HomeMy WebLinkAboutSUB201300043 Request of Modification, Variance, Waiver 2013-03-26 (2) !' COLLINS .,.. r`<; 200 GARRETT ST, SUITE K CHARLOTTESVILLE VA 22902
434.293.3719 PH 434.293.2813 FX
www.collins-engineering.com
December 17,2012
Revised July 15, 2014
Christopher Perez
Senior Planner
County of Albemarle
Department of Community Development
Current Development
401 McIntire Road
Charlottesville, VA 22902
RE: Waiver Request for a Buffer Disturbance for Briarwood Gas Station–Preliminary Site Plan SDP
2012-00064 and Preliminary Subdivision Plat SUB-201300043.
Dear Christopher Perez,
I'm writing to request a waiver by the commission for the authorization of construction activity, grading,
and clearing of vegetation to take place in the 20' buffer along the property line where the proposed
commercial property is adjacent to an existing residential property, located on TMP 032G0-00-00-000B0
and TMP 032G0-00-00-000A0. The waiver request is consistent with section 18-21.7.c of the Albemarle
County Zoning Ordinance) –the commission may waive the prohibition of construction activity, grading
or clearing of vegetation in the puffer in a particular case where the developer or subdivider demonstrates
that grading or clearing is necessary or would result in an improved site design, provided that the
screening and landscaping requirements are met. In this case,this existing buffer area between the
proposed commercial development and the existing residential property consists of sparse vegetation
which has mostly been disturbed during the land development of the residential property over the past(2)
years. The developer is proposing to re—grade this area,and establish a nice buffer between the two
projects consisting of a mixture of evergreen trees and deciduous trees,which would greatly enhance this
existing area. Regrading the buffer and adding landscaping is a much better situation for establishing and
maintaining a buffer between the(2)development projects, especially since most of the existing
vegetation has been previously impacted with the residential development.
In addition,the private access roads providing access to the commercial parcels had to be shifted into
portions of the buffer areas through the review and approval process to meet VDOT access management
requirements. VDOT and the County have approved the locations of these private access roads, and
updates to the mitigation plan have been made to accommodate mitigation planting around the roadway to
adhere to the guidelines of the mitigation buffer requirements.
We ask that staff and the Commission grant the waiver and authorization for disturbance within the 20'
buffer for the development of the Briarwood Commercial lots. The principles of design and planning are
better met with the proposed impact and re-establishment of the buffer than the preserving the sparsely
existing vegetation and creating a retaining wall situation that can be viewed from Route 29 entrance
corridor.
Thank you for considering this request.
Regards,
Scott Collins, PE