HomeMy WebLinkAboutZMA202100016 Correspondence 2022-08-01 (3)December 13, 2021
Revised: August 1, 2022
University of Virginia Foundation
North Fork UVA Discovery Park
Zoning Map Amendment Application Narrative
ZMA 2021-016
Introduction
The University of Virginia Foundation (the "Foundation," or the "Applicant") supports the
University of Virginia through management of financial and real estate assets on behalf
of the University. The Foundation owns and manages North Fork, a UVA Discovery Park,
("North Fork") formerly known as the University of Virginia Research Park (the "Research
Park"), south of North Fork Rivanna River and west of U.S. Route 29 in the Rio Magisterial
District (the "Property'). The Property is zoned Planned Development Industrial Park
("PDIP") and is subject to proffers and an application plan.
North Fork was originally approved in 1996 as ZMA 1994-05, with three Special Use
Permits, and now contains approximately 543 acres. In 2010 the Board of Supervisors
approved a rezoning amendment identified as ZMA 2005-03 which included the addition
of approximately 30 acres to North Fork; amendments to the three existing Special Use
Permits (SP 2008-00062 for Laboratories, medical or pharmaceutical; SP 2008-00063 for
Supporting Commercial Uses; and SP 2008-00064 Hotels, Motels, Inns), and a new
Special Use Permit for a Parking Structure (SP 2008-0015). North Fork is fully master -
planned and permits up to 3.7 million square feet of office, light industrial,
hotel/conference center, laboratory/medical/pharmaceutical, and retail/support
commercial uses. There are also detailed proffers that further govern the development
of North Fork. The approved Application Plan approved with ZMA 2005-03 is dated
February 2, 2009 and was prepared by Cline Design and the University of Virginia
Foundation.
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In 2013 the Board adopted amendments to the PDIP zoning district regulations in
Section 29 of the ordinance, and the regulations in Section 26 of the Ordinance —
Industrial Districts Generally.
There are currently nine buildings in North Fork comprising approximately 650,000
square feet, with 30 tenants and over 1,500 employees on site. Existing tenants at North
Fork include a variety of research, technology, industrial, and manufacturing tenants. A
complete list of tenants is available at:
http://www.uvaresearchl2ark.com/directories/tenant-directory/ .
The County's Hollymead Fire and Rescue Station 12 is also located within North Fork,
along Innovation Drive.
Existing Research Park amenities include numerous acres of open space, pedestrian trails,
restaurant and catering services, meeting facilities, lakes, ponds, and a preserved historic
homestead.
Project Proposal
The existing land use regulations governing the Property do not permit residential uses.
The Foundation proposes to use some of the undeveloped land within North Fork to
provide nearby residential options for North Fork employees, provide additional
residential opportunities within the County, enliven and enhance the PDIP by providing
24/7 activity, and to create a truly mixed -use community within North Fork.
Therefore, the Foundation proposes to rezone a portion of North Fork from PDIP to
Neighborhood Model District (NMD) to allow residential uses (the "Project," or this
"Amendment") and additional commercial and retail uses (See detailed chart below). The
existing PDIP uses will remain on the entirety of North Fork, including those approved
by Special Use Permit with conditions, however a Code of Development and Application
Plan will establish regulations regarding the residential uses including density, form,
residential uses, and greenspace. The types of potential residential uses would include
single-family detached, single-family attached, townhomes, and multi -family dwelling
units.
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The overall Application Plan for North Fork has also been updated to reflect the NMD,
modify the existing PDIP Block areas slightly to allow for additional area for pad ready
sites, as well as make some minor modifications to the Land Use Matrix. These changes
include allowing all of the uses currently permitted by -right in North Fork to be within
all the blocks, add Data Center as a use, allow grading of preserved slopes in areas
previously shown in approved block areas, and allow all the uses permitted under
Category 2 in the PDIP ordinance to be permitted in North Fork. These minor changes
to the uses and block areas will further enhance North Fork's ability to attract target
industries and business to Albemarle County, furthering the Economic Development
Goals. In Blocks adjacent to residential and the Rural Area there remains a 150-foot buffer
to reduce the impact to those residences.
In addition, there are currently two parcels owned by the Foundation at the intersection
of Route 29 and Lewis and Clark Drive that are currently zoned Heavy Industry (TMP 32-
2261) and R1 Residential (TMP 32-2262). These two parcels contain the entry
landscaping and signage for the Park. The Foundation wishes to rezone these parcels to
PDIP in order to maintain consistency with the Foundation owned parcels, add additional
area to North Fork, and provide additional PDIP opportunities in this area. Parcel 32-
2261 has proffers under ZMA 1989-007 and as part of this rezoning, the Foundation is
proposing to remove those proffers.
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Parcel
Owner
Existing Zoning
Designation
Proposed Zoning
Designation
Acres
03200000001800
University of Virginia Foundation
PD-IP
NMD
11.220
032000000018AO
University of Virginia Foundation
PD-IP
NMD
9.501
032000000006R0 Portion
University of Virginia Foundation
PD-IP
NMD
151.580
032000000006R0 Residue
University of Virginia Foundation
PD-IP
PD-IP*
315.943
032000000022131
University of Virginia Foundation
HI**
PD-IP
4.979
032000000022132
University of Virginia Foundation
R1
PD-IP
1.897
032000000019DO
University of Virginia Foundation
PD-IP
PD-IP*
4.002
0320000000191-11
University of Virginia Foundation
PD-IP
PD-IP*
0.326
032000000019F1
University of Virginia Foundation
PD-IP
PD-IP*
2.532
032000000019GO
University of Virginia Foundation
PD-IP
PD-IP*
4.770
032000000019EO
University of Virginia Foundation
PD-IP
PD-IP*
7.100
032000000019CO
University of Virginia Foundation
PD-IP
PD-IP*
4.863
032000000019FO
University of Virginia Foundation
PD-IP
PD-IP*
6.024
032000000006A2
University of Virginia Foundation
PD-IP
PD-IP*
7.110
032000000019J1
Universi of Vir inia Foundation
PD-IP
PD-IP*
4.669
032000000019H0
Universi of Virginia Foundation
PD-IP
PD-IP*
2.601
032000000019JO
University of Virginia Foundation
PD-IP
PD-IP*
4.333
Total Acres:
543.450
Total NMD Acres:
172.301
*The Application Plan and Proffers are being amended for those parcels that are remaining PD-IP.
** The existing HI Property associated with ZMA 1987-007 is being amended to be rezoned to PD-IP and remove existing
proffers.
Character and Use of Surrounding Parcels
The Application Plan designates those "blocks" within North Fork where certain uses
are permitted, as shown on the Land Use Matrix. Most, if not all of the blocks will
continue to be used as North Fork for the purposes set forth on the Application Plan,
but some blocks may also be developed to include a residential component. The
proposed residential uses will support and complement the existing and permitted
uses at North Fork by providing more opportunities for Research Park employees to
live and work in the same place. Residential uses would also create more of "24/7"
activity within North Fork; or at least all -day activation of the Park. Residential uses will
help create a true active, diverse community for all ages, and help make North Fork
even more attractive to potential Park tenants and employees.
Consistency with the Comprehensive Plan
Places29 Master Plan
Land Use Designations
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The Comprehensive Plan designates the Property for Office / R & D / Flex / Light
Industrial as a primary use, for Privately Owned Open Space and Environmental Features
as a secondary use, and for Public Open Space as a minor use. The Places29 Master Plan
outlines the variety of uses contemplated in areas designated for Office / R & D / Flex /
Light Industrial, which indicates uses that are "expected to have impacts similar to an
office use." Places29 Master Plan, page 4-4. The description of this land use designation
on pages 4-6 to 4-7 of the Places29 Master Plan shows that certain of the contemplated
uses in these areas are clearly compatible with residential uses. For example, the
definition of "Light Industrial" includes, as secondary uses, "retail, commercial, and light
manufacturing uses that are associated with the primary uses, residential, open space,
and institutional uses." Id. at 4-7. While the proposed residential uses would be
secondary to the primary Office / R & D / Flex / Light Industrial uses at North Fork, the
previously quoted portion of the Places29 Master Plan shows that residential uses can
coexist with Light Industrial uses in conformity with the Places29 Master Plan. The land
use designation of Office/R&D/Flex does not provide density ranges for residential as a
secondary use. The project proposes a maximum of 1,400 residential units consisting of
single family detached, single family attached, townhomes, and multi -family apartments
at a density of approximately 16 DUA.
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Center Designation
In addition to the Office / R & D / Flex / Light Industrial designation, there is a portion
designated as an area within the Uptown Center located at the intersection of Lewis and
Clark Drive and Airport Road. The majority of the Uptown Center designation is located
within parcels to the west of this intersection, but the center designation continues into
North Fork along Airport Road. A variety of uses, including residential, is recommended
within Centers. A connection is provided in the proposal to the west to connect to the
future Uptown Center, and buildings will be oriented towards this street along the
connection. This area is proposed to include those non-residential uses that were
approved with ZMA2005-03 with the addition of multi -family residential and townhome
uses. The road connection and the uses will support the Uptown Center designation and
provide connectivity between the Uptown and North Fork. This area will also provide a
framework for the future development of the Uptown within the parcels to the west.
Moreover, the Places29 Master Plan, at page 4-19, specifically discusses North Fork and
expressly contemplates residential uses there. This section of the Master Plan is
reproduced below in its entirety:
The University of Virginia Research Park will continue to develop as a
major employment center. This Plan offers the University of Virginia Research
Park the opportunity to include a more integrated amount of residential and
commercial uses.
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The land uses in the Research Park that are shown on the Future Land Use Map
are consistent with the University of Virginia Foundation's long-term,
conceptual site plan. Future development within the Research Park may
continue to develop in a campus -style form and with building footprints that
are consistent with the existing zoning.
Accordingly, the Places29 Master Plan is meant to reflect the contemplated uses of North
Fork at the time the Master Plan was adopted. Even though residential uses were not
part of North Fork's zoning when the Places29 Master Plan was adopted, the Master Plan
specifically encourages residential uses at North Fork. As such, the proposed project will
allow North Fork to become more consistent with the County's future land use objectives
described in the Master Plan.
Parks and Green Systems
The Places29 Master Plan Parks and Green Systems map recommends a number of trails,
greenways, and open space within North Fork. It is important to note that the Master
Plan was adopted in February 2011, after the original approval of North Fork in 1997 and
the amendment in March 2010. The Parks and Green Systems reflect those areas that
North Fork identified as open space in their plans. However, the Master Plan was updated
in 2015 and included new critical slopes data but the parks and green system map was
not modified to capture these slopes within those areas. The open space provided with
the 1997 and 2005 rezonings reflect areas of stream buffers, steep slopes, and floodplain
and includes 200 acres, many of which are outside of the environmental features. In
addition to the environmental features, the open space included a park, protection of a
cemetery site, and future dedication of greenway. This Amendment proposes to retain
the majority of those areas that are within sensitive environmental areas such as the
floodplain, stream buffers, and preserved steep slopes as green space and to provide a
total of 200 acres in green space and open space over the entirety of North Fork.
The two parcels adjacent at the corner of Route 29 and Lewis and Clark Drive are entirely
designated as Semi-public open space. There are some preserved steep slopes in the
back of the properties, however, the majority of the parcels are developable. The
amendment to these parcels will retain these preserved slopes, outside of the allowable
uses permitted under the ordinance. This approach is consistent with the most recently
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adopted Crozet Master Plan which designated open space and green space as those
areas that are programmed for parks or include sensitive environmental features only.
The County's Vision and Values, as stated in the Comprehensive Plan, includes the
preservation and enhancement of the County's features that contribute to its values,
including the University of Virginia as an economic driver, and the County's relationship
to the University of Virginia as a partner in the community. The proposal supports the
goals and objectives of numerous components of the County's Comprehensive Plan,
including those relating to Economic Development, Natural Resources, the Development
Areas, Housing, Transportation, Parks and Recreation, and Community Facilities.
Specifically, the project supports the following objectives in the Comprehensive Plan:
The proposal supports the County's Growth Management Policy as stated in the
Comprehensive Plan: "Promoting the Development Areas as the place where a variety of
land uses, facilities, and services exist and are planned to support the County's future
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growth, with emphasis placed on density and high -quality design in new and infill
development." (p. 3.3)
Objective 4 of Chapter 8 (Development Areas): "[u]se (of] Development Areas land
efficiently to prevent premature expansion of the Development Areas." By adding
residential to North Fork, further expanding the residential opportunities in the County
and making it a truly mixed -use development, furthers this objective of efficient use of
Development Areas land.
Objective 5 of Chapter 8: "Use Development Area land efficiently to prevent premature
expansion of the Development Areas: Promote density within the Development Areas to
help create new compact urban places. The Development Areas are the complement to the
County's Rural Area. They are to be attractive and inviting places for people to live, work,
and play. To create these places where parks, playgrounds, shopping, transit, and
employment are all within a walking or bicycling distance of residents, density is needed."
Again, by adding residential to North Fork, making it a place where amenities,
commercial, and employment are all within walking or biking distance to residents
furthers this objective.
Chapter 8 of the Comprehensive Plan states that housing in the Development Areas
should be provided at a variety of price points, including affordable housing. In addition,
Objective 4 of Chapter 9 (Housing) of the Comprehensive Plan is to "[p]rovide for a
variety of housing types for all income levels and help provide for increased density in
the Development Areas." The Project includes a mixture of housing types that will serve
all ages and income levels including two -over -two townhomes, apartments, small single
family (cottages), and townhomes.
Affordable Housing
The affordable housing policy currently recommends that rezoning's provide 15% of the
proposed units as affordable at or below 80% AMI. As part of the Code of Development,
the Project proposes to include this requirement for affordable units.
Consistency with the Neighborhood Model Principles
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A mixture of uses is among the Neighborhood Model Principles that apply to the
County's Development Areas, including North Fork. The proposal is also consistent with
the Neighborhood Model Principle for Neighborhood Centers, for the existing Research
Park Town Center area is a developing Neighborhood Center that would be enhanced
by the addition of residential uses either within or nearby the immediate area.
The proposed project is consistent with the applicable Neighborhood Model Principles
as follows:
Pedestrian Orientation. A sidewalk network will be provided, including sidewalks
on all future streets, sidewalk connections to parking areas, buildings, and amenity
spaces within multi -family or townhome areas, and as generally shown on the illustrative
conceptual plan included in the plan set. In addition to the sidewalk network, the multi-
use path that is recommended in the Master Plan will be provided along the west side
of Lewis and Clark Drive, and trails throughout the open space of North Fork connecting
the open space to the sidewalk network and multi -use path.
Mixture of Uses. North Fork currently allows for commercial, retail, office, and R&D
flex uses. Adding residential uses in North Fork will make it a truly mixed -use
development and create the kind of active and vibrant Development Areas and
neighborhoods envisioned under the Comprehensive Plan.
Neighborhood Center. At the intersection of Lewis and Clark Drive and Airport
Road, and along the frontage, the Master Plan designates a portion of North Fork as an
area around a nearby Uptown Center designation to the west. The area around Centers
includes the same uses and recommendations within the Center. The Project proposes a
vehicular connection with buildings oriented towards the street and proposes a mixture
of uses and residential that supports this Center designation.
Mixture of Housing Types and Affordability. The Project proposes a variety of
housing types to serve all ages and income levels, including affordable housing. Housing
types proposed consist of apartments with multiple sized options, two -over -two
townhomes, single family units, small single family (cottage style), and townhomes.
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Interconnected Streets and Transportation Networks. Sheets 10 and 11 in the
Application Plan outline the proposed road networks with typical street sections with on
street parking, planting strips, and sidewalks that support this principle. Interconnections
that are recommended in the Master Plan are provided to the property line to allow
future connections, including a connection west to the Uptown Center, and southeast
through the adjacent Heavy Industrial and Light Industrial properties that would
ultimately connect to Route 29.
Multi -Modal Transportation Opportunities. North Fork will provide a variety of
multi -modal opportunities to all for the residents to safely travel between uses and within
and around the Park. All streets will include sidewalks, bike lanes are provided along
Lewis and Clark Drive, and a 10-foot multi -use path is proposed along the west side of
Lewis and Clark Drive that will connect to the Town Center, as well as trails, throughout
the property, including within the PDIP, are proposed for pedestrians and bicyclists. In
addition, areas for bus stops have been provided for future expansion of existing bus
service to and from North Fork when it becomes available. The Foundation will continue
to work with the City of Charlottesville and Albemarle County to prioritize bus service in
this area.
Parks, Recreational Amenities and Open Space. Within the NMD, over 25 acres are
designated as green space, with over 17 acres for amenity and recreational areas that
include trails, a community center, dog parks, playgrounds, pocket parks, neighborhood
parks, picnic areas, and a large central community park. Exact recreational amenities will
be programmed and established during the site plan process for each area. These areas
also protect environmental features located on the site including streams, floodplain,
and steep slopes. The portion of North Fork remaining PDIP includes open space, trails,
cemetery, proffered greenway connection, trailhead and parking area, and land for a
sports field/active recreation area. Overall, the parks, amenities, and open space will be
a minimum of 200 acres between the NMD and the PDIP designated areas. The proffers
and application plan have been updated to show the amenities provided in both the
PDIP and the NMD.
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Buildings and Spaces of Human Scale. A Code of Development has been provided
which outlines building height, form, setbacks, and scale that enables an urban form at
a pedestrian -friendly scale. The Foundation also has its own architectural design
standards that will create an attractive streetscape for residents and users of North Fork.
Pedestrian -centered design with continuous sidewalks, inviting architecture, and
connections to pocket parks, neighborhood parks, and the Town Center support this
principle.
Relegated Parking. Parking areas will be relegated to the back, side, or screened
along Lewis and Clark Drive and other major roads within the development. Where
possible for multi -family and mixed -use buildings, podium structured parking will be
provided. Where garages are proposed, they will be set back from the face or porch of
the dwelling.
Redevelopment. This principle is not applicable, as the proposal does not include
redevelopment of the areas of North Fork that are currently developed.
Respecting Terrain and Careful Grading and Re -grading. NMD Area: Sheet 15 of
the Application Plan outlines conceptual grading for this area. The careful siting of
buildings to use the existing grade and slope has been done to reduce the amount of
grading and retaining walls proposed. Retaining walls will be a maximum of 6 feet unless
approved by Albemarle County's Director of Community Development in coordination
with the County Engineer.
PDIP Area: Sheet 7 of the Application Plan outlines the conceptual grading for the PDIP
area. A request for disturbances of existing preserved slopes has been submitted for
review. The proposed disturbance will allow the Foundation to grade key Economic
Development blocks to allow for pad ready sites, particularly related to the Tier 4 site,
which will further enhance North Fork's ability to attract target industries and business
to Albemarle County, furthering the County's Economic Development Goals.
Clear Boundaries with the Rural Area. While North Fork parcel lines don't
immediately adjoin the Rural Areas, the Rural Areas are located across Dickerson Road.
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A 150-foot buffer was established with the prior rezoning and while the PDIP zoning
district does not require a buffer when located across a street, the existing buffer is
proposed to remain.
Impacts on Public Facilities & Public Infrastructure
Transportation
North Fork is currently zoned as a Planned Development Industrial Park (PDIP). The
Applicant is proposing to rezone the site to accommodate residential and mixed -use
development. With the change in zoning, it is noted that the original 3.7 million SF of
development allowed for in North Fork will be retained but developed within a smaller
acreage footprint. Therefore, the trips expected from non-residential development of
North Fork will be maintained and the NMD rezoned area of North Fork will have
additional site trips added to the surrounding roadway network for the residential and
mixed -use commercial component.
Primary access to the site will be provided via US Route 29 or Berkmar Drive/Airport Road
to Lewis & Clark Drive. When complete, the total proposed residential development will
generate 683 net external trips (297 in and 386 out) during the AM peak, 929 net external
trips (488 in and 441 out) during the PM peak, and 11,818 net external weekday daily
trips. The buildout of the development is likely to occur between 2026 and 2031. For
the purposes of this analysis, the development was assumed to be 50% complete by
2026 and 100% complete by 2031. Given the land use mix within the proposed
development between residential, commercial, and office, a reduction for internal trips
was completed using ITE methodology with VDOT internal capture rates published in the
Chapter 527 guidelines. The total development will have internal capture of 76 trips (38
in and 38 out) during the AM peak, 150 trips (75 in and 75 out) during the PM peak, and
1,986 average weekday daily trips. The remaining SF of development within the existing
PDIP area (approximately 3.1 million SF) was also included in the analysis and expected
to generate 1,048 net external trips (870 in and 178 out) during the AM peak, 1,034 net
external trips (232 in and 802 out) during the PM peak, and 8,600 net external weekday
daily trips. In total, the entire development will generate 20,418 external weekday daily
trips, with each phase of development occurring with 10,209 external weekday daily trips.
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The existing conditions and background conditions analysis determined that US Route
29 experiences operational delays and queuing issues during both the AM and PM peak
hour, with the PM peak hour near the maximum capacity of the roadway network. Due
to the background traffic volumes within the study area, the signalized intersection of
Airport Road creates queuing issues that impact the Hollymead area of US Route
29. Vehicles have issues accessing the US Route 29 corridor and through volumes are
constrained during the PM peak hour. Improvements along US Route 29 are
recommended by other approved developments and could improve traffic operations
along the corridor. However, without improvements, the US Route 29 corridor will
encounter issues even without additional development of the North Fork area.
The introduction of a roundabout at the intersection of Airport Road with Lewis & Clark
Drive, and the extension of Berkmar Drive in 2025 will improve traffic operations and
relieve some capacity issues along US Route 29. This improvement will allow further
development of the North Fork area and North Fork without additional roadway
expansions along Airport Road or US Route 29. The widening of Lewis & Clark Drive
from the existing 2-lane section to a 4-lane median divided section will further facilitate
access to North Fork and reduce dependence on US Route 29. It is expected that this
improvement will provide an alternative path to congestion on US Route 29 and assist
Albemarle County in providing multiple solutions to access along the north -south axis
of the area.
The main entrance of Lewis & Clark Drive at US Route 29 can obtain adequate operations
with the addition of a 2"d northbound left turn lane into the site and a 2"d eastbound left
turn lane exiting the site. Revised signal timings will result in limited impacts to mainline
US Route 29 at Lewis & Clark Drive and accommodate the site -generated traffic.
At the intersection of US Route 29 and Airport Road/Proffit Road, a 3rd northbound
through lane on US Route 29 at Airport Road could be installed north of the signalized
intersection, for approximately 1,000', to the median crossover at Airport Acres Road.
This improvement will allow full use of the existing northbound approach on US Route
29 and reduce the queuing caused by the outside lane drop currently occurring at Proffit
Road. A future solution that could be installed at this intersection is a Median U-Turn,
or MUT. This would utilize the Airport Acres Road median crossover and a new median
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crossover location between Airport Road and Timberwood Boulevard. The side street
approaches from Airport Road and Proffit Road would remain full access as they are
today. However, the northbound and southbound left turn maneuvers would be
relocated to dedicated U-turn locations to reduce signal time needed at one location.
The operational efficiencies gained from the MUT option will significantly improve
operations on US Route 29 and reduce queuing issues that are currently impacting
multiple signalized intersections in advance.
Given the preliminary nature of the development plan, the exact number and location of
site entrances along Lewis & Clark Drive (or other internal site roadways) will be defined
during the site plan stage. All construction of roadway improvements is subject to
County and VDOT approval, including assistance on obtaining any required right-of-way
not owned by the Applicant. Additional entrances, or modifications to access, along
Lewis & Clark Drive not explicitly discussed within this report will require separate County
and VDOT approval.
Parks
Included in the previous rezonings, proffers were provided for the dedication to the
County of a greenway along the Rivanna River, as well as a dedicated Sports Field within
the PDIP area. The greenway was dedicated and recorded, dated December 3, 2007 at
Deed Book 3532, page 588, which included a provision to allow the County to construct
a public access trail within the Rivanna River Greenway. The Foundation has updated the
proffers and application plan to offer facilities proportional to the rezoning. Recreational
amenities will continue to be provided in the PDIP, 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 and users of North Fork.
Fire & Rescue
The Foundation dedicated 2.63 acres of land, as proffered with the original rezoning, for
an Albemarle County Rescue and Fire Station which is located within North Fork and
provides fire protection and primary emergency medical response services to Hollymead
and the surrounding area. The land was dedicated to the County, and was recorded on
February 10, 2021. Given the proximity of the existing County Rescue and Fire Station
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within the Park, and the prior dedication of land for the station, adequate Fire/Rescue
response is provided.
Schools
Students living in UVA North Fork would be within the current school districts for Baker
Butler Elementary School, Lakeside Middle School, and Albemarle High School. Based
on the Albemarle County Schools Long Range Planning Committee Recommendations',
both Baker Butler Elementary and Albemarle High School are over capacity, while
Lakeside is under capacity. The Official Calculator estimates the Project would serve 334
students.
While families with school -aged children will live at North Fork, two previously approved
development projects have proffered to donate land to the County for future elementary
schools. One such area is in the North Pointe community, which is directly across Route
29 from North Fork, and the other is located within the Brookhill community located on
the east side of Route 29, between Polo Grounds Road and Ashwood Boulevard.
Notably, the Albemarle County Public Schools Long Range Planning Advisory Committee
Recommendations, September 9, 2021 (the "Report") recommends a new elementary
school to alleviate existing capacity issues in the 29 North area, specifically for Baker
Butler and Hollymead Elementary Schools. It recommends a new elementary school in
the Northern Feeder Pattern and has the following conclusion regarding existing capacity
in this area:
Baker -Butler enrollment has increased due to redistricting and growth. The Camelot,
Briarwood, and North Pine neighborhoods continue to grow, primarily due to NGIC
employee growth. The Hollymead district has had overall moderate growth, with primary
growth in the Hollymead Subdivision as younger families move into the neighborhoods.
What's more, major developments are planned including North Pointe, which may produce
more than 300 units, and Brookhill, which may produce more than 800 units.
Baker -Butler currently is over capacity (by 74 seats during the 2019-20 school year) and
the student population is projected to continue growing. The student yield analysis from
new development shows the Baker -Butler and Hollymead districts as having the highest
Albemarle County's Long Range Planning Committee Recommendations, dated September 9, 2021.
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impact of 443 potential students. In addition, the expected long-term population growth is
only second to Brownsville/Crozet, growing by 75% by 2045.
As new developments are approved, ACPS has acquired two potential elementary school
sites through proffers. A site at Brookhill is located centrally in this area, and a new
elementary school is recommended to be built to benefit Baker -Butler and adjacent school
districts.
Recommendation: New elementary school in the Northern Feeder Pattern.
The Report states adequate capacity for Lakeside Middle School and makes the following
conclusion regarding all middle schools in Albemarle County:
The five comprehensive middle schools currently have combined adequate capacity, but
Division projections show looming capacity issues at Henley and Jouett. The student yield
potential from planned developments is 644 across all of the middle schools, and long-
term population forecasts show a forecast of approximately 1,300 more students. With the
complication of split feeder patterns and under enrollment at some schools, further study
to determine feasible alternatives is needed. Potential alternatives may include the addition
of a new middle school, addressing current grade level configurations, and redistricting.
Recommendation: Middle School Capacity Study
The Report states that the school division "has embarked upon a 'center' based strategy
to address capacity issues at its three comprehensive high schools, in particular
Albemarle High School." The two "centers" that have been approved by the County will
serve 650 students. Center I, which opened in 2018 and is located approximately six and
a half miles from the Project and serves up to 250 students. Center 2 was paused during
the COVID-19 pandemic due to economic and enrollment uncertainties. The Report
recommends that Center 2 should be prioritized to be funded as a capacity solution and
is programmed to serve 400 students. In May 2022, the Board of Supervisors approved
with their budget funding for the construction of Center 2.
Below are the possible students that will be added to each of the schools based upon
the most recent yield rates stated within the "Subdivision Yield Analysis" dated August
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23, 2021 provided by the schools. It should be noted that the mixture of units may
change and vary as build -out occurs.
Apartment/
Multi-
Family
Single
Family
Townhome
Totals
Baker- Butler Elementary
668
3
116
787
Lakeside Middle
17
2
55
74
Albemarle High
50
2
17
68
Total Units:
835
15
550
1400
While the Project will add students to the existing school system, the Report
recommends additional schools to accommodate the existing capacity issues and
projections. The Foundation will continue to work closely with the School Division
representatives on their plans for additional schools and studies to address the existing
and future capacity issues.
Utilities and Stormwater Management:
Utilities: North Fork is served by the Albemarle County Service Authority (ACSA) for water
and sewer. Currently, this includes a 12" trunk waterline that runs down Lewis & Clark
Drive, along with a series of sanitary lines that discharge to an ACSA operated pump
station near the Lewis & Clark Drive intersection with Route 29.
While ACSA does not have any water or sewer capacity issues, there are potential issues
that existing with Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority (RWSA) water and sewer
lines. Currently, RWSA has projects scheduled to expand the water capacity available to
North Fork, as well as the sewer capacity. Currently, the most critical of those two is the
water supply improvements, which are scheduled to occur in the next several years.
Similarly, improvements to the sanitary system, known as the Powell Creek interceptor,
are planned in the coming decades. The allowance of residential, within North Fork, will
further expedite the needs for those improvements, which currently are more than 25
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years away, however these improvements will be necessary to further the development
of this critical area within the County's planned growth area.
The UVA Foundation is working with RWSA as it relates to the demand the additional
residential units would require and their impact on the timing of the water and sewer
supply improvements.
Stormwater Management. North Fork's original Master Plan considered a regional pond
to serve the majority of the site to provide water quality and quantity. Moving forward,
the pond will be upgraded, allowing it to continue to serve the majority of North Fork
for water quantity purposes. This will be achieved by adjusting the outfall structure and
a new analysis of the hydrology.
Water quality will be provided in multiple ways across the site, with a primary focus being
on smaller localized treatment facilities, however it is still under consideration if the
existing pond can be upgraded to further enhance the water quality as well. Some site
specific options that will be considered on a case -by -case basis include bioretention,
permeable pavers, vegetated swales, and other filtration systems. Where possible,
stormwater quality will be integrated into the landscape and overall design. In all cases,
stormwater will be treated using the options available per state and local codes.
Impacts on Environmental, Cultural, and Historic Resources
Environmental: Sheet 2 of the Application Plan depicts the natural features in North Fork
including steep slopes, streams, stream buffers, floodplain, and wetlands. Development
is proposed to be located outside of preserved slopes and all floodplain areas with the
NMD area. Minimal wetlands will be impacted; however, they are disconnected and
isolated from any streams and will follow all mitigation requirements.
Within the PDIP area, blocks have been modified to remove some of the area previously
approved as a developable area within preserved slopes. Additionally, blocks have been
adjusted slightly to allow for grading of preserved slopes in order to take advantage of
the Tier 4 Economic Development designation for a future target industry, and to provide
pad ready sites for other Economic Development industries. Many of these areas were
previously shown within the block areas for development, however an official approval
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to disturb the slopes had not been done. Included in our rezoning request is a request
to disturb these preserved slopes.
Cultural and Historic Resources:
Cultural/Historic Resources: Cultural and Historic resources outside of the proposed
NMD area were identified with ZMA1994-005 and ZMA2005-003 and will continue to be
preserved and protected.
Entrance Corridor: Airport Road and Route 29 are Entrance Corridors (EC) and
subject to Architectural Review Board (ARB) review. All areas within Project that are
subject to the ARBjurisdiction will be required to meet the ARB guidelines at the time of
site plan approval, as applicable.
Zoning Ordinance Requirements: Neighborhood Model
The Project is designed to comply with the requirements of the Zoning Ordinance that
apply to the Neighborhood Model district and to planned development districts
generally.
Greenspace, Amenities, Conservation and Preservation Areas: The proposed
greenspace and amenities will meet the minimum requirements of the neighborhood
model district. Example amenities to be programmed at site plan or subdivision stage
will include: tot lots, pocket parks, community center, dog park, trails, plaza, pool,
clubhouse. These are identified on Sheet 11 of the Application Plan and further described
in the Code of Development.
Climate Action Plan
In October 2020, the County adopted the Climate Action Plan that recommends a
number of strategies and actions for renewable energy and other initiatives. The Project
will specifically contribute to the following strategies and actions:
Strategy. Increase opportunities for bicycling, walking, and other alternative forms of
personal transportation for daily travel.
Objectives:
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T.1.2 Increase the extent of sidewalks, bike lanes, and shared -use paths in the County's
Development Areas, focusing on strategic, high -impact connections and filling gaps in
existing networks.
T.1.3 Improve the quality of bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure in the Development
Areas to make it safer and more comfortable for users.
North Fork will include a protected multi -use trail along Lewis and Clark Drive that will
connection to the future Berkmar Drive Extended increasing the bike and pedestrian
access in the development areas. This will allow the residents and users within North Fork
alternate forms of transportation to the shopping center at Hollymead and future into
the Rio/29 Area.
Strategy.' Through land use planning, provide an urban land -use pattern more conducive
to sustainable local and regional travel, and to protecting carbon sequestration in the Rural
Area.
Objective:
T.2.3 Incentivize denser and more mixed -use development patterns within the
Development Areas, including infill development within existing low -density areas
and redevelopment of existing underutilized commercial sites.
The rezoning at North Fork to a mixed -use area with residential will contribute to this
strategy and objective. Locating residential in this location will allow those who work
within North Fork to also live there, decreasing the amount and length of vehicular travel.
Strategy: Enable and incentivize private energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in
the County Code and during the community development regulatory process.
Objective:
B.1.4 Develop regulatory processes that would incentivize greater housing density
and connectivity.
North Fork is proposing a variety of housing types that will create density in this area.
Connections to existing and planned areas are provided throughout the development
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including a portion of the Places 29 Master Plan designation for an Uptown Center
adjacent to Airport Road.
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