HomeMy WebLinkAboutSP200900029 Review Comments Special Use Permit 2009-12-16ALg�,��
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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:
Claudette Grant
FROM:
Margaret Maliszewski
RE:
SP- 2009 -29: Charlottesville Kingdom Hall
DATE:
December 16, 2009
ARB review and approval will be required prior to final site plan approval for this proposal. Applications,
checklists, schedules and guidelines are available on line at www.albemarle.ora. The following potential
issues have been identified in terms of impacts to the Entrance Corridor.
1. The proposed church is located at the rear of the parcel with all of the parking between the church
and the Entrance Corridor (EC). Typically, it is more appropriate for buildings in the Entrance
Corridors to be located closer to the EC street, with the majority of the parking screened by the
building. The proposed layout emphasizes parking over architecture, as viewed from the EC.
2. The proposed stormwater basin is located in line with the entrance to the site. Although it is at a
lower elevation than the street, the engineered feature will be visible from the EC. The ARB
typically requires that features like this be fully coordinated with the topography and the
landscape, so that the "engineered" appearance is minimized.
3. Some features of this site might be considered as mitigating factors for the location of the new
church and stormwater facility as currently illustrated: some existing parking area is to be re -used
in the new development; there is limited EC frontage; the orientation of the parcel to the EC limits
views into the site from vehicles traveling on Route 631; the curve in the road severely limits
views into the site when traveling north on Route 631; distant views of the site are not available
along the corridor; easements limit the development on the north and east sides of the parcel; the
parcel is oddly shaped; the previous plan located the building closer to the EC but the proposal had
numerous issues that made approval difficult; the layout of surrounding development is such that
placing the proposed church close to the road would appear out of context.
4. Trees will be required along the entire perimeter of the parking area, at 21/2" caliper, 40' on center.
Sufficient planting area must be provided for these trees. The utility lines along the east side of the
parking lot may need to be shifted to accommodate required planting.
5. A minimum of seven trees will also be required at the interior of the parking lot; additional
planting islands will be required to accommodate these trees.
6. If the building and stormwater facility locations are approved as proposed, significant additional
planting will be required to integrate the development into the corridor. Staff will recommend that
significant planting be added between the stormwater facility and the EC.
7. The limits of disturbance line does not appear to be accurate at the north end of the site in the
vicinity of the new water line. The line should be corrected.