HomeMy WebLinkAboutSP200900029 Review Comments Special Use Permit 2010-01-04AL�
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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
January 4, 2010
Mr. William S. Moore
Balzer & Associates
1561 Commerce Rd., Suite 401
Verona, VA 24482
RE: SP2009 -029 Charlottesville Kingdom Hall — Special Use Permit
Dear Mr. Moore:
Thank you for your recent submittal received on November 13, 2009 for the above noted project
for Tax Map 76, Parcel 51.
The following comments are provided to help you meet requirements regarding your special use
permit for the construction of a new church building and parking, and address any staff concerns:
• 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.org.
The following potential issues have been identified in terms of impacts to the Entrance Corridor:
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Trees will be required along the entire perimeter of the parking area, at 2'/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.
• 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.
• 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.
• The limits of disturbance line do 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.
Planning:
• As previously mentioned in the ARB comments and as recommended by the Neighborhood
Model, parking should be relegated at the rear of buildings and the building brought closer to the
street. The proposed plan shows parking in front of the building, which is located at the rear
corner of the site. Staff would like to see the building closer to the street and parking relegated.
Staff recognizes the topographic challenges of this site and the use of the existing parking lot for
parking.
• SP2008 -057 has an approved condition three that addresses grading to allow the future
installation of a sidewalk. There is a note on the proposed plan that states sidewalk easement and
a separate note that states 4' R -O -W dedication. Staff is unclear about the intent of these two
notes. Please clarify. How will pedestrian orientation be addressed?
• Please confirm what the following note on the plan: HDID# 101 -09 -0138 (approved for new
facility) is.
Current Development:
• A critical slopes waiver will be required.
• The following general comment does not have to be addressed at this time. It can be addressed during
site plan review. The circulation for the covered drop off appears to be very tight.
• A site plan will be required and that review process will address the physical development of the site.
Fire Rescue:
• This must comply with the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code.
Additional questions or comments may occur at a future date. If you have questions or need
additional information, please feel free to call me at 296 -5832 x 3250.
Sincerely,
Claudette Grant
Senior Planner
C: Trustees of East Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses