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HomeMy WebLinkAboutARB201300017 Review Comments Special Use Permit 2013-03-11�'IRGI1`�ZP 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: Sarah Baldwin FROM: Margaret Maliszewski RE: ARB- 2013 -17 and SP- 2013 -04: Jensen (Verizon) Biscuit Run Tier 3 PWSF DATE: March 6, 2013 A balloon test was conducted for the above referenced proposal on March 5, 2013. Comments and recommendations on the proposal are provided below. Visibility: • The balloon was minimally visible at a distance, through the trees, along Route 20 in the vicinity of Old Scottsville Road. Distance and the trees at the roadside appeared to be sufficient to mitigate negative impacts from this vantage point. • Traveling northbound in the vicinity of 2293 Scottsville Road (90 -17A), the balloon was visible, with some views blocked by trees at the roadside. The view was completely lost with the heavier tree cover at the roadside closer to Old Scottsville Road. • The balloon was most visible at the entrance drive to 2356 and 2358 Scottsville Road (90 -16A and 16A1, Argyll Farm) and along the frontage of this property for approximately 2000'. The balloon had no backdrop, and from this vantage point, there would be a considerable amount of pole visible from the road. The pole would be viewed at a distance from this vantage point (approximately 1800'), and the speed of traffic, the curves in the road and the narrow width of the road could help draw focus away from the pole. However, the amount of the pole that would be visible from the Entrance Corridor is not typical of previously approved telecommunications facilities. • In the vicinity of 2469 Scottsville Road (90 -14B9) intermittent views were available, with some views blocked by topography at roadside. • From the entrance drive to 2516 Scottsville Road (90 -14C1) the balloon was visible with a wooded backdrop. Distance and the wooded backdrop appeared to be sufficient to mitigate negative impacts from this vantage point. • From the entrance drive to 2529 -2531 Scottsville Road (90 -14B4) the balloon was visible with a wooded backdrop. Distance and the wooded backdrop appeared to be sufficient to mitigate negative impacts from this vantage point. • From the entrance drive to 2538 Scottsville Road (90 -14A) the balloon was not visible. • The balloon was not visible from the intersections of Woodchuck Lane and Scottsville Road, Forrest Road and Scottsville Road, and Marshall Ct. and Scottsville Road. • Overall, the balloon was visible for about 4000' along Scottsville Road with the view alternating between: intermittent due to topography, visible through trees, visible with a wooded backdrop, visible without backdrop, and not visible. Recommendations: • Regarding the ground equipment: The proposed ground equipment is not expected to be visible from the Entrance Corridor. • Re ag rding visibility of the monopole: It would be more appropriate to see less of the pole and/or for the pole to appear closer to a tree as viewed from Scottsville Road along the frontage of the Argyll Farm property. However, the distance from the pole to the Entrance Corridor, the duration of the visibility, the character of the road (curving, narrow), and the fact that the view from other vantage points was not objectionable may all be seen as mitigating factors.