development Areas (Fig. 3, Page 11.15)
Attach. A: Coml
Note "Greenway Trail"
along Rivanna River and
Jacobs Run, and "G3
Access" Point in vicinity
Page 11.15) (enlarged)
Page 5 of 8
Greenway Plan Details
The Greenway Plan is described and shown in Chapter 11 of the Comprehensive Plan. Areas for
greenways should be viewed as providing the main components of an overall greenway system. This
Appendix provides information on the general location for the greenway network along rivers and
streams in the Rural Area. The greenway network for the Development Areas is shown on the Parks and
Green Systems Plans in each Development Area Master Plan. The location and types of trails are
intended to be conceptual in nature and do not address details. Instead, these maps are intended to
provide a framework for the implementation of the greenway system, and are not intended to preclude
future opportunities for greenways not shown here. It is assumed that exact locations of trails will be
determined in cooperation with communities and property owners of the area.
Future Major Greenway Trails in the Development Areas
The following trails are major trails in the system of connecting greenways. Other trails in the
Development Areas can be found in the Development Area Master Plans on the Parks and Green Systems
Plan.
Places29
�• North Fork Rivanna River - Jacob's Run from Chris Greene Lake to Yn mile east of Development
Area Boundary
• Powell Creek — From Forest Lakes North to South Fork of Rivanna River
• Rivanna Upper River Greenway from Rivanna Reservoir to Pantops
• Meadow Creek Trail —from Brookmill neighborhood near Pepsi Place through City of
Charlottesville to confluence with the Rivanna River
Attach. B: Comprehensive Plan / "Greenway Plan Details" Appendix Item
("Future Major Greenway Trails in the Development Areas," Page A.11.25)
River and Stream Crossings
Due to the high costs associated with construction of pedestrian bridges, in all cases crossing of major
water bodies will utilize existing bridges. Steps or ramps should be constructed to allow access from the
greenway to the bridge. Bridge design (i.e. striping or pedestrian barrier) may have to be altered to
facilitate safe pedestrian crossing.
Use of the following bridges is recommended to facilitate the crossing of a water course
• North Fork Rivanna River - Route 29 Bridge (Seminole Trail)
• South Fork Rivanna River - Route 29 Bridge (Seminole Trail)
• Rivanna River - Route 250 East (Free Bridge) (Richmond Road)
• Rivanna River - Route 729 Bridge (North Milton Road)
• Moore's Creek — Route 742 Bridge (Avon Street Extended)
• Moore's Creek - Route 781 Bridge (Sunset Avenue)
• Moore's Creek - Route 780 Bridge (Old Lynchburg Road)
• Moore's Creek - Route 20 South Bridge (Scottsville Road)
It may be advantageous to construct a bicycle bridge over a water course; however, alternatives to a
bridge crossing must be thoroughly explored. It is much more desirable to utilize existing bridges for
connections when they are in close proximity to proposed river and stream crossings. However, free -
Attach. C: Comprehensive Plan / "Greenway Plan Details" Appendix Item
("River and Stream Crossings," Page A.11.26)
Page 6 of 8
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3.3.2 FACILITY RANKINGS
FacilitylAmeni
Walking, Hiking and Biking Trails
Priority
09h
Youth Athletic Fields - Diamond and Multi -Purpose
Open Space/Conservation Parks
Small Neighborhood Parks
Large Community Parks
Aquatic Facilities
Otr Leash Dog Parks
River Access/Boat Launches
Pavilions and Picnic Shelters
Indoor Recreation Spaces
Medium
Playgrounds
Athletic Fields for Adults
Outdoor Tennis Courts
Facilties/Amenities for Special Needs
Gymnastic Facilities
LOW
Competitive Swimming Facilities
Pickleball Courts
Outdoor Basketball Courts
Disc Golf
Indoor Soccer Facilities
Outdoor Sand Volleyball Courts
Skateparks
Attach. E: 2018 Albemarle County Parks & Recreation Needs Assessment "Facility Rankings" (Figure 3.3.2, Page 52)
Attach. F: "North Fork Rivanna River Proposed Water Trail' — Virginia Outdoors Plan Mapper
Virginia Outdoors Plan Mapper (arogis.com)
Page 8 of 8