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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSP200800029 Review Comments Special Use Permit 2008-12-23Phone (434) 296-5832 TO: FROM: DATE: RE: COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE Department of Community Development 401 McIntire Road, Room 227 Charlottesville, Virginia 22902-4596 MEMORANDUM Scott Clark Margaret Maliszewski December 23, 2008 SP -2008-29: South Plains Presbyterian Church Fax (434) 972-4126 I have reviewed the revised plan submitted for the above -referenced proposal (Sheets A0, SP1 and SP2 with revision date of 11/14/08) and I have the following historic preservation comments. The Phase 2 sanctuary has been reduced in size and its northern end is not as close to Route 22 as it previously was. Also, the rectory is now proposed to remain. These are positive revisions to the proposal. However, the overall plan still diminishes the significance of the existing historic church. The prominence of the existing church is reduced by the size and position of the fellowship hall and the phase 2 sanctuary. In addition, the rectory, now located less than 10' behind the fellowship hall, would have an extremely awkward appearance in relation to the new buildings. Building the new structures around the rectory, as proposed, ignores its historic significance and discounts its architectural form and character. The pergola is represented differently on the rendering and the site plan. These drawings should be coordinated, and elimination of the pergola from in front of the historic church is recommended to further enforce the prominence of the historic structure. Any development plan for this historic site should be established in a way that maintains the prominence of the existing sanctuary and rectory. It is recommended that new structures be located to reinforce the existing church as the main resource on site. Positioning new structures behind the front face of the existing church is recommended. It is preferred that the rectory also be retained, but maintaining the prominence of the existing church is the priority. Should demolition of the rectory ultimately be approved, it is recommended that a condition of SP approval be full documentation of the structure in photographs and drawings prior to demolition. The documentation should be undertaken by a qualified architectural historian and copies of the documentation should be provided to the County. Another recommended condition of SP approval, should demolition of the rectory be approved, is that the rectory shall not be demolished prior to approval of the site plan for the development. Some proposed grading is shown for the parking area at the back of the site and several trees are identified for removal. Additional grading would be required for this development; it is anticipated that additional trees would be lost. The character of the wooded site should be maintained with the proposed development. Planting of new trees is recommended to compensate for lost trees. Careful landscape treatment of the Route 22/Black Cat Road corner, to mitigate and integrate the parking lot, will be required. Maintaining the wooded character in the front portion of the site would also help maintain the historic character of the Route 22 corridor. Following the request of a member of the Historic Preservation Committee to see the proposal, the Historic Preservation Committee discussed the proposal at its meeting on December 22, 2008. The committee had the following comments: • The historic character of the existing sanctuary should be respected. The sanctuary and the rectory are contributing structures in the Southwest Mountains Historic District. • The proposed development does not protect the historic character of the sanctuary or the rectory. • The historic nature of Route 22 and the landscape along it should be respected. • Access to the site should be limited to Black Cat Road; access should not be made from Route 22. • Trees located between the face of the addition and Route 22 should not be disturbed. Tree protection throughout the site is extremely important. • Establish additional vegetation to compensate for lost trees, particularly at Route 22/Black Cat Road.