HomeMy WebLinkAboutSP201300007 Review Comments Special Use Permit 2013-04-09pF AL
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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
MEMORANDUM
TO: Sarah Baldwin
FROM: Margaret Maliszewski
RE: SP- 2013 -07: Pace (Cingular) Tier 3
DATE: April 9, 2013
Balloon Test Field Notes
A balloon test was conducted on April 9, 2013. The weather was clear with some breeze. The balloon
string was caught in a tree, making the balloon fly at an angle and approximately 25' from the proposed
location of the monopole base.
The balloon was visible from Rt. 20, from just south of Fosters Branch Road in the vicinity of parcel 47-
29C2 to the vicinity of Flanagan Branch Lane at the north. When the balloon was visible, it was viewed
mostly through wooded area that stands between the monopole site and the road. (Most of that wooded
area does not stand on the subject parcel.) From some vantage points it was clear that the pole would not
have a wooded backdrop, but most of the foreground is densely wooded, so the lack of backdrop is not
expected to be detected by most viewers. As viewed from the gravel drive at Rt. 20, the wooded area
between Rt. 20 and the pole is not as dense as in most other locations. The upper half of the pole will be
detectable among the trees from this vantage point. In the winter, with no leaves on the trees, one clear
but extremely brief view of the pole will be available without wooded backdrop or foreground in this
area. During the months of the year when leaves are on the trees, visibility of the pole will be significantly
reduced all along the corridor.
Fosters Branch Road was also traveled to determine visibility. The elevation of this road drops off from
Rt. 20 such that the balloon was not visible. Given the wooded character and topography of the general
area, no other roads appeared to offer views of the balloon, so no additional roads were traveled.
Regarding the ground equipment: The proposed equipment shelter and fence may be minimally visible
from the Entrance Corridor but they are not expected to be noticed by most viewers and they are not
expected to have a negative impact on the Entrance Corridor.
Regarding visibility of the monopole: Given the degree of visibility displayed at the balloon test, the
proposed location of the facility is expected to sufficiently minimize the visibility of the monopole from
the Route 20 EC such that no negative impact on the Entrance Corridor is anticipated.