HomeMy WebLinkAboutSE202300005 Correspondence 2023-02-21February 20, 2023
1193 Seminole Trail
Special Exception Application Narrative
SE 2023-
In connection with the zoning map amendment application ZMA 2023-_(the "ZMA Application"), submitted
by RMD Properties, LLC (the "Applicant"), this Application for a Special Exception respectfully requests a waiver
of the requirement for two housing types per Section 20A.8 of the Albemarle County Zoning Ordinance that
would otherwise apply to the Neighborhood Model District for the ZMA Application submitted on February 20,
2023.
The Zoning Ordinance allows for the requirement of two housing types within a Neighborhood Model District to
be waived by the Board of Supervisors if the district is an infill project or at least two housing types are already
present within one -quarter mile of the proposed district. The ordinance states the following are considered to be
different housing types: "(1) single family detached dwellings; (2) single family attached dwellings; (3) two-
family dwellings; (4) triplexes; (5) quadplexes; (6) townhouses; (7) multifamily dwellings; (8) accessory
apartments; (9) manufactured housing; and (10) special needs housing such as assisted living facilities, group
homes, and skilled nursing facilities."
If approved, the proposed zoning map amendment would permit tax map parcel 061WO-02-OA-00200 (the
"Property"), to be developed as a multi -family residential rental community known as 1193 Seminole Trail (the
"Project"). The Project proposes a maximum of 290 multi -family residential units and 10,000 square feet of non-
residential.
As demonstrated on the attached map, the project is within a % mile of Brookmill and the Branchlands Senior
Living communities. Brookmill is a townhome development and Branchlands offers a variety of senior housing
including assisted living and independent living which include apartments and townhomes.
The Places29 Master Plan designates this Property as Urban Density Residential and Neighborhood Service
Center. Urban Density Residential is described within the Places29 Master Plan as a "designation used in areas
around Centers where multifamily housing with a gross density range between 6.01 and 34 units per acre is
desired."
The surrounding area is comprised of a large variety of commercial, retail, and office uses. There is a proposed
Wawa gas station to the north (adjacent to Greenbrier Dr.); to the south is a City of Charlottesville property which
contains an existing restaurant, and then the US Post Office just south of the restaurant. To the east is a vacant
lot proposed to be parking for the Virginia Institute of Autism which is located across Hillsdale Drive. Across
Route 29, to the west, is Seminole Place (the old Comdial building) which houses a number of industrial and
commercial businesses, as well as Albemarle County High School Center I. The proposed community would
offer needed housing for County residents and employees of nearby business and employment centers, and
would significantly contribute to the urban redevelopment of the surrounding area envisioned by the Places29
Master Plan.
Given the small size of the Property it's simply not feasible to include two housing types and provide the density
and non-residential uses within the Neighborhood Service Center as recommended in the Master Plan. For these
reasons, the Applicant requests a special exception from Section 20A.8 to allow one housing type in this location.
Thank you for your consideration of this request.
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