HomeMy WebLinkAboutVA200300010 Review Comments 2003-08-23 ¢�OFAL
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COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE
Department of Planning&Community Development
401 McIntire Road,Room 218
Charlottesville,Virginia 22902-4596
(434)296-5823
Fax(434)972—4012
MEMORANDUM
TO: John Shepherd
FROM: Margaret Maliszewski
RE: VA-2003-10: Advance Mills Store
DATE: August 23, 2003
The Advance Mills Store is a contributing resource in the Advance Mills Historic District. The
district was listed in the State Register on June 14, 2000 and in the National Register on April 12,
2002.
The Advance Mills Supply was built in 1884 and an addition was constructed in 1900. The
Advance Mills Store was constructed in 1948 on the site. The 19th century foundations alongside
the 20th century structure graphically illustrate the evolution in building technologies during these
periods. The store and the site contribute to the character of today's Advance Mills as a well-
preserved example of a milling community that operated in the 19th and 20th centuries.
The County's Historic Preservation Plan, an adopted component of the Comprehensive Plan,
identifies the protection of the County's historic and cultural resources as a primary goal. The
applicants should be encouraged to pursue every possible means to adaptively use the existing
store building because demolition of this contributing resource will diminish the strength and
significance of the overall historic district.
If the structure will be demolished (even demolished in part), any new building to be constructed
should be similar in size, shape, and scale to the demolished building. Alternatively, the new
building should be compatible with the other remaining buildings in the district through
appropriate size, massing, and materials. Generally, any new building in a historic district should
be designed to support the dominant character of the overall district-- not create a focal point that
detracts from the historic whole. Producing measured drawings of the existing store building prior
to demolition (and providing copies to the County) would be an appropriate measure to help
mitigate the negative impacts of the demolition.
Also, care should be taken to avoid unnecessarily damaging the remnants of the Advance Mills
Supply site and to provide appropriate treatment for any underground cultural resources
uncovered during demolition or construction. The applicants may wish to secure the services of
an archaeologist to advise them on the appropriate treatment of such resources. Reporting any
such findings to the County would be appropriate.