HomeMy WebLinkAboutARB201100079 Review Comments Miscellaneous Submittal 2011-01-03ALg�,��
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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 21, 2011
Tom Gallagher
Edens & Avant
7200 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 400
Bethesda, MD 20814
RE: Albemarle Place (Stonefield) ARB Work Session
Dear Tom,
The Albemarle County Architectural Review Board, at its meeting on January 3, 2011, held a work session
on Albemarle Place (Stoneiield). The ARB had the following comments:
1. The building at the corner of Hydraulic and Route 29 presents a challenge due to its size, its
orientation, the surrounding parking lots, the loading area, and the general appearance of the area as a
"void." The building should be anchored in some way. How does it address the open space? It is one
of the center's main buildings and is located at this major corner and it presents its back to the ECs.
2. Two foot (2') shrubs won't successfully mitigate the impact of a large parking area immediately
adjacent to the EC (between Hydraulic and the hotel, on Hydraulic and Rt. 29 around the grocery
store, and at the northeast corner of Phase 1). More relief will be required on the edges. Consider
walls and grade changes. Consider "temporary" treatments that might be removed when future
construction is ready to proceed.
3. Consider historic building size, particularly regarding the movie theater. A Regal 13 movie theater is
not the scale of this community. The Hydraulic elevation of the theater will require careful attention to
detail.
4. It was noted that real stucco, not EIFS, would be used in this project.
5. In general, the material palette appeared appropriate, but how the materials are implemented
throughout the project is the key. When brick is used, it should be rooted in Charlottesville /Albemarle
tradition, but red brick is not required.
6. The rendering of the hotel doesn't convey the richness of the proposed materials. Additional drawings
that clarify the relationships among the various volumes (how far do they project forward/back ?)
should be provided — 3D drawings, a better rendering, and additional detail on materials.
7. The way the hotel building meets the ground is inconsistent — strong in some areas, weak in others.
The wainscoting may be too short.
8. A highly reflective copper surface will not be appropriate in the Entrance Corridor.
9. This project will be establishing the context for future buildings to be constructed in this area. The
buildings should be designed while asking, "What does someone do next to this ?"
10. The applicant will be establishing architectural guidelines that the center will follow, in addition to
meeting the EC Guidelines. The center's guidelines may be submitted with the ARB application to
assist in coordination.
11. The applicant will be requesting meetings with individual ARB members to further discuss the hotel
design. The applicant will aim for a January 24"' submittal and March 7 preliminary ARB review of
the hotel design.
You may submit your application for preliminary ARB review at your earliest convenience. Application
forms, checklists and schedules are available on -line at www.albemarle.org/planning.
If you have any questions concerning any of the above, please feel free to call me.
Sincerely,
Margaret M. Maliszewski
Principal Planner
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