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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSP200800031 Review Comments Special Use Permit 2008-08-01 (2)COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE Department of Community Development 401 McIntire Road, Room 227 Charlottesville, Virginia 22902-4596 Phone (434) 296-5832 Fax (434) 972-4126 MEMORANDUM TO: Scott Clark FROM: Brent Nelson RE: Design Planning comments on: SP 2008-31: Old Dominion Equine, Amendment to the Special Use Permit to Allow the Relocation of the Barn, and Construction of the Riding Ring, Paddocks, Covered Pen, and Storage Building. DATE: July 29, 2008 I have reviewed the Special Use Permit application for the above referenced proposal, received June 30, 2008, and I have the following comments: This submittal does not contain enough information to determine its full impact on the Entrance Corridor. Details concerning the stormwater management system, site and building lighting, and the design of the paddocks, covered pen, riding ring, barn, and storage building were not included and each could impact the Entrance Corridor. Due to the rural setting, site and building lighting should be kept to a minimum, with just enough illumination to provide a safe environment. Proposed materials, colors, and methods of construction for the paddocks, covered pen, and riding ring should reflect the traditional rural character of the area. These items will be reviewed by the ARB at the site plan review stage. All aspects of the design that would be visible from the Route 22 Entrance Corridor shall meet EC guidelines and are subject to ARB review. Issue: Existing/Proposed Conditions/Drafting Comments: The Concept Plan provided with this application does not show all of the existing trees. As one example, the numerous existing trees in the western section of the site are not shown on the drawing. The existing and proposed conditions are not labeled as such, making it difficult to discern the extent of this proposal and its impacts on the Entrance Corridor. Recommendations: Revise the Concept Plan to clearly show the location, size, type, and canopy drip line of all existing trees in the areas to be developed. Issue: Proposed Grading Comments: A conceptual grading plan for this proposal was not included with this application. For this reason, the full impact of the 3 proposed paddocks, riding ring, barn, and covered pen could not be determined. Recommendations: Revise the Concept Plan to show a conceptual grading plan for the areas that are to be developed. Issue: Paddock/Covered Pen/Loss of Significant Trees Comments: The Concept Plan shows an 80' x 80' paddock and 50' diameter covered pen at the west end of the site. There are a number of existing large trees in the same general area that are not shown on the plan. These trees contribute significantly to the vernacular landscape of Route 22, so their loss could significantly impact the Entrance Corridor. Designing the paddock to incorporate and preserve these trees would allow this important amenity to remain. Measures to protect the trees from the livestock would need to be included in the proposal. It appears that there may be room to shift the location of the covered pen enough to avoid the removal of existing trees. Recommendations: Revise the Concept Plan to show the proposed paddock at the west end of the site incorporating and preserving existing trees in this area. Include on the plan the method of protecting these trees from the livestock. Revise the Concept Plan by shifting the location of the covered pen, as needed, to preserve existing trees in the area.