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HomeMy WebLinkAboutARB201100019 Review Comments Final Site Plan and Comps. 2011-03-28ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD STAFF REPORT Project #/Name ARB- 2011 -19: Crozet Library Phase 1 Review Type Final review of a Site Development Plan for Phase 1 Parcel Identification Tax Map 56A2, Section 1, Parcel 18 Location 1171 Crozet Avenue, on the east side of Route 240, approximately 250' north of Tabor Street Zoned Downtown Crozet District (DCC), Entrance Corridor (EC) Owner /Applicant County of Albemarle/Ron Lilley Magisterial District Whitehall Proposal To construct a parking lot with landscaping and lighting as phase 1 of the library construction. Context The library site is located on the east side of Crozet Avenue (Route 240), just south of the new Main Street. A two -story frame house and the Tabor Presbyterian Church are located to the south. Three one -story commercial buildings are located to the north of the library site on the same side of Crozet Avenue. Across Crozet Avenue to the west are one- and two -story commercial buildings and the Crozet United Methodist Church. The house, carport and sheds that previously occupied the library site have been demolished. Mature trees remain on site. A stone retaining wall borders the front of the property at the sidewalk. This portion of Crozet Avenue falls within the proposed Crozet National Register Historic District. Visibility The proposed parking lot is set back approximately 200' from the Entrance Corridor street. ARB Meeting Date April 4, 2011 Staff Contact Margaret Maliszewski PROJECT HISTORY DATE APPLICATION/REVIEW TYPE RESULT October 20, 2008 ARB work session The ARB held a work session on the preliminary library design. June 3, 2009 BOS meeting The BOS approve the schematic design for the library and directed staff to proceed to construction design. November 2, 2009 ARB- 2009 -89 The ARB completed a preliminary review of the library proposal and offered a number of comments for the applicant's next submittal. April 7, 2010 BOS meeting The BOS approved the division of the library project into two phases. November 1, 2010 ARB- 2010 -98 The ARB conducted a review of the Phase 1 parking lot proposal. See Attachment A for the action letter from this meeting. December 1, 2010 BOS meeting The BOS authorized staff to complete the library design and construction drawings and to advance the project to a "bid ready" state. January 24, 2011 Coordination meeting Staff and the architect met with some BOS and ARB members to discuss previous ARB comments on the project and general coordination issues. CHANGES SINCE THE LAST REVIEW Primary changes to the proposal since the last ARB review include the following: • The biofilter has been reduced in size and the elevation has been raised 4'. • Shrubs have been added in a staggered row along Crozet Avenue and Main Street. • Six trees have been added along the south side of the property. • The grading at the corner of the property near the intersection of Crozet and Main has been revised. 2 ANALYSIS REF COMMENT ISSUE RECOMMENDATION COMMENTS FROM PREVIOUS REVIEW 1 Provide a complete lighting plan with Pole lights have been reduced to 14', but a Provide a complete lighting schedule as part of the site plan set. photometric plan was not provided. A lighting lighting /photometric plan with Include all exterior lighting, both site lights schedule was not provided. lighting schedule as part of and wall lights, on the plan. Include the cut the site plan set. If exterior sheets as part of the site plan set. Reduce the Applicable guidelines: #20, 21 wall lights are proposed for height of parking lot pole lights to 15' the library, they will need to maximum, including any bases. Indicate the be included in a lighting plan, color /finish of the fixtures and poles on the so a phased lighting plan lighting plan. Indicate in the schedule the might be appropriate. type of lamps proposed; high pressure sodium lamps are not recommended. Coordinate all drawings to clearly distinguish Phase 1 and Phase 2 work. 2 Revise the grading on the north and west The plan shows revised grading at the Revise the grading plan to sides of the site to achieve a more gradual, northwest corner of the parcel; there is now a show contours rounded with a less abrupt, slope with a more natural, less broader curve to the slope. Some contours are ten foot minimum radius engineered, appearance. Add plant material not rounded; some of the grading still meets where they meet the adjacent (trees, shrubs or both) between the bio- filter the existing topography abruptly. Some of the condition. and Crozet Avenue. existing grading did not print. Revise the grading plans to Shrubs have been provided along the Crozet clearly show existing grading. Avenue and Main Street sides of the property in a staggered row. 43 Abelia Grandiflora are Revise the landscape plan to provided. (Twelve Japanese Holly are also limit the number of any one provided along the north side of the parking species of shrub to 25% of the lot.) This limited number of different species is total shrubs proposed. indicative of a monoculture. Over -use of any one species can quicken disease spread and can Coordinate the landscape result in a monotonous appearance. Limiting schedule and plan regarding the use of a particular species to 25% of the the Northern Bayberry. total proposed for that plant type would be REF COMMENT ISSUE RECOMMENDATION appropriate. Northern Bayberry is included in the landscape schedule, but it does not appear on the plan. Applicable guidelines: #6, 30c, 40 3 Revise the plans (grading, landscaping, A tree conservation checklist was provided but Include a tree conservation Phase 1 erosion control) to show tree was not included in the plan. checklist on the plan. protection fencing for the trees to remain on the south side of the property. Include a tree Applicable guidelines: #41 conservation checklist on the plan. Include a tree protection fence detail on the plan. 4 Add trees on the south side of the parking The proposed trees don't meet the 21/2" caliper Revise the size of the lot, 21/2" caliper minimum, 40' on center. requirement. proposed trees to 21 /z" caliper Move the pipe to allow for the trees on this minimum. side. Applicable guidelines: #30a, b 10 Provide site sections from 1) the intersection Two site sections have been provided. Note See above for landscaping of Crozet Avenue and Main Street, through that two versions of each section are shown. comments. the northwest corner of the parcel across the The top section shows trees and shrubs but this proposed parking lot, and 2) from Crozet planting is not representative of the proposed Avenue east -west across the front yard, on -site planting. The lower section, without biofilter, and parking lot. trees, appears to be an accurate representation of the site topography and should be the focus of review. The section taken from Crozet Avenue eastward through the middle of the site indicates that the parking lot will not be visible from that vantage point. The general rise of the site from Crozet Avenue eastward, and the berm at the biofilter contribute to this situation. The section taken from the intersection of Crozet Avenue and Main Street southeast across the site indicates that taller vehicles in REF COMMENT ISSUE RECOMMENDATION the parking lot may be visible from this vantage point. The general rise of the site from Crozet Avenue up to the site helps limit visibility. This degree of visibility is not considered inappropriate, if the site and parking are appropriately landscaped. Applicable guidelines: #35, 40 11 Provide 3 -D /photographic representations of The applicant has indicated that the 3 -1) Provide 3 -D /photographic the developed site from locations both north images will be provided at the 3ARB meeting. representations of the and south on Crozet Avenue to illustrate the developed site from locations project's visibility from the EC. Applicable guidelines: #35, 40 both north and south on Crozet Avenue to illustrate the project's visibility from the EC. SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Staff recommends the following as the primary points of discussion: 1. Visibility of parking lot. 2. Proposed landscaping. Staff recommends approval of the phase 1 plan with the following conditions: 1. Provide a complete lighting plan with lighting schedule as part of the site plan set. If exterior wall lights are proposed for the library, they will need to be included in a lighting plan, so a phased lighting plan might be appropriate. 2. Coordinate all drawings to clearly distinguish Phase 1 and Phase 2 work. 3. Revise the grading plan to show contours rounded with a ten foot minimum radius where they meet the adjacent condition. 4. Revise the grading plans to clearly show existing grading. 5. Revise the landscape plan to limit the number of any one species of shrub to 25% of the total shrubs proposed. 6. Coordinate the landscape schedule and plan regarding the Northern Bayberry. 7. Include the tree conservation checklist on the plan. 8. Revise the size of the proposed trees to 21 /z" caliper minimum. 9. Provide 3 -D /photographic representations of the developed site from locations both north and south on Crozet Avenue to illustrate the project's visibility from the EC. W ATTACHMENT A aL ti � �IRGINZ�FJ COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE Department of Community Development 401 McIntire Road, North Wing Charlottesville, Virginia 22902 -4596 Phone (434) 296 -5832 November 5, 2010 County of Albemarle, Facilities Management c/o Ron Lilly 401 McIntire Road Charlottesville, VA 22902 RE: ARB- 2010 -98: Crozet Library (Tax Map 56A2, Section 1, Parcel 18) Dear Mr. Lilly: Fax (434) 972 -4126 The Albemarle County Architectural Review Board, at its meeting on November 1, 2010, completed a preliminary review of the above -noted request to a parking lot with landscaping and lighting as Phase 1 of the library construction. The Board offered the following comments for the benefit of the applicant's next submittal. Please note that the following comments are those that have been identified at this time. Additional comments may be added or eliminated based on further review and changes to the plan. 1. Provide a complete lighting plan with lighting schedule as part of the site plan set. Include all exterior lighting, both site lights and wall lights, on the plan. Include the cut sheets as part of the site plan set. Reduce the height of parking lot pole lights to 15' maximum, including any bases. Indicate the color /finish of the fixtures and poles on the lighting plan. Indicate in the schedule the type of lamps proposed; high pressure sodium lamps are not recommended. 2. Revise the grading on the north and west sides of the site to achieve a more gradual, less abrupt, slope with a more natural, less engineered, appearance. Add plant material (trees, shrubs or both) between the bio- filter and Crozet Avenue. 3. Revise the plans (grading, landscaping, Phase 1 erosion control) to show tree protection fencing for the trees to remain on the south side of the property. Include a tree conservation checklist on the plan. Include a tree protection fence detail on the plan. 4. Add trees on the south side of the parking lot, 2'/2" caliper minimum, 40' on center. Move the pipe to allow for the trees on this side. 6 5. Move the trees shown on the north side of the parking lot closer to the parking lot and align them with the lot. 6. Shift the trees that are shown on the east side of the parking lot so that they are located on the library site, within the property boundary. 7. Increase the size of the abelia (and the holly) to 24" minimum at planting. 8. Revise the landscape plan to ensure that all plants are identified by species on the plan. 9. This review only covers Phase 1, but note that perimeter parking lot trees will still be required in Phase 2. 10. Provide site sections from 1) the intersection of Crozet Avenue and Main Street, through the northwest corner of the parcel across the proposed parking lot, and 2) from Crozet Avenue east -west across the front yard, biofilter, and parking lot. 11. Provide 3 -D /photographic representations of the developed site from locations both north and south on Crozet Avenue to illustrate the project's visibility from the EC. You may submit your application for continued ARB review at your earliest convenience. Application forms, checklists and schedules are available on -line at www.albemarle.org /planning. Revised drawings addressing the comments listed above are required. Include updated ARB revision dates on each drawing and an ARB approval signature panel. Please provide a memo including detailed responses indicating how each comment has been addressed. If changes other than those requested have been made, identify those changes in the memo also. Highlighting the changes in the drawing with "clouding" or by other means will facilitate review and approval. If you have any questions concerning any of the above, please feel free to call me. Sincerely, Margaret Maliszewski Principal Planner CC: File 7 ATTACHMENT B This report is based on the following submittal items: Sheet # Drawing Name Drawing Date/Revision Date C1.1 Civil Cover Sheet 2 -3 -2011 C2.2 Erosion and Sediment Control Plan Phase 1 Construction 2 -3 -2011 C2.4 E &SC Plan Notes and Details 2 -3 -2011 C4.0 Phase 1 Site, Grading and Landscape Plan 2 -3 -2011 C3.1 On Site Demolition Plan 2 -3 -2011 C6.1 Typical Construction Details 2 -3 -2011 C6.2 Typical Construction Details 2 -3 -2011 - Section A - - Section B - - Site photo — from Crozet Avenue February 17, 2011 - Site photo — from the intersection of Crozet Avenue and Main Street February 17, 2011