HomeMy WebLinkAboutSDP201700053 Request of Modification, Variance, Waiver 2017-08-21 COLLINS EN G I N E E rr r N G 200 wnn. TT ST, SUITE K CHARLOTTESVILLE VA 22902
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August 21,2017
J.T. Newberry
County of Albemarle- Department of Community Development
401 McIntire Road
Charlottesville,VA 22902
RE: Hollymead Towncenter A-2(Blocks Cl through C4)—Request for Authorization of a Private Street and Waiver
of one or more Street Standards along the Private Street
Dear J.T. Newberry,
I'm writing to request a waiver by the commission for the authorization of private streets in the development area
for the Hollymead Towncenter A-2 project,and specifically for the proposed development with Blocks C1 through
C4. The waiver request is consistent with section 14-233 of the Albemarle County Subdivision Ordinance under
Section 14-233.A.1.(iii) —rear vehicular access to buildings would be provided so that the buildings may face a
common amenity. The original Hollymead Towncenter A-2 zoning application plan was designed for the ability to
allow attached housing to front on the public park amenities within the project. Private streets are being pursued
to allow access to these lots from the rear of the parcels and allow attached housing lots to front on the Open
space within the development. This concept would allow the lots to front on the public park amenity within the
development. Therefore,we are requesting this waiver to allow private streets within this development,giving the
ability for these lots to front on the public park. The design of these lots fronting on a public amenity with access
through a private street from the rear of the lot would meet all other the subdivision ordinance requirements for
the zoning district.
In addition,we are requesting a waiver to the street standards and requirements(Section 14-422 (E)&(F))along
the private street behind the proposed housing fronting on public park amenities. Specifically,we are requesting a
waiver for the planting strips and sidewalks along this private street. In this situation,the sidewalk and planting
strips shall be installed along the front of the lots within the public amenity area and the intent of having a planting
strip and sidewalks in front of lots in the development area will be achieved with these features within the public
amenity. The private streets that serve as access to the lots will be consistent with the design guidelines for
streets and private roads as specified in the County design manual. They will have a curbing along the street and
allow the drainage to be captured with Inlets.
Finally,we are requesting a waiver to section 32.3.5(B)along the private streets behind the proposed housing
fronting on public park amenities to allow the street trees to be planted within the proposed planting strips along
the front of the lots within the public amenity area. The street trees would be installed within the planting strips
adjacent to the proposed sidewalks and along the property lines creating the separation between public amenity
space and the private front yards of the lots.
The waiver requests,as outlined above,are graphically depicted within the approved application plan for the
Hollymead Towncenter project. These waivers will provide the flexibility to create a vibrant community with
interactive streets and public amenities through innovative neighborhood designs.
We ask that staff and the Commission grant the waivers and authorization for private streets for this proposed
development plan. The principles of Neighborhood design and planning are better met with the proposed design
and these waiver requests.
Thank you for considering this request.
Scott Collins, PE