HomeMy WebLinkAboutARB202300036 Correspondence 2023-04-10SHIMP ENGINEERING, P.C.
Design Focused Engineering
April 7, 2023
Khris Taggart
County of Albemarle
Department of Community Development
401 McIntire Road, North Wing
Charlottesville, Virginia 22902
RE: Response Letter #1 for ARB2022-78 Fifth Street Landing Self -Storage
Dear Khris,
Thank you for your review of the Fifth Street Landing Self -Storage. This letter contains responses to
ARB comments dated October 4, 2022.Our responses are as follows:
1. Revise the architectural design of the non -tower walls to increase the visibility of the brick.
RESPONSE: Comment received. Please see the revised renderings, which propose increased
visibility of the brick.
2. Consider revising the proposed brick to the one approved for the 5th Street Commercial
development ("Rose Range Tudor" General Shale),
RESPONSE: Comment received. Please see the revised materials.
3. Revise the architectural design to better establish a sense of scale in the building design.
RESPONSE: Please see the revised renderings, which seek to better establish a sense of scale
through the raising of the brick, insertion of false windows with a contrasting brick frame, and
added tower element.
4. Revise the distribution of building materials and architectural elements to help establish a
cohesive whole and better relieve the blankness that is present along the north, east, south, and
west elevations.
RESPONSE: The blankness has been addressed through the building design revisions utilized to
address the sense of scale, described above.
5. Provide perspective renderings from both directions on both EC streets (5th Street and I-64), with
and without landscaping, to clarify visibility and potential impacts.
RESPONSE: Perspective renderings are provided at the end of the packet for review.
6. Revise the architectural drawings to clarify where branding colors are proposed. Note the ARB
may require that the color and amount of branding colors be modified.
RESPONSE: Comment received. Brand coloring of the signage will be provided for review at the
time of the sign permit application.
7. Provide specifications for proposed window glass. Show that VLT will not drop below 40% and
VLR will not exceed 30%. Glass should be clear, without tint. If tinted glass is proposed, provide
a sample for review. Add the standard window glass note to the architectural plans.
912 E. High St. Charlottesville, VA 22902 1434.227.5140 1 shimp-engineering.com
RESPONSE: Comment received. Please see the materials in the elevations packet that specify
VLT to be 56% and VLR as 11%.
8. Show the locations of all ground- and building -mounted equipment on the site plan, roof plan,
and elevations. Show how visibility from the ECs will be eliminated.
RESPONSE: All equipment will be located on the roof and the attached elevations demonstrate
parapet walls sufficiently removing any visibility from the EC.
9. Revise the site plan to provide a detail of the proposed dumpster enclosure. A brick enclosure
matching the brick used for the building would be appropriate.
RESPONSE: A dumpster will not be provided on site.
10. Add the standard mechanical equipment note to the plan: "Visibility of all mechanical equipment
from the Entrance Corridor shall be eliminated."
RESPONSE: This note is provided for under General Notes on the cover sheet.
11. Revise the lighting plan to provide cutsheets on the building -mounted fixtures and identify the
color temperature. A color temp approximating wane white (2000K — 3000K) would be
appropriate.
RESPONSE: Cutsheets of all lighting fixtures is provided for on C9.
12. Revise the lighting plan to show Be values below 20 fie throughout the site.
RESPONSE: Please see the revised lighting plan.
13. Revise the lighting plan to note the fixture color for the pole- and building -mounted lighting.
Lighting, where applicable, that matches the previously approved lighting would be appropriate.
RESPONSE: A note has been added to the lighting plan, that indicates that fixtures shall have a
bronze finish to align with the brick fagade.
14. Revise the lighting plan to show fixture locations and illumination values for the wall -mounted
lights.
RESPONSE: Wall -mounted lighting is provided for with this submission.
15. Revise the interior parking area tree to 2.5" caliper at time of planting.
RESPONSE: This caliper has been updated.
16. Revise the ornamental trees shown in the planting area next to the windowless wall section of the
north elevation to medium shade trees, 2.5" caliper at time of planting.
RESPONSE: The ornamental trees in this location have been revised to medium shade trees, 2.5"
cal.
17. Revise the site plan to note the limits of work for the self -storage phase of the development and
revise the existing landscaping to remain note to reference a phase of development.
RESPONSE: Comment received. The applicant is currently working with the property owner to
establish a timeline for the landscaping beyond the wall.
18. Note sign applications are required for all proposed signs.
RESPONSE: Comment received.
19. The ARB can support eliminating the step back requirement if sufficient alternate treatments are
used to mitigate the building mass and improve the sense of scale.
912 E. High St. Charlottesville, VA 22902 1434.227.5140 1 shimp-engineering.com
RESPONSE: Comment received. This submission includes revisions to the building design
relating to scale and blankness, with changes to building materials, details, and contrast.
20. Revise the design of the detailing of the middle tower on the east side to be consistent with the
corner towers.
RESPONSE: Please see the revised renderings and elevations.
21. Add more trees on the east and south sides of the site, coordinated with required stormwater
facilities.
RESPONSE: Comment received. Please see the revised landscaping plan that proposes additional
large shade trees and ornamental trees to the east and south sides of the site.
22. Use a color contrasting brick for the false windows and recess the brick or use an alternate detail
to define the recesses more.
RESPONSE: Please see the revised elevations and renderings which utilize the contrasting brick
and false window recession.
23. Provide a more finished and coordinated appearance for the backs of any towers that are visible
from the Entrance Corridors.
RESPONSE: Please see the provided perspectives from each of the ECs included with this
submission. The perspectives demonstrate that the back of towers not be visible due to the
existing topography.
24. Verify the visibility of the backs of the towers and the rooftop equipment with additional
drawings.
RESPONSE: Please see the revised elevations and renderings that demonstrate that rooftop
equipment and the backs of towers would not be visible from the EC.
25. Consider adding a tower at the undetailed corner that is visible from 5th Street,
RESPONSE: This tower is now included.
26. Provide a detail elevation of the brick coursing and patterning at the false windows.
RESPONSE: Please see the revised elevations that details the false window framing and the two
brick materials to be utilized.
If you have any questions or concerns about these revisions, please feel free to contact me at
Rachel(a)shimp-engineering.com or by phone at 434-227-5140.
Regards,
Rachel Moon
912 E. High St. Charlottesville, VA 22902 1434.227.5140 1 shimp-engineering.com