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HomeMy WebLinkAboutARB201300090 Staff Report 2013-07-08ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD STAFF REPORT Project #/Name ARB- 2013 -90: Chick -Fil -A Pantops Review Type Preliminary Site Development Plan and Special Use Permit Parcel Identification 078000000055A2 Location 1626 Richmond Road, on the north side of Route 250, across from State Farm Blvd., at the site of the former Aunt Sarah's Pancake House Zoned Highway Commercial (HC), Entrance Corridor (EC) Owner /Applicant Coven D & Katie H Flynn /Horton & Dodd, PC Q. Gregory Dodd, PE) Magisterial District Rivanna Proposal To construct a restaurant with drive -thru lanes and associated site improvements. Context The surrounding area is a mix of commercial development, including multi -story office buildings, and banks with drive -thru lanes, and residential development. Visibility The proposed development will be visible from the EC, with the building elevated several feet above the EC. ARB Meeting Date August 19, 2013 Staff Contact Margaret Maliszewski SITE /PROJECT HISTORY The existing building at this site was constructed prior to the establishment of Entrance Corridors in the County. The ARB reviewed sign applications for this property in 1995 and 2011. PROJECT INFORMATION This review includes two closely related items: 1) preliminary site and architectural review, and 2) advisory review for a Special Use Permit. The proposal includes a 4,835 sf restaurant with a drive -thru window. The drive -thru window requires the Special Use Permit. The drive - thru lanes are situated between the proposed building and the EC. The parking lot is located behind the building as viewed from the EC. What would appear to be the "front yard" of the property is occupied mostly by right -of -way and utility easements. An extension of State Farm Boulevard would provide access to the site. Because of the various design features associated with the proposed use, staff recommended that the applicant submit an application for ARB review of the architecture together with the drive -thru layout, as early as possible, to learn what the EC issues would be. The applicant is seeking ARB comment prior to submitting applications for an Initial Site Plan and Special Use Permit. Bypass lanes have typically been required by the County for fast food restaurant drive - thrus. The need for the bypass lane is determined by the County Engineer based on site specific factors including, but not limited to, the length of the travelway, the nature of the land use, and internal traffic circulation. The applicant submitted an original design, then submitted a revised design based on staff - identified issues. The applicant's original ARB submittal includes two drive -thru lanes and a bypass lane. Early in the review process, staff informed the applicant that the prominent retaining wall and the elimination of much - needed planting area that resulted from that layout would likely be issues for the ARB. Based on staff's early comments, the applicant revised the plan, eliminating the bypass lane, reducing retaining wall height from 12' to 8', and increasing planting area and the quantity of plants along the retaining wall. The revised plans were submitted at the end of the review period without sufficient time to update the staff report. This staff report is based on the original design, but both versions of the plan have been provided to the ARB for review. A comparison of the proposals will be important in forming a recommendation on the request for the Special Use Permit. ANALYSIS REF GUIDELINE ISSUE RECOMMENDATION Structure design 1 The goal of the regulation of the design of development The primary building material is brick, Provide articulation in within the designated Entrance Corridors is to insure which has a strong tradition in the the wall area above the that new development within the corridors reflects the county. The proposed brick is in shades windows. traditional architecture of the area. Therefore, it is the of gray, with a warm gray row at the purpose of ARB review and of these Guidelines, that top of the wall. Gray is not a common proposed development within the designated Entrance color for brick in this area. Corridors reflect elements of design characteristic of the significant historical landmarks, buildings, and The building form is a group of simple structures of the Charlottesville and Albemarle area, blocks. It does not have a strong and to promote orderly and attractive development 2 within these corridors. Applicants should note that connection to historic architecture of replication of historic structures is neither required nor the area, but it has a simple, restrained desired. character that could maintain compatibility with other building forms 4 The examples contained in Appendix A should be used as a guide for building design: the standard of and styles. compatibility with the area's historic structures is not intended to impose a rigid design solution for new The smaller windows of the building development. Replication of the design of the important do not have a traditional form, but the historic sites in the area is neither intended nor desired. addition of metal frames below the The Guideline's standard of compatibility can be met windows helps establish more through building scale, materials, and forms which may traditional rectangular window be embodied in architecture which is contemporary as proportions. The wall area above the well as traditional. The Guidelines allow individuality windows appears expansive (7' from in design to accommodate varying tastes as well as window top to coping) and in need of special functional requirements. detailing or other relief (beyond the 9 Building forms and features, including roofs, windows, wall sign). doors, materials, colors and textures should be compatible with the forms and features of the significant historic buildings in the area, exemplified by (but not limited to) the buildings described in Appendix A [of the design guidelines]. The standard of compatibility can be met through scale, materials, and forms which may be embodied in architecture which is contemporary as well as traditional. The replication of important historic sites in Albemarle County is not the objective of these guidelines. 5 It is also an important objective of the Guidelines to Many of the buildings in the immediate None. establish a pattern of compatible architectural area are faced with brick, as is the characteristics throughout the Entrance Corridor in proposed Chick- fil -A. However, the order to achieve unity and coherence. Building designs proposed brick is in shades of gray, should demonstrate sensitivity to other nearby which is not a common color for brick structures within the Entrance Corridor. Where a in this area. designated corridor is substantially developed, these Guidelines require striking a careful balance between harmonizing new development with the existing character of the corridor and achieving compatibility with the significant historic sites in the area. 10 Buildings should relate to their site and the surrounding context of buildings. 11 The overall design of buildings should have human Human scale does not appear to be an Revise the site design to scale. Scale should be integral to the building and site issue with the building itself, however, reduce the height of the design. the placement of the building on a 12' retaining wall. Increase high "platform" with a retaining wall the landscaping to offset will tend to increase the scale as the impacts of its size viewed from the road and the sidewalk. and prominence. Reducing the height of the "platform" as viewed from the road and increasing the quantity of carefully placed landscaping would help minimize impacts. 12 Architecture proposed within the Entrance Corridor The use of canopies over the drive -thru Provide details on the should use forms, shapes, scale, and materials to create lanes, the green screens, and window canopies and their green a cohesive whole. screens help establish a cohesive screen supports. appearance for the building. 13 Any appearance of "blankness" resulting from building The wall area above the windows Provide articulation in design should be relieved using design detail or appears expansive (7' from window top the wall area above the vegetation, or both. to coping) and in need of detailing or windows. other relief (beyond the wall sign). 15 Trademark buildings and related features should be Pre - application meeting discussions See recommendations modified to meet the requirements of the Guidelines. indicated that the proposed design is a above and below. relatively new standard for the company. 16 Window glass in the Entrance Corridors should not be Reflectance of the glass is not Provide the reflectance highly tinted or highly reflective. Reflectance off the identified on the plans. value for the window outside pane of glass should be kept below 7 %. glass. Specifications on the proposed window glass and The Exterior Finish Schedule includes samples of tinted window glass should be submitted frosted glass, but the frosted glass is Indicate on the drawings with the application for final review. not identified on the elevations. where the frosted glass is proposed. Accessory structures and equipment 17 Accessory structures and equipment should be A loading area and dumpsters are Provide a dumpster integrated into the overall plan of development and shall, to the extent possible, be compatible with the building designs used on the site. located towards the north end of the site. They are not expected to have much impact as viewed from the EC, but a dumpster enclosure detail should enclosure detail on the plan. Provide details on the 18 The following should be located to eliminate visibility from the Entrance Corridor street. If, after appropriate be included in the plan. drive -thru canopies and siting, these features will still have a negative visual their green- screen end impact on the Entrance Corridor street, screening Two drive -thru canopies are proposed. supports. should be provided to eliminate visibility. One is located on the east side of the a. Loading areas, building at the pick -up window. The Provide a treatment for b. Service areas, other is located on the south (EC) side the mechanical, meter c. Refuse areas, at the menu /ordering stations. The and service doors to d. Storage areas, canopies are composed of black painted eliminate the "back of e. Mechanical equipment, metal with green screens supporting the building" appearance. f. Above - ground utilities, and outer ends. The end supports may g. Chain link fence, barbed wire, razor wire, and similar appear coordinated with the windows security fencing devices. and window screens. 19 Screening devices should be compatible with the design of the buildings and surrounding natural vegetation and The wall area around the pick -up may consist o£ a. Walls window would be faced with Resysta, a b. Plantings, and "fiber reinforced hybrid material" with c. Fencing. the appearance of wood. Located below the canopy, the material is not expected to have a big impact on the EC. The door to a mechanical room is located on the south (EC) side of the building in the vicinity of the canopy. A pair of metal doors, also on the south (EC) side of the building, provides access to metering equipment. An indoor service yard has an access door on the east elevation. The solid doors, though painted to coordinate with the walls, will emphasize a "back of building" appearance. The door to the mechanical room will likely have less impact than the others due to its location under the canopy. A clearance bar and directional signs are proposed at the entrance to the drive -thru lanes. Some existing power - related equipment is located on site, visible from the EC. The site section shows that parapet walls screen rooftop equipment as viewed from the EC directly in front of the building. 21 The following note should be added to the site plan and The note does not appear on the plans. Include the equipment the architectural plan: "Visibility of all mechanical visibility note on the site equipment from the Entrance Corridor shall be and architectural eliminated." drawings. Landscaping A complete landscape review could not Provide a complete plant be completed because a complete plant schedule for review. schedule has not yet been provided. Some plant symbols are too small to Revise the plant symbols read. for greater clarity. 7 The requirements of the Guidelines regarding The property line along the EC side of Provide large shade trees landscaping are intended to reflect the landscaping the site lies approximately 50' away 3 1 /2 " caliper at planting, characteristic of many of the area's significant historic from the edge of Rt. 250 and the first 35' on center, along the sites which is characterized by large shade trees and 15' inside the property line is occupied EC frontage, outside of lawns. Landscaping should promote visual order within by a utility easement. The proposed utilities and easements. the Entrance Corridor and help to integrate buildings plan shows a retaining wall at this end into the existing environment of the corridor. of the development extending to the easement. Consequently, there is Provide interspersed ornamental trees along 32 Landscaping along the frontage of Entrance Corridor streets should include the following: minimal space provided for frontage the EC frontage, outside a. Large shade trees should be planted parallel to the landscaping. The proposed planting in of utilities and Entrance Corridor Street. Such trees should be at least this area does not meet the guidelines. easements. 3'/2 inches caliper measured 6 inches above the ground and should be of a plant species common to the area. Such trees should be located at least every 35 feet on With a 12' -high retaining wall located Increase the variety of center. in close proximity to the EC, shrubs provided, b. Flowering ornamental trees of a species common to landscaping exceeding the guidelines particularly along the the area should be interspersed among the trees minimums will be needed to mitigate retaining wall. Limit the required by the preceding paragraph. The ornamental impacts. number of proposed trees need not alternate one for one with the large plants for any one species shade trees. They may be planted among the large Removing one of the drive -thru lanes to 25% of the total shade trees in a less regular spacing pattern. or the bypass lane could provide proposed for that plant c. In situations where appropriate, a three or four board additional planting area. type (tree or shub). fence or low stone wall, typical of the area, should align the frontage of the Entrance Corridor street. A row of 130 Euonymus Greenspire is Eliminate one of the d. An area of sufficient width to accommodate the proposed along the retaining wall. drive -thru lanes or the foregoing plantings and fencing should be reserved Greater variety could provide for a bypass lane to increase parallel to the Entrance Corridor street, and exclusive of healthier landscape. planting area. road right -of -way and utility easements. Green screens are proposed as supports Provide details in the 36 Landscaping of buildings and other structures: a. Trees or other vegetation should be planted along the for the outer ends of the drive -thru plan for the green screens front of long buildings as necessary to soften the canopies and below the smaller and the plants intended to appearance of exterior walls. The spacing, size, and type of such trees or vegetation should be determined Windows on the building. Vegetation grow on them. The by the length, height, and blankness of such walls. on green screens, and therefore their screens should have an b. Shrubs should be used to integrate the site, buildings, screening ability, can be unreliable. appropriate appearance and other structures; dumpsters, accessory buildings The screens should be decorative in both with and without and structures; "drive thru" windows; service areas; and nature, even without planting. plants. signs. Shrubs should measure at least 24 inches in height. Three trees are shown in the right -of- way along the EC. They are mature trees and are shown as "to- remain" but they should not be counted as required EC trees because they are located off - site and are not under the control of the property owner. 33 Landscaping along interior roads: Off -site clearing, grading and Provide plants and a. Large trees should be planted parallel to all interior construction are required to create the sufficient planting area at roads. Such trees should be at least 2'/z inches caliper entrance drive that extends northward the base of the retaining (measured six inches above the ground) and should be from State Farm Blvd. Trees are wall in the area east of of a plant species common to the area. Such trees provided along the on -site portion of the proposed building. should be located at least every 40 feet on center. the west side of this drive, but they are located at the top of the retaining wall Plant trees, 2 1 /2 " caliper at (in the area east of the proposed planting, at least 40' on building). There is no area available for center, along the east side planting at the base of the retaining of the entrance drive and wall to soften the appearance of the on the west side of the wall in this area. entrance drive at its north end. Show evidence of Trees on the east side of the drive grading and planting would have an appropriate appearance. easements. New trees to replace the cleared trees would be appropriate. Provide top of wall and bottom of wall elevations for both retaining walls. 35 Landscaping of parking areas: At the southwest side of the site, the Ensure that the perimeter a. Large trees should align the perimeter of parking drive -thru lanes and retaining wall are parking lot tree spacing areas, located 40 feet on center. Trees should be planted so close to the property line that only a and size requirements are in the interior of parking areas at the rate of one tree for row of shrubs is provided. There is met with on -site trees. every 10 parking spaces provided and should be evenly insufficient room for on -site trees. Cars distributed throughout the interior of the parking area. stacked in the drive -thru lanes will b. Trees required by the preceding paragraph should have the same visual impact as parked measure 2'/2 inches caliper (measured six inches above cars, so both trees and shrubs in this the ground); should be evenly spaced; and should be of area would be appropriate. a species common to the area. Such trees should be planted in planters or medians sufficiently large to Some off -site trees on the west side of maintain the health of the tree and shall be protected by the parking lot are used to meet the curbing. But c. Shrubs should be provided as necessary to minimize spacing requirement of perimeter the parking area's impact on Entrance Corridor streets. parking lot trees. Only on -site tees Shrubs should measure 24 inches in height. should be used to meet planting requirements. 38 Plant health: The note does not appear on the plan. Add the following note to The following note should be added to the landscape the landscape plan: "All plan: "All site plantings of trees and shrubs shall be site plantings of trees and allowed to reach, and be maintained at, mature height; the shrubs shall be allowed topping of trees is prohibited. Shrubs and trees shall be to reach, and be pruned minimally and only to support the overall health of maintained at, mature the plant." height; the topping of trees is prohibited. Shrubs and trees shall be pruned minimally and only to support the overall health of the plant." Site Development and layout Development pattern 6 Site development should be sensitive to the existing The site layout is generally organized, Revise the site layout to natural landscape and should contribute to the creation but the amount of paved area devoted significantly reduce the of an organized development plan. This may be to the drive -thru lanes, their location height of the retaining accomplished, to the extent practical, by preserving the close to the EC and adjoining property wall and to provide trees and rolling terrain typical of the area; planting new lines and easements, and the situation sufficient utility -free trees along streets and pedestrian ways and choosing of the building and drive -thru above the planting area to meet the species that reflect native forest elements; insuring that EC, result in negative impacts (scale, EC Guidelines and to any grading will blend into the surrounding topography retaining wall, lack of planting area). offset negative visual thereby creating a continuous landscape; preserving, to impacts. the extent practical, existing significant river and stream The building is oriented parallel to the valleys which may be located on the site and integrating EC, but the main entrance is on the these features into the design of surrounding north elevation, away from the EC. development; and limiting the building mass and height to a scale that does not overpower the natural settings of the site, or the Entrance Corridor. 39 The relationship of buildings and other structures to the Entrance Corridor street and to other development within the corridor should be as follows: a. An organized pattern of roads, service lanes, bike paths, and pedestrian walks should guide the layout of the site. b. In general, buildings fronting the Entrance Corridor street should be parallel to the street. Building groupings should be arranged to parallel the Entrance 10 Corridor street. c. Provisions should be made for connections to adjacent pedestrian and vehicular circulation systems. d. Open spaces should be tied into surrounding areas to provide continuity within the Entrance Corridor. e. If significant natural features exist on the site (including creek valleys, steep slopes, significant trees or rock outcroppings), to the extent practical, then such natural features should be reflected in the site layout. If the provisions of Section 32.5.6.n of the Albemarle County Zoning Ordinance apply, then improvements required by that section should be located so as to maximize the use of existing features in screening such improvements from Entrance Corridor streets. f. The placement of structures on the site should respect existing views and vistas on and around the site. Site Grading 40 Site grading should maintain the basic relationship of The use of retaining walls is not Significantly reduce the the site to surrounding conditions by limiting the use of limited. A retaining wall reaching 12' height of the retaining retaining walls and by shaping the terrain through the high is proposed to create a level site wall and provide use of smooth, rounded land forms that blend with the for the building, parking and drive -thru sufficient planting at its existing terrain. Steep cut or fill sections are generally areas. The retaining wall is not terraced base to offset negative unacceptable. Proposed contours on the grading plan and the planting at the base of the wall impacts, or terrace the shall be rounded with a ten foot minimum radius where is insufficient or non - existent in some wall and provide trees they meet the adjacent condition. Final grading should places. and shrubs at the base achieve a natural, rather than engineered, appearance. and terraces. Retaining walls 6 feet in height and taller, when The color renderings illustrate the necessary, shall be terraced and planted to blend with retaining wall materials as block or Provide top of wall and the landscape. stone. Railings on the wall appear to be bottom of wall elevations a combination of green screens and for both retaining walls. more traditional metal hand railing. A site section shows the green screens Indicate the material and helping to block the view of vehicles in color of the retaining the drive -thru lanes. In the site section, walls and provide only the upper part of the vehicle in the samples. Provide details outermost lanes is visible from the EC. on the railing, including 10 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Staff recommends the following as the primary points of discussion: 1. Drive -thru lanes: location, layout, quantity, visual impact on EC 2. Drive -thru canopies, green screens, menu boards, pick -up window 3. Retaining wall: height, material, railing design, need for terracing 4. Landscaping: at retaining wall, along entrance drive, general character 5. Building design: brick color, brick detailing, mechanical room and meter doors, window sizes, green screens 11 materials and colors. The existing building and parking lot sit above the elevation of the Entrance Corridor. But, the height and proximity of the proposed retaining wall will tend to emphasize this difference in elevation. The finished floor of the building (546.48) is set approximately 21' above the EC (525'). The building is located 110' from the EC. A retaining wall is also proposed on the east side of the entrance road. Heights and materials are not identified. Signs Wall signs are shown on the elevations Note that separate and a freestanding sign is shown on the applications are required site plan. for signs and the freestanding sign location can't be approved with the site plan; it can only be approved with the sign application. SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Staff recommends the following as the primary points of discussion: 1. Drive -thru lanes: location, layout, quantity, visual impact on EC 2. Drive -thru canopies, green screens, menu boards, pick -up window 3. Retaining wall: height, material, railing design, need for terracing 4. Landscaping: at retaining wall, along entrance drive, general character 5. Building design: brick color, brick detailing, mechanical room and meter doors, window sizes, green screens 11 Regarding the Special Use Permit for the drive -thru lanes: Staff recommends that the ARB forward the following recommendation to the Planning Commission: The ARB has no objection to the drive -thru use if the combination of drive -thru lanes and bypass lanes allows for a minimum of 7' of continuous utility -free and easement -free planting area between the retaining wall and the EC. Size and quantity of landscaping will likely be required to exceed EC Guidelines minimums to mitigate visual impacts of the use and related features of the development. Regarding _ the preliminary site and architectural designs. 1. Provide articulation in the wall area above the windows. 2. Provide details on the drive -thru canopies, their green- screen end supports, and the plants intended to grow on the green screens. 3. Provide a treatment for the mechanical, meter and service doors to eliminate the "back of building" appearance. 4. Include the equipment visibility note on the site and architectural drawings: "Visibility of all mechanical equipment from the Entrance Corridor shall be eliminated." 5. Provide a dumpster enclosure detail on the plan. 6. Provide the reflectance value of the window glass. Indicate on the drawings where the frosted glass is proposed. Landscaping 7. Provide a complete plant schedule for review. 8. Revise the plant symbols for greater clarity. 9. Provide large shade trees 3 1 /2 " caliper at planting, 35' on center, along the EC frontage, outside of utilities and easements. 10. Provide interspersed ornamental trees along the EC frontage, outside of utilities and easements. 11. Increase the variety of shrubs provided, particularly along the retaining wall. Limit the number of proposed plants for any one species to 25% of the total proposed for that plant type (tree or shrub). 12. Eliminate one of the drive -thru lanes or the bypass lanes to increase planting area. 13. Increase the landscaping to offset the impacts of the size and prominence of the retaining wall. 14. Provide plants and sufficient planting area at the base of the retaining wall in the area east of the proposed building. 15. Plant trees, 2 1 /2 " caliper at planting, at least 40' on center, along the east side of the entrance drive and on the west side of the entrance drive at its north end. Show evidence of grading and planting easements. 16. Ensure that the perimeter parking lot tree spacing and size requirements are met with on -site trees. 17. Add the following note to the landscape plan: "All site plantings of trees and shrubs shall be allowed to reach, and be maintained at, mature height; the topping of trees is prohibited. Shrubs and trees shall be pruned minimally and only to support the overall health of the plant." Retaining Walls 18. Revise the site design to significantly reduce the height of the on -site retaining wall and to provide sufficient utility -free planting area to meet the EC Guidelines and to offset negative visual impacts, or terrace the wall and provide trees and shrubs at the base and terraces. 12 19. Provide plants and sufficient planting area at the base of the retaining wall in the area east of the building. 20. Provide top of wall and bottom of wall elevations for both retaining walls. 21. Provide details and indicate the material and color of the retaining walls and railings and provide samples. Signs 22. Note that separate applications are required for signs and the freestanding sign location can't be approved with the site plan; it can only be approved with the sign application. TABLE A This report is based on the following submittal items: Sheet # Drawing Name Drawing Date /Revision Date Original Submittal C -1.0 Cover Sheet - C -1.1 Boundary and Topo Survey 7/5/13 C -2.0 Site Layout Plan 7/5/13 C -3.0 Grading and Drainage Plan 7/5/13 LS -1.0 Landscape Plan 7/5/13 PS -1.0 Utilities Plan 7/5/13 Revised Submittal C -1.0 Cover Sheet - C -1.1 Boundary and Topo Survey 7/5/13, printed 8/8/2013 C -2.0 Site Layout Plan 7/5/13, printed 8/8/2013 C -3.0 Grading and Drainage Plan 7/5/13, printed 8/8/2013 LS -1.0 Landscape Plan 7/5/13, printed 8/8/2013 PS -1.0 Utilities Plan 7/5/13, printed 8/8/2013 A -1.1 Floor Plan 7/5/13, printed 8/8/2013 A -2.1 Exterior Elevations - East and West 7/5/13, printed 8/8/2013 A -2.2 Exterior Elevations - South and North 7/5/13, printed 8/8/2013 Additional Material Views of site from Richmond Road — Northbound and Southbound - Color rendered site plan Perspective elevations views (4 ) Floor plan Site Model Perspectives (6) Site line Color elevations (2 sheets) 13