HomeMy WebLinkAboutSP200800035 Review Comments Special Use Permit 2009-09-02COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE
Department of Community Development
401 McIntire Road, Room 227
Charlottesville, Virginia 22902-4596
Phone (434) 296-5832 Fax (434) 972-4126
September 2, 2009
Tim Keeney
Keeney & Company Architects, PLC
1413 Sachem Place, Suite One
Charlottesville, VA 22901
RE: SP2008-35, First Baptist Church Covesville
Dear Mr. Keeney:
Thank you for your recent application for a special use permit to construct a parking lot and new
sanctuary next to an existing church. The members of the County's Site Review Committee have
reviewed the development proposal resubmitted on August 3, 2009 and referenced above. Comments
are included below.
Planning Division
The applicant is seeking approval to construct an approximately 3,200 square foot sanctuary 34' east of
an existing church. The new sanctuary would mirror the existing church, and the entrance porches would
be connected by a covered breezeway. The existing sanctuary seating would be relocated to the new
sanctuary, and the old church would be used as a fellowship hall, with Sunday School classrooms and
offices in the basement. The proposed development would not increase the maximum number of 180
seats in the sanctuary allowed by the current Special Use Permit, and no day-care, after-school program,
or kitchen facility is proposed.
A new paved parking area is also proposed in front of the church. The proposed parking would be able
to accommodate 37 parking spaces, as opposed to the current 29 informal parking gravel spaces east of
the existing church. The new sanctuary would not represent an increase in intensity in the use of the site
and would serve to support existing activities more efficiently. The Rural Areas Section of the
Comprehensive Plan includes the achievement, maintenance, and improvement of rural land patterning.
Part of this vision includes the support of agricultural and forestal communities through community
meeting places, at rural scales, that provide the opportunity to take part in community life.
Division of Zoning and Current Development
A site plan will be required. The applicant has acknowledged the comments regarding parking and
travelways over the drainfields, and no revisions are needed at this time. However, the applicant should
note that this issue is still a concern. If it is determined that parking and travelways cannot be constructed
as proposed, the expansion authorized by the special use permit will not receive site plan approval.
During the review of the site plan, Health Department approval will be required.
SP 2008-035, First Baptist Church Covesville
2
The applicant has shown four trees on the concept plan (1 tree for every 10 parking spaces); however,
these trees are not shown in or near the parking lot, but instead are shown near the proposed sanctuary.
Although the ordinance requires landscaping to be dispersed in and around parking areas (32.7.9.7b),
waivers and modifications are permitted as stated in Section 32.7.9.3(a). The applicant should either
relocate the proposed trees in or near the parking area, or request a waiver from this section of the
ordinance.
County Engineer
A stormwater management plan and erosion control plan will be required.
The drop inlet proposed in the area of the existing drainfield will not be approvable during the site plan
review.
Architectural Review Board
No objection.
Inspections Division
No objection.
Health Department
The applicant may want to seek a private consultant to determine whether the soil is suitable for the
reserve drainfield.
Comments from each reviewer reflect information available at the time the development proposal was
reviewed, and should not be considered final. However, the Site Review Committee has attempted to
identify all issues pertaining to the approval of the proposed project. I have note been able to identify
any reason for revising your submittal.
I have note been able to identify any reason for revising your submittal. At your convenience, you may
provide one reduced size plan (11" X 17") and ten (10) full-sized copies of the Concept Plan and ten (10)
copies of any correspondence, and we can move forward with scheduling the Planning Commission meeting.
If you have questions or need additional information, please feel free to call me at 296-5832 x 3029.
Sincerely,
Eryn Brennan
Senior Planner
Cc: File