The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutHO201400091 Legacy Document 2014-05-20 (3)Leslie N. Kravitz and John W. Ghoreyeb 350 Key West Drive Charlottesville, Virginia 22911 Phone (434) 295 - 4630 RE:HO201400091 Kate O'Connell, LPC (Psychotherapy Practice) Tax Map Parcel: 062B1 000C01300; 348 Key West Drive May 1, 2014 Dear Rebecca Ragsdale, This letter is to inform you that Leslie Kravitz and John Ghoreyeb, owners of 350 Key West Drive, do not feel, that the permit allowing Kate O'Connell, a renter, at 348 Key West Drive, to conduct a psychotherapy practice is appropriate for our neighborhood. According to Ms. O'Connell's website, she states that "She works effectively with children, adolescents, couples, and families addressing a multitude of mental health issues which include, but not limited to, anxiety, depression, oppositional defiance, suicidal ideation, eating disorders, trauma, abuse, cutting, divorce, custody, substance abuse, anger, grief and loss. There are families with small children living only a few houses away from 348 and there are also quite a few elderly people that live in close proximity. Would we need to be concerned for their safety? Also, you state in your letter that "limited customer visits are permitted with home occupations of up to 5 per day or 15 per week and office hours for clients will be between 12 pm and 7 pm." How will this be policed? Ms. O'Connell has been unapproachable to us, so if there were to be any issues who will take the responsibility of correcting any problems? According to Albemarle County code 18-33-14, we feel she would not comply with: 1.No substantial detriment. Our property values may be affected as to sales. It could possibly limit potential buyers if they knew that there was a psychotherapy practice operating next door. 3. Harmony. Again, not knowing the type of clients she intends to treat, will our health, safety and general welfare be in jeopardy? We personally do not feel comfortable with this type of business operating next to our home. Thank you for your consideration, Leslie N. Krav' JohnW. Ghoreyeb cc: Amelia McCulley Sarah Baldwin JOHN & CAROLYN J. DAWSON 349 Key West Dr. • Charlottesville, VA 22911 434-409-0847 • cidawson349@aol.com May 1, 2014 Rebecca Ragsdale Senior Planner County of Albemarle Department of Community Development 401 McIntire Road, North Wing Charlottesville, VA 22902-4596 RE: H0201400091 Kate O'Connell, LPC (Psychotherapy Practice) Tax Map Parcel: 062B 1000001300; 348 Key West Drive Dear Ms. Ragsdale: This letter is in response to a notification letter you sent to me dated April 28, 2014 regarding Kate O'Connell applying for a Zoning Special Use Permit to the property immediately across the street from my residence to have a Psychotherapy Practice. I have major objections to having the Special Use Permit being awarded. In researching Ms. O'Connell's practice according to her web site (www.oconnelikate.com) is focused on anxiety, depression, oppositional defiance, suicidal ideation, eating disorders, trauma, abuse, cutting, divorce, custody, substance abuse, anger, grief and loss. That type of practice within a residential neighborhood with many children and elderly is a huge safety concern with the type of clientele that type of advertising is very likely to attract entering & exiting in the neighborhood. The letter also stated that is was 5 customer visits per day or 15 per week and Ms. O'Connell advertises workshops with occupancy of 8 to 12 attendees at a time in addition to her regular practice which exceeds the home occupation limits. Having this type of business directly across the street from my home would adversely impact the value of my property and properties within the neighborhood. In the event I would wish sell, my property value would be reduced from the current value and would be more difficult to sell. Additionally, Ms. O'Connell leases the property and is not the property owner. Is she acting as an agent for the property owner? With the objections stated above, that this request does not meet the home occupation limits and that it is an issue for the entire Key West Neighborhood not just the adjacent property owners. The Special Use Permit should not be awarded without having a Public Hearing and being taken to the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors. Sincerely, Carolyn J Dawson John F Dawson, Jr. CC: Amelia McCulley, Director of Zoning Larry W. Davis, County Attorney Rebecca Ragsdale From: cjdawson349@aol.com Sent: Tuesday, May 06, 2014 5:09 PM To: Rebecca Ragsdale Cc: Amelia McCulley; Marsha Davis Subject: Re: Special Use Permit Kate O'Connell Ms Ragsdale, I received your email with regards to Kate O'Connell with her response to my concerns. She also put the same copy in my mailbox over the weekend. I reviewed the letter and still have several concerns. Ms. O'Connell stated she had an open house after she moved in which I did attend. There was no mention of her relocating her practice into the house she is renting. She did not mention that she was moving her practice directly across the street from my house and I would have expressed my concerns at that time. I did look up her web page and her practice location was downtown Charlottesville. Also in Ms. O'Connell's letter she described her clientele that they are seeking support and assistance from her. They go to her because they have mental/emotional issues and need help. The exact wording on Kate O'Connell's web site, with regards to the type of issues she treats is "anxiety, depression, oppositional defiance, suicidal ideation, eating disorders, trauma, abuse, cutting, divorce, custody, substance abuse, anger, grief and loss". In the response letter, she states she limits her practice to individual and family therapy but does not deny the types of issues treated. That type of practice within a residential neighborhood with many children and elderly is a huge safety concern with the type of clientele that type of advertising is very likely to attract entering & exiting in the neighborhood. It is not standard practice to have a Psychotherapy Practice located in a residential neighborhood. If it was her intension to bring her practice into her home she should have moved into a mixed use area (residential/commercial). Kate O'Connell did not address any of my concerns in her response letter. The Major Home Occupation permit should not be awarded for this type of business within the Key West Subdivision with the safety concerns. Regards, Carolyn & John Dawson 434-409-0847 In a message dated 5/5/2014 8:53:50 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, rragsdale aC)albemarle.org writes: Ms. Dawson, I tried giving you a call to discuss your concerns and provide information regarding this permit. It is actually a home occupation request, not a special use permit, and will not be heard by the planning commission or board of supervisors prior to approval. Here is a link to the checklist of zoning regulations that apply to this use: