HomeMy WebLinkAboutSP200800039 Review Comments Special Use Permit 2008-09-09COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE
Department of Community Development
401 McIntire Road, North Wing
Charlottesville, Virginia 22902-4596
Phone (434) 296-5832 Fax (434) 972-4126
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Megan Yaniglos
FROM:
Brent Nelson
RE:
Coleman: SP -08-39
DATE:
September 5, 2008
The personal wireless services facility is proposed for a site in the Southwest Mountains Rural Historic
District, a National Register district on the Route 20 Entrance Corridor. A balloon test was conducted for
this proposal on August 20, 2008. Routes 6, 20, 626, 715, and Dyers Mill Lane, and the Totier Creek Farm
driveway were traveled to determine the extent of visibility of the proposal. The balloon was only visible
for a short distance along a portion of the Route 6 Corridor that adjoins the neighboring parcel immediately
west of the project area and from the driveway of that neighboring parcel. When the balloon was seen from
the EC, it was approximately a half mile from the Corridor and seen in breaks in the distant trees. As a
result of the distance from which the balloon was seen, and the tree line in between, there was not a
material difference in the visibility when the balloon was reduced in height from 10' above the reference
tree to 7' above the treetop. When the balloon was seen from the driveway of the adjoining parcel to the
west, it was viewed at a significant distance and between breaks in the trees. As a result, there was not a
material difference in the visibility when the balloon was reduced in height from 10' above the reference
tree to 7' above the treetop.
At the requested height of 10' above the reference tree, the facility is not expected to intrude into important
public views or historic landscapes by visually overwhelming its surroundings, dominating the setting, or
creating a focal point. It is not anticipated that the public will be visually aware of the proposal, allowing
their enjoyment of the rural historic district to remain undisrupted. As a result, adverse impacts on the
scenic quality of the district are not anticipated. The proposed work is not expected to cause damage to any
historic resource. Whereas the removal of 16 existing trees is a part of the proposal, the loss of these trees
is not expected to significantly impact the district due to its overall size, the project area's distance from
roadways, and its location within a 614 acre parcel.