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HomeMy WebLinkAboutARB200800168 Staff Report Final Site Plan and Comps. 2008-12-23ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD STAFF REPORT Project #: Name ARB- 2008 -140: Crown BMW Retail Parts & Service Building Review Type Preliminary Review of a Site Development Plan Parcel Identification Tax Map 78, Parcels 15, 15B and 15B 1 Location 1295 Richmond Road: Located at the southeast corner of the intersection of Richmond Road (Route 250 East) with Pantops Park Drive Zoned Highway Commercial (HC) and Entrance Corridor (EC) Owner Astar ASB VA2 LLC; Rickey Lee and Donna G. Baumgardner Applicant Crown Automotive (Mike Craddock) Magisterial District Rivanna Proposal To construct a 1,500 sf. parts, retail and service building, with associated site improvements. ARB Meeting Date January 5, 2009 Staff Contact Margaret Maliszewski SITE/PROJECT HISTORY The ARB conducted a preliminary review of this proposal on November 3, 2008. The action letter from that review is included as Attachment A to this report. CONTEXT The site of the proposed development is that of the Pantops commercial area, which is characterized by a number of car dealerships with showrooms and outdoor display of vehicles. The site is situated on the south side of Route 250 East, just west of the existing Crown BMW showroom, and directly east of the Virginia National Bank, which was recently constructed. PROJECT CHANGES • Changes to the proposal are primarily in answer to ARB concerns. • The height of the EIFS walls at the front building has been reduced to eliminate the top -heavy appearance. • The location of rooftop mechanical equipment has shifted to eliminate visibility. • The quantity of shrubs along the proposed retaining walls has been increased. • The chain link fence has been eliminated from the proposal. VISIBILITY The proposed building will be clearly visible from the EC. ARB 1/5/2009 Crown BMW - Page 1 ANALYSIS (based on Architectural sheets A1.2 and A1.4 dated 9- 15 -01; Architectural sheets A1.1R2, A1.3R2, A5.1, A2.1R2, A3.1R2, A32.R2, and A4.2R2 dated 11- 14 -08; and Architectural sheet A2.2R2 dated 11- 13 -08; Site Plan sheets Cl, C5 -6 C8 -9, C14 -20, C25 -27 and C30 dated 9/8/08; and Site Plan sheets C3 -4, C7, C10 -13, and C28 -29 dated 11/13/08) Issue: Materials Comments: • Spandrel glass is proposed above the main entrance to the building. Samples of the spandrel and the clear glass have been provided. The spandrel glass looks black. It is proposed in a very limited area under a canopy, surrounded by EIFS. The black color is not expected to have an inappropriate appearance in this limited area. • Diamond Pro straight face block in "buff' is proposed for the retaining walls. The block size is proposed at 8" x 18 5/8" x 12" deep, as indicated on the architectural drawings. A sample of the block was included with the sample board in the last review. The block sample is brown in color. Recommendations: Revise the site plan drawings to include a note identifying the size of the retaining wall block. Issue: Retaining walls Comment-,- The ARB asked for a simplified plan showing the retaining wall heights. That plan has been submitted. • There still appears to be a discrepancy between the site plan and the side elevation drawing (2/A2.2) regarding the coordination of the retaining walls and the ornamental railing. The elevation drawing shows the middle wall starting at about 4' tall and the site plan shows it at 1' tall. The site plan does not show the railing extending all the way to the northern end of the retaining wall as the elevation does. • Guide rail is proposed inside the ornamental rail. Although guide rail has a strictly utilitarian appearance, which is not appropriate for the EC, the ornamental railing is expected to mitigate its appearance from the EC. Recommendation: Revise the site plan and elevations to coordinate the retaining wall and railing proposal regarding starting /ending points and heights. Issue: Tree protection/Planting Comments: • The plans show a tree line to remain on the adjacent parcel along the south and east sides of parcel 15B. There is no tree protection in this area. • Tree protection is shown around the existing tree near the proposed dumpster, but proposed grading is shown inside the protected area. • Since the last review, the landscape plan along the west side of the site has been revised to reflect the fact that the existing wooded area along People's Place (previously Pantops Park Drive) will be removed with the construction of the proposed development. The planting along the retaining walls includes a row of Willow Oaks as previously proposed. These are supplemented in the new plan with four Allee Elms, which are located in the People's Place right -of -way. A group of three Red Maples is proposed at the northwest corner of the site. There are a total of 13 Red Maples shown on the plan, but only 12 are identified in the plant list. • The ARB asked for additional plants along the retaining walls and confirmation from an arborist that the plants would thrive. The quantity of rhododendron has been increased along the walls so that the plants will eventually form nearly continuous rows along the terraced walls. The arborist's confirmation was not included in the submittal, but the applicant has received it and will forward it. ARB 1/5/2009 Crown BMW - Page 2 Recommendations: • Provide tree protection fencing for the trees along the south and east property lines of parcel 15B. • Revise the plans to resolve the grading /fencing conflict at the existing tree near the proposed dumpster. • Provide confirmation from an arborist that the plants along the retaining walls will survive. • Revise the plant list to show the quantity of Red Maples as 13. Issue: Lighting Comments: Cuts sheets have not been provided for the WD light fixtures. Recommendations: Provide on the plan and for review cut sheets for the WD light fixtures. Issue: Display parking Comments: The previously approved display parking area shown on the current plan is not completely accurate. The display area is shown on Sheet C3 in 5 gray shaded boxes. The lower left box is not accurate; the shaded box represents a display area larger than was approved. There is an "Existing Display Area" note on Sheet C4 that corresponds to this area. Recommendations: Revise the site plan to accurately illustrate the exact extent of existing display parking area to remain. Ensure that the entire area to remain corresponds to previously approved display parking area. Coordinate "Existing Display Parking" notes to correspond to the previously approved display area. Issue: Dumpsters Comments: Dumpster enclosure details are included in the architectural drawings, but not in the site plan drawings. They are required to be part of the site plan. The color of the dumpster gates has not been identified on the plans. The dumpsters are aligned with the entrance into the site, but they are located approximately 160' from the EC, and at an angle to the road. A medium earth tone would be appropriate for the gates. Recommendations: Revise the dumpster enclosure detail to indicate the color of the gates. Ensure that the color minimizes visibility. Provide a color sample. Include the dumpster enclosure details in the site plan set. Issue: Rooftop Mechanical Equipment Comments: During the last review, there was a concern that rooftop mechanical equipment might be visible from the EC. The unit that was located on the rear service portion of the building has been relocated closer to the front of the building, and the units on the side wings have been moved to the center. The elevations show the equipment using a dashed line. The equipment is not expected to be visible from the EC. However, the larger 15 -ton unit was not included in the front elevation drawing. Recommendations: Revise the front elevation drawing to include the 15 -ton rooftop mechanical unit. Issue: Signage Comments: The applicant has provided additional information on the proposed wall signs and the freestanding sign for the site. The wall signs ( "BMW of Charlottesville" and "Service ") are now intended to match the existing halo -lit channel letter wall signs at the existing dealership. The applicant intends to move the existing monument sign to the location shown on the site plan. The applicant should note that sign permits are required for all of these proposed signs, even if they exist on the adjacent site, and final approval is granted through the sign permit process. Recommendations: None. ARB 1/5/2009 Crown BMW - Page 3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Staff recommends the following as the primary points of discussion: 1. Retaining walls and railings 2. Planting — character and quantity at retaining walls Staff recommends approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness pending staff administrative approval of the following conditions: 1. Revise the site plan drawings to include a note identifying the size of the retaining wall block. 2. Revise the site plan and elevations to coordinate the retaining wall and railing proposal regarding starting /ending points and heights. 3. Provide tree protection fencing for the trees along the south and east property lines of parcel 15B. 4. Revise the plans to resolve the grading /fencing conflict at the existing tree near the proposed dumpster. 5. Provide confirmation from an arborist that the plants along the retaining walls will survive. 6. Revise the plant list to show the quantity of Red Maples as 13 to match the drawing. 7. Provide on the plan and for review cut sheets for the WD light fixtures. 8. Revise the site plan to accurately illustrate the exact extent of existing display parking area to remain. Ensure that the entire area to remain corresponds to previously approved display parking area. Coordinate "Existing Display Parking" notes to correspond to the previously approved display area. 9. Revise the dumpster enclosure detail to indicate the color of the gates. Ensure that the color minimizes visibility. Provide a color sample. Include the dumpster enclosure details in the site plan set. 10. Revise the front elevation drawing to include the 15 -ton rooftop mechanical unit. ARB 1/5/2009 Crown BMW - Page 4 Attachment A COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE Department of Community Development 401 McIntire Road, North Wing Charlottesville, Virginia 22902 -4596 Phone (434) 296 -5832 Fax (434) 972 -4126 November 7, 2008 Richard Ball/ Architect 5921 -H West Friendly Ave Greensboro Nc 27410 RE: ARB2008 -00140 Crown BMW Retail Parts & Service Building Tax Map 78, Parcels 15,15B and 15131 Dear Mr. Ball: The Albemarle County Architectural Review Board, at its meeting on November 3, 2008, completed a preliminary review of the above -noted request to construct a 1,500 s.f. parts, retail and service building, with associated site improvements. The Board offered the following comments for the benefit of the applicant's next submittal. Please note that the following comments are those that have been identified at this time. Additional comments may be added or eliminated based on further review and changes to the plan. 1. Add a note to the site plan and architectural drawings indicating that equipment shall not be visible from the EC. 2. Shift the rooftop mechanical unit for the service area to ensure that it won't be visible from the EC. 3. Reduce the top -heavy appearance of the EIFS and to bring the parts and service building into scale with the dealership building, while maintaining screening of rooftop equipment. 4. Indicate on the drawings the color /finish for the inside surface of the taller parapet wall that is adjacent to the curved parapet. 5. Indicate on the plans the type of glass proposed for the windows in the parts storage area. If other than clear, un- tinted glass, provide a sample for review. 6. Provide a sample of the spandrel glass proposed for the entrance. 7. Provide for review all details on all proposed wall signs. Consult the ARB Sign Review Checklist for requirements. 8. Revise the landscape plan to show the addition of ground cover or other plants to further integrate the monument sign into the overall landscape development of the site. 9. Revise the planting plan to increase the quantity of plants along and between the retaining walls. Provide documentation from an arborist indicating that the proposed plants will thrive. 10. Revise the site plan and /or elevations to reflect the same retaining wall and railing design. 11. Extend the perspective view showing the west elevation of the building to include the retaining walls on the west side of the site. Include versions with and without the proposed planting along the walls. Provide a simple, clear plan that shows top of wall and bottom of wall elevations for each wall. 12. Revise the site plan and site details to eliminate the chain link fence. Show an alternate fence /railing that ARB 1/5/2009 Crown BMW - Page 5 has an appropriate appearance for the EC. Include a fence /railing detail that identifies railing size, material and color. 13. Revise the site plan and elevations to indicate the manufacturer name and color name of the block proposed for the retaining walls, as well as the scale of the block. 14. Revise the plans to show accurate "tree lines to remain ", particularly in the area along the east side of Pantops Park Drive and along the south and east sides of Parcel 15B. If trees are to remain along Pantops Park Drive, indicate them individually on the plan by size and species and coordinate the proposed trees and shrubs with the existing trees. 15. Show tree protection on the landscape, grading, and E &S plans. 16. Revise the plan to move all proposed development away from the existing tree to remain that is located northeast of the dumpster area and show tree protection around the tree, or show that the tree is to be removed and show a replacement tree in this location. 17. Include a note on the landscape plan referencing the Flow site plan (SDP- 08 -38) for planting along the east side of Parcel 15. 18. Revise the landscape plan and /or plant list to coordinate the quantity of Willow Oak, Red Maple, and Clethra. 19. Add the following note to the plan: "All site plantings of trees and shrubs shall be allowed to reach, and be maintained at, mature height; the topping of trees is prohibited. Shrubs and trees shall be pruned minimally and only to support the overall health of the plant." 20. Clarify and coordinate the site plan sheets regarding the relocated electric and /or light poles. If any changes to the type or location of existing light fixtures on parcel 15 are proposed, provide an updated photometric plan that includes parcel 15. 21. Clarify the meaning of the luminaire schedule note that reads "prorated from standard metal halide ". 22. Revise the photometric plan using an LLF of 1.0 23. Provide on the plan cut sheets for each proposed fixture that illustrate the location of the lamp within each fixture. 24. Coordinate the light pole and pipe locations on the east side of parcel 15B. 25. Add the following standard lighting note to the site plan: "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 districts shall not exceed one half footcandle." 26. Revise the site plan to clearly show the exact extent of existing display parking area to remain. Ensure that the entire area to remain corresponds to previously approved display parking area. 27. Provide a dumpster enclosure detail on the plan. Ensure that the enclosure is coordinated with the appearance of the proposed development. 28. For the resubmittal, provide 3 sets of complete drawings and provide 5 sets of the landscape and grading plans, the building elevations, and the retaining wall elevations at 24" x 36 "; provide the other drawings at half -size. 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.ora /olannina. Revised drawings addressing the comments listed above are required. Include updated ARB revision dates on each drawing and an ARB approval signature panel. Please provide a memo including detailed responses indicating how each comment has been addressed. If changes other than those requested have been made, identify those changes in the memo also. Highlighting the changes in the drawing with "clouding" or by other means will facilitate review and approval. If you have any questions concerning any of the above, please feel free to call me. Sincerely, ARB 1/5/2009 Crown BMW - Page 6 Margaret Maliszewski Principal Planner Cc: Crown Automotive/ Mike Craddock 3633 -C West Wendover Greensboro Nc 27407 Baumgardner, Rickey Lee Or Donna 1252 Still Meadow Ave Charlottesville, Va 22901 ARB File ARB 1/5/2009 Crown BMW - Page 7