HomeMy WebLinkAboutSUB201300042 Executive Summary 2013-07-10COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
AGENDA TITLE:
Old Trail Block 14 (SUB 2013 -42) Special exception to
waive overlot grading plan standards for driveways
SUBJECT /PROPOSAL /REQUEST:
Special exception to allow waiver of standards for
minimum length and maximum grade of driveways
STAFF CONTACT(S):
Messrs. Foley, Elliott, Davis, Kamptner, Graham and
Brooks
PRESENTER (S): N/A
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
AGENDA DATE:
July 10, 2013
ACTION: INFORMATION:
CONSENT AGENDA:
ACTION: X INFORMATION:
ATTACHMENTS: Yes
REVIEWED BY:
BACKGROUND:
The Old Trail rezoning was approved in September 2005 with 8 proffers. Proffer 7 required an overlot grading plan
and Proffer 7(H) provides that "the driveway grading shall provide an area in front of the proposed garage, or an area
proposed for vehicle parking where no garage is proposed, that is not less than eighteen (18) feet in length that will be
graded no steeper than eight (8) percent." Proffer 7(J) allows any requirement of Proffer 7 to be waived. The applicant
has requested that the minimum length and maximum grade standards for driveways be waived in Old Trail Block 14.
Under current procedures, these standards may be waived by special exception approved by the Board. The
applicant's original request and related exhibits are provided in Attachment A. A similar request was reviewed and
approved by the Board November 7, 2012 for Block 13 in Old Trail.
STRATEGIC PLAN:
Goal 5: Ensure the health and safety of the community.
DISCUSSION:
In evaluating this request, Proffer 7(J) provides that the Board should "consider whether the alternative proposed by
the Owner satisfies the purpose of the requirement to be waived to at least an equivalent degree." Staff has concluded
that the purpose for the minimum length and maximum grade standards for driveways in Proffer 7(H) is to ensure safe
and convenient access. The standards provide adequate sight distance for vehicles exiting garages, appropriate sight
lines for vehicles entering and exiting garages, and prevent vehicles from scraping driveways at severe grade
transitions. Staff's analysis focuses on this purpose.
Reduction in Driveway Length
The applicant has requested approval to reduce the minimum length of driveways in front of garages to either 5 feet or
16 feet. Staff has evaluated the minimum length of a driveway that is necessary in order to provide safe sight distance
for vehicles exiting garages, and has concluded that the safe minimum length is 7 feet from the edge of the pavement.
Driveways shorter than 7 feet would require the vehicle to partially back into the alley before the driver could see
oncoming vehicles or pedestrians. The following illustrations depict staff's sight distance concern:
Illustrations 1 and 2: Driveways shorter than 7 feet from the edge of the alley would not provide sight distance until part
of the vehicle was in the alley.
Therefore, staff supports a reduction in minimum driveway length to 7 feet, measured from the edge of the pavement
rather than from the boundary of the alley easement.
Increase in Driveway Grade
The applicant has requested permission to increase the grade of driveways above the maximum 8% grade allowed by
proffer 7(J), but has not specified a particular grade. Staff has evaluated the request and has concluded that a driver's
sight lines are restricted at grades of 10% or greater. Steeper grades prevent a driver from seeing the lower portion of
the garage upon entry, or low -lying objects in the the alley directly behind the vehicle, upon exit. Staff also has
concluded that the bottoms of vehicles will scrape a driveway if grade transitions are approximately 20% or greater.
The following illustrations depict staff's driveway grade concerns:
Illustrations 3 and 4: At grades greater than 10 %, sight lines are adversely affecte
d.
Illustration 6: At grades of 20% or greater, scraping occurs at grade transitions.
Illustration 5: At grades 10% or
less, sight lines are appropriate.
Based upon the foregoing, the maximum 8% grade in Proffer 7(H) is reasonable and staff recommends that it not be
changed, but that a grade transition not to exceed 10% be allowed.
BUDGET IMPACT:
There is no budget impact.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff recommends approval of the special exception subject to the following conditions:
1. Garages shall be set back from the edge of pavement of the alley at least seven (7) feet.
2. Driveway grades shall be 8% or less. The grade transition on the driveway shall not exceed 10 %.
3. The applicant shall obtain approval of an amended overlot grading plan for each block, phase, or sub -phase
within Block 14 before any permits are issued within Block 14.
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Old Trail Proffer Waiver Request -Block 14, dated April 10, 2013
B. Old Trail Block 14 Proffer Waiver exhibit