HomeMy WebLinkAboutARB200800123 Staff Report 2008-09-23ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD STAFF REPORT
Project #: Name
ARB- 2008 -123: BB &T Bank (Crozet)
Review Type
Preliminary Review of a Site Development Plan, Advisory Review for a
Special Use Permit
Parcel Identification
Tax Map 56, Parcel 110
Location
On the south side of Route 250 West, west of Blue Ridge Builders Supply,
across from Radford Lane in the Blue Ridge Shopping Center.
Zoned
Highway Commercial (HC), Entrance Corridor (EC)
Owner
Preston Stallings
Applicant
BB &T, Bill Harris
Magisterial District
Whitehall
Proposal
To construct a new 2,400 square foot BB &T branch bank on Outparcel D
in the Blue Ridge Shopping Center.
ARB Meeting Date
October 6, 2008
Staff Contact
Brent Nelson
SITE/PROJECT HISTORY
July 17, 2008: SP 2008 -28: BB &T Bank Crozet, Drive- thru/ARB 2008 -91: BB &T Bank Crozet,
Preliminary Site Development Plan, Advisory Review for a Special Use Permit. Request for
indefinite deferral received from applicant.
o In this application, the drive -thru facility, with ATM, adjoined the north elevation of the
bank, facing the Route 250W EC. After receiving preliminary comments from Current
Development and ARB staff indicating the proposed location/layout of the drive -thru did
not meet established site plan requirements and ARB guidelines, the applicant requested
an indefinite deferral to allow time for a redesign of the site layout.
June 16, 2008: SP 2008 -28, BB &T Bank Crozet, application received for a Special Use Permit.
ARB staff comments on the SP were provided (see Attachment A).
May 9, 2008: ARB 2003 -64: Harris Teeter and Blue Ridge Shopping Center, Amended Site Plan,
Approved.
September 16, 2003: ARB 2003 -64: Blue Ridge Shopping Center, Final Site Development Plan,
Approved.
CONTEXT
The site under review, Outparcel D, is located in the northwest corner of the Blue Ridge Shopping Center.
This shopping center, located across from Radford Lane, adjoins the south side of the Route 250W
Entrance Corridor and the west side of Blue Ridge Builder's Supply. Preliminary grading for the entire
ARB 10/6/2008 BB &T @ Blue Ridge Shopping Center, Preliminary - Page 1
shopping center is currently underway. Perimeter landscaping for Outparcel D was approved with the
previously approved Final Site Plan for the shopping center. This section of the EC is characterized by a
mixture of development types including the Clover Lawn commercial buildings, Liberty Hall residential
condominiums /townhomes (under construction), and the Cory Farms single family subdivision.
PROJECT DETAILS
The applicant is proposing a 2,400 square foot, one -story branch bank with a 3 lane drive -thru facility
adjoining the west end of the building. The outermost (west) lane will provide vehicular access to an
ATM machine located on an island 10' from the end of the canopy. Other site improvements will include
32 parking spaces to be situated on all 4 sides of the building and a dumpster pad, with enclosure, in the
northwest corner of the site, adjacent to the EC right -of -way.
VISIBILITY
Proposed site improvements, including the dumpster enclosure, will be highly visible from the Route
250W EC due to their close proximity. Visible building elevations will include the north (side), east
(front), and west (side) elevations including the proposed canopy structure. Some limited visibility of the
proposed ATM machine is expected.
ANALYSIS based on drawings submitted:
Site plan drawings submitted:
• Sheet C -1 "Cover Sheet ", date June 12, 2007
• Sheet C -2 "2003/2004 Erosion Control Plan Amendment ", date June 12, 2007
• Sheet C -3 "Storage Area for Blue Ridge Builders Supply ", date June 12, 2007
• Sheet C -4 "Sediment Basin Erosion Control Amendment ", date June 12, 2007
• Sheet A -1 "Amended Site Plan", date June 11, 2008
• Sheet A -2 "Landscape Site Plan ", date June 13, 2008
Architectural drawings submitted:
• Rendered Elevations (front, right, rear, & left), date 8/15/08
• Sheet A3 BB &T Elevations (north, south, east, & west), date 9/10/08
• Sheet "Plan" BB &T Floor Plan, date 9/10/08
Materials submitted:
Materials Board:
• Brick: Boral: Autumn Rose
• Mortar: Lafarge: Khaki
• Gutter: Englert: Lo -Gloss White
• Downspout: Englert: Red
• EIFS: Senergy: Sahara Finish, Color: Silverado #600
• Building Precast Base: Seaboard Concrete: #7391 with lite acid wash finish
• Roof: G.A.F. Timberline Series: Timberline Ultra, Color: Slate Blend
• Door/Window Storefront: YKK: Bone White. 1" tinted. temaered class
Issue: Drive -thru Visibility /Canopy Design
Comments: Sheet Al Amended Site Plan shows the bank building oriented with its side (north) elevation
facing the EC and a 3 lane drive -thru adjoining the west elevation of the bank, with the outermost (west)
ARB 10/6/2008 BB &T @ Blue Ridge Shopping Center, Preliminary - Page 2
lane providing access to an ATM machine. Vehicles would access the drive -thru from the north;
therefore, stacking room for vehicles using the facility would be located on the north (EC) side of the
canopy. Buildings in the Entrance Corridor are supposed to be oriented to the EC, giving the impression
that they face the Corridor. The building in the present layout has its side to the Corridor. The drive -thru
and ATM machine are considered service uses and mechanical equipment, which the Entrance Corridor
Guidelines indicate should not be visible from the Corridor. In the current layout, the drive -thru would be
highly visible from the EC with the ATM having some limited visibility. The forms and colors of the
proposed ATM are uncoordinated with the building architecture. Turning the building counterclockwise
90 degrees would allow the front elevation to address (face) the EC. It would also allow the building itself
to more effectively screen views of the drive -thru and ATM.
In the proposed location, the roof form of the drive -thru is not appropriate for the Entrance Corridor.
Elevation drawings on Sheet A3 show the bank building with a cross gable roof form. The cross gable
relationship is created by the north -south primary ridge line that is intersected to the west by the lower
gable form of the drive -thru and to the east by the gable form over the bank entrance. The gable form over
the drive -thru is 40' longer and 1 -1/2' lower in height than the opposing gable form from the east.
Traditional architecture, on which this design is based, is known for its reliance on balance and symmetry.
The north (EC) elevation of this proposal has an unbalanced, asymmetrical appearance due to the design
of the roof form over the drive -thru. As a result, the drive -thru canopy has too much prominence in the
hierarchy of the overall building design. A bank roof form of opposing gables near equal in size and
height, with a corresponding drive -thru canopy form that is secondary, and complimentary, in both design
and size, would be more appropriate.
Recommendations: Revise the building /site layout by turning the building clockwise 90 degrees to allow
the front elevation to address (face) the Route 250W EC, also allowing the building itself to more
effectively screen views of the drive -thru and ATM. If the drive -thru is approved in its current location,
revise the bank design by providing a bank roof form of opposing gables near equal in size and height,
with a corresponding drive -thru canopy form that is secondary, and complimentary, in both design and
size.
Issue: Interior Landscaping/ Perimeter Landscaping/Drive -thru
Comments: Sheet Al Landscape Plan shows perimeter landscaping previously approved with the review
of the shopping center; however, with the exception of 4 London Plane trees (Willow Oak alternate) in
planting islands around the bank, the drawing does not show proposed landscaping interior to Outparcel
D. The location of trees and shrubs in the rendered elevations provided with this submission does not
correspond with the locations on Sheet Al Landscape Plan. A landscape proposal for Outparcel D,
addressing all ARB guidelines, should be included with the next submission. Guidelines to be addressed
include the need for:
• 1 tree per 10 parking spaces provided, 2 1 /2" caliper minimum at planting, evenly distributed
throughout the parking area.
• Shrubs, 24" minimum at planting, to integrate the site, buildings, and accessory structures.
EC frontage landscaping, approved with the review of the shopping center, includes London Plane trees
(Willow Oak alternate), 3 1/2" caliper, 35' on center, with English Spreading Yew, Green Luster Holly,
and William Penn Barberry shrubs, 24" tall at planting, interspersed for the full width of the frontage.
Approved landscaping along the western perimeter of this proposal includes Pin Oaks, 2 1 /z" caliper, 40'
on center, with Eastern Red Cedar, 4' — 5' tall at planting, 10' on center, in between the Oaks. The
quantity and mature height (2' to 4') of the shrubs proposed along the EC frontage is inadequate for
screening views of the drive -thru. The identity of individual shrub types cannot be determined due to the
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lack of adequate labeling on the drawing. The planting design along the western perimeter appears to be
adequate for screening views of the drive -thru.
Recommendations: Revise Sheet A -1 Landscape Plan to show proposed landscaping, interior to
Outparcel D, which addresses all ARB guidelines. Guidelines to be addressed include the need for:
• 1 tree per 10 parking spaces provided, 2 1 /2" caliper minimum at planting, evenly distributed
throughout the parking area.
0 Shrubs, 24" minimum at planting, to integrate the site, buildings, and accessory structures.
Revise the drawing to clearly indicate the species of individual shrubs in the vicinity of Outparcel D.
Revise the rendering provided with this submission to accurately show the location of proposed trees and
shrubs. If the drive -thru is approved in its current location, revise Sheet A -1 Landscape Plan by providing
evergreen shrubs along the EC frontage, with mature heights of 5' minimum, in adequate numbers to
mitigate views of the drive -thru.
Issue: Windows
Comments: The north (EC) elevation drawing on Sheet A3 shows 3 tall windows equally spaced under
the pediment. The window centered beneath the louvered gable vent, and the adjacent window to the right
(west), are proposed as false windows with spandrel glass. A sample of the spandrel glass was not
included with this submission. The building floor plan, included with this submission, shows the bank
vault and teller work area located behind these false windows. The east elevation drawing on Sheet A3
shows 2 tall windows to the left (south) of the glass doors that are the main entrance to the bank. The
window immediately to the left (south) of the main entrance is proposed as a false window with spandrel
glass. The building floor plan, included with this submission, shows the electrical utility room located
behind this false window. False windows reinforce the "back of building" character that is not appropriate
for the EC. The ARB has been reluctant in the past to approve false windows that are visible from the EC
because of their simulated/mock appearance. Revising the floor plan, by placing the bank vault and teller
work room on the south side of the building, could allow for real windows in the north elevation facing
the EC. Relocating the electrical utility room or redesigning its interior could allow for real windows in
the room's current location in the east elevation. The materials board, included with this submission,
indicates that 1" tinted, tempered glass is proposed for the doors and windows. The ARB has been
reluctant in the past to approve glass with a reflectance value greater than 7 %. A sample of the proposed
material should be provided.
Recommendations: Revise the north and east elevations on Sheet A3 to clearly indicate that all windows
are real windows. This may necessitate flipping the floor plan to allow the bank vault and teller work
areas to be located on the opposite (south) side. It may also require relocating the electrical utility room or
redesigning its interior to allow for real windows in the room's current location. Provide a sample of the
glass proposed for all windows and doors along with a cut sheet indicating that it reflectance value does
not exceed 7 %. Revise Sheet A3 to include a note indicating the reflectance value of the glass.
Issue: HVAC Enclosure /As Viewed From EC
Comments: Sheets Al Amended Site Plan, A3 Interior Elevation — North and A3 Interior Elevation —
West show the location of a 12' long, 5' wide, 3' tall brick HVAC enclosure in the west corner of the
north (EC) elevation. The drawings are not labeled to identify this use. The dimensions (width, height) of
the proposed HVAC equipment were not included on the drawings. The drawings do not indicate if the
brick for the enclosure is to match the brick in the building, which would be appropriate. The grading
contours on Sheet Al appear to indicate that the grade beneath the HVAC enclosure would be
approximately 8' lower in elevation than the adjacent EC. As a result, the proposed 3' height of the
enclosure would appear to be insufficient to block EC views of the equipment. The HVAC enclosure is a
utilitarian use, partially blocking EC views of the tall windows at the west end of the north (EC)
ARB 10/6/2008 BB &T @ Blue Ridge Shopping Center, Preliminary - Page 4
elevation. The result is a lack of symmetry in building design /appearance as viewed from the EC.
Relocating the HVAC units and enclosure to the south elevation would eliminate their visibility, allowing
for a symmetrical appearance in the north (EC) elevation.
Recommendations: Revise all applicable site and building drawings by relocating the HVAC units and
enclosure to the south elevation, so as to eliminate their visibility from the EC. Revise the north (EC)
elevation by showing the westernmost window extended to the ground to match the others.
Issue: Dumpster Enclosure/Location
Comments: Sheet Al Amended Site Plan shows a proposed dumpster enclosure in the northwest corner of
the site, adjacent to the EC right -of -way. This location is too close to the Corridor and will be highly
visible. The dumpster is considered a service feature that should be located on the site where its
appearance from the EC, if any, would be limited.
Recommendations: Revise Sheet A -1 Amended Site Plan and Sheet A2 Landscape Plan by relocating the
proposed dumpster enclosure to an area on the site where its visibility from the EC, if any, would be
limited.
Issue: Building Materials/Product ID
Comments: A display board containing proposed building materials and colors was included with this
submission. The contents of that display were listed earlier in this report. The materials and colors, as
presented, blend with and compliment each other as well as the materials and colors approved for other
buildings in the shopping center. The result is an appearance that is appropriate for the EC.
Recommendations: None.
Issue: Building Signage
Comments: Signage details were not included with this submission. Elevation drawings on Sheet Al
show a wall sign BB&T in the north corner of the east elevation and the south corner of the west
elevation. Overall sign text dimensions are 6' in length and 2' in height. The applicant has verbally
indicated that the letters would either be all red or all white with internal illumination. As previously
mentioned the ATM machine, proposed underneath the canopy, is expected to have some limited
visibility from the EC. The ATM machine is considered equipment that should not be visible from the
EC, and the standard treatment of the ATM unit (colored stripes) acts as signage. Detailed drawings of the
ATM equipment should be provided with the next submission. Proposed colors and details of the ATM
equipment should be coordinated with the design of the building.
Recommendations: Provide details of all proposed building signage, and details of the proposed ATM
equipment. All signage shall meet established ARB Sign Guidelines and provide a coordinated
appearance with the building design.
Issue: Lighting
Comments: A lighting photometric plan with lighting cutsheets was not included with this submission.
Recommendations: Provide a lighting photometric plan showing the location of all proposed site, building
and decorative lighting. Provide a luminaire schedule of all proposed exterior lighting. Indicate in the
schedule all lighting options chosen, and the colors proposed for the fixtures and poles. All proposed
lighting exceeding the 3,000 lumens threshold shall be a full cutoff design. Lighting values shall not
exceed 1/z foot candle at a public right -of -way line or at a property line adjoining a residential or rural area
district.
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS
ARB 10/6/2008 BB &T @ Blue Ridge Shopping Center, Preliminary - Page 5
Staff recommends the following as the primary points of discussion:
1. The location (visibility) of the proposed drive -thru facility in relation to the Entrance Corridor.
2. The design of the drive -thru canopy.
3. The design of the north (EC) elevation, including the HVAC enclosure, and the use of false windows.
Regarding the hquest for a Special Use Permit:
Staff recommends that the ARB forward the following recommendation to the Planning Commission:
The ARB cannot support the applicant's request for a Special Use Permit for a drive -thru window due to
the close proximity of this use to the EC and the insufficient planting design for mitigating its appearance.
Staff offers the following comments on the preliminary site plan:
Revise the building /site layout by turning the building clockwise 90 degrees to allow the front
elevation to address (face) the Route 250W EC, also allowing the building itself to more effectively
screen views of the drive -thru and ATM. If the drive -thru is approved in its current location, revise
the bank design by providing a bank roof form of opposing gables near equal in size and height, with
a corresponding drive -thru canopy form that is secondary, and complimentary, in both design and
size.
2. Revise Sheet A -1 Landscape Plan to show proposed landscaping, interior to Outparcel D, which
addresses all ARB guidelines. Guidelines to be addressed include the need for:
• 1 tree per 10 parking spaces provided, 2 1 /2" caliper minimum at planting, evenly distributed
throughout the parking area.
Shrubs, 24" minimum at planting, to integrate the site, buildings, and accessory structures.
Revise the drawing to clearly indicate the species of individual shrubs in the vicinity of Outparcel D.
Revise the rendering provided with this submission to accurately show the location of proposed trees
and shrubs. If the drive -thru is approved in its current location, revise Sheet A -1 Landscape Plan by
providing evergreen shrubs along the EC frontage, with mature heights of 5' minimum, in adequate
numbers to mitigate views of the drive -thru.
3. Revise the north and east elevations on Sheet A3 to clearly indicate that all windows are real
windows. This may necessitate flipping the floor plan to allow the bank vault and teller work areas to
be located on the opposite (south) side. It may also require relocating the electrical utility room or
redesigning its interior to allow for real windows in the room's current location. Provide a sample of
the glass proposed for all windows and doors along with a cut sheet indicating that it reflectance value
does not exceed 7 %. Revise Sheet A3 to include a note indicating the reflectance value of the glass.
4. Revise all applicable site and building drawings by relocating the HVAC units and enclosure to the
south elevation, so as to eliminate their visibility from the EC. Revise the north (EC) elevation by
showing the westernmost window extended to the ground to match the others.
5. Revise Sheet A -1 Amended Site Plan and Sheet A2 Landscape Plan by relocating the proposed
dumpster enclosure to an area on the site where its visibility from the EC, if any, would be limited.
6. Provide details of all proposed building signage, and details of the proposed ATM equipment. All
signage shall meet established ARB Sign Guidelines and provide a coordinated appearance with the
building design.
ARB 10/6/2008 BB &T @ Blue Ridge Shopping Center, Preliminary - Page 6
7. Provide a lighting photometric plan showing the location of all proposed site, building and decorative
lighting. Provide a luminaire schedule of all proposed exterior lighting. Indicate in the schedule all
lighting options chosen, and the colors proposed for the fixtures and poles. All proposed lighting
exceeding the 3,000 lumens threshold shall be a full cutoff design. Lighting values shall not exceed 1/2
foot candle at a public right -of -way line or at a property line adjoining a residential or rural area
district.
ARB 10/6/2008 BB &T @ Blue Ridge Shopping Center, Preliminary - Page 7
Attachment A
pF ALB
�'IRGINZP
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: Megan Yanigloss
FROM: Brent Nelson
RE: Design Planning comments on: SP 2008 -28: BB &T Bank at Blue Ridge
Shopping Center, Drive -thru
DATE: August 5, 2008
I have reviewed the Special Use Permit application for the above referenced proposal (Rendered Building
Elevations BB &T Exterior Elevations, date 6/10/08, Site Plan Sheets Al Amended Site Plan and A2
Landscape Site Plan, date 7/16/08), and I have the following comments:
This proposal was originally scheduled for ARB review on August 4, 2008 and was deferred at the
applicant's request, to allow additional time for revising the site layout. A revised ARB submission has
not been received, so the project is not currently scheduled for ARB review. A complete staff report
assessing impacts on the Entrance Corridor will be available after the resubmittal. ARB comments on the
Special Use Permit will be provided after the ARB meeting.
Staff can provide some preliminary comments at this time.
Issue: Proposed Drive- thru/ATM Machine/Dumpster/Proximity and Orientation to Entrance
Corridor
Comments: Buildings in the Entrance Corridor are supposed to be oriented to the EC, giving the
impression that they face the Corridor. The building in the present layout has its back to the Corridor. The
Drive -thru and ATM machine are considered service uses and mechanical equipment, which the Entrance
Corridor Guidelines indicate should not be visible from the Corridor. In the current layout, they face the
EC. The forms and colors of the proposed ATM are uncoordinated with the building architecture. Turning
the building 180 degrees would allow the front building elevation to address (face) the EC. It would also
allow the building itself to more effectively screen views of the drive -thru and ATM. The proposed
dumpster enclosure is located too close to the Corridor and will be highly visible. This is considered a
service feature that should be located farther from the EC in order to mitigate its appearance.
Recommendations: Staff will not recommend approval of the proposal in its current layout, because it
does not conform to established Entrance Corridor Guidelines.
ARB 10/6/2008 BB &T @ Blue Ridge Shopping Center, Preliminary - Page 8