HomeMy WebLinkAboutSDP201300063 Review Comments Final Site Plan and Comps. 2014-01-02CDMMONWEALTH of VIRGINIA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
1601 Orange Road
Culpeper, Virginia 22701 -3819
Gregory A. Whirley
Commissioner of Highways
January 2, 2014
Ms. Ellie Carter Ray
Senior Planner
County of Albemarle
Department of Community Development
401 McIntire Road
Charlottesville, VA 22902
Re: SDP - 2013 -00063 Cole's Import Specialists — Final Site Plan
Dear Ms. Carter:
We have reviewed the Final Site Plan for Cole's Import Specialists dated 1212113 as submitted by Meridian
Planning Group, LLC and offer the following comments:
1. The entrance should be a minimum of 30' wide at the throat as shown on Figure 4 -10 in Appendix F
of the Road Design Manual.
2. Turn lane warrants need to be provided to this office for review.
3. At this time, I cannot support an Access Management Spacing exception for this entrance allowing a
full access entrance based on the following:
a. The left turn lane and taper for this site does not meet the minimum lengths of 100'. If the
taper and turn lane were shown at 100' each, there would be a conflict with the left turn lane
for the traffic signal at Berkmar Drive.
b. The shared access easement does not require the adjacent properties to use this entrance
if/when they are developed as commercial property. I understand that the adjacent
landowners cannot be compelled to enter into this agreement by this landowner, but if they
were party to the agreement that has been provided, there would be a stronger argument to
support the spacing exception. Furthermore, depending on the type of commercial
development on the adjacent property, the left turn lane discussed above could become more
of a problem since all three parcels would be using this entrance.
c. I am inclined to not support a spacing exception when the Access Management Regulations
can be met by making this entrance a partial access entrance, i.e. right - in/right -out.
If you need additional information concerning this project, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Troy A stin, P.E.
Area Land Use Engineer
Culpeper District
VirginiaDOT.org
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