HomeMy WebLinkAboutARB201300183 Review Comments Preliminary Site Plan 2014-02-05o� .arm
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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
February 7, 2014
Scott Collins
Collins Engineering
200 Garrett Street, Ste K
Charlottesville VA 22902
RE: ARB- 2013 -183: Sonic Drive -thru at North Town Center
TMP 04500000011100
Dear Mr. Collins:
The Albemarle County Architectural Review Board, at its meeting on February 3, 2014, completed a
preliminary review and a intial site plan review of the above -noted request. The Board took the following
actions.
Regarding the Special Use Permit for the drive -thru window: The Board by a vote of 5:0, forwarded
the following recommendation to the Planning Commission.
1. Remove the door from the EC elevation and infill with brick on both sides of the stone.
2. Revise the landscape plan to show the limits of the sanitary sewer easement beneath the row of
Inkberry Holly shrubs. Replace the Inkberry Holly shrubs with a mix of three evergreen shrub
species, planted in an informal, staggered arrangement, and provide proof that they would be
allowed in that easement. If they aren't allowed, increase the planting area. Show their planting
heights at 36" minimum.
3. Provide proof that all the proposed plantings along the southern boundary are permitted in the
sanitary sewer easement.. If the trees aren't permitted, increase the planting area.
4. Ensure that landscaping will screen the stall menu boards and the drive -thru menu boards as
viewed from the EC.
Regarding the Initial Site PlanThe Board by a vote of 5:0, forwarded the following recommendation to
the Agent for the Site Review Committee.
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 36b, it is not clear
that sufficient planting area is available along the north side of the parking lot to
accommodate trees at 2'/2" caliper, 40' on center; or along the south side of the parking
lot (drive -thru travelway) to accommodate shrubs and trees at 2'/2" caliper, 40' on center;
or that sufficient planting area is available to accommodate shrubs along the western
edge of the drive -thru to mitigate the appearance of the drive -thru use and its associated
site features.
Regarding recommendations on the plan as it relates to the guidelines:
o See comments on the preliminary proposal.
Regarding recommended conditions of initial site plan approval:
0 A Certificate of Appropriateness is required prior to final site plan approval.
o Clarify how the trees along the north edge of the parking lot will be allowed to reach their
natural form, without excessive pruning, when planted so close to the canopy.
o Provide proof that all the proposed tree and shrub plantings along the southern boundary
of the parking lot and shrubs along the western edge of the travelway are permitted in the
sanitary sewer easements at both locations.
Regarding conditions to be satisfied prior to issuance of a grading permit:
o None
Regarding the preliminary site and architectural designs: The ARB offers the following comments on the
preliminary site plan and architectural design:
1. Provide building material and color samples for review.
2. Remove the poster display boards from the proposal.
3. Provide an interior building floor plan.
4. Provide a site /building elevation, as viewed from the EC, showing the entire width of the site including
the canopies and building.
5. Provide specs on the proposed glass. Ensure that the VLT shall not drop below 40% and the VLR
shall not exceed 30 %.
6. Provide a dumpster enclosure detail on the site plan drawings. A brick wall enclosure, of the same
red brick in the building, would provide a coordinated appearance.
7. Revise the proposal by relocating all the rooftop units to the EC end of the roof and revising their
design so the top of the unit is below the top of the cornice. Provide a section to confirm.
8. Revise the site plan drawings by labeling all site features shown. On Sheet 5 Site Cross - Sections,
verify which of the cross sections labeled "CROSS SECTION 2" is actually Section 3 and revise
the drawing accordingly.
9. Reduce the negative visual impact of the drive -thru and its associated features, as viewed from
the EC, by revising the planting plan to reduce visibility of this area and redesign the rear and side
elevations to relieve the back door appearance.
10. Revise the Plant Schedule on Sheet 4 Landscape Plan to show all shrub planting heights at 24"
minimum. Include shrub plantings "IV" & "IS" in the schedule.
11. Revise the drawing to show the limits of the sanitary sewer easement beneath the Inkberry Holly
shrubs. Replace the Inkberry Holly shrubs with a mix of three evergreen shrub species, planted in
an informal, staggered arrangement and provide proof that they would be allowed in that
easement. Show their planting heights at 36" minimum.
12. Revise Sheet 4 Landscaping Plan by reducing the spacing of the 1 Allee Elm & 2 London Plane
trees, shown along the northern edge of the site, to 40' maximum. Add another large tree.
13. Include a dashed outline on the landscape plan showing the limits of the canopies. Clarify how the
trees will be allowed to reach their natural form, without excessive pruning, when planted so close
to the canopy.
14. Add another large tree in the planting island immediately east of the dumpster enclosure (south
end of the site) and provide proof that all the proposed plantings along the southern boundary are
permitted in the sanitary sewer easement. If trees aren't permitted, increase the planting area.
15. Provide a complete lighting plan for review. All wall and site lights shall be full cutoff fixtures.
Canopy lights shall be flush -mount or recessed. Wall lights shall be down lights only and located
so as to illuminate the sidewalk without over - illuminating the building.
16. Include the standard lighting note on the lighting plan.
17. Provide a lighting plan that limits canopy illumination values to 20 footcandles.
18. Separate applications for signs are required. The sign type is appropriate; however, overly intense
sign colors will not be approved and illumination will be limited to internal illumination of the
channel letter text with no illumination of the backer panel.
19. Remove the poster display boards from the proposal.
20. The stall menu boards facing the EC should not be internally illuminated.
21. Provide a 3D visualization illustrating the view from the corridor, with existing and proposed
vegetation.
22. Provide additional information on the stall menu boards to clarify the "advertisement" side.
You may submit your application for continued ARB review at your earliest convenience. Application forms,
checklists and schedules are available on -line at www.albemarle.org /ARB.
Revised drawings addressing the comments listed above are required. Include updated ARB revision dates on
each drawing. Please provide a memo including detailed responses indicating how each comment has been
addressed. If changes other than those requested have been made, identify those changes in the memo also.
Highlighting the changes in the drawing with "clouding" or by other means will facilitate review and approval.
If you have any questions concerning any of the above, please feel free to call me.
Sincerely,
Margaret Maliszewski
Principal Planner
cc: First Gold Leaf Land Trust Wendell W Wood, Trustee
Po Box 5548
Charlottesville Va 22905
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