HomeMy WebLinkAboutARB201300092 Review Comments Initial Site Plan 2013-08-13ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD STAFF REPORT
Project #/Name
ARB- 2013 -92: Cole's Import Specialists
Review Type
Initial Site Plan and Preliminary ARB review
Parcel Identification
045000000100BO
Location
660 Rio Road West, on the north side of Rio Road, approximately 200' east of Berkmar Drive
Zoned
Commercial (C1), Entrance Corridor (EC)
Owner /Applicant
Clarence William Green/Katurah Roell
Magisterial District
Rio
Proposal
To construct a building for auto maintenance and repair, with associated site improvements.
Context
This stretch of Rio Road is occupied by a mix of commercial and residential development with a mixed architectural
character. The south side of Rio is dominated by the Daily Progress building, situated directly across Rio from the
subject parcel, with an overscaled, pitched roof fronting the corridor. Other simple commercial buildings of brick,
block and metal with flat or gabled roofs also stand on the south side of the road. On the north side of Rio are a strip
shopping center, a day spa with a residential form, and a commercial block with prominent gabled entrances, single
family residences, and a three -story apartment building. These buildings were all constructed prior to the
establishment of Rio Road as an Entrance Corridor.
Visibility
The south, west and east elevations of the proposed building will be readily visible from the Rio Road Entrance
Corridor.
ARB Meeting Date
August 19, 2013
Staff Contact
Margaret Maliszewski
Site /Project History: The ARB has reviewed no previous proposals on this site.
ANALYSIS
REF
GUIDELINE
ISSUE
RECOMMENDATION
1
The goal of the regulation of the design of development
The simple, gable- roofed form of the
Revise the window size
within the designated Entrance Corridors is to insure
proposed building is a traditional one,
and placement to achieve
that new development within the corridors reflects the
and the brick and metal used for the
proportions that are more
traditional architecture of the area. Therefore, it is the
base and roof are materials used
compatible with the
purpose of ARB review and of these Guidelines, that
historically throughout Albemarle. The
overall building.
proposed development within the designated Entrance
shapes and proportions of the windows
Corridors reflect elements of design characteristic of the
and storefront appear at odds with the
Revise the storefront to
significant historical landmarks, buildings, and
building size and form and do not
achieve proportions that
structures of the Charlottesville and Albemarle area,
contribute to a traditional appearance.
are more compatible with
and to promote orderly and attractive development
The proportion and location of the
the overall building.
within these corridors. Applicants should note that
maintenance area windows on the front
replication of historic structures is neither required nor
and side elevations emphasize the
Provide the left side
desired.
utilitarian nature of the building and
elevation for review.
2
Visitors to the significant historical sites in the
contribute to a back -of- building
Clarify the window and
Charlottesville and Albemarle area experience these
appearance. The metal siding and roll-
door placement on the
sites as ensembles of buildings, land, and vegetation. In
up doors further emphasize this.
left elevation.
order to accomplish the integration of buildings, land,
and vegetation characteristic of these sites, the
Guidelines require attention to four primary factors:
A note on the "Right Side Elevation"
Coordinate the materials
compatibility with significant historic sites in the area;
indicates that the left side is identical.
schedule on the building
the character of the Entrance Corridor; site development
However, the window placement
elevation sheets with the
and layout; and landscaping.
appears to conflict with the office
layout and a roll -up door on the west
submitted material
samples.
3
New structures and substantial additions to existing
structures should respect the traditions of the
elevation would provide access to a 5'
architecture of historically significant buildings in the
wide strip of grass.
Charlottesville and Albemarle area. Photographs of
historic buildings in the area, as well as drawings of
The proposed material colors are white
architectural features, which provide important
and earth -tones in shades of brown.
examples of this tradition are contained in Appendix A.
They coordinate with other building
colors that exist in the corridor and can
5
It is also an important objective of the Guidelines to
establish a pattern of compatible architectural
easily coordinate with other future
characteristics throughout the Entrance Corridor in
colors.
order to achieve unity and coherence. Building designs
should demonstrate sensitivity to other nearby
Samples have been provided for the
structures within the Entrance Corridor. Where a
proposed materials and colors, but the
designated corridor is substantially developed, these
samples don't all match those listed in
Guidelines require striking a careful balance between
the material schedule on the elevation
harmonizing new development with the existing
drawings.
character of the corridor and achieving compatibility
with the significant historic sites in the area.
9
Building forms and features, including roofs, windows,
doors, materials, colors and textures should be
compatible with the forms and features of the
significant historic buildings in the area, exemplified by
(but not limited to) the buildings described in Appendix
A [of the design guidelines]. The standard of
compatibility can be met through scale, materials, and
forms which may be embodied in architecture which is
contemporary as well as traditional. The replication of
important historic sites in Albemarle County is not the
objective of these guidelines.
10
Buildings should relate to their site and the surrounding
The type and form of the proposed
See above.
context of buildings.
utilitarian building are similar to the
currently unoccupied storage/
12
Architecture proposed within the Entrance Corridor
should use forms, shapes, scale, and materials to create
warehouse buildings located nearby on
a cohesive whole.
the south side of Rio Road. However,
those buildings predate the
establishment of Rio Road as an
Entrance Corridor.
The 30" high brick base helps establish
an appropriate scale for the building.
11
The overall design of buildings should have human
The proposed structure uses a pre-
Revise windows and the
scale. Scale should be integral to the building and site
manufactured metal building system.
storefront to achieve
design.
The proposed building footprint
measures 50' x 50' with an overall
proportions consistent
with the overall building
13
Any appearance of "blankness" resulting from building
design should be relieved using design detail or
height of 21' 51 /z" and a floor to fascia
and to relieve blankness.
vegetation, or both.
height of 14'. Consequently, the
building is not so large as to appear out
15
Trademark buildings and related features should be
modified to meet the requirements of the Guidelines.
of scale with the human form.
However, the size and shape of the
windows and storefront do appear out
of scale and out of proportion with the
overall building.
The front elevation has a large blank
area at its center. The awkward size
and location of the two windows at the
east end emphasize the blankness of the
wall.
21
The following note should be added to the site plan and
The note does not yet appear on the
Include the standard
the architectural plan: "Visibility of all mechanical
plan.
equipment visibility note
equipment from the Entrance Corridor shall be
on the site and
eliminated."
architectural plans.
23
Light should be shielded, recessed or flush - mounted
The submittal shows a wall - mounted
All wall and site lights
to eliminate glare. All fixtures with lamps emitting
light over the roll -up door and two site
shall be full cutoff
3000 lumens or more must be full cutoff fixtures.
pole lights. Details have not been
fixtures. Provide a
provided, but the wall light is
complete lighting plan
illustrated as a non -full- cutoff fixture.
for review.
29
The following note should be included on the lighting
The note does not yet appear on the
Include the standard
plan: "Each outdoor luminaire equipped with a lamp
plan.
lighting note on the site
that emits 3,000 or more initial lumens shall be a full
plan.
cutoff luminaire and shall be arranged or shielded to
reflect light away from adjoining residential districts
and away from adjacent roads. The spillover of
lighting from luminaires onto public roads and
property in residential or rural areas zoning districts
shall not exceed one half footcandle."
Landscaping
7
The requirements of the Guidelines regarding
A complete plant schedule has not been
Provide a complete plant
landscaping are intended to reflect the landscaping
provided, so a complete review of the
schedule on the
characteristic of many of the area's significant historic
landscaping is not possible at this time.
landscape plan for
sites which is characterized by large shade trees and
review.
lawns. Landscaping should promote visual order within
the Entrance Corridor and help to integrate buildings
Two large shade trees are shown along
into the existing environment of the corridor.
the EC frontage. They are spaced 50'
apart. A third large shade tree is needed
Add a third large shade
tree to the EC frontage
8
Continuity within the Entrance Corridor should be
obtained by planting different types of plant materials
to meet the EC Guidelines.
planting.
that share similar characteristics. Such common
elements allow for more flexibility in the design of
No flowering ornamental trees are
Intersperse flowering
structures because common landscape features will help
provided along the EC frontage.
ornamental trees along
to harmonize the appearance of development as seen
the EC frontage.
from the street upon which the Corridor is centered.
An existing water line runs along the
west side of the property from the
Confirm that trees and
32
Landscaping along the frontage of Entrance Corridor
streets should include the following:
southwest corner of the site northward
shrubs can be planted
a. Large shade trees should be planted parallel to the
approximately 75' towards the
along the existing water
Entrance Corridor Street. Such trees should be at least
southwest corner of the building. Two
line as currently shown.
3 /z inches caliper (measured 6 inches above the ground)
trees are shown in close proximity to
If the water line
and should be of a plant species common to the area.
Such trees should be located at least every 35 feet on
the water line. Additional trees and
precludes the ability to
center.
shrubs are needed in this area to meet
plant, increase the
b. Flowering ornamental trees of a species common to
the guidelines.
planting area to
the area should be interspersed among the trees
accommodate the
required by the preceding paragraph. The ornamental
required trees.
trees need not alternate one for one with the large
shade trees. They may be planted among the large
Confirm that all utilities
shade trees in a less regular spacing pattern.
and easements are clearly
d. An area of sufficient width to accommodate the
identified on the plans.
foregoing plantings and fencing should be reserved
parallel to the Entrance Corridor street, and exclusive of
road right -of -way and utility easements.
33
Landscaping along interior roads:
Trees have not been provided along the
Provide large trees, 2%2"
a. Large trees should be planted parallel to all interior
travelway. The edge of a "tree line to
caliper at planting, 40' on
roads. Such trees should be at least 2%2 inches caliper
remain" is shown along the eastern
center, along the
(measured six inches above the ground) and should be
property line, but no trees are shown to
travelway on the east side
of a plant species common to the area. Such trees
remain on site in this area. On -site trees
of the parcel.
should be located at least every 40 feet on center.
are required to meet this guideline.
35
Landscaping of parking areas:
Trees have not been provided along the
Provide large trees, 2%2"
a. Large trees should align the perimeter of parking
perimeters of the parking areas.
caliper at planting, 40' on
areas, located 40 feet on center. Trees should be planted
center, along the
in the interior of parking areas at the rate of one tree for
Shrubs are shown along the front of the
perimeters of the parking
every 10 parking spaces provided and should be evenly
front parking lot but without a plant
lots.
distributed throughout the interior of the parking area.
schedule, it is impossible to determine
b. Trees required by the preceding paragraph should
if they are sufficient to offset the visual
Provide shrubs along the
measure 2'/2 inches caliper (measured six inches above
impact of the parked vehicles.
west side of the front
the ground); should be evenly spaced; and should be of
parking lot.
a species common to the area. Such trees should be
Shrubs have not been provided along
planted in planters or medians sufficiently large to
the west side of the front parking lot,
Provide all plants without
maintain the health of the tree and shall be protected by
but are needed.
conflicting with utilities
curbing.
or easements.
c. Shrubs should be provided as necessary to minimize
the parking area's impact on Entrance Corridor streets.
Shrubs should measure 24 inches in height.
36
Landscaping of buildings and other structures:
Trees are needed to offset the
Provide trees, in
a. Trees or other vegetation should be planted along the
blankness of the walls. Some planting
sufficiently large planting
front of long buildings as necessary to soften the
area is shown on the east and west
beds, along the building
appearance of exterior walls. The spacing, size, and
sides of the building, but no trees or
elevations to mitigate the
type of such trees or vegetation should be determined
shrubs are shown in these areas, and
blank wall areas.
by the length, height, and blankness of such walls.
the width of the planting area is only 5'
b. Shrubs should be used to integrate the site, buildings,
on the west side and as shallow as 2' at
and other structures; dumpsters, accessory buildings
the north end of the east side.
and structures; "drive thru" windows; service areas; and
signs. Shrubs should measure at least 24 inches in
height.
38
Plant health:
The note does not yet appear on the
Include the standard
The following note should be added to the landscape
plan.
landscape note on the site
plan: "All site plantings of trees and shrubs shall be
plan.
allowed to reach, and be maintained at, mature height; the
topping of trees is prohibited. Shrubs and trees shall be
pruned minimally and only to support the overall health of
the plant."
Site Development and layout
40
Site grading should maintain the basic relationship of
A 5' high retaining wall, approximately
Indicate on the plan the
the site to surrounding conditions by limiting the use of
90' long, is proposed on the east side of
proposed materials and
retaining walls and by shaping the terrain through the
the parcel starting approximately 95'
colors for the retaining
use of smooth, rounded land forms that blend with the
north of the EC. A handrail will be
wall, and include details
existing terrain. Steep cut or fill sections are generally
installed on the wall. Proposed
for the handrail, with
unacceptable. Proposed contours on the grading plan
materials and colors have not been
proposed color and
shall be rounded with a ten foot minimum radius where
identified.
material.
they meet the adjacent condition. Final grading should
achieve a natural, rather than engineered, appearance.
Retaining walls 6 feet in height and taller, when
necessary, shall be terraced and planted to blend with
the landscape.
41
No grading, trenching, or tunneling should occur
A significant amount of wooded area is
Show tree protection
within the drip line of any trees or other existing
to be removed from the site. Although
fencing on the plan.
features designated for preservation in the final
the edge of a "tree line to remain" is
Certificate of Appropriateness. Adequate tree
shown along the east side of the site, no
protection fencing should be shown on, and
trees to remain are identified on the
coordinated throughout, the grading, landscaping and
plan in this area. On -site trees are
erosion and sediment control plans.
needed to meet this guideline. The plan
shows wooded area to remain at the
42
Areas designated for preservation in the final Certificate
of Appropriateness should be clearly delineated and
back (north) half of the site. Tree
protected on the site prior to any grading activity on the
protection fencing will be needed.
site. This protection should remain in place until
completion of the development of the site.
20
Surface runoff structures and detention ponds should
A biofilter is proposed near the middle
None.
be designed to fit into the natural topography to avoid
of the parcel, approximately 190' from
the need for screening. When visible from the
the EC. It would be visible from the
Entrance Corridor street, these features must be fully
EC, down along the travelway. At that
integrated into the landscape. They should not have
distance, it is not expected to have a big
the appearance of engineered features.
impact on the EC.
44
Natural drainage patterns (or to the extent required, new
drainage patterns) should be incorporated into the
finished site to the extent possible.
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends the following as the primary points of discussion:
1. Appropriateness of the metal siding
2. Appropriateness of the utilitarian appearance of the building
3. Blankness of the front and side elevations
4. Size, proportion, and location of windows
5. Proportion and general appearance of the storefront
6. Landscaping — quantity, general character
Staff offers the following comments on the preliminary proposal:
1. Revise the window size and placement to achieve proportions that are more compatible with the overall building and to relieve
blankness.
2. Revise the storefront to achieve proportions that are more compatible with the overall building and to relieve blankness.
3. Provide the left side elevation for review. Clarify the window and door placement on the left elevation.
4. Coordinate the materials schedule on the building elevation sheets with the submitted material samples.
5. Include the standard equipment visibility, landscaping and lighting notes on the plans.
6. All wall and site lights shall be full cutoff fixtures. Provide a complete lighting plan for review.
7. Provide a complete plant schedule on the landscape plan for review.
8. Add a third large shade tree to the EC frontage planting.
9. Intersperse flowering ornamental trees along the EC frontage.
10. Confirm that trees and shrubs can be planted along the existing water line as currently shown. If the water line precludes the ability
to plant, increase the planting area to accommodate the required trees.
11. Confirm that all utilities and easements are clearly identified on the plans.
12. Provide large trees, 21/2" caliper at planting, 40' on center, along the travelway on the east side of the parcel.
13. Provide large trees, 21/2" caliper at planting, 40' on center, along the perimeters of the parking lots.
14. Provide shrubs along the west side of the front parking lot.
15. Provide all plants without conflicting with utilities or easements.
16. Provide trees, in sufficiently large planting beds, along the building elevations to mitigate the blank wall areas.
17. Indicate on the plan the proposed materials and colors for the retaining wall, and include details for the handrail, with proposed
colors and materials.
18. Show tree protection fencing on the plan.
N.
Staff offers the following comments on the Initial Site Plan:
Staff recommends that the ARB forward the following recommendations to the agent:
— Regarding requirements to satisfy the design guidelines as per § 18- 30.6.4(2), (3) and (5):
o As per § 32.4.2.2(b)(3) and 30.6.4(c)(3) and EC Guidelines 35a and 36a, it is not clear that sufficient planting area is available
along the west side of the site to accommodate shrubs and trees at 21/2" caliper, 40' on center, along the front parking lot or that
sufficient planting area is available to accommodate trees and shrubs to mitigate the appearance of the east and west building
elevations.
Regarding recommendations on the plan as it relates to the guidelines:
o None.
Regarding recommended conditions of initial site plan approval:
• A Certificate of Appropriateness is required prior to final site plan approval.
• Provide utility free planting area along the west side of the site to accommodate shrubs and trees at 21/2" caliper, 40' on center,
along the front parking lot or provide evidence that those trees and shrubs in this area will not conflict with or be compromised
by existing or proposed utilities.
• Provide sufficient planting area for trees and shrubs to mitigate the appearance of the east and west building elevations.
Regarding conditions to be satisfied prior to issuance of a grading permit:
o Provide a tree conservation plan. Show tree protection fencing along all tree lines to remain.
G�
TABLE A
This report is based on the following submittal items:
Sheet #
Drawing Name
Drawing Date/Revision Date
C -001
Cover Sheet
7/3/2013
C -101
Existing Conditions & Demolition Plan
7/3/2013
C -201
Site Plan
7/3/2013
A2.0
Front Elevation
7/8/2013
A2.1
Right Side Elevation
7/8/2013
Material Samples
Roof
ATAS O1
Classic Bronze
n/a
Trim
ATAS 03
Medium Bronze
Siding
ATAS 15
Rawhide
Windows /Storefront
ATAS 26
Bone White
Mortar
Flamingo
C -208
Brick
Old Virginia
Albemarle Dominion Series
Glass
PPG
Low E, insulated, clear
10