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HomeMy WebLinkAboutARB201400016 Staff Report 2014-02-10ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD STAFF REPORT Project # /Name ARB- 2014 -16: American Legion Re- Siding Review Type Building Permit — Amendment to an Approved Certificate of Appropriateness Parcel Identification 07900000001900 Location 3025 Louisa Road, on the south side of Rt. 22, east of Rt. 250 and west of the CSX railroad tracks Zoned Rural Areas (RA), Entrance Corridor (EC) Owner /Applicant Charlottesville & Albemarle Post 74 Inc. /Bryant Orrock (Albemarle Siding and Windows) and Randy Smith (American Legion) Magisterial District Scottsville Proposal To replace the cedar siding with vinyl siding. Context and Visibility The subject parcel is located just beyond the intersection of Routes 22 and 250 at Shadwell, between two National Register Historic Districts. Both roads are Entrance Corridors. The property consists of two structures joined by a covered porch. The larger building, occupied by the American Legion, measures approximately 100' x 85' x 29' and 36' tall. The smaller building, occupied by a wine shop, measures approximately 40' x 45' x 20' tall. These buildings are located approximately 90' south of Rt. 22 and between 100' and 160' away from Rt. 250. The buildings are oriented such that all walls are visible from the ECs. Where porches exist, they limit visibility of first story walls. The recently constructed Shadwell store is located to the west and the First Church of the Nazarene is located across Rt. 22 to the north. ARB Meeting Date March 17, 2014 Staff Contact Margaret Maliszewski PROJECT HISTORY DATE APPLICATION RESULT April 19, 1999 ARB- F(SDP)- 1999 -31 Approval of plan to construct an antique retail shop and a repair shop with associated site improvements. October 18, 1999 ARB- P(SDP)- 1999 -77 Freestanding sign approved. August 20, 2001 ARB- P(SDP)- 2001 -32 Proposed renovation of the repair shop for a restaurant: change wall and shutter colors, install new windows, December 3, 2001 ARB- F(SDP)- 2001 -49 receive approval for the removal of three windows on the rear wall (completed without approval in June 2001), install rooftop mechanical equipment. The December 2001 ARB approval required the reintroduction of windows on the rear wall. The project never moved forward. March -April 2008 B2008 -491AC Building permit for a warming kitchen in the American Legion building approved. Permit was not forwarded for ARB review. 2004, 2008, 2011, multiple A number of signs have been approved for the site over the years. 2013 - SDP- 2008 -170 Site plan amendment submitted for review but not approved. Proposal included a new entrance onto Rt. 22 at the east end of the site, with a travelway connecting the entrance to the existing parking lot. September 10, 2009 SDP - 2008 -176 Site plan amendment approved. January 6, 2014 ARB- 2013 -173 The ARB provided preliminary comments on the vinyl residing proposal. See Attachment A for the action letter. ACTIVITY SINCE THE LAST REVIEW • The applicant has submitted information requested by the ARB at the January meeting. That information is outlined in the Analysis section of this report and was included in the ARB's submittal packets. • Staff met with the applicant to review the submittal materials. • Staff has held discussions with the applicant regarding the accuracy of the most recently approved site plan. Staff has recommended that the applicant submit a site plan amendment illustrating the accurate condition of the site, together with any ARB- required changes that result from this review. The applicant has begun work on this amendment. • Staff contacted the Health Department regarding the planting and septic issues. ANALYSIS This analysis is based on the comments made at the January 6, 2014 ARB meeting. JANUARY 6, 2014 ARB COMMENT ISSUES RECOMMENDATION 1. Provide for review more specific and The applicant has provided detail drawings on the building elements None. detailed installation information as follows: that the ARB requested. Details address: dormers, fascias /rakes, 2. Drawings and specs to support the request, porch elements, windows, gables, and corners. Specs are provided on to document how windows, doors, shutters, seams. Photos of other vinyl siding installations have also been dormers, corners, porch elements, seams, submitted, and a kit of siding sample pieces (corners, trim, j channel, trim, etc. will be handled. Because the etc.) has been provided. Some of the drawing details specifically applicant's intent is to have a traditional address the intent to reflect a traditional appearance; for example, the appearance, the document must show that dormer and window details reference a brickmold appearance. the proposed vinyl application meets that intent. 3. The details of the proposed solid core vinyl cladding system should reflect the characteristics of traditional wood siding and trim materials that it seeks to replicate. 4. Address the blankness of the Rt. 250 A sketch of a portion of the rear wall of the wine shop has been Provide green screens elevation of the wine shop through either provided. It shows the addition of two window pairs. The windows along the rear wall of the fenestration or material detailing or would not be equally spaced across the elevation and they would not wine shop to relieve the landscaping. be located consistently relative to the dormers. Each window pair blankness. Show the green measures 6' wide x 5' tall. Shutters measuring 14" wide would be screens and the plants for provided. The uneven spacing of the windows is expected to result in the screens on an amended an awkward appearance for the elevation that may not be an site plan. improvement over the current blank appearance. 5a. Provide further clarification on the location The applicant has submitted a photo of the grass area behind the wine of the septic tanks. shop that shows the septic tanks and a copy of an email from the Thomas Jefferson Health District explaining that trees should not be planted too close to septic tanks or drain fields. The email is included as Attachment B to this report. Staff contacted the Health Department regarding the coordination of landscaping and septic tank areas at the subject site. Staff learned that a permit was approved by the Health Department for an additional septic tank and a reconfiguration of the septic system at this site several years ago. The Health Department representative also indicated that although trees should not be planted near septic tanks, SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Staff recommends the following as the primary points of discussion: 1. Do the vinyl siding details indicate that the installation will have a traditional appearance? 2. Treatment of the rear elevation of the wine shop: Windows? Shrubs? Green screens? Staff offers the following comments on the proposal: 1. Provide green screens along the rear wall of the wine shop to relieve the blankness. Show the green screens and the plants for the screens on an amended site plan. TABLE A This report is based on the following submittal items: Sheet # piping or drainfields, shrubs - particularly non - hydrophilic species — Drawing Date - can be less problematic. This conversation was followed by an email - 1 -9 message addressing the same subject, which is included as - - Attachment C to this report. - - Further study of the last approved site plan amendment for this - property indicates that there is more space between the wine shop and the sidewalk behind the shop than is shown on that plan. Consequently, there might be some space available for shrubs in the grass area at the back of the wine shop, but trees do not appear to be a possibility. A plan of the septic tank layout would further clarify the potential for planting. Green screens attached to the rear wall of the wine shop might be the appropriate option in this case, due to the potential utility conflicts. 5b. Provide further clarification on the previous At the last ARB meeting, the applicant clarified that trees along Rt. None. tree removal. 22 were removed by VDOT for road improvements. SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Staff recommends the following as the primary points of discussion: 1. Do the vinyl siding details indicate that the installation will have a traditional appearance? 2. Treatment of the rear elevation of the wine shop: Windows? Shrubs? Green screens? Staff offers the following comments on the proposal: 1. Provide green screens along the rear wall of the wine shop to relieve the blankness. Show the green screens and the plants for the screens on an amended site plan. TABLE A This report is based on the following submittal items: Sheet # Document Name Drawing Date - "Furnish and Install" — list of proposed work items - 1 -9 Vinyl siding installation details - - Photo of septic tank area behind wine shop - - Photos of vinyl siding installations completed by contractor - ATTACHMENT A COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE Department of Community Development 401 McIntire Road, North Wing Charlottesville, Virginia 22902 -4596 Phone (434) 296 -5832 Fax (434) 972 -4126 January 10, 2014 Randy Smith 3025 Louisa Road Keswick, VA. 22947 RE: ARB201300173 — American Legion TMP: 07900000001900 Dear Mr. Smith: The Albemarle County Architectural Review Board, at its meeting on January 6, 2014, completed a preliminary review of the above -noted request to replace the cedar siding with vinyl siding. The Board offered the following comments for the benefit of the applicant's next submittal. Please note that the following comments are those that have been identified at this time. Additional comments may be added or eliminated based on further review and changes to the plan. Provide for review more specific and detailed installation information as follows: Drawings and specs to support the request, to document how windows, doors, shutters, dormers, corners, porch elements, seams, trim, etc. will be handled. Because the applicant's intent is to have a traditional appearance, the document must show that the proposed vinyl application meets that intent. The details of the proposed solid core vinyl cladding system should reflect the characteristics of traditional wood siding and trim materials that it seeks to replicate. Address the blankness of the Rt. 250 elevation of the wine shop through either fenestration or material detailing or landscaping. Provide further clarification on the previous tree removal and the location of septic tanks, etc. You may submit your application for continued ARB review at your earliest convenience. Application forms, checklists and schedules are available on -line at www.albemarle.org /ARB. Revised drawings addressing the comments listed above are required. Include updated ARB revision dates on each drawing. Please provide a memo including detailed responses indicating how each comment has been addressed. If changes other than those requested have been made, identify those changes in the memo also. Highlighting the changes in the drawing with "clouding" or by other means will facilitate review and approval. If you have any questions concerning any of the above, please feel free to call me. Sincerely, Margaret Maliszewski Principal Planner Cc: Charlottesville & Albemarle Post 74 Inc P O Box 6566 Charlottesville, Va. 22906 File ATTACHMENT B From: Randy Smith [mroldsl7 @yahoo.com] Sent: Wednesday, January 08, 2014 10:22 AM To: Margaret Maliszewski Subject: Fw: Drainfield Requirements Margaret Maliszewski This is the letter from Mr Josh Kirtley (VDH) about the septic system, and tree planting around septic systems. Thanks Randy Smith - - - -- Forwarded Message - - - -- From: " Kirtley, Joshua (VDH)" < Joshua. KirtleyCd)vdh.virginia.gov> To: Randy Smith <mrolds17(c�yahoo.com> Sent: Wednesday, January 8, 2014 9:22 AM Subject: Drainfield Requirements Good morning, Randy. It was good talking to you earlier. This email is to serve as a follow up to our conversation earlier in regards to trees planted over a septic system. As I indicated over the phone, the Health Department specifies that all trees should be removed from the drainfield area in order to ensure that roots do not interfere with the percolation piping. The reason for this has to do with the effects of roots clogging the drainline and causing the septic system to prematurely fail or back up into the building. I have attached the section from our Regulations for your information. Please review and let me know if you have any questions or concerns. 12 VAC 5- 610 -700 -B Removal of Vegetation. Vegetation such as maple, cottonwood, willows, and other plant species with extremely hydrophilic (water loving) root systems shall be removed for a minimum of 10 feet from the actual absorption areas. Other trees should be removed from the absorption area. Hope all is well, Josh Josh Kirtley Environmental Health Technical Consultant Onsite Sewage and Water Programs Thomas Jefferson Health District 1138 Rose Hill Drive Charlottesville, Virginia 22903 Office (434) 972 -6288 ATTACHMENT C From: Kirtley, Joshua (VDH) [ Joshua.Kirtley @vdh.virginia.gov] Sent: Friday, March 07, 2014 10:57 AM To: Margaret Maliszewski Subject: RE: American Legion septic issues Attachments: Planting Over a Drainfield.pdf Good morning, Margaret. Thanks for your email. As discussed over the phone, the rationale behind limiting the plantings in and around a septic system is to prevent root intrusion. With that being said, some plant species are worse than others when it comes to detrimental impacts to a system. By Regulation, hydrophilic tree species such as maple, cottonwood, and willow are prohibited from being placed over or even near a septic system. Also as a standard rule, all other trees should be removed over the drainfield area. Attached, I have included some information from the Extension Service as it pertains to planting over a septic system. While I don't condone anything other than grass over a septic system or near a septic or pump tank, there may be some shrubs out there whose roots would be minimally invasive. Despite what the information states, trees in my opinion should never be planted on or near a drainfield or tank area. Please let me know if you need anything further. Josh Josh Kirtley Environmental Health Technical Consultant Onsite Sewage and Water Programs Thomas Jefferson Health District 1138 Rose Hill Drive Charlottesville, Virginia 22903 Office (434) 972 -6288 From: Margaret Maliszewski [ mai Ito: MMaliszewski @albemarle.org] Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 2014 10:59 AM To: Kirtley, Joshua (VDH) Subject: American Legion septic issues Josh, Thanks for talking with me this morning about the septic tanks at the American Legion building. As I noted, the American Legion has an application under review with the ARB for re- siding the entire building. This includes the back wall of the wine shop, which underwent some unapproved changes (window removal) several years ago. The re- siding project is a good opportunity to resolve the issue with the back wall of the wine shop. Options are to add the windows back in (which the tenant and owners have mixed feelings about) and to add landscaping to soften the appearance of the blank wall. Thus, the ARB wants to know the extent of landscaping that can be accommodated behind the wine shop. The issue is complicated by the fact that the septic tanks that the photo (attached) shows in that area do not appear on the approved site plan, and there appears to be more room between the back wall of the wine shop and the sidewalk than the site plan shows. Any clarity you can offer to these issues would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your help. Margaret Margaret M. Maliszewski, Principal Planner Albemarle County Department of Community Development 401 McIntire Road, Charlottesville, VA 22902 434 - 296 -5832 x3276 PUBLICATION 426 -617 Planting on Your Septic Drain Field Susan D. Day, Extension Associate, Horticulture, Virginia Tech Ellen Silva, former Extension Technician, Horticulture, Virginia Tech Perhaps the most entertaining answer to the question 'What should I plant over a septic system's leach field?' is 'Something fragrant.' Although the question arises often, there are few hard and fast answers as to what can be planted, because every drain field is unique. You can decide what will work best in each situation, however, by following a few simple guidelines. Why Have Plants at All? There are many reasons to plant on your leach field. Plants can help your septic drain system to function at its best by removing moisture and nutrients from the soil. Plant cover is also important to reduce soil erosion. At a minimum, the leach field should be planted with a dense cover of grass to provide these important benefits. In addition, many homeowners have limited space and want to make the best landscape use possible of their septic leach field. Often the only place for a flower garden on a wooded lot is in the sunny spot where the drain field runs. Or the field may be located in the front yard where the home owner would like to plant trees, shrubs, or flowers to set off the house and lawn. Which Plants Are Best for My Drain Field? In general, shallow- rooted herbaceous plants that are not excessively water - loving are best. A leach field is a series of relatively shallow (a minimum of 6 inches below the surface) underground perforated pipes set in gravel trenches that allow septic tank effluent to drain over a large area. As the effluent seeps into the ground, it is purified by the soil. Plant roots can help remove excess moisture and nutrients thereby making the purification of the remaining effluent more efficient. However, roots that clog or disrupt the pipes will seriously damage the drainage field. The challenge of leach field gardening is to find plants that will meet your landscape needs but not clog the drain pipes. Planting Herbaceous Perennials and Annuals Herbaceous, shallow- rooted plants such as flowering perennials and annuals, turfgrass, and many ground covers are unlikely to damage the lines. Don't be too enthusiastic in tilling the soil when setting them out, however. This is one situation where double digging is definitely out. When planting close to a line, you may also want to choose species that do not require frequent dividing. Also, always wear gardening gloves when planting, weeding or doing other gardening activities that involve contact with the soil over your drain field. This will protect you from direct contact with any harmful organisms that may be present in the soil. Trees, Shrubs, and Your Drainage Field Trees and shrubs are much riskier choices for the drainage field than herbaceous plants. The woody roots of these plants are more likely to clog and damage drain lines. Especially notorious for line clogging are water - loving trees such as willows and poplars (see table). Do not plant these near a leach field unless you are prepared mentally and financially for the possibility of needing to install a new field sometime in the future. If you insist on growing them near a field, at least plant them at the far end where the lines will be drier and less conducive to root growth. Some smaller and less- aggressive woody species may be suitable for planting over the drain field. Some possibilities include fibrous rooted shrubs such as boxwood or holly, or small trees such as dogwoods. When planting shrubs in a leach field, place them between the lines when possible. Normally, drainage trenches are 3 feet wide with 6 feet between trenches. Finally, you must decide what is more important to you - the leach lines or the plants. One gardener decided that the cost of a new system was inconsequential when compared to the enjoyment and shade she would get from an established grove of silver maples near her leach field. It is impossible to predict how long it will take for roots to disrupt a leach field because every situation is different. The field could need replacing in as few as 8 years, or as many as 40. Techniques for Reducing Tree Root Intrusion Select less aggressive species. By selecting trees with less aggressive roots, such as those listed in the table on the next page, you can greatly reduce the likelihood of your trees disrupting the drain field. Plant trees as far away as possible from the drain field. If you want to be absolutely certain that tree roots will not intrude into your drain field, trees should be planted at least as far away as their estimated root spread at maturity. One way to estimate this is by the ultimate height of the mature tree. For example, a weeping cherry may be expected to grow about 25 feet tall, and should be planted a minimum of 25 feet away from the drain field. An oak might need to be planted www.ext.vt.edu Produced by Communications and Marketing, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 2013 Virginia Cooperative Extension programs and employment are open to all, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital orfamily status. An equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia Slate University, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. Edvon J. Jones, Director, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg; Jewel E. Hairston, Administrator, 1890 Extension Program, Virginia State, Petersburg. 10