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HomeMy WebLinkAboutARB200800163 Staff Report Final Site Plan and Comps. 2008-12-08ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD STAFF REPORT Project #: Name ARB- 2008 -163: Walmart Store Expansion ( #1780) Review Type Final Review of a Site Development Plan Parcel Identification Tax Map 45, Parcel 68135 Location 975 Hilton Heights Road, west of Route 29 North, and south of Hilton Heights Road. Zoned Highway Commercial (HC), Entrance Corridor (EC) Owner Wal -Mart Real Estate Business c/o Wal -Mart Stores #1780 Applicant Wal -Mart Stores, Inc. Magisterial District Rio Proposal To construct a 35,000 sf addition including a new vestibule entryway, three loading bays, and to undertake associated site improvements. ARB Meeting Date December 15, 2008 Staff Contact Eryn Brennan SITE/PROJECT HISTORY October 6, 2008: ARB 2008 -124: Walmart Store Expansion, Preliminary Site Development Plan. Comments regarding the Preliminary Site Plan were provided for the benefit of the applicant's next submission (see Attachment A). The original Wal -Mart building was approved by the ARB on June 10,1991. Since that time a number of applications have been reviewed for signs, the gardening center, and outdoor storage and display. CONTEXT The subject parcel is 13.3 acres in size and located east of Berkmar Drive and west of 29 North (Seminole Trail). The context of the site is that of the North 29 commercial corridor characterized by large stores and parking lots. The front (east) half of the site (closest to 29 North) slopes down from the road and is a flat, paved parking lot. The Wal -Mart store sits on the rear potion of the lot approximately 400 feet from the Entrance Corridor. A short, steep engineered slope rises behind the store, along the west lot line, and along the south lot line. The parcel is separated by Hilton Heights Road from a developed site to the north containing Sam's Club. Jim Price Chevrolet is located on the adjoining parcel to the south. VISIBILITY The subject parcel is highly visible from the Entrance Corridor. The proposed monument sign, fagade and entrance redesign, landscape changes between the parking lot and 29 North, 35,000 sq. ft. addition, parking lot improvements, and redesigned parking area in the southeast corner of the site will be highly visible from the EC. The proposed new retaining wall south of the addition will be somewhat visible from the EC, although material color and details may be difficult to discern. The proposed addition of three loading bays in the loading dock area and the new truck exit on Hilton Heights Road will not be visible from the EC. PROJECT DETAILS /CHANGES IN THE PROPOSAL The applicant proposes to construct a one - story, 35,000 sq. ft. addition to the existing Wal -Mart store located in the Hwy. 29 commercial corridor. The addition would be located on the southwest portion of the building and would extend the entire depth of the building. The applicant is also proposing to upgrade the existing front ARB 12/15/2008 Walmart Store Expansion Final - Page -1 elevation by adding recessed and projecting bay elements, creating two separate entrance /exit areas, installing a permanent covered overhead awning -like projection, and new wall sign and logo. Other proposed changes include replacing the existing monument sign on Hwy. 29 with a new monument sign, reducing the height of the light poles in the parking lot, constructing a new truck ingress and egress on Hilton Heights Road, building a new retaining wall next to the expansion, adding new directional signage, increasing landscaping on the site, installing 8 Filterra water quality units, removing outdoor storage trailers, and expanding the loading dock area near Hilton Heights Road. Changes since the previous review have been in response to ARB comments including revising the proposed materials and colors, increasing the landscaping along the EC, and providing details of the proposed signage. ANALYSIS based on: Site plan drawings submitted: • Sheet ARB -1 "Demo Site Plan" date 8/11/08. • Sheet ARB -2 "Site Plan Exhibit" date 8/11/08. • Sheet ARB -3 "Utility Plan Exhibit" date 8/11/08. • Sheet ARB -4 "Grading Plan Exhibit" date 8/11/08. • Sheet ARB -5 "Retaining Wall Exhibit" date 10/31/08. • Sheet ARB -6 "Existing Landscape Plan Exhibit" date 10/31/08. • Sheet ARB -7 "New Landscape Plan Exhibit" date 8/11/08. • Sheet ARB -8 "Lighting Plan Exhibit" date 10/31/08. Architectural drawings submitted: • Rooftop Compressor Site Line Study (A), received 11/3/08. • Rooftop Compressor Site Line Study (B), received 11/3/08. • Site Sections, 11/3/08. • Front, Rear, Left, and Right Elevations, 11/3/08. • Proposed Signage Schedule, received 11/3/08. • Monument Sign Drawing, received 11/3/08. • Building Signage Details, received 11/3/08. • Sidewalk Plan and Pedestrian Amenities, received 11/3/08. • Window details and Elevation Comparison, received 11/3/08. • Light Fixture Elevations, received 11/3/08. • Site Line Study Plan, received 11/3/08. Issues: Materials and colors Comments: At the previous review for the Preliminary Site Plan submission, the board included the following comment in their action: Provide alternative color choices for the Trespa Meteon Metallic Panel "Copper Yellow" for review. The applicant did change the Trespa Meteon Metallic "Copper Yellow" Panels to Trespa Meteon "Mahogany Red" Panels, but no material samples have been provided. Recommendations: Provide a sample of the Trespa Meteon "Mahogany Red" Panel proposed for the front fagade. Issues: Building Form Comments: The applicant was asked to reduce the number of colors and textures of the front fagade to present a more cohesive, coordinated design. The applicant did revise the color scheme for the front elevation, the result of which is a more coordinated, cohesive design that meets the EC Guidelines. Recommendations: None. ARB 12/15/2008 Walmart Store Final Expansion - Page -2 Issues: Landscaping Comments: The applicant was asked to submit a revised landscape plan drawn at the same scale as the other drawings. Sheet 7 New Landscape Plan Exhibit was submitted at the same scale as the other drawings; however, some of the landscape identification labels closest to the EC have been cut off. Recommendations: Revise Sheet 7 New Landscape Plan Exhibit to show all of the landscape identification labels along the EC. Issues: Retaining Walls Comments: The applicant was asked to submit color samples and block size for the proposed new retaining wall along the northwest portion of the property line. The applicant has stated on Sheet ARB -5 Retaining Wall Exhibit that the new retaining wall will be poured concrete to match the existing concrete retaining wall, therefore no material samples are required. The applicant was also asked to submit an elevation of the proposed retaining wall in order to determine its height and visibility from the EC. The applicant has provided a section of the retaining wall that shows the height of the wall nearest the EC to stand approximately eight to ten feet high. Given the 400' distance of the proposed retaining wall from the EC, the visual impact of the proposed retaining wall will be minimal. Recommendations: Revise Sheet ARB -5 Retaining Wall Exhibit to state that the new concrete retaining wall will match the existing concrete retaining wall. Issues: Lighting Comments: The applicant was asked to submit a photometric plan for the entire site using an LLF of 1.0. Some of calculations in the luminaire schedule continue to use an LLF of 0.75. The applicant was also asked to submit cut sheets for all the proposed light fixtures, freestanding light poles, and bollards. The applicant did submit cut sheets, but did not provide color choices for all of the proposed lighting. The applicant provided individual (8 '/2 x 11) cut sheets of all proposed lighting. Lighting cut sheets, illustrating the fixture and placement of the bulb, must be included in the full size set of drawings and not on smaller, separate sheets. Recommendations: Revise the photometric plan using an LLF of 1.0 for all the calculations in the luminaire schedule. Provide a color choice on the cut sheets for all the proposed light fixtures, freestanding light poles, and bollards. Revise the lighting plan to include the proposed lighting cut sheets, illustrating the fixture and placement of the bulb, within the set of full size site plan/lighting plan drawings. Issues: Parking Spaces Comments: The applicant was asked to adjust the parking count to take into consideration the parking spaces lost to cart corrals. Sheet ARB 2 Site Plan Exhibit submitted most recently indicates that there are 28 cart corrals in the parking area; however the applicant has stated that the number of corrals has been reduced to 14. The applicant was also asked to add the note: Outdoor storage and display in the parking lot approved under previous special use permits cannot be used unless sufficient parking is provided on the plan. That note has not been included on the plan. Recommendations: Adjust the parking count on Sheet ARB -2 to show that the number of cart corrals has been reduced to 14, as stated by the applicant, and adjust the parking count. Add the following note to the plan: Outdoor storage and display in the parking lot approved under previous special use permits cannot be used unless sufficient parking is provided. Issues: Channel Letter Wall Signs Comments: The applicant was asked to provide complete details on any proposed wall signs. The applicant has provided a sign package composed of four channel letter wall signs: SIGN 1 Type: Channel letter Overall Sign Size: 29' -8" (w) x Y -5" (h) Text: Market & Pharmacy ARB 12/15/2008 Walmart Store Final Expansion - Page -3 Colors: White Illumination: The sign would be externally illuminated using a Knuckle Mounted Linear Florescent Light located on top of the transparent canopy under the sign. Location: Located under the curved roof element on the west end of the front fagade. SIGN 2 Type: Channel letter Overall Sign Size: 34' (w) x 8' -7" (h) Text: Walmart Colors: White Illumination: The sign is proposed to be internally lit using LED lighting. Location: Located in the central arched element on the front fagade. SIGN 3 Type: Channel letter Overall Sign Size: 21' -9" (w) x 3' -4" (h) Text: Home & Living Colors: White Illumination: The sign would be externally illuminated using a Knuckle Mounted Linear Florescent Light located on top of the transparent canopy under the sign. Location: Located under the curved roof element on the east end of the front fagade. SIGN 4 Type: Channel letter Overall Sign Size: 22' -7" (w) x 3' -4" (h) Text: Outdoor Living Colors: White Illumination: None. Location: Located under the curved roof element on the far east end of the building. The following issues have been identified regarding the four proposed white channel letter wall signs: • The material of each sign has not been specified on the drawing. • The way in which the channel letter wall signs will be mounted to the building has not been specified. If the channel letter signs are to be raceway - mounted, the raceway should match the wall color. • The Albemarle County Zoning Division determined that the maximum allowed square footage for wall signs on the building is 320 sq. ft. The four proposed wall signs total 449.99 sq. ft., and therefore exceed the maximum square footage allowed by 129.99 sq. ft. • Dimensioned drawings showing the location of the channel letter signs under the east and west curved roof elements on the front elevation have not been provided. These drawings are necessary to determine whether there is an appropriate amount of unoccupied space above and below the signs, as required by EC Guidelines. • The Building Signage Details drawing does not include the note: Channel letters with translucent faces shall be constructed such that no light spills outward from the top, bottom, sides or back. • The Building Signage Details drawing does not include the LED lighting note: The level of illumination provided by the LED lights will not exceed the illumination produced by a single stroke of 30 milliamp (ma) neon. • The Knuckle Mount Linear Florescent Light fixtures shown under the proposed "Home & Living" and "Market & Pharmacy" channel letter wall signs are proposed with 54 Watt bulbs and are not full cutoff fixtures. The Albemarle County Zoning Ordinance states that any florescent light exceeding 35 Watts shall be a full cutoff fixture. Additionally, the use of florescent light fixtures mounted on top of the translucent canopies does not shield the light to eliminate glare, as required by the EC Guidelines. ARB 12/15/2008 Walmart Store Final Expansion - Page -4 • The applicant provided individual (8 1/2 x 11) cut sheets of all proposed lighting. Lighting cut sheets, illustrating the fixture and placement of the bulb, must be included in the full size set of drawings and not on smaller, separate sheets. Recommendations: • Specify the type of material proposed for each sign on the sign drawing. • Specify how all the channel letter wall signs will be mounted to the building. If the channel letter signs are to be raceway- mounted, add a note on the sign drawing stating that the raceway shall match the wall color. • Reduce the total amount of square footage for proposed signage on the front facade to 320', as required by the Albemarle County Zoning Ordinance. • Provide dimensioned drawings showing the location of the channel letter wall signs under the east and west curved roof elements on the front elevation in order to determine that there is an appropriate amount of unoccupied space above and below the signs. Typically, a ratio of 1/3 text to 2/3 wall area or 1/a text to 3/a wall area is a good working proportioning system for placing a sign on a building. • Add this note to the Building Signage Details drawing: Channel letters with translucent faces shall be constructed such that no light spills outward from the top, bottom, sides or back. • Add this note to the Building Signage Details drawing: The level of illumination provided by the LED lights will not exceed the illumination produced by a single stroke of 30 milliamp (ma) neon. • Revise the proposed light fixtures underneath the "Home & Living" and "Market & Pharmacy" channel letter signs to a light fixture that is a full cutoff style fixture or revise the proposed florescent light source to a bulb that is less than 35 Watts in a fixture that shields the light to eliminate glare, as required by the EC Guidelines. • Revise the lighting plan to include the proposed lighting cut sheets, illustrating the fixture and placement of the bulb, within the set of full size site plan/lighting plan drawings. Issues: Freestanding Monument Sign Comments: The applicant was asked to provide a color sample of the blue proposed for the background of the freestanding monument sign. No color sample has been provided. As requested, the applicant identified on the Sheet 7 New Landscape Plan Exhibit the species proposed to be placed in the planters of the monument sign; however, the landscape note identifying the species of plant around the sign has been cut off. The Albemarle County Zoning Ordinance states that the total square footage allowed for a freestanding sign in a Highway Commercial district is 32 sq. ft. The proposed monument sign is 56 sq. ft., and therefore exceeds the maximum allowed square footage. Recommendations: Provide a color sample for the blue proposed for the background of the monument sign. Revise Sheet 7 New Landscape Plan Exhibit to show the species proposed to be planted around the monument sign. Reduce the total sign area of the proposed monument sign to comply a maximum size of 32 square feet as permitted by the zoning ordinance. Issues: Freestanding Pole Light Base Color Comments: The applicant has indicated that the 3' base for each of the freestanding pole lights in the parking area will be painted yellow for safety reasons. The photometric plan does not indicate that the 3' bases are to be painted yellow. A bright yellow color would be inappropriate in the EC. A dark tinted concrete for the proposed bases would be appropriate. Recommendations: Revise Sheet ARB -8 Lighting Plan Exhibit to show a dark tinted concrete for the 3' tall pole light base in place of the proposed yellow paint color. Provide a sample of the concrete tint. SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Staff recommends the following as the primary points of discussion: 1. The size of the channel letter wall signs. ARB 12/15/2008 Walmart Store Final Expansion - Page -5 2. The use of florescent lights under two of the proposed channel letter wall signs. 3. The background color of the freestanding monument sign. 4. The color proposed for the freestanding pole light bases. Staff recommends approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness pending staff administrative approval of the following conditions. 1. Provide a sample of the Trespa Meteon "Mahogany Red" Panel proposed for the front facade. 2. Revise Sheet 7 New Landscape Plan Exhibit to show all of the landscape identification labels along the EC. 3. Revise Sheet ARB -5 Retaining Wall Exhibit to state that the new concrete retaining wall will match the existing concrete retaining wall. 4. Revise the photometric plan using an LLF of 1.0 for all the calculations in the luminaire schedule. Provide a color choice on the cut sheets for all the proposed light fixtures, freestanding light poles, and bollards. Revise the lighting plan to include the proposed lighting cut sheets, illustrating the fixture and placement of the bulb, within the set of full size site plan/lighting plan drawings. 5. Adjust the parking count on Sheet ARB -2 to show that the number of cart corrals has been reduced to 14, as stated by the applicant, and adjust the parking count. Add the following note to the plan: Outdoor storage and display in the parking lot approved under previous special use permits cannot be used unless sufficient parking is provided. 6. Specify the type of material proposed for each sign on the sign drawing. 7. Specify how all the channel letter wall signs will be mounted to the building. If the channel letter signs are to be raceway- mounted, add a note on the sign drawing stating that the raceway shall match the wall color. 8. Reduce the total amount of square footage for proposed signage on the front facade to 320', as required by the Albemarle County Zoning Ordinance. 9. Provide dimensioned drawings showing the location of the channel letter wall signs under the east and west curved roof elements on the front elevation in order to determine that there is an appropriate amount of unoccupied space above and below the signs. Typically, a ratio of 1/3 text to 2/3 wall area or 1/4 text to 3/a wall area is a good working proportioning system for placing a sign on a building. 10. Add this note to the Building Signage Details drawing: Channel letters with translucentfaces shall be constructed such that no light spills outward from the top, bottom, sides or back. 11. Add this note to the Building Signage Details drawing: The level of illumination provided by the LED lights will not exceed the illumination produced by a single stroke of 30 milliamp (ma) neon. 12. Revise the proposed light fixtures underneath the "Home & Living" and "Market & Pharmacy" channel letter signs to a light fixture that is a full cutoff style fixture or revise the proposed florescent light source to a bulb that is less than 35 Watts in a fixture that shields the light to eliminate glare, as required by the EC Guidelines. 13. Revise the lighting plan to include the proposed lighting cut sheets, illustrating the fixture and placement of the bulb, within the set of full size site plan/lighting plan drawings. 14. Provide a color sample for the blue proposed for the background of the monument sign. Revise Sheet 7 New Landscape Plan Exhibit to show the species proposed to be planted around the monument sign. Reduce the total sign area of the proposed monument sign to comply a maximum size of 32 square feet as permitted by the zoning ordinance. 15. Revise Sheet ARB -8 Lighting Plan Exhibit to show a dark tinted concrete for the 3' tall pole light base in place of the proposed yellow paint color. Provide a sample of the concrete tint. ARB 12/15/2008 Walmart Store Final Expansion - Page -6