HomeMy WebLinkAboutZTA200900016 Review Comments Zoning Text Amendment 2009-09-24ALg�,��
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COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE
Department of Community Development
401 McIntire Road, North Wing
Charlottesville, Virginia 22902 -4596
Phone (434) 296 -5832 Fax (434) 972 -4126
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Joan McDowell
FROM:
Margaret Maliszewski
RE:
ZTA- 2009 -16: Montalto
DATE:
September 24, 2009
I have reviewed the Montalto zoning text amendment submittal (ZTA- 2009 -16) dated September 8, 2009
and I have the following comments.
The downward trend of attendance at historic sites and the need to accommodate activities that will help
fund renovation, operations, programming, etc. is understood. Many historic properties accommodate
events like weddings, conferences, parties and dinners, and it seems reasonable to believe that such events
could be accommodated at Montalto without detriment to the historic property, with certain precautions.
The MHD section of the zoning ordinance appears to place no limits on number of events or on number of
attendees. The applicant's current submittal states that the approved application plan accounted for the
infrastructure and logistical needs of events for 250 or more attendees. It is not clear what maximum
number of attendees can be accommodated at the site. There is a concern that repeated large -scale events
could negatively impact the historic property — both the building and the grounds. In particular, impacts
from vehicle traffic and spillover parking could have negative physical and visual impacts.
As with the original Monticello/Montalto rezonings, the impacts from lighting are also a concern. It is
recommended that the applicant consider whether there will be a need for additional lighting to
accommodate the proposed activities and, if so, it is recommended that the applicant address methods for
mitigating the impacts of such lighting.