HomeMy WebLinkAboutSDP201100064 Review Comments Waiver, variation or substitution requirement 2012-11-19*-&A
County of Albemarle
Department of Community Development
Memorandum
To: Ellie Ray, Senior Planner
From: Glenn Brooks, County Engineer
Date: 11 Sep 2012
Rev. 1: 19 Nov 2012
Subject: Belvedere, variations for phase 1 and 2
The following comments are offered regarding the three requested variations;
Variation for "front build to from street" to be reduced from 5' to 2% In theory there is no
objection to reducing the setback, as it is understood that easements and right -of -way effectively
keep the distance from the curb or sidewalk the same. On any given plan, site distance and
parking concerns may require a greater setback than the minimum.
Rev. 1: no change with this revision.
2. Variation of building massing and parking layout; this variation seems to take the concept from
smaller connecting parking areas and smaller buildings to a large building and a large parking lot.
This is standard development and there are no engineering concerns.
Rev. 1: no change with this revision.
To allow on- street parking on Belvedere Boulevard, as well as a sidewalk next to the curb on the
west side; Theoretically, this falls within the allowable standards of street design. However, there
are pros and cons to on- street parking in this location for the general public, and it is perhaps best
to weigh them together;
Pros
Cons
It might help the county project to
On street parking is a larger safety
rebuild this road
risk on a higher speed road
It provides additional parking for
On street parking next to a bike
the site on the public road
line is a hazard to cyclists
The widening adds more runoff to
stormwater treatment facilities
Belvedere Blvd may be expanded
in future, and any parking may be
removed at that time
The cons in this case seem to explain why on- street parking was not originally proposed here. If it
is allowed, it is recommended that the street design be amended to incorporate traffic calming
measures, and reduce the speed. It might be helpful to look at the recent improvements in the
Hillsdale Road area.
If this is allowed, the sidewalk proposed on the west side should allow a planting strip, or be
Albemarle County Community Development
Engineering Review comments
Page 2 of 2
wider, both to maintain consistency with county ordinances, and so that car doors do not open into
pedestrians.
Rev. 1: Parking on Belvedere Boulevard for site parking appears to have more cons than pros.
However, if it is to be permitted, additional traffic calming measures should be provided to slow
traffic down and make drivers more aware at both ends of where the parking begins, in addition to
the crossing point shown on the current concept plan. Examples might be center islands, chicanes,
raised humps, etc.
file: E1_zma_GEB_template.doc