HomeMy WebLinkAboutARB200900069 Review Comments Final Site Plan and Comps. 2009-10-01ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD STAFF REPORT
Project #: Name
ARB- 2009 -69: South Plains Presbyterian Church
Review Type
Final Review of a Site Development Plan
Parcel Identification
Tax Map 80, Parcel 116
Location
On the south corner of the intersection of Louisa Road (SR 22) and Black
Cat Road (SR 616)
Zoned
Rural Areas (RA) and Entrance Corridor (EC)
Owner
South Plains Presbyterian Church of Keswick Virginia, Inc.
Applicant
David K. Garth, Pastor
Magisterial District
Rivanna
Proposal
To construct an approximately 5200 sq. ft. Fellowship Hall as Phase I of
church expansion
ARB Meeting Date
October 19, 2009
Staff Contact
Eryn Brennan
SITE/PROJECT HISTORY
A small, vernacular 19`h century Gothic Revival chapel and manse currently exist on this wooded, pastoral site.
The manse was built in the 1870s to replace the original manse which had burned. Both structures contribute to
the Southwest Mountains Rural Historic District. A cemetery, owned by the Church, is located in the southeast
corner of the parcel.
The ARB conducted a preliminary review of this proposal on July 20, 2009. The action letter from that
meeting is included as Attachment A to this report. The board offered a series of comments for the benefit of
the applicant's next submittal. The applicant made an initial resubmittal on August 3, 2009 to be reviewed by
the ARB on September 21, 2009. The application was reviewed by staff, and staff recommended that the
applicant defer because several recommendations from the preliminary review had not been addressed. The
applicant then agreed to defer on September 2, 2009. On September 8, 2009, the applicant resubmitted a
revised application, with revisions to the landscape plan and elevation drawings to address more of the issues
identified by the ARB during the preliminary review. This report is an analysis of that revised submittal.
CONTEXT/VISIBILITY
The site is located on the south corner of the intersection of Louisa Road and Black Cat Road in Keswick. The
primarily deciduously wooded site has several significant trees of substantial size, and the gravel parking area
for the existing church is located in the northeast portion of the parcel along Black Cat Road. The southernmost
portion of the parcel is cleared. The parcel is situated in an idyllic, rural setting, with cleared open parcels to
the east, densely wooded parcels to the north, and large residential lots to the south and southwest.
ARB 10/19/2009 South Plains Presbyterian Church Final - Page 1
The existing church and rectory are readily visible from the EC. Likewise, given its height and mass, at the
completion of Phase I construction, the north, east, and west elevations of the proposed Fellowship Hall will
also be readily visible from the EC. (Eventually, with the completion of Phase H construction, the western
elevation of the Fellowship Hall will be obscured by the new sanctuary.) The Fellowship Hall will effectively
obscure all but the west fagade and roof of the manse from the EC.
CHANGES TO THE PROPOSAL
Changes to the proposal since the last review include the addition of ornamental trees interspersed among the
large extant trees on the site in front of the proposed development and the existing parking area. Other changes
to the proposal include the submission of elevation drawings for the east and west elevations, and revisions to
the north elevation that result in a much more simplified, refined design.
ANALYSIS based on:
• Site Plan Sheets, T -1.0, C- 1.0 -1.2, dated 9/8/09
• Architectural Drawings, A -1 — A -4, dated 9/8/09
• Photos of the site
• Brick Material Sample: Lawrenceville Brick, Gunston
• Roof Shingle Sample: Certainteed, Charcoal Black
• Paint Samples:
• Wood Lap Siding Paint: Benjamin Moore, Navajo White
• Wood Doors Paint: Benjamin Moore, Norwich Brown
Issue: Building Design
Comments:
1. The north elevation has been revised and simplified. The 1/1 windows located in the arched recessed
panels have arched heads with brick detailing, but the placement of the windows in the arches has an
awkward appearance.
2. The 2/1 windows shown on the north elevation are not coordinated with the 1/1 windows. The
perspective drawing shows the windows flanking the arched recessed panels as 1 /1, which appears to
be more appropriate in this location.
3. A single column is shown on the east elevation of the perspective drawing and on the upper floor plan.
The design of the building has been simplified and refined by eliminating extraneous ornament, and
only this single column remains. However, it is not anticipated that the column will be visible from the
EC.
4. It was the consensus of the board at the July meeting that the manse does not have to be hidden, but if
it is visible, it must be incorporated into the fabric of the design. The roof height of the proposed
development has been lowered and reduced in scale; however, the roof of the manse is now visible
and does not appear to be incorporated into the fabric of the design.
Recommendations:
1. Revise the location of the 1/1 windows within the arched recessed areas along the elevation so that
they are centered, and therefore, more coordinated with the architectural elements in which they are
placed.
2. Revise the 2/1 windows on the north elevation to 1 /1.
3. Revise the drawings for the new development to incorporate the roof of the manse into the fabric of
the overall design.
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SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends the following as the primary points of discussion:
1. The window type and location on the north fagade.
2. The manse roof.
Staff recommends approval with the following conditions:
1. Revise the location of the 1/1 windows within the arched recessed areas along the elevation so that
they are centered, and therefore, more coordinated with the architectural elements in which they are
placed.
2. Revise the 2/1 windows on the north elevation to 1 /1.
3. Revise the drawings for the new development to incorporate the roof of the manse into the fabric of
the overall design.
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