HomeMy WebLinkAboutSDP200900009 Review Comments Preliminary Site Plan 2009-03-02COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE
Department of Planning & Community Development
401 McIntire Road, Room 218
Charlottesville, Virginia 22902 -4596
(434) 296 - 5823
Fax (434) 972 - 4035
10V I DID% [I17:1 111005
TO: Gerald Gatobu, Principal Planner
FROM: Judy Wiegand, Senior Planner
SUBJ: SDP200900009, Rio Road Apartment Complex
DATE: February 24, 2009
Here are my comments on this preliminary site plan:
1. This preliminary site plan shows extensive use of retaining walls. The two walls between
the parking lot and the biofilter on the west side of the site are clearly labeled on Sheet 4 as
being four (4) feet high. However, the height of the wall that runs along the east side of the
parking lot on the east side of the site is not indicated, nor is the height of the wall at the
turnaround at the southern end of this parking lot. Please indicate the heights. Staff is
concerned about the appearance of the site from the apartment complex to the east.
2. The clubhouse, pool, and recreation area are located at the southern end of the site.
Residents of buildings at the northern end will have quite a walk to reach these facilities.
There are only eight (8) parking spaces located near these facilities and there are no
continuous sidewalks shown on the site plan. There should be a network of continuous
sidewalks throughout this complex in order to encourage walking to and from buildings and
facilities; residents and visitors should not have to drive everywhere. Stretches of sidewalk
are shown along the edges of parking lots and in front of buildings, but no pedestrian
facilities marked in those areas where walkers will have to cross parking lots, internal
streets, or grassy areas. Crosswalks, at least, need to be indicated on the site plan.
3. It is not clear from the site plan where the "10' gravel access road" turns into the "proposed
8 -foot mulched trailway." Will the gravel access road be used only for construction or is it
permanent?