HomeMy WebLinkAboutZMA201400008 Review Comments Zoning Map Amendment 2014-11-26s
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:
Rachel Falkenstein, Senior Planner
FROM:
Margaret Maliszewski, Principal Planner
RE:
CMA Properties ZMA- 2014 -08
DATE:
November 26, 2014
I have reviewed the information submitted for the above - referenced proposal, including a concept plan with revision date
of 10- 28 -14, and I have the following comments:
1. The southern end of the subject parcel (to a depth of approximately 200' across the width of the property) falls within
the Rio Road Entrance Corridor. Existing wooded area on parcels adjacent to Rio Road currently screen most of the
subject parcel from view, as seen from Rio. Future development of the parcels adjacent to Rio will likely open up the
views from the Rio EC.
2. The current conceptual plan includes a building footprint that differs from previous plans submitted with the CCP and
CPA applications. The southern end of the new building footprint falls within the Rio Road EC Overlay District.
Consequently, ARB review of the building design will be limited to this portion of the building as viewed from Rio
Road (unless the ARB is asked to comment on other aspects of the proposal by the PC or BOS).
3. Due to the presence of the existing Colonial Auto buildings, a new building on the subject parcel may not be visible
from the Rt. 29 Entrance Corridor from vantage points directly in front of the Colonial Auto property; however, views
might be available from Rt. 29 in the vicinity of the intersection with Rio Road, which has an increased elevation.
4. Portions of the proposed parking areas are labeled as "inventory parking" and some of these areas fall within the
Entrance Corridor Overlay District. Outdoor sales, storage and/or display uses in the EC require a Special Use Permit
(SP). Approval of the ZMA does not assume approval of any particular sales, storage and/or display use. The review
of an SP application for sales /storage /display will primarily consider visual impacts on the Entrance Corridors. The
ARB typically requires a higher degree of mitigation for sales /storage /display lots than for "standard" parking lots.
Increased landscaping (both perimeter and interior), limits on illumination (pole heights and maximum light levels
less than 30 fc), and limits on method of display (for example, no elevated vehicles) are among the typical
requirements. In this case, increased planting area and increased landscaping along the south side of the parking lot
may be an appropriate treatment for mitigating views from Rio Road.
5. Two large stormwater management facilities are located on the south side of the property, close to the property line,
within the EC Overlay District. EC guidelines require that such facilities be fully integrated into the landscape.
Although the proposed location may be the logical choice for these facilities due to the topography of the site,
sufficient planting area should be provided along the property line to achieve the integration required by the
guidelines. The facilities should be shifted slightly so that a minimum 10' -wide planting strip is available along the
southern property line. The 10' planting strip should not include the slopes to the stormwater facilities or any other
portion of the facilities on which trees cannot be planted.
6. It is recommended that landscaping requirements be met with both phases of the proposed development.
7. It is recommended that sales /storage /display areas outside the Entrance Corridor Overlay District be limited to a
maximum of 30 fc for consistency in appearance throughout the development and to maintain an appropriate character
in the neighborhood. Significantly lower light levels would apply in other areas of the development.
8. The plan should show the Entrance Corridor Overlay District boundary (500' from the Rio Road right -of -way).