HomeMy WebLinkAboutSDP200900018 Review Comments Major Amendment, Final Site Plan 2009-03-30*-&A
County of Albemarle
Department of Community Development
Memorandum
To: Elizabeth Marotta, Current Development Project Planner
From: Phil Custer, Current Development engineering review
Date: 30 March 2009
Subject: Major Amendment and Buffer Waiver for Blue Ridge Shopping Center
(SDP- 2009 - 00018)
The major amendment for the Blue Ridge Shipping Center has been reviewed. The engineering review for
current development can recommend approval to this site plan amendment once the following comments
have been addressed.
1. This plan set must clearly designate what areas of the site are being modified. Please
bubble the northwest corner of the property where the retaining wall was eliminated. This
amendment will serve as an addendum to the previously approved plans.
2. Please include the sheet SP1. This sheet contains critical information required for site
plans. No other sheets appear to be required in this set. The index of sheets and the sheet
labeling system (1 of 6, 2 of 6, etc.) should be updated considering that the lighting sheets
will be removed from the set.
3. Please show the additional trees mentioned in your application as proposed in the sheet set
and modify the landscape schedule.
4. All slopes steeper than 3:1 must be planted with a low maintenance, non - grassed
groundcover. If this disturbed area will be left at a 2:1 slope, please also specify a
groundcover beneath the trees. If the slope is 3:1 or flatter, please label it as such.
5. A waiver must be granted by the Planning Commission for construction within the 20ft
undisturbed buffer. The engineering analysis of this waiver request is provided below.
Engineering Analysis of the Waiver Request for Construction within the 20ft Undisturbed Buffer
Project Description
The applicant is requesting permission for the disturbance of the 20ft buffer which exists along all
boundary lines of commercial properties that are shared with residential or rural zoned parcels. During
construction this buffer was disturbed and the zoning division is currently processing a violation. The
applicant states that the area was graded when the contractor was given a drawing that did not clearly state
that this area was to be left undisturbed.
It should be noted that all previously approved plans for this parcel had proposed plantings within the
buffer area, but had not shown any grading. This latest site plan application shows proposed topography
within the buffer that approximately matches the graded contours as they currently exist on site.
Current Development
Engineering Review Comments
Page 2 of 3
Photo A: Looking south along the western curb line.
The photo above is the best available for providing context for the waiver request. In the center of the
picture is the white retaining wall at the Southwest corner of the property holding up the parking lot to
Building C. This retaining wall is located at the 20ft buffer line. The previously approved site plans had a
second wall shown on the same alignment, extending to the north, in order maintain the 20ft undisturbed
buffer when the site when from a fill operation to a cut. The 20ft buffer line runs down the center of this
photograph at the seam between the flat slope to the left and the steeper slope to the right. The height of
the slope is between 4 and 6ft.
Waiver Analysis and Recommendation
21.7 MINIMUM YARD REQUIREMENTS
The minimum yard requirements in the commercial districts are as follows:
c. Bufferzone adjacent to residential and rural areas districts. No construction activity including
grading or clearing of vegetation shall occur closer than twenty (20) feet to any residential or
rural areas district. Screening shall be provided as required in section 32.7.9. (Amended 9 -9 -92)
1. Waiver by the commission. The commission may waive the prohibition of construction
activity, grading or the clearing of vegetation in the buffer in a particular case where the
Current Development
Engineering Review Comments
Page 3 of 3
developer or subdivider demonstrates that grading or clearing is necessary or would
result in an improved site design, provided that: (i) minimum screening requirements are
met and (ii) existing landscaping in excess of minimum requirements is substantially
restored. (Added 7- 10 -85)
Current Development cannot offer any information regarding the condition of the buffer area prior to
construction or whether the proposed alternative constitutes an improved site design. The buffer had been
disturbed before the request was made.
This waiver must be granted or else the site will be in perpetual violation of the Zoning Ordinance.
Engineering review recommends approval of the waiver if the double staggered row of evergreen trees
described in section 32 -7.9.8 is provided in the plan.
File: E1 psp_sdp200800003.doc