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HomeMy WebLinkAboutARB200800081 Staff Report 2008-07-15ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD STAFF REPORT Project #: Name ARB- 2008 -81: Wachovia Bank, Pantops Financial Center Review Type Preliminary Review of a Site Development Plan Parcel Identification Tax Map 78, Parcel 55A4 Location North side of Rt. 250E between Aunt Sarah's and the Rite Aid pharmacy. Zoned Planned Development Mixed Commercial (PDMC), Entrance Corridor (EC) Owner Luxor, LLC Applicant Baskervill- Jessica White Magisterial District Rivanna Proposal To construct an approximately 2500 sq. ft. branch bank with three drive- thru lanes in the Luxor commercial development. ARB Meeting Date July 21, 2008 Staff Contact Brent Nelson SITE/PROJECT HISTORY • The ARB has completed its review of Buildings 1,3, 4, 5, and 7 in the Luxor Commercial Development as outlined below, and Certificates of Appropriateness have not yet been issued. The bank that is the subject of this application is the final building of the development. The ARB has only reviewed conceptual layouts of the banks site layout. • January 11, 2008: SDP 2008 -4, Luxor Commercial Center, Final Site Plan for the entire development received by Current Development and currently under review. • January 16, 2007: ARB 2006 -134, Luxor Commercial, Buildings 4 and 5, Final Site Plan. Administrative approval with conditions. A revised submission was received on June 24, 2008 and is currently under review. • January 16, 2007: ARB 2006 -136, Luxor Commercial, Buildings 1, 3, and 7, Final Site Plan. Administrative approval with conditions. A revised submission was received on May 16, 2008. Staff comments have been provided for the applicant to address. • October 12, 2005: SP 2004 -38, Special Use Permit request for a bank drive -thru approved by the Planning Commission, with proffers and an application plan. • March 21, 2005: ARB 2005 -05, Luxor Commercial, Conceptual/Advisory Review for a Rezoning and a Special Use Permit. The ARB forwarded to the Planning Commission a recommendation for approval, with conditions, of the Zoning Map Amendment request and the Special Use Permit request allowing for a bank drive -thru structure. The ARB also provided comments on the conceptual site and building design for the applicant's ARB Preliminary Site Plan submission (see Action Letter, Attachment A). The following is a list of ARB conditions on the bank drive -thru SP: ARB 7/21/2008 Wachovia Bank, Luxor, Preliminary - Page -1 1. The drive - through travelway adjacent to the Route 250 East Entrance Corridor shall not exceed 22 feet in width. It should be kept to a minimum to maintain a coordinated site layout with an appropriate appearance for the Entrance Corridor. 2. Should the ARB determine that the bank drive - through architecture appears inappropriate in scale, the total number of drive - through lanes shall be reduced to the satisfaction of the ARB. 3. As an integral part of the proposed planting on the EC side of the bank drive- through lanes, provide an evergreen hedge, 3 foot tall minimum, along the full length of the drive - through, assuming a 3' minimum grade change from street up to site. CONTEXT/VISIBILITY The proposal under review is located in the northwest corner of the Luxor Commercial Center development, Route 250E, Pantops Mountain. The site adjoins the Route 250E right -of -way to the southwest and the Rite Aid Pharmacy to the northwest. Due to its close proximity to the EC, the site is expected to be highly visible. Visible sections of the bank building include the front (west), side (south, facing EC), and rear (east) elevations. The south elevation (facing EC) of the drive -thru canopy will be visible. PROJECT DETAILS The applicant is proposing to construct a one - story, 2,500 sq. ft. branch bank with 3 drive -thru lanes, ATM machine, and required site improvements. ANALYSIS based on: Site plan drawings submitted: • Sheet C1 "Cover Sheet" latest revision date 5/16/08 • Sheet C2 "General Notes and Site Date" latest revision date 5/16/08 • Sheet C3 "Proffers" latest revision date 5/16/08 • Sheet C4 "Overview/Phasing Plan" latest revision date 5/16/08 • Sheet C5 "Demo/Existing Conditions" latest revision date 5/16/08 • Sheet C6 "Site Plan" latest revision date 5/16/08 • Sheet C7 "Grading & Utility Plan" latest revision date 5/16/08 • Sheet C8 "Landscape Plan" latest revision date 5/16/08 • Sheet C9 "Lighting Plan" latest revision date 5/16/08 • Sheet C10 "Stormsewer Pipe Profiles" latest revision date 5/16/08 • Sheet C11 "Drop Inlet Drainage Calculations" latest revision date 5/16/08 • Sheet C12 "Utility Details" latest revision date 5/16/08 • Sheet C13 "Road Plan" latest revision date 5/16/08 • Sheet 1/1 "Wachovia @ Pantops, Landscape Plan" date 5/31/08 Architectural drawings submitted: • "Wachovia, Pantops Financial Center" South and West Elevations, received 6/2/08 • "Wachovia, Pantops Financial Center" North and East Elevations, received 6/2/08 • "Wachovia, Pantops Financial Center" Perspective Rendering, received 6/2/08 • "Wachovia, Pantops Financial Center" West Elevation with Material Samples 6/2/08 Photos submitted: ARB 7/21/2008 Wachovia Bank, Luxor, Preliminary - Page -2 • "Wachovia, Pantops Financial Center" View of Site Approaching from the East. • "Wachovia, Pantops Financial Center" View of Site Approaching from the West. • "Wachovia, Pantops Financial Center" Panoramic View of Site from the West. Materials submitted: • Cast Stone: Arriscraft International, Smooth Face, color: Verde • Brick: Taylor Clay Products: Wirecut, color: #3 -17 Dark Red w/Ironspot • Mortar: Flamingo Brixment, color: C -380 • Storefront: Vistawall Group, Pre - finished Aluminum, color: Sandstone. • Cornice Coping: Southern Aluminum Finishing Perimeter Systems, Pre - finished Aluminum, color: Sandstone Building Issue: Architecture Comments: The applicant is proposing a 1- story, 2,500 sf branch bank building with 3 drive -thru lanes. The ATM and night deposit are located on the northeast corner of the building underneath the drive -thru canopy. The design of the building is based upon the Federal style with a tower element situated in the southwest corner of the structure. A rooftop clerestory window, in the center of the building, is visible in the south and east elevations. The primary building material is brick in a medium shade of terracotta, while the main building entrance is highlighted with a contrasting cast stone material. Coping and storefront colors are Sandstone. The building design, materials and colors proposed for this application blend and compliment those that have been approved, by the ARB, for the all other commercial buildings in this development. The proposed building footprint, as reflected on the site plan drawings, does not correspond with the building elevations. The front (west) elevation of the building is stepped in 3 sections; however, this is not reflected on the site plan. Recommendations: Revise the building footprint, as shown on the site plan drawings, to correctly correspond with the building elevations. Issue: Drive -thru Canopy/Fascia/Materials and Colors Comments: Proposed materials and colors for the drive -thm canopy fascia were not provided with this submission. Recommendations: Revise the building elevation drawings to indicate the proposed materials and colors of the drive -thru canopy fascia. Provide samples of the materials and colors if they have not already been submitted. Issue: Mechanical Equipment/Location/Screening Comments: The location of proposed mechanical (HVAC) equipment is not shown on the site plan or building drawings. Entrance Corridor guidelines state that accessory equipment must be integrated into the overall plan of development and should be compatible with the building designs used on site. Screening devices must be compatible with the design of the buildings and surrounding natural vegetation and may consist of walls, plantings, or fencing. Recommendations: Revise the site or building drawings to clearly show the location of proposed HVAC equipment and the method of screening its visibility from the EC. Revise the site plan and building elevation drawings by adding a note stating No mechanical equipment shall be visible from the Entrance Corridor. Site Issue: Proposed Grading/Tying Into Existing Conditions/ Perimeter Parking Lot Trees Comments: Sheet C7 Grading and Utility Plan shows proposed off -site grading on the Rite Aid property where it adjoins the northwest boundary of the site under review. Evidence of a grading easement on the Rite ARB 7/21/2008 Wachovia Bank, Luxor, Preliminary - Page -3 Aid parcel was not provided with this submission. Proposed grading is not rounded (10' minimum radius) to meet the existing condition. Entrance Corridor guidelines state that trees should align the perimeter of parking areas, at a spacing of 40' on center, and shrubs should be provided as necessary to minimize the parking area's impact on the EC. The planting strip along the northwest perimeter of the proposed parking lot is only 2' in width, eliminating the possibility of any perimeter parking lot trees and shrubs. The adjoining Rite Aid parcel, with its existing trees and shrubs, could help to address this guideline. These plantings; however, are not identified for type and size on the drawings provided. Proposed off -site grading in this area appears to conflict with some of these plantings. Recommendations: Revise Sheet C7 Grading and Utility Plan to show proposed grading rounded (10' minimum radius) to meet the existing condition on the Rite Aid parcel. Provide evidence of a grading easement and show the limits of the easement on the grading and utility plan. Revise all landscape drawings to indicate the location, type, and size of all plantings in the Rite Aid planting strip that adjoins the northwest perimeter of the Wachovia parking lot. Show additional tree and shrub plantings in this area to replace existing plant materials that may be removed due to the off -site grading. Landscape Issue: Landscape Plan/Utility Conflicts/Drawing Scale/Readability Comments: Site plan Sheet C8 Landscape Plan is drawn at a scale of 1" = 30'. The scale of the drawing is too small to clearly show the entire landscape proposal, existing utilities /easements, and any potential conflicts. The applicant provided an additional landscape drawing "Wachovia @ Pantops, Landscape Plan" Sheet 1/1 (scale 1" = 10') which is readable. The drawing; however, does not show the location of all existing utilities and their associated easements and does not contain a landscape schedule specific to the project area. Recommendations: Revise drawing Sheet 1/1 Wachovia @ Pantops, Landscape Plan (scale 1" = 10'), to include a landscape schedule with all proposed and existing landscaping for the bank site clearly labeled. Revise the drawing to include the location of all existing utilities and their associated easements. Issue: Frontage Street Trees /Overhead Utility Conflicts/Flowering Ornamentals Comments: Sheet C8 Landscape Plan shows 5 street trees, 30' on center, adjacent to the Route 250E right -of- way. Two of the trees are mislabeled as "T -AG ". The applicant has indicated these trees are supposed to be "T- AR", Red Sunset Red Maples. The other 3 trees are correctly labeled as Chinese Elms. Both of these tree types would reach heights that would appear to conflict with the existing overhead utility lines located across the frontage of the parcel. Entrance Corridor guidelines state that flowering ornamental trees are to be interspersed among the large street trees located across the EC frontage. Only 2 redbud trees are shown interspersed amongst the 5 proposed street trees. Recommendations: Revise the landscape proposal by replacing the proposed street trees with a variety whose habit (size) would not conflict with existing or proposed utilities and their easements. Revise the proposal to include flowering ornamentals, alternating amongst all frontage street trees, for the full width of the right -of- way. Issue: Proposed Planting/Integrating Building with Site Comments: Entrance Corridor guidelines state that shrubs should be used to integrate proposed buildings with the site. The perspective rendering Wachovia, Pantops Financial Center shows low shrub plantings in the beds adjacent to the west and south building elevations and in the parking lot island adjacent to the southwest corner of the building. These plantings, as shown in the perspective, do appear to integrate the building with the site; ARB 7/21/2008 Wachovia Bank, Luxor, Preliminary - Page -4 however, they are not shown on the landscape drawings. Recommendations: Revise all landscape drawings to show shrub plantings in the beds adjacent to the west and south building elevations and in the parking lot island adjacent to the southwest corner of the building, in a design that integrates the building with the site. Lighting Design Issue: Building/Canopy Lighting Comments: Building lighting details, including location, types, and cutsheets, were not included with this proposal. Footcandle values shown on Sheet C9 Lighting Plan do not appear to include canopy and building lighting. Lighting proposed for the canopy is not clearly indicated. It appears that the Kirlin recessed light (cutsheet included on lighting plan) may be intended as the canopy lighting; however, it's location on the building footprint was not indicated. Recommendations: Revise Sheet C9 Lighting Plan to include the location and type of all proposed building and canopy lighting. Revise the drawing, if needed, to include cutsheets of all proposed building and canopy lighting. Revise the footcandle values on the drawing to account for all proposed building and canopy lighting. Issue: Standard Lighting Note Comments: The required standard lighting note Each outdoor luminaire equipped with a lamp that emits 3,000 or more initial lumens shall be a full cutoff luminaire. The spillover of lighting from luminaires onto public roads and property in residential or rural areas zoning shall not exceed one -half footcandle was not included on Sheet C9 Lighting Plan. Recommendations: Revise Sheet C9 Lighting Plan to include the standard lighting note Each outdoor luminaire equipped with a lamp that emits 3,000 or more initial lumens shall be a full cutoff luminaire. The spillover of lighting from luminaires onto public roads and property in residential or rural areas zoning shall not exceed one -half footcandle. Issue: Signage Comments: Building elevation drawings Wachovia, Pantops Financial Center, show a Wachovia wall sign and logo on the brick fagade in the east, west, and south elevations. The letters WACHOVIA appear to be V -1' /2' tall and 13' long. The text extends across a recessed portion of the brick fagade. Details, concerning the method of attachment for each letter, were not provided with this application. The Wachovia square logo (3' x 3') is located either in line with, or centered above, the sign text. A formal signage proposal was not included with this submission. Details of freestanding signage, including location and design, were not included with this submission. The building elevation drawing Wachovia, Pantops Financial Center, East Elevation shows a proposed ATM machine (sign) under the canopy, in the northeast corner of the building fagade. All signage that is visible from the EC will require ARB approval. Freestanding signage proposals can be submitted separately from the site plan application and should demonstrate that they meet all ARB sign guidelines, are coordinated with the landscape proposal, and in locations that are free of utility conflicts. Details, including the proposed location, size, material, color, and method of illumination, if any, of all proposed building signage visible from the EC, should be included in the next submission, demonstrating that it meets all ARB sign guidelines. Wall signs, as currently proposed, on all three elevations, visible from the EC, appear excessive due to their overall size in relation to the total wall area of the tower and the small footprint of the building. Wall signs on just the east and west elevations, as proposed, would appear to be more appropriate and balanced. The ATM machine is not expected to be visible due to its position on the building, location underneath the canopy, distance from and angular orientation to the EC. Recommendations: Signage that is visible from the EC will require ARB approval. Freestanding signage ARB 7/21/2008 Wachovia Bank, Luxor, Preliminary - Page -5 proposals can be submitted separately from the site plan application and should demonstrate that they meet all ARB sign guidelines, are coordinated with the landscape proposal, and in locations that are free of utility conflicts. With the next submission, provide details, including the proposed size, material, color, method of attachment, and method of illumination, if any, of all proposed building signage visible from the EC. Demonstrate that the wall text extended across the recessed fagade will have an appropriate appearance. Revise the wall sign proposal by eliminating the sign shown on the south elevation. SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Staff recommends the following as the primary points of discussion: 1. The proposed building and canopy design; including materials and colors. 2. The landscape frontage proposal. 3. The proposed building signage. Staff offers the following comments on the preliminary site plan: 1. Revise the building footprint, as shown on the site plan drawings, to correctly correspond with the building elevations 2. Revise the building elevation drawings to indicate the proposed materials and colors of the drive -thru canopy fascia. Provide samples of the materials and colors if they have not already been submitted. 3. Revise the site or building drawings to clearly show the location of proposed HVAC equipment and the method of screening its visibility from the EC. Revise the site plan and building elevation drawings by adding a note stating No mechanical equipment shall be visible from the Entrance Corridor. 4. Revise Sheet C7 Grading and Utility Plan to show proposed grading rounded (10' minimum radius) to meet the existing condition on the Rite Aid parcel. Provide evidence of a grading easement and show the limits of the easement on the grading and utility plan. Revise all landscape drawings to indicate the location, type, and size of all plantings in the Rite Aid planting strip that adjoins the northwest perimeter of the Wachovia parking lot. Show additional tree and shrub plantings in this area to replace existing plant materials that may be removed due to the off -site grading. 5. Revise drawing Sheet 1/1 Wachovia @ Pantops, Landscape Plan (scale 1" =10'), to include a landscape schedule with all proposed and existing landscaping for the bank site clearly labeled. Revise the drawing to include the location of all existing utilities and their associated easements. 6. Revise the landscape proposal by replacing the proposed street trees with a variety whose habit (size) would not conflict with existing or proposed utilities and their easements. Revise the proposal to include flowering ornamentals, alternating amongst all frontage street trees, for the full width of the right -of -way. 7. Revise all landscape drawings to show shrub plantings in the beds adjacent to the west and south building elevations and in the parking lot island adjacent to the southwest corner of the building, in a design that integrates the building with the site. 8. Revise Sheet C9 Lighting Plan to include the location and type of all proposed building and canopy lighting. Revise the drawing, if needed, to include cutsheets of all proposed building and canopy lighting. Revise the footcandle values on the drawing to account for all proposed building and canopy lighting. Revise Sheet C9 Lighting Plan to include the standard lighting note Each outdoor luminaire equipped with a lamp that emits 3,000 or more initial lumens shall be a full cutoff luminaire. The spillover of lighting from luminaires onto public roads and property in residential or rural areas zoning shall not exceed one -half footcandle 9. Signage that is visible from the EC will require ARB approval. Freestanding signage proposals can be ARB 7/21/2008 Wachovia Bank, Luxor, Preliminary - Page -6 10. submitted separately from the site plan application and should demonstrate that they meet all ARB sign guidelines, are coordinated with the landscape proposal, and in locations that are free of utility conflicts. With the next submission, provide details, including the proposed size, material, color, method of attachment, and method of illumination, if any, of all proposed building signage visible from the EC. Demonstrate that the wall text extended across the recessed fagade will have an appropriate appearance. Revise the wall sign proposal by eliminating the sign shown on the south elevation. ARB 7/21/2008 Wachovia Bank, Luxor, Preliminary - Page -7 ARB 7/21/2008 Wachovia Bank, Luxor, Preliminary - Page -8 COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE Department of Community Development 401 McIntire Road, Room 227 Charlottesville, Virginia 22902 -4596 Phone (434) 296 -5823 Fax (434) 972 -4126 March 22, 2005 Michael Barnes PO Box 8147 Charlottesville, VA 22906 RE: ARB- 2005 -05: Luxor Commercial: Conceptual /Advisory Review for a Rezoning and a Special Use Permit (Tax Map 78, Parcels 55A4 and 55D) Dear Mr. Barnes: We have reviewed our records for the above -noted application and have discovered that a recommendation on the rezoning was inadvertently excluded from the ARB's actions on this item at its February 22 meeting. At its meeting on March 21, 2005, the ARB corrected this error and took the action on the rezoning that is included in the revised summary of actions, below. Regarding the Request for the Rezoning: the Board by a vote of 5:0 forwarded the following recommendation to the Planning Commission: The ARB has no objection to the request for the zoning map amendment with the following conditions: 1. Provide a park, plaza or similar space between the two larger buildings and the Route 250 Entrance Corridor. The area provided shall be no smaller and with no decrease in the density of the planting than the area described in the plan dated December 28, 2004. 2. The configuration of the two large buildings on the EC shall include: • A breezeway /pergola connector between the buildings that is a minimum of 20 feet wide that connects the north side of the buildings with the park /plaza on the south side of the buildings. • The height of the ceiling of the breezeway /pergola shall fall at the floor level between the first and second stories of the buildings, as determined by the ARB. • The breezeway /pergola connector shall be completely open air on the ground floor with no level changes between the park /plaza and the north edge of the breezeway /pergola. • The breezeway /pergola shall include plants that are integral to the breezeway /pergola structure, or the design shall include landscape elements, planted or built, extending the column locations /patterning of the breezeway /pergola into the park /plaza. Regarding the Request for the Special Use Permit for the Bank drive - through structure, the Board by a vote of 4:0 forwarded the following recommendation to the Planning Commission: The ARB has no objection to the request for a Special Use Permit for the Bank drive - through with the ARB 7/21/2008 Wachovia Bank, Luxor, Attachment - Page -9 following conditions: 1. The drive - through travelway adjacent to the Route 250 East Entrance Corridor shall not exceed 22 feet in width. It should be kept to a minimum to maintain a coordinated site layout with an appropriate appearance for the Entrance Corridor. 2. Should the ARB determine that the bank drive - through architecture appears inappropriate in scale, the total number of drive - through lanes shall be reduced to the satisfaction of the ARB. 3. As an integral part of the proposed planting on the EC side of the bank drive - through lanes, provide an evergreen hedge, 3 foot tall minimum, along the full length of the drive - through, assuming a 3' minimum grade change from street up to site. Regarding the Request for the Special Use Permit for the Coffee Shop drive - through, the Board by a vote of 4:0 forwarded the following recommendation to the Planning Commission: The ARB has no objection to the special use permit for the drive - through window for the coffee shop, with the following condition: Provide site planting to minimize the impact of the stacked drive - through cars. The placement and extent of hedges, trees and other mitigation shall be resolved to the satisfaction of the ARB. Regarding the Conceptual Site Plan and Building Design, the ARB made the following comments for the applicant's next submittal. These issues should be addressed together with an ARB preliminary site plan submittal and all ARB preliminary site plan checklist items. 1. Equally weight the external expression of active use on the north and south sides of the building. Provide common elements, materials, coloring, and /or details between the two large buildings and the bank along the EC. Provide a breezeway /pergola connector between the buildings that accomplishes the following: • The breezeway /pergola shall be retained at a minimum of 20 feet wide, connecting the north side of the buildings with the park /plaza on the south side of the buildings. • The height of the ceiling of the breezeway /pergola shall fall at the floor level between the first and second stories of the buildings. • The breezeway /pergola connector shall be completely open air on the ground floor with no level changes between the park /plaza and the north edge of the breezeway /pergola. • The breezeway /pergola shall include plants that are integral to the breezeway /pergola structure, or the design shall include landscape elements, planted or built, extending the column locations /patterning of the breezeway /pergola into the park /plaza. • The connector element shall remain transparent and encourage pedestrian travel. 2. Provide an evergreen hedge, 3 feet tall, minimum, along the full length of the bank drive - through on the EC side, assuming a 3 foot minimum grade change from street up to site. 3. Provide a note on the grading, erosion and sediment control drawings and planting plan indicating: The two existing pine trees are to be cared for throughout the construction process by a licensed arborist. 4. Provide a signed Conservation Plan Checklist. 5. Integrate the limits of construction and tree protection measures into civil, architectural and landscape architectural portions of the contract documents. 6. Provide a park, plaza or similar space between the two larger buildings and the Route 250 Entrance Corridor. Reduce the size of sidewalks within this area to coordinate with the scale and pedestrian use of the space. The area provided shall be no smaller than the space described in this submittal. Provide a pedestrian passage from this area into and through the two adjacent large buildings. 7. Provide a planting configuration and plant species that responds to the presence of the two pine trees. 8. Maintain the implied building types and approach to planting /grading relationships demonstrated in this proposal. Maintain: • The retention of the existing street trees. • The retention of the two large, existing pine trees. ARB 7/21/2008 Wachovia Bank, Luxor, Attachment - Page 4 0 • The increase in planted variety, density and scale in the park /plaza area. • The stepping of grades, coupled with plantings to mitigate built site elements. • Maintain or increase the current level of plant density in the planting plan. 9. Provide 2'/2" caliper large shade trees along the eastern side of the easternmost travelway. 10. Revise the spacing of trees planted along Rolkin Road and Aunt Sarah's Lane to reflect the 40' on center guideline for interior travelway trees. 11. Please note that although ARB checklists do not include lighting and signage as required preliminary site plan submittal items, these features can have a significant impact on the appearance of a site, so applicants are encouraged to consider them early in the design process. Staff is happy to review lighting and sign information with preliminary site plan submittals. 12. The beige color of the bank may be inappropriate for the EC. Submit color samples. Show how the color is coordinated with the rest of the development. As indicated previously, you may submit your application for continued ARB review at your earliest convenience. Application forms, checklists and schedules are available on -line at www.albemarle.org /planning. Revised drawings addressing the comments listed above are required. Please include a memo outlining how each comment has been addressed. If changes other than those requested have been made, identify those changes in the memo also. If you have any questions concerning this action, please feel free to call me. Sincerely, Margaret Maliszewski Design Planner, Planning Division cc: North Pantops Townhouses LLC, P O Box 8147, Charlottesville, VA 22906 Sean Dougherty File ARB 7/21/2008 Wachovia Bank, Luxor, Attachment - Page 4 1