HomeMy WebLinkAboutSE202200039 Application 2022-07-01® COLLINS ENGINEERING 800 E JEFFERSON CHARLOTTESVILLE VA 22902
434 2933719 434 293 3719 FX
wwwcolt ins-engineering.com
July 1, 2022
Ben Holt
Development Process Manager
Department of Community Development
401 McIntire Road, Room 227
Charlottesville, VA 22902
RE: Skyline Ridge- Exception Requestfor Relieffrom the Building Stephack Requirementfor
Buildings higher than 3 stories
Dear Ben Holt:
Please allow this letter to serve as our official request for a special exception request for relief of the
stepback requirements for the multi -family apartment building within the Skyline Ridge project
The special exception request is in accordance with Chapter 18, Section 4.19 of the Albemarle County
Zoning Ordinance. This section of the code allows for a reduction of the stepback requirement for
buildings that are over 3 stories in height or taller than 40 feet The proposed apartment building for
the Skyline Ridge project is 5 stories with a basement floor, and the overall height will be
approximately 62 feet
This project is a site plan amendment to the original site plan at was designed and approved around
1996. Project construction started at the time of site plan approval, but the project was never
completed. The site was cleared and graded with some utility installation, but the remaining
infrastructure was not completed. The applicant is now proposing to complete the project, which
requires the approval of this site plan amendment The location of the building is in the same location
as the previously approved building site. The property is located at the end of the cul-de-sac, and the
building location is over 230 feet from the nearest right of way (improved roadway), which is
Colonnade Drive. The stepback requirement was not a design requirement back when the original site
plan was approved.
Another reason for the elimination of the stepback requirement for the building is that the site terrain
and shape of the property mainly dictates the location of the building on the property. With the shape
of the site along the cul-de-sac, the property extends out and becomes wider further away from the
right of way. The building has to be located away from the front of the property, due to this constraint
Also, there is also tremendous grade elevation variation across the site. The site elevation change is
140 feet over about 600 horizontal feet The proposed location of the building helps step the
development within the property, working the existing site topography. These factors require the
building to be placed further back from the street right of way. With this location of the building due to
the site constraints, the building stepback is not necessary for this project
For the reasons detailed above, the project design is consistent with the Neighborhood Model
Principles and the proposed building elevation is consistent with the Buildings and Spaces of Human
Scale, without the requirement of the stepback. Due to site constraints, the building is set well back
from the roadway and will not create a disproportional design by eliminating the requirement of the
building stepback. In addition, by placing the building in this location, the building helps tie-in the
proposed improvements into the step site terrain, creating a development plan that is consistent with
the natural terrain on the property.
The overall reduction of the stepback also allows for the density within the R-15 zoning to be achieved
and the overall density of the development is consistent with the goals of the comprehensive plan for
the property, including the provided affordable for -rent housing proposed with the development
Thank you again for the consideration of this special exception request, and please contact me if you
have any questions or require any further information.
Sincerely,
Scott Collins