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Home My WebLink AboutLOD202200012 Letter of Determination 2022-10-27^� of ntgF. 401 McIntire Road, North Wing `OUritp Of Albemarle Charlottesville, VA22902-4579 o y I ! Telephone: 434-296-5832 1 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT WWW.ALBEMARLE.ORG October 27, 2022 RE: LOD2022-00012 -OFFICIAL DETERMINATION OF USE for the Monticello Visitors Center in the Monticello Historic District - Parcel IDs 07700-00-00-00220 (592.28 acres) & 07700-00-00-00230 (22.69 acres) Property of Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation, Scottsville Magisterial District (the "Property") Ms. Long, You have requested an official determination "that the proposed changes and improvements [conceptually shown in Attachment A] are in general accord with the Application Plan approved with ZMA 2004-005 Monticello Historic District (the "2004 ZMA")." In response, I have reviewed the conceptual plan shown on pages 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, and 13 of Attachment A and the action taken by the Board of Supervisors approving the 2004 ZMA. The Application Plan approved with the 2004 ZMA describes the Visitors Center with an illustrative site plan showing buildings and improvements (Page 16 of Attachment A). The Application Plan also includes the following: "ALL PROPOSED LOCATIONS FOR SITE IMPROVEMENTS/RENOVATIONS/ RECREATIONS/EXPANSIONS ARE APPROXIMATE AND FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY." Illustrative plans provide an overview of how a sight may be developed/built. Identifying the Visitor Center as being on an illustrative plan, along with the note, reinforced the idea of the development shown on the plan to be a general idea of a potential layout of the proposed improvements. It was not intended to be developed exactly as shown in the illustrative plan. Also, I concur with your arguments for determining the proposal to be in general accord with the 2004 ZMA. Based on the above information, I have made the following determination: The proposed changes and improvements conceptually shown in Attachment A are in general accord with the Application Plan approved with ZMA 2004-005 Monticello Historic District (the "2004 ZMA")." Please note, for the first bulleted point of your three points of support for an affirmative general accord determination, there is yet a site plan to review, that once a site plan is submitted for review, per Section 8.5.5.2(c), a final confirmation of conformity with the application plan must be provided by the Zoning Administrator, Director of Planning and the County Engineer for their respective reviews. That confirmation can be accomplished with the site plan and VSMP reviews, and no additional letters of determination are required. I have confirmed with the Planning Director and County Engineer that nothing concerned them with the described proposal, and use -wise, Zoning does not see any issue with the proposed changes. You may have a right to appeal this determination within thirty (30) days of this notice, in accordance with Virginia Code § 15.2-2311. This determination shall be final and unappealable if not appealed within 30 days. An appeal may be taken only by filing an appeal application with the Zoning Administrator and the Board of Zoning Appeals, in accordance with Albemarle County Code & 18-34.3, along with a fee of $295.36. This fee includes the $284 application fee and the 4% Technology surcharge of $11.36. Additionally, a separate fee of $448 is required for the cost of providing notice and advertising the appeal for a public hearing. October 27, 2022 LOD2022-00012 Page 2 Applications for Appeal of the Zoning Administrator's Determination are available at the Community Development Department office located at 401 McIntire Road, Charlottesville, Virginia 22902, or online HERE This form applies to the appeal of a decision of the zoning administrator or any other administrative officer pertaining to the Zoning Ordinance. Regulations pertaining to filing an appeal to the Board of Zoning Appeals are in Chapter 18, Section 34.3 of the Zoning Ordinance and may be reviewed HERE. Please note that our online documents are in PDF format and must be viewed with a PDF reader. A link to download a PDF reader of your choice is available at the bottom of the page HERE. If you have any questions, please get in touch with me. Sincerely, Francis H. MacCall Chief of Zoning/Deputy Zoning Administrator Attachments: Attachment A - Applicant's request letter, Conceptual Plan, ZMA2004-005 Application Plan WILLIAMS MULLEN Direct Dial: 434.951.5709 viong@williamsmullen.com August 8, 2022 Mr. Bart Svoboda Zoning Administrator Albemarle County 401 McIntire Road Charlottesville, VA 22902 Re: Request for Official Letter of Determination - Monticello Visitor Center Dear Mr. Svoboda: As discussed at the July 18, 2022 pre -application meeting, enclosed please find an application for an Official Letter of Determination in connection with the prior approvals for the Monticello Visitor's Center. Our firm represents the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, which owns and operates Monticello. To enhance the visitor and educational experience of its guests and program participants, and in preparation for the projected increase in visitors surrounding the 250" anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026, the Foundation wishes to pursue additions, improvements, and repositioning of the Monticello Visitor Center building(s), parking, and drop off areas as conceptually shown on Attachment 1. As part of its planning, the Foundation requests an official letter of determination that the proposed changes and improvements are in general accord with the Application Plan approved with ZMA 2004-005 Monticello Historic District (the "2004 ZMA"). The Visitor Center is located on tax map parcels 78-22 and 78-23, which are zoned MHD, Monticello Historic District. The Board of Supervisors approved the 2004 ZMA with proffers and an Application Plan on June 8, 2005, and a copy of the action letter is attached as Attachment 2. The rezoned area comprised 868 acres, and included the mountaintop, the area now comprising the Visitor Center, and an area on the southwest side of Route 53, adjacent to the Kenwood Library, for a future Administrative Campus, all as shown in more detail on the approved Application Plan contained in Attachment 2. The most recent minor site plan amendment for the Visitor Center was approved on July 21, 2008, a copy of the relevant sheets is attached as Attachment 3. The Visitor Center currently includes a cafe, gift store, interpretive galleries, courtyard, restrooms, offices, classroom space, and administrative and storage areas. A separate structure, known as the Woodland Pavilion, also provides flexible space for educational events and programming, meetings, and community and private events. There is also a WILLIAMS MULLEN bus drop off area and parking, along with an entry circular drop off, parking, and loading for visitors and groups. The Foundation proposes to enhance the visitor and educational experience and accommodate additional visitors by making the following changes to the Visitor Center, as shown conceptually in more detail in Attachment 1: 1. Reorient and revise parking and vehicular and pedestrian circulation to provide enhanced pedestrian safety, improved ADA access, and improved wayfinding. 2. Reorient the interpretive spaces generally, including by consolidating visitor amenities to the courtyard level, and adding a multipurpose theater and event venue that can flex to accommodate smaller meeting spaces and classrooms. 3. Remove and enclose the area where the existing main staircase is located to improve pedestrian flow from the bus drop off into a new interpretive space. 4. Expand the cafe to accommodate additional visitors, expanded farm -to -table dining options, and an outdoor dining option. We contend that the proposed changes and improvements to the Visitor Center are in general accord with the approved 2004 ZMA Application Plan for the following reasons: • The proposed changes and improvements satisfy the requirements of Section 8.5.5.2(c). Specifically, the central features and major elements of the approved 2004 ZMA Application Plan remain in the same location as shown on the Application Plan, and the proposed additions, modifications, and improvements to the buildings, parking areas, paths and other design elements are of the same general character, scope, and scale as shown on the approved Application Plan. • The proposed changes and improvements meet and further enhance the intent and purpose of the Monticello Historic District "to permit restoration, preservation, conservation, education, programs, research, business and support activities, including fundraising activities for the public and/or contributors, all of which are related to the operation of a historic house museum and historic site at Monticello' and "to promote the preservation, interpretation and enhancement of a unique historical site." • The proposed changes and improvements are by -right uses within the Monticello Historic District as described in Section 11.3.1(1)(a-e): a. Interpretative, educational and research uses such as tours; interpretive signs, walking paths, displays and exhibits; classes, workshops, lectures, programs and demonstrations; field schools and history -related day camps; and archaeological laboratories. 2 WILLIAMS MULLEN b. Administrative and support activities including visitor ticketing and shuttle bus operations, maintenance operations, equipment storage, vehicle maintenance and refueling, security and general administration, and related support spaces and offices. c. Visitor amenities including: parking lots; trovelwoys; public restrooms; food and drink preparation and vending; picnic areas; walking paths and pedestrian bridges. d. Display and sale of products related to Thomas Jefferson and the history of Monticello. e. Fundraising activities and cultivation and stewardship events for the public and/or contributors, subject to section 17.5. For all of these reasons, we believe we have demonstrated that the proposed renovations and additions to the Visitor Center are in general accord with the approved 2004 ZMA Application Plan, and we request your confirmation of that determination. Thank you for your assistance with this request. Please let us know if there is any additional information you need to confirm our request. Sincerely, 7/4&ue ?V, Z045� Valerie W. Long Attachments: 1. Proposed Conceptual Repositioning of the Visitor Center 2. Approved ZMA 2004-005 Application Plan 3. Approved SDP 2008-006 Minor Site Plan Amendment for the Visitor Center cc: Gardiner Hallock, Thomas Jefferson Foundation Liz Russel, Thomas Jefferson Foundation Mike Matthews, Matthews Development Company 100730062.4 3 p i Attachment t CONCEPTUAL REPOSITIONING OF THE VISITOR CENTER AT MONTICELLO` -�w GjW W10 e- ALAI! Ni u Q V i I Fti l,�y^ FX/T PRI ve 4G Attachment 1 ov WOODLAND PAVILION NI EXISTING SITE oFRsM OAT/CF(l0 TOUR gV5E5 TRgil 1 1 _ �� 2 Attachment 1 WOODLAND i PAVILION a rol EXISTING SITE: OVERLAPPING PEDESTRIAN & VEHICLE ZONES FX�T F�TR� ,I/, - Attachment 1 v'oFRs� F S tiT�CF TpuR guSE • - op f �1QODLAND <<p • " PAVILION do dp to i0000 / PO/ /' — - I ' l lop � BURIAL � GROUND ♦� N do CONCEPTUAL PROPOSED CHANGE: REROUTED VEHICLE ENTRY + CONTINUOUS PEDESTRIAN ZONE F4'T Rr 4G KING LOW) Attachment 1 rum CONCEPTUAL PROPOSED SITE: PERIPHERAL VEHICLE ZONE Attachment 1 EXISTING COURTYARD LEVEL Attachment 1 MpVE uT°°R ° C)ITAI • GAFF CONCEPTUAL PROPOSED ADDITIONS + MODIFICATIONS: COURTYARD LEVEL pR\VATE,NG �vEN-tloW I k Attachment 1 le S�OR Pp.GEs s?pFF GpTER`NG K�SGNEN � OFF�GESnD OStORp,C,E POpGpsl Y MEGN-- MEGH CONCEPTUAL PROPOSED ADDITIONS + MODIFICATIONS: LOWER LEVEL KM r- III Attachment 2 MONTICELL0 CITY OF — CHARLOTTESVILLE HISTORIC yIS i DISTRICT r - k sV AlbemarleCounty, Virginia _♦ O Ri ISCApCq ��i nYt .CtM � E'w�_.1:.v. V I Lb•CFD - .. 1 Z THE Uai OF THE CONSTRUTETNIOUSPIOPEOES MIC HISTORIC DSTRCTIPD-M4D)AS SHOWN ON PK: - -,_ RIVER s.... a. I THIS RAIN ARE BASEDON A COMBINATION - "+'^ "�' OFTAXMAPIKORMATONANDOTIEB LEGAL DOCUMENTATION SUCH AS PLATS AND DEEDS ALL SUPERIMPOSED OYER A _ -- --"lr4SEE MOUNTAINTOP rr ��- -- �`-'} - /'w' - _ D�AT.DUEETTO'IIE GIEO THENUMEROU5 -ILLU RA CEPT --2 �� `,\ +`P - - SURVFISAND INHERENT INACCURACIES RR gf9•i"-Tub ,1,.�' -��y,i y' ''�+ 1 _~u�~ TAX MAPS THE LINES SHOWN ON THIS PLAN PLAN - ARE ONLY GENERAL REPRESENTATIONS OF THE MIND DISTRICT. +iw -% �y�''. --• _ NtNwu ufiuN+OPsIMR: ae. -_ ""' +FL•R w _ 1 � xi .�•.z � .Y y�J + VI ITORSB- _ l AND SERVICE COMPLEX '° A. RNNNS (SEE VISITORS CENTER s ILLUSTRATNE ITE PLAN) ADMINISTRATIVE CAMPUS o P r ETRATIVE CENTER ENTRILLUSTRATI/ APPLICATION SITE PLANT PLANw , J ti / LAND USE SUMMARY Notes WINE TOTAL -OPEN WALE OPEN SPACE ALL PROPOSED LOCATIONS FOR SITE IMPROVEMENTS11ENOVAnDWRE T THIS SITE IS NOT LOCATED WITHIN A RESERVOIR WATERSHED ACRES RN ACJ ENEAI CIEATIONSR:%PANSIONS ARE APPROXIMATE AND FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES B. PART OF THIS STE LIES WITH N A DESIGNATED IMYEAR ROOD PLAIN. TOTAL N.6 E31 95,75 ONLY. INFORMATION SHOWN ON THIS PLAN WAS OBTAINED BY FEMA FLOODWAY I.TIE NUMBERS ABOVE ARE APPROXIMATE AND I AP 1CF4 r 2 THSPNNISPAUOFTHEZMA7 SRUZ INGAPPLI"nOk MAP (PANEL 240). DAM 12-16-80. FOUNDED iOR EQUALS 8611 WHOLE ACRE. TOTAL 3. DATUM: USGS 9. MNINCLUDES SUCH TEMPORARY FACILITIES AS MAY BEpEgIIREDTO SITE GREAGE EOUALSB68 !/1 D,viN., / MAINTAIN ONGOING OPERATIONS Di CONSTRUCTION OF NEW FACILITIES. A TOPOGRAPHIC INFORMATION FROM LOUSA AERIAL SURVEYS, MINERAL VA. 2.NE USESUMMARYOFAPPRONCATELY BOUDATED RY INFO 10. INCLUDES ByT EVIRGI IA SEWERAGE TOFHSASNEEDED ANDAS OEVELOPORSCOFARANDMATELY71ACRES 1N The TNomzskNeHPn Faundabn,Inc S, BOUNDARY ROOM AMATIONFROM UNTYPLATS AX RECORD LOCATFDIN THE COUNTY APPROVED BY THENRGINIA OEPARSMENTOF HEGTH. THPROXIMA CBiIA RESINTHE EADMIMPEIL P.O. Bbx 316 ~iy RECORDS ROOM :RUMLMEA IRA) ROMAPS. COMPLEX ATEIYe ACRESIN10ACRESON THATNE CIWMIIesvAle. WlgiruA 73907 6, EXISTING THE MONTIELLO HISTORIC DI AREA IRA) PROPOSED ZONING. PLANNED DISTRICT 11.STRUTURESSHALL FLLOWTIONSNE REMWALSMIHOF IDDCUTIRE MNTATIO COUNTALAPPRO%NIATFLYIMATEY2 ACRES A, -� MONTKELLO HISTORIC DISTflIRIPD-MHDL PLANNCTLgtESSHALL FOLLOW THE lUNE 70.7001PDMHD DOCUMENTATION ATSI ADW"OP;ANDAPPRJ%IMATELY7ACRE5 1 jUpgm . 4,. _ ATSHADYIDL Vicinity Map � �. YPwMwNYPbLL•vyt'OYn'4MVLIYI / � *Wb=_mmumofil" Attachment 2 STAFF OP►ICES L SERVICE STRUCTURE/S 1 `t r. POSSIBLE jro BE RM40NI' n O vim, a ( - - D / / IBIT/SBEL A A REST LO ON 0 \ (VTILITZE BELOW PROPOSED P079RE RESTOR USIL 'CELLAR' NRAVER' ---' COTTAGE . Proposed Alterations to Existing Structures - Structures to be Removed 'tramres indicated for ultimate removal may be modified prior to removalPaving to he Removed. a 7 ��/T Runmd, Klgprr,@Kati Ayer, 5eint Greve, lit. � -- � •� - AP ` .' Cirfl prfierr!' Arr4lttrU + fleeern Muha,) 1 pw, a am Q ZMA 04-05 APPLICATION PLAN IandtuaprA1h0rM IUN6 � z0c< Montrce o Attachment 2 Mill , SIC. 1, P trtvd . love, &buffe and !bo vnao, caner p.uAmg luL,h:dlta-re- - • ,-y�.l ned w 11 I e Dee rytcF ItaL .11 nr, �' - Wnn:i`lLuh rnr r i � wnthu 11 n: . I II • l he annerpt �Innugan•T M11,ne"l:rill em gnat " t+>trme.,,me.tnM buDmeagcirw.ImN with Iin,J r6Mta. I are br p'm idv E \l'lon. equal ur better �ion„laBI,r Ireatmrut and :JlenlLnn01. and .m\ I4`N CUI:c erl. dt o mlb- dart 1110 eOLMPV- mRlo,,y;. • ' \j V I. I 1. T M/N Q R S ll V X W �L k Monticeno ZMA 04 05 APPLICATION PLAN o-arroa0¢atim�oawr�rulGN '• �+ E-SHUTTLE BUS PICK .TIP E DROIi G-SFRVK I BAY N- ACEESSIBE PARK LNG I-TOLIRISCTKIOL BITS PUKING MPTO 251 1 VFNIITUPARKINGLUPT010111 K- LANDSC APE LINK TO RURIALGROUND L EK6TNGRURI41-GROUNDS BUILDINGS & GROUNDS SERVICE. AREA M- OFFICFSEWORKSIgP51LPPERFLCOQJ LIMM $S' N. EQUIPMENT SERVICE BAYS BOWER FMOR5 3.81111 SF O GENERALSIORAGEBUNtRNG 2,4I0SF P - SOILS STORAGE R MIXING AREA Q FUELINGSTATION R*GREENHOUSE 7.4411 SF S-GREENHOILSESIPR7iT 750SF T-GROUNISOETICES 27110SF V FLAT REDS V - STAFF PARKING IUPTO 50) W -SERVICE BAVS521 2.N1M SF K. G ARDEN STORAGE 7MMSF Avmtnrl KlrITv if llC�1 -' p•� Ciril EgNrer, ArchMrrN a fLum Mmhad ,wane. a p�r IanArapr AbhirttO TUNE 5 i9O'_ Attachment 2 530 6 6>, fR� N1111 � -Silo pWn >Iw11 plvdi+tlk + rno-amc+m Krn++:�ld aM AJmmivra�i+c i anlnn ipb >ing4 nnnmaual crerreee. hvmm� e:la:lvc¢minN tw 4nN ofda >lugc� anJ ll'cn +ha11ll hr m +egewmJ ie mhwc< irte cove Iha� er meiwln. sywh c>aeedc lhx ehkh e�im IMIW IV CWIV1YliMN1. AAA& ZMA 04-05 APPLICATION PLAN Monticello 10 G 0 I r � � �atiwQ�Dn.naa• . acJ ay, A,.hnoq