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HomeMy WebLinkAboutARB201300010 Review Comments Initial Site Plan 2013-03-11�� OF ALB �'IRGINZP 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: Architectural Review Board FROM: Margaret Maliszewski, Principal Planner RE: SDP - 2013 -08 and ARB- 2013 -10: New Hope Church Initial Plan DATE: March 1, 2013 Background and Requirements SDP - 2013 -08: New Hope Church has been submitted for review as an initial site development plan. As a result of a Zoning Ordinance amendment that became effective on January 1, 2013, the ARB, as a member of the Site Review Committee, is required to review and comment on this plan (32.3.3 and 32.4.2.2). The purpose of this ARB review is to determine consistency of the plan with the EC design guidelines pertaining to 1) size and arrangement of structures, 2) location and configuration of parking areas and landscaping, and 3) preservation of existing vegetation and natural features (30.6.4(c)(2) and (3) and (5)). This ARB review is limited to the information provided in the initial plan under Sections 32.5.2- 5. As a result of this review, the ARB shall transmit to the agent 1) its requirements to satisfy the design guidelines, 2) recommendations regarding the plan as it relates to the guidelines, and 3) recommended conditions of initial plan approval, including conditions to be satisfied prior to issuance of a grading permit. Review and Recommendations The subject parcel is a wooded lot located approximately 350' west of the Route 29 Entrance Corridor. It is located west of a partly wooded parcel that includes a billboard on the north side of the intersection of Rt. 29 and Dickerson Lane. On the south side of Dickerson Lane is a substation of the Rappahannock Electric Company. An overhead utility line and its cut through the trees cross the southern end of the subject parcel. Only the easternmost 150' of the subject parcel, a strip at the southeast corner of the site parallel to Dickerson Road and Route 29, is included within the Entrance Corridor Overlay District. Proposed in this strip is a portion of the entrance drive and the grading and tree removal required to construct the drive. None of the proposed buildings or parking areas is located within this strip. This area has limited visibility from the Route 29 Entrance Corridor due to its distance from the EC, and due to off -site evergreen trees that narrow the view to an approximate 70' width across Dickerson Lane. EC Guidelines require that trees be planted along the entrance drive ( #33). The Guidelines also call for site development that is sensitive to the existing natural landscape, accomplished through the preservation of trees and rolling terrain typical of the region, to the extent practical ( #6), and for significant natural features, including significant trees, to be reflected in the site layout, to the extent practical ( #39). The trees proposed to be removed for the entrance drive are primarily Virginia Pine. Preserving these trees seems impractical; no individual tree in the group appears to have any special significance and the group of trees, likewise, does not appear to have any special significance. However, a bare slope would not promote continuity within the corridor. Providing trees along the entrance drive and replanting the hillside with a mix of trees would mitigate the loss of wooded area and help the site blend back into the surrounding landscape. The EC Guidelines state that no grading should occur within the drip line of trees designated for preservation ( #41), and areas designated for preservation should be clearly delineated and protected ( #42). Tree protection is not shown on the plan, but is required. Staff recommends that the details of the planting be reviewed with the final site plan submittal and that tree protection be addressed prior to issuance of a grading permit. Staff recommends that the ARB forward the following recommendations to the agent: • Regarding requirements to satisfy the design guidelines as per 30.6.4(2), (3) and (5): None. • Regarding recommendations on the plan as it relates to the guidelines: None. • Regarding recommended conditions of initial site plan approval: ARB approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness is required prior to final site plan approval. The final site plan shall show 21/2" caliper trees at 40' on center (or the equivalent thereof), at a minimum, along the entrance drive; and a mix of additional trees, located and spaced to achieve a natural appearance, on the slope adjacent to the entrance drive to compensate for lost wooded area. • Regarding conditions to be satisfied prior to issuance of a grading permit: Provide a tree conservation plan. Show tree protection fencing along all tree lines to remain, in particular along the entrance drive. Add the installation of tree protection fencing to the sequence of grading and erosion control work.