HomeMy WebLinkAboutSP200900027 Review Comments Special Use Permit 2009-12-04ALB���
� vIRGIT`��
COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE
Department of Community Development
401 McIntire Road, Room 227
Charlottesville, Virginia 22902 -4596
Phone (434) 296 -5832 Fax (434) 972 -4126
December 4, 2009
Tim Schmidt
6507 Scottsville Road
Scottsville, VA 24590
RE: SP200900027, Grayson Farm Airstrip
Dear Mr. Schmidt:
Thank you for your recent application for a special use permit to allow an airstrip at Grayson Farm.
The members of the County's Site Review Committee have reviewed the development proposal
referenced above. Preliminary comments are included below.
Specifics of Proposal
The applicant is seeking approval of a 1600' private grass airstrip for a single - engine airplane. The
airstrip is proposed to be used in the daytime only, with no use from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm on Sundays,
and use would be limited to a maximum of 250 take -offs and landings per year. The airstrip would be
limited to Visual Flight Restricted (VFR) flying. No site grading is proposed, nor any paving or
additional roads. A few trees along a fence line are proposed to be removed. The decibel level at take-
off of the single- engine plane proposed to be used on the airstrip is 63.6 to 70.3 decibels. The Zoning
Ordinance states that noise levels of up to only 60 decibels are allowed by -right in the Rural Areas;
however, transient sounds generated from transportation, such as private airports are exempt from noise
restrictions.
No objections have been received from adjacent property owners, and the applicant has submitted
letters to this effect from seven of the fourteen adjacent property owners. The Charlottesville Albemarle
Airport and the Federal Aviation Administration have submitted letters stating they have no objection to
the proposed airstrip.
Planning Division
The Conceptual Plan submitted of the proposed airstrip shows that a hangar would be constructed on
the property, but the applicant has indicated that he will convert an existing hay barn into a hangar. This
change needs to be reflected on the Conceptual Plan. Also, identify on the revised Conceptual Plan
those trees proposed to be removed.
SP 2009 -027, Grayson Farm Airstrip 2
Division of Zoning and Current Development
The applicant has submitted a great deal of information; however, not all of the review criteria of
Section 5. 1.01 have been addressed. Address in a letter and revised concept plan (drawn to scale) the
following issues:
1. Show the airport approach zone and less than five hundred (500) feet horizontally and
one thousand (1,000) feet longitudinally from the proposed runway {5.1.01 b };
2. The distance (from the runway and hangar) to residential structures on adjoining property (note
the property's ownership information) {5.1.01 c };
3. The height of structures, trees, overhead wires, etc. within the airport zones 15. 4.01 b 1.
County Engineer
Please submit a full certified engineer's report with the Special Use Permit application. Guidance
documents are attached. Sound level information has been provided, but more detail is required,
including showing distances on a plan sheet and computing sound levels at the property lines. In
addition, fuel storage, maintenance materials and activities, and other operational concerns need to be
addressed {5.1.01cI in the certified engineer's report.
There is no objection to the airstrip itself, as long as no grading activity is proposed on the site.
Building Inspection
No objection.
Historic Preservation
This site falls within the Southern Albemarle Rural Historic District and the Route 20 Entrance
Corridor. (The airstrip is proposed approximately 750' east of Route 20.) The applicant proposes to
remove a few trees, undertake minimal grading, add no paving, and convert an existing hay barn to a
hangar. I have identified no negative impacts on the EC or the historic district from the proposed
airstrip. However, more specific identification of trees to be removed would be useful.
Virginia Department of Transportation
No objection.
Fire and Rescue Division
No objection.
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 which could effect approval of the proposed project.
If you need additional information or need to discuss any of these comments, please give me a call at
434/296 -5832 x 3029. A copy of the schedule for re- submittal of plans /information/materials is enclosed, for
your convenience. All applications, including review comments, also can be found at the following link:
SP 2009 -027, Grayson Farm Airstrip
3
http: / /countyviewweb.albemarle.oriz . Please include a letter indicating how all the Site Review Committee
comments have been addressed.
Sincerely,
Eryn Brennan
Senior Planner
Cc: File