HomeMy WebLinkAboutSDP199500005 Correspondence 1995-03-17 RECEIVE'''"SHCROFT NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, INC.
1995 1990 Sassafras Circle
AAR 2 Charlottesville, Virginia 22901
planning Dept.
March 17, 1995
Mr. William Fritz
Albemarle County Planning Commission Office
County Office Building
401 McIntire Road
Charlottesville, VA 22901
RE: Ashcroft Development Pool/Clubhouse Plans
Dear Mr. Fritz,
Suzanne Breeden, President of the Board of Directors, has asked me to write you as a
follow-up to her phone conversation with you on March 15. She is out of town and wanted to
have something "in your hands" as early as possible.
To make this easiest on both of us, I will simply bring you up to date on the various
conversations, meetings, etc., that have taken place since the board last contacted you (letter
dated January 11, 1995)in which we expressed multiple reservations concerning the plans as we
knew them then.
1. On February 23, 1995, Rick Beyer, on behalf of R.L.Beyer Construction Co., submitted
plans to the Country Planning Department for a pool and clubhouse facility for the PRD
named Ashcroft. Many of our concerns, which had been expressed to Rick Beyer at the
bi-annual Neighborhood Association meeting on January 23, 1995, had not been
addressed.
2. During the following seven to ten days, Association board member Bob Bridges met with
you to further express the Association's concerns. Following your review, our letter and
Bob Bridges' meeting, you apparently had a phone conversation with Rick Beyer and
advised him of a number of suggested changes and improvements that could/should be
made to the plans. Our understanding is that Rick verbally agreed to make certain
revisions, e.g. to enlarge the clubhouse, and then resubmit the plans.
3. On March 9, 1995, Rick Beyer resubmitted his plans with little or no revisions. Bob
Bridges again met with you (on March 9) to review these plans and brought this to your
attention.
4. On March 10, Bob met with Rick Beyer, hoping to establish a dialogue with him. To
summarize the points of this meeting:
RE: Ashcroft Development Pool/Clubhouse Plans page 2
A. Bob suggested to Rick relocating the clubhouse facility to that of the current
playground and moving the playground to a location that would fit in more with
these permanent facilities. He further suggested moving the pool location to the
planned clubhouse location. The advantages would be (1) The clubhouse could
serve as a windscreen for both the pool and tennis court (2) the clubhouse could
be large or could be expanded later as the Neighborhood grows (3) better
utilization of the remaining area (area of planned pool and volleyball court) and
(4) the "dead" area between the proposed end-to-end facilities and the ball field
would not look quite so strange.
B. Such a relocation would have the added benefit of increased "curb-appeal" as new
homes are constructed up the hill.
C. Rick expressed several concerns, but indicated his willingness to consider this
proposal. However, his bottom line continues to be cost. He is, very obviously,
anxious to have a facility opened by the start of this summer. Bob expressed to
Rick the opinion that if many of these conversations had taken place earlier we
would not be faced with the current sense of panic and haste.
D. Unknown to members of the Board, Rick did have an enlarged and changed
layout of the clubhouse that he has explored. Bob pointed out that it is precisely
this lack of communication that has been a problem, but he was able to get copies
of this plan, which have been distributed to members of the Board. There are
still several concerns: (1) Both restrooms are now on the same side of the
building, each still with only one toilet (although one is to be roughed in for the
future). (2) The main room is larger, but there is only a small kitchen area. (3)
A previously unmentioned Sales Room, which we would assume is for
Neighborhood Association use and, possibly, a rental-basis use for realtors doing
business in Ashcroft has appeared.
I have not enclosed a copy of these additional plans, as, if R.L.Beyer Construction Co.
is considering them, I feel that they should arrive in your office through proper channels.
5. On March 15, Suzanne Breeden spoke with you by phone. She re-iterated, as I have
here, how much work the Board and the Neighborhood has done in researching and
trying to plan an acceptable pool and clubhouse facility with R.L. Beyer Construction
Co. During this conversation, she asked that you please not grant any permits or make
any recommendations in haste on this plan until we can again encourage Rick to meet
with members of the Board and you at the County Building in a "mediated" environment
to resolve some of our differences. According to Suzanne, you verbally agreed to wait
until your return during the week of March 20th (hence my letter to you).
RE: Ashcroft Development Pool/Clubhouse Plans page 3
In closing, I would like to reiterate that many of our original concerns still exist. On
behalf of the Board and the Neighborhood, I cannot state strongly enough that, although we are
anxious for this facility, waiting is preferable to accepting an inferior product. We are hoping
that Rick will attend the next Board of Directors' meeting on Thursday, March 23rd, during
which we will encourage him to work from the modified plans for the clubhouse that I referred
to above. Finally, many, if not all, of the members of the Board are available to meet with you
and Rick, in your office, to try to resolve these issues.
Thank you for your continued assistance in these matters.
Sincerely,
Dede Haverstick, Secretary
Ashcroft Neighborhood Association
cc: R. Downer, Esq.
Board of Directors, ANA