HomeMy WebLinkAboutSDP202200057 Correspondence 2022-12-14•see
0 f 608 Preston Avenue
P 434.295.5624
Suite 200 F 434.295.1800
T I M M O N S GROUP
Charlottesville, VA 22903 www.timmons.com
December 13, 2022
Rebecca Ragsdale
Development Process Manager
County of Albemarle
Community Development
401 McIntire Rd
Charlottesville, VA 22902
RE: SDP-2022-00057 —Southwood —Blocks 9, 10, & 11— FSP -Comment Response Letter
Dear Ms. Ragsdale:
We have reviewed your comments from November 28, 2022 and made the necessary revisions.
Please find our responses to the comments below in bold lettering.
Outstanding Site Plan Comments:
Planning Comments:
1. Update cover page to include the site plan number SDP202200057 assigned to this
minor amendment.
Site plan number has been added to the cover page for this minor amendment.
Transportation Planning:
2. On page 19, lots 71-78 lack sidewalk along the front of the buildings; this should be
added. The sidewalk that ends at lot 18 should connect to the sidewalk adjacent to lot
79 (which then connects to the parking area).
Sidewalk and an associated public access easement have been added for lots 71-78. We
assessed the feasibility of connecting the pathway from lot 18 to lot 79, and the grades are
prohibitive from making the connection as is the proximity this path would need to be placed
on a private residence property nearest the front door/windows. As both of these properties
have clear access to the trail along Old Lynchburg and the sidewalk along Horizon via the
onsite pathways, this connection does not seem warranted.
3. On page 20, the sidewalks that end at the corner of Flora View Lane (coming from the
recreational amenity space; the other sidewalk is adjacent to lot 58) do not have CG-
12s; further, the corner of the roadway (with such a wide turning radius) seems like an
ENGINEERING I DESIGN I TECHNOLOGY
unsafe location to encourage pedestrians to cross the roadway - especially younger and
more vulnerable users who are likely to use that sidewalk to access the recreational
amenity area and nearby playground.
First it is important to understand this comment relates to areas of the approved plan outside
of the submitted amendment changes for a job site which is under construction. Our plan
changes with this amendment have been surgical to avoid rippling impacts to infrastructure
already built on site while achieving the desired condo to townhouse switch requested by the
community members buying the Habitat units in Southwood.
It should also be noted this specific conversation regarding locations of CG-12's on the project
was had in the project history and it was agreed that we would incorporate CG-12's as
located/illustrated on the approved plan.
The sidewalk provided along Flora View Drive is primarily provided to keep pedestrians from
walking down the travel ways. The points of crossing at intersection or at a curve (where
vehicles will be aware and slowing down or coming to a stop) provide the best sight lines and
safety in our opinion for crossings of this low -speed alley way street network in a residential
environment.
Accessible ramps are both costly and present liability to owners beyond the apparent
simplicity of installing them. Each ramp adds at least two thousand dollars to a project and the
liability to owners are CG-12's typically imply accessible walk ways which may not always be
the case and would be impractical to provide throughout a whole site.
For all of these reasons stated we have not modified the plans as suggested. Should this
explanation not be sufficient to dispel the request please provide the specific code
requirement to justify this suggestion on this private alley outside of our amended plan
changes.
4. Also on page 20, CG-12s should be indicated at the intersection of Renewal Road and
Flora View Drive.
Please see response to comment number 3 for reasons why the requested plan changes have
not been made.
5. On page 21, sidewalk along Hickory Street should extend to Old Lynchburg Road and
end in CG-12s to facilitate a future crossing of Old Lynchburg at Hickory Street to allow
residents to access the planned shared use path on the west side of Old Lynchburg Rd.
This area is outside of the limits of this minor plan amendment and is also outside the limits of
this plan set. We have discussed this desire from the county to change the condition of the
sidewalks at the project entrance. This is the first we have heard regarding a planned shared
use path on the west side of Old Lynchburg Rd. We are open to continuing this conversation
as it relates to the appropriate plans and timing of the development of the projects. It would
be best to incorporate such a recommended improvements once Albemarle County has a
design on the shared use path which could be coordinated to confirm that plan provides safe
measures for crossing Old Lynchburg Rd before making it more enticing for pedestrians to
cross with CG-12's. Southwood will be under construction for many years to come and when
Albemarle County has shared use path designs to coordinate with the project, I am confident
Habitat will be open to such conversations. Should these design plan exist now please share
and we can keep the dialogue open.
6. Also on page 21, sidewalk along the east side of Horizon Road should extend to Hickory
Street and end in a CG-12 to facilitate future pedestrian connections.
This area is outside of the limits of this minor plan amendment and is also outside the limits of
this plan set. However, we have updated our background to reflect the current approved
condition for terminating this sidewalk with a CG-12 directed towards Horizon. This
intersection is a temporary condition and will be modified with the next phase of engineering
drawings (Village 3) to extend the sidewalks around the intersection in the final/ultimate
condition to continue down a reconstructed Hickory Road.
7. Also on page 21, CG-12s should be added to allow crossing of Horizon Road at Hickory.
Please see response to comment number 6 as that response also speaks to and addresses this
comment. This has been complied with on the Village 1 plans and we have updated our
backgrounds to reflect the condition of those approved plans (SDP202300019).
Engineering Comments (Matt):
1. The VSMP amendment will need to be approved.
Acknowledged, we've been working with Matt W. for VSMP approval and adjusted the easements — It
is understood with no comments on the VSMP plan we will update the backgrounds for changes made
related to these site plan comments to provide a current set for approval.
2. The road plan amendment will need to be approved.
Acknowledged and understood. Only 1 comment was provided and similarly we have addressed and
will provide updated plans for approval.
3. A plat and deed will be needed for any easement changes.
Acknowledged and understood. A revised plat has already been submitted for review with updates
reflecting the changes made from these comments.
We have included PDF copies of the plans and calculations for your review. If you have any
questions or comments, please feel free to give me a call at 434.295.5624 or email at
bryan.cichocki@timmons.com .
SincereI ,
Bryan Cichocki, PE
Project Manager