HomeMy WebLinkAboutARB201000126 Legacy Document 2010-11-05ALBEMARLE COUNTY
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD
DESIGN GUIDELINES
DRAFT UPDATE - OCTOBER 22, 2010
Albemarle County Architectural Review Board Design Guidelines —Draft Revisions 10/22/2010— page 1
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW
Background
Section 15.1 -503.2 of the Code of Virginia authorizes localities to regulate the design of
development along streets, roads, and highways providing access to significant historic structures
and to cities and towns to insure that such development is compatible with the architecture of the
historically significant landmarks, buildings, and structures to which these routes lead. These
"entrance corridors" are to be designated by the locality. The review of development proposals
within such corridors is to be undertaken by locally designated Architectural Review Boards.
On October 3, 1990, the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors adopted Section 30.6 of the
Albemarle County Zoning Ordinance. The section is titled "Entrance Corridor Overlay District"
and implements the authority described above. It specifically designates a number of "entrance
corridors," establishes standards for the review of development proposed within the corridors and
creates a five member Architectural Review Board (ARB). The Board of Supervisors also
appointed members to the ARB and charged them with the responsibility for proposing and
administering a set of Guidelines for development within the designated corridors.
Procedures and Requirements
State law and County ordinance both require that the ARB approve only those proposals which
reflect designs which are compatible with the historically significant architecture of the County
of Albemarle and City of Charlottesville. It is not intended that proposed designs mirror existing
historic structures in the area. Replication of such structures is neither required nor desired.
However, developers proposing "trademark" designs can expect that significant modification
will be required by the ARB before approval will be granted.
The guidelines which follow are intended to provide assistance to the applicant in designing projects
which will meet the design requirements of the ARB. In addition, Appendix A contains a list of the
pictures of historically significant structures in the area that are illustrated in this booklet; drawings
which highlight some of the important features of these structures; and photographs of modern
buildings, both in the area and elsewhere, which are considered compatible with these historic
structures.
See the ARB page on the Albemarle County website for additional details regarding
procedures and requirements. Go to www.albemarle.org/ARB.
Albemarle County Architectural Review Board Design Guidelines —Draft Revisions 10/22/2010— page 2
DESIGN GUIDELINES - GENERAL
Albemarle County Architectural Review Board Design Guidelines —Draft Revisions 10/22/2010— page 3
Purpose
1. The goal of the regulation of the design of development within the designated Entrance
Corridors is to insure that new development within the corridors reflects the traditional
architecture of the area. Therefore, it is the purpose of ARB review and of these Guidelines,
that proposed development within the designated Entrance Corridors reflect elements of design
characteristic of the significant historical landmarks, buildings, and structures of the
Charlottesville and Albemarle area, and to promote orderly and attractive development within
these corridors.
2. Visitors to the significant historical sites in the Charlottesville and Albemarle area experience
these sites as ensembles of buildings, land, and vegetation. In order to accomplish the
integration of buildings, land, and vegetation characteristic of these sites, the Guidelines
require attention to four primary factors: compatibility with significant historic sites in the
area; the character of the Entrance Corridor; site development and layout; and landscaping.
Compatibility with significant historic sites:
3. New structures and substantial additions to existing structures should respect the traditions of
the architecture of historically significant buildings in the Charlottesville and Albemarle area.
Photographs of historic buildings in the area, as well as drawings of architectural features, which
provide important examples of this tradition are contained in Appendix A
4. The examples contained in Appendix A should be used as a guide for building design: the
standard of compatibility with the area's historic structures is not intended to impose a rigid
design solution for new development. Replication of the design of the important historic sites in
the area is neither intended nor desired. The Guideline's standard of compatibility can be met
through building scale, materials, and forms which may be embodied in architecture which is
contemporary as well as traditional. The Guidelines allow individuality in design to
accommodate varying tastes as well as special functional requirements.
Compatibility with the character of the Entrance Corridor:
5. It is also an important objective of the Guidelines to establish a pattern of compatible
architectural characteristics throughout the Entrance Corridor in order to achieve unity and
coherence. Building designs should demonstrate sensitivity to other nearby structures within the
Entrance Corridor. Where a designated corridor is substantially developed, these Guidelines
require striking a careful balance between harmonizing new development with the existing
character of the corridor and achieving compatibility with the significant historic sites in the
area.
Site development and layout:
6. Site development should be sensitive to the existing natural landscape and should contribute to
the creation of an organized development plan. This may be accomplished, to the extent
practical, by preserving the trees and rolling terrain typical of the area; planting new trees along
Albemarle County Architectural Review Board Design Guidelines —Draft Revisions 10/22/2010— page 4
streets and pedestrian ways and choosing species that reflect native forest elements; insuring
that any grading will blend into the surrounding topography thereby creating a continuous
landscape; preserving, to the extent practical, existing significant river and stream valleys which
may be located on the site and integrating these features into the design of surrounding
development; and limiting the building mass and height to a scale that does not overpower the
natural settings of the site, or the Entrance Corridor.
Landscaping:
7. The requirements of the Guidelines regarding landscaping are intended to reflect the
landscaping characteristic of many of the area's significant historic sites which is characterized
by large shade trees and lawns. Landscaping should promote visual order within the Entrance
Corridor and help to integrate buildings into the existing environment of the corridor.
8. Continuity within the Entrance Corridor should be obtained by planting different types of plant
materials that share similar characteristics. Such common elements allow for more flexibility in
the design of structures because common landscape features will help to harmonize the
appearance of development as seen from the street upon which the Corridor is centered.
Albemarle County Architectural Review Board Design Guidelines —Draft Revisions 10/22/2010— page 5
DESIGN GUIDELINES - SPECIFICS
Albemarle County Architectural Review Board Design Guidelines —Draft Revisions 10/22/2010— page 6
This section provides specific recommendations intended to achieve the goals described in the
general design statement.
Compatibility with significant historic sites:
Structure design
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. 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 context of buildings.
11. The overall design of buildings should have human scale. Scale should be integral to the
building and site design.
12. Architecture proposed within the Entrance Corridor should use forms, shapes, scale, and
materials to create a cohesive whole.
13. Any appearance of "blankness" resulting from building design should be relieved using design
details or vegetation, or both.
14. Arcades, colonnades, or other architectural connecting devices should be used to unify groups of
buildings within a development.
15. Trademark buildings and related features should be modified to meet the requirements of the
Guidelines.
16. Window glass in the Entrance Corridors should not be highly tinted or highly reflective.
Reflectance off the outside pane of glass should be kept below 7%. Specifications on the
proposed window glass and samples of tinted window glass should be submitted for review.
Accessory structures and equipment
16. Accessory structures and equipment should be integrated into the overall plan of development
and shall, to the extent possible, be compatible with the building designs used on the site.
17. The following should be located to eliminate visibility from the Entrance Corridor street. If,
after appropriate siting, these features will still have a negative visual impact on the Entrance
Corridor street, screening should be provided to eliminate visibility.
a.) Loading areas,
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b.) Service areas,
c.) Refuse areas,
d.) Storage areas,
e.) Mechanical equipment,
f.) Above - ground utilities, and
g.) Chain link fence, barbed wire, razor wire, and similar security fencing devices.
18. Screening devices should be compatible with the design of the buildings and surrounding
natural vegetation and may consist of:
a.) Walls,
b.) Plantings, and
c.) Fencing.
19. Surface runoff structures and detention ponds should be designed to fit into the
natural topography to avoid the need for screening. When visible from the Entrance Corridor
street, such features must be fully integrated into the landscape. They should not have the
appearance of engineered features.
20. The following note should be added to the site plan and the architectural plan: "Visibility of all
mechanical equipment from the Entrance Corridor shall be eliminated."
Lighting
General Guidelines
21. Light should be contained on the site and not spill over onto adjacent properties or streets;
22. Light should be shielded, recessed or flush - mounted to eliminate glare. All fixtures with
lamps emitting 3000 lumens or more must be full cutoff fixtures.
23. Light levels exceeding 30 footcandles are not appropriate for display lots in the Entrance
Corridors. Lower light levels will apply to most other uses in the Entrance Corridors.
24. Light should have the appearance of white light with a warm soft glow; however, a consistent
appearance throughout a site or development is required. Consequently, if existing lamps that
emit non -white light are to remain, new lamps may be required to match them.
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25. Dark brown, dark bronze, or black are appropriate colors for free - standing pole mounted
light fixtures in the Entrance Corridors.
26. The height and scale of freestanding, pole- mounted light fixtures should be compatible with
the height and scale of the buildings and the sites they are illuminating, and with the use of
the site. Typically, the height of freestanding pole- mounted light fixtures in the Entrance
Corridors should not exceed 20 feet, including the base. Fixtures that exceed 20 feet in height
will typically require additional screening to achieve an appropriate appearance from the
Entrance Corridor.
27. In determining the appropriateness of lighting fixtures for the Entrance Corridors, the
individual context of the site will be taken into consideration on a case by case basis.
28. The following note should be included on the lighting plan: "Each outdoor luminaire
equipped with a lamp that emits 3,000 or more initial lumens shall be a full cutoff luminaire.
The spillover of lighting from luminaires onto public roads and property in residential or
rural areas zoning districts shall not exceed one half footcandle."
Guidelines for the Use of Decorative Landscape Lighting
If other site lighting is visible from the Entrance Corridor, lighting used for decorative purposes
will generally not be approved. However, the ARB will review each proposal to determine
impact and appropriateness for the Entrance Corridor.
29. Exterior light used for decorative effect shall:
a.) be compatible with the character of the Entrance Corridor. Compatibility of exterior
lighting and lighting fixtures is assessed in terms of design, use, size, scale, color, and
brightness.
b.) impact only the immediate site. The effect of the illumination should not be
discernible from distances along the Entrance Corridor.
30. Where used for decorative effect, outdoor light fixtures shall:
a.) be equipped with automatic timing devices and shall be extinguished between the
hours of 11:00 p.m. and dawn.
b.) be shielded and focused to eliminate glare. Glare control shall be achieved primarily
through the use of such means as cutoff fixtures, shields and baffles, and appropriate
application of mounting height, wattage, aiming angle, fixture placement, etc.
c.) be cutoff luminaires, aimed so as not to project their output beyond the objects
intended to be illuminated; or non - cutoff luminaires, equipped with glare shields,
visors, barn doors, and/or other similar shielding accessories as required to meet the
following criteria: Light distribution from all lighting installations shall be cut -off at
Albemarle County Architectural Review Board Design Guidelines —Draft Revisions 10/22/2010— page 9
all angles beyond those required to restrict direct illumination to within the perimeter
of the landscape feature being illuminated.
d.) never exceed 3,000 lumens. Further restrictions on lumens may be imposed by the
ARB.
e.) not be modified to reflect seasonal colors.
f.) be of a number that is compatible with the scale of the object and the development to
be illuminated, such that the light emitted will not over - illuminate or overpower the
site, as determined by the ARB.
Signs
See the ARB's revised sign guidelines, adopted October 13, 2004.
Landscaping
31.) Landscaping along the frontage of Entrance Corridor streets should include the following:
a.) Large shade trees should be planted parallel to the Entrance Corridor Street. Such trees
should be at least 31/2 inches caliper (measured 6 inches above the ground) and should be
of a plant species common to the area. Such trees should be located at least every 35
feet on center.
b.) Flowering ornamental trees of a species common to the area should be interspersed
among the trees required by the preceding paragraph. The ornamental trees need not
alternate with the large shade trees. They may be planted in an irregular spacing pattern.
c.) In situations where appropriate, a three or four board fence or low stone wall, typical of
the area, should align the frontage of the Entrance Corridor street.
d.) An area of sufficient width to accommodate the foregoing plantings and fencing should
be reserved parallel to the Entrance Corridor street, and exclusive of road right -of -way
and utility easements.
32.) Landscaping along interior roads:
a.) Large trees should be planted parallel to all interior roads. Such trees should be at least
21/2 inches caliper (measured six inches above the ground) and should be of a plant
species common to the area. Such trees should be located at least every 40 feet on
center.
33.) Landscaping along interior pedestrian ways:
Albemarle County Architectural Review Board Design Guidelines —Draft Revisions 10/22/2010— page 10
a.) Medium trees should be planted parallel to all interior pedestrian ways. Such trees
should be at least 21/2 inches caliper (measured six inches above the ground) and should
be of a species common to the area. Such trees should be located at least every 25 feet
on center.
34.) Landscaping of parking areas:
a.) Large trees should align the perimeter of parking areas, located 40 feet on center. Trees
should be planted in the interior of parking areas at the rate of one tree for every 10
parking spaces provided and should be evenly distributed throughout the interior of the
parking area.
b.) Trees required by the preceding paragraph should measure 21/2 inches caliper (measured
six inches above the ground); should be evenly spaced; and should be of a species
common to the area. Such trees should be planted in planters or medians sufficiently
large to maintain the health of the tree and shall be protected by curbing.
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.
35.) Landscaping of buildings and other structures:
a.) Trees or other vegetation should be planted along the front of long buildings as
necessary to soften the appearance of exterior walls. The spacing, size, and type of such
trees or vegetation should be determined by the length, height, and blankness of such
walls.
b.) Shrubs should be used to integrate the site, buildings, and other structures; dumpsters,
accessory buildings and structures; "drive thru" windows; service areas; and signs.
Shrubs should measure at least 24 inches in height.
36.) Plant species:
a.) Plant species required should be as approved by the Staff based upon but not limited to
the Generic Landscape Plan Recommended Species List and Native Plants for Virginia
Landscapes.
37.) Plant health:
a.) The following note should be added to the landscape plan: "All site plantings of trees and
shrubs shall be 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:
Albemarle County Architectural Review Board Design Guidelines —Draft Revisions 10/22/2010— page 11
Development pattern
38.) The relationship of buildings and other structures to the Entrance Corridor street and to other
development within the corridor should be as follows:
a.) An organized pattern of roads, service lanes, bike paths, and pedestrian walks should
guide the layout of the site.
b.) In general, buildings fronting the Entrance Corridor street should be parallel to the street.
Building groupings should be arranged to parallel the Entrance Corridor street.
c.) Provisions should be made for connections to adjacent pedestrian and vehicular
circulation systems.
d.) Open spaces should be tied into surrounding areas to provide continuity within the
Entrance Corridor.
e.) If significant natural features exist on the site (including creek valleys, steep slopes,
significant trees or rock outcroppings), to the extent practical, then such natural features
should be reflected in the site layout. If the provisions of Section 32.5.6.n of the
Albemarle County Zoning Ordinance apply, then improvements required by that section
should be located so as to maximize the use of existing features in screening such
improvements from Entrance Corridor streets.
f.) The placement of structures on the site should respect existing views and vistas on and
around the site.
Site Grading
39.)Site grading should maintain the basic relationship of the site to surrounding conditions by
limiting the use of retaining walls and by shaping the terrain through the use of smooth, rounded
land forms that blend with the existing terrain. Steep cut or fill sections are generally
unacceptable. Proposed contours on the grading plan shall be rounded with a ten foot minimum
radius where they meet the adjacent condition. Final grading should achieve a natural, rather
than engineered, appearance. Retaining walls 6' in height and taller, when necessary, shall be
terraced and planted to blend with the landscape.
Albemarle County Architectural Review Board Design Guidelines —Draft Revisions 10/22/2010— page 12
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40.) No grading, trenching, or tunneling should occur within the drip line of any trees or other
existing features designated for preservation in the final Certificate of Appropriateness.
Adequate tree protection fencing should be shown on, and coordinated throughout, the grading,
landscaping and E &S plans.
41.)Areas designated for preservation in the final Certificate of Appropriateness should be clearly
delineated and protected on the site prior to any grading activity on the site. This protection
should remain in place until completion of the development of the site.
42.) Preservation areas should be protected from storage or movement of heavy equipment within
this area.
43.) Natural drainage patterns (or to the extent required, new drainage patterns) should be
incorporated into the finished site to the extent possible.
Fuel Pump Canopies
(Adopted by the ARB on August 25, 1998, revised October 13, 2004)
43.) Fuel pump canopies may be required to provide customers with protection from the
elements and to provide lighting levels required for dispensing fuel. Such fuel pump
canopies are functional elements of present -day gas /convenience stores and their character
and appearance shall reflect a minimalist design consistent with that function.
44.) Fuel pump canopies shall be the smallest size possible to offer protection from the
elements. Canopies shall not exceed the sizes identified in Standards for Fuel Pump
Canopies as outlined in Appendix B.
45.) The size of the canopy fascia and canopy support columns shall be in proportion to the
overall size of the canopy structure. The fascia shall not exceed 36" in total height, including
any accent bands.
Albemarle County Architectural Review Board Design Guidelines —Draft Revisions 10/22/2010— page 13
46.) Canopy fascias shall not be illuminated.
47.) Lighting of fuel pump canopies shall be of the lowest level that will provide safe
dispensing of fuel. All canopy lighting shall be flush - mounted and shielded, downward
directed, and shall not emit light above the horizontal plane. All canopy lighting shall meet
the .5 foot - candle spillover requirement in compliance with zoning ordinance regulations.
48.) Canopy related elements, including fuel dispensers, support columns, spandrels, planters,
etc. shall be compatible with the character of the building and site and shall not be used for
advertising.
49.) The architectural elements of a building should not be altered to reflect trademark canopy
design.
50.) Canopy fascias shall be limited to the use of one principal color, with ARB review.
51.) Colors, materials, forms, and detailing may be used to coordinate canopies with a site, its
building(s), and structures.
52.) Fuel pump canopy applicants should refer to ARB Standards for Fuel Pump Canopies.
(Appendix B)
Albemarle County Architectural Review Board Design Guidelines —Draft Revisions 10/22/2010— page 14
APPENDIX A
The following list contains properties that serve as examples for architecture and site design
proposed within the Entrance Corridor Overlay District. The list contains historic buildings
as well as more recently constructed buildings. The buildings are located within Albemarle
County and the City of Charlottesville.
Albemarle County Court House
Albemarle First Bank (Route 29 North)
Liberty Station & Convenience Store (previously Amoco, intersection of Route 29 North and
Airport Road)
Ash Lawn
Barracks Road Shopping Center (Barracks Road and Emmet Street intersection)
Crestar Building (High Street)
Forest Lakes Commercial Area (intersection of Route 29 North and Airport Road)
Ivy Commons (Ivy Road)
Legal Research Building (Route 250 West)
McDonald's (intersection of Route 250 East and Route 20 North)
Memorial Gym (University of Virginia)
Monticello
Moser Radiation Therapy Center (Route 250 West)
Peter Jefferson Place (Route 250 East)
Queen Charlotte (High Street)
Rotunda and the Lawn (University of Virginia)
Shell Convenience Store Building (Route 250 East)
Wachovia Bank (Route 29 North)
The buildings as noted above are either historically significant or serve as examples of
architecture compatible with historically significant buildings in the Charlottesville and
Albemarle area and serve as examples of shapes, structures, materials, colors, textures, site
development, and the integration of site and structure which are encouraged by these
guidelines.
It should be recognized, however, that replication of these examples will not necessarily
result in the issuance of a Certificate of Appropriateness by the Architectural Review Board
because each building site and its context is unique.
Albemarle County Architectural Review Board Design Guidelines —Draft Revisions 10/22/2010— page 15
Albemarle County Architectural Review Board Design Guidelines —Draft Revisions 10/22/2010— page 16
APPENDIX B
Standards for Fuel Pump Canopies
(Adopted by the ARB on August 13, 1998)
LENGTH
Maximum length for a single island canopy = 26'
(= 4' comfort zone front + 18' auto length + 4' comfort zone back)
C i 26'-0'
14
Maximum length for a double island canopy = 42'
(= 2' comfort zone front + 18' auto length + 2' comfort zone middle + 18' auto length + 2' comfort
zone back)
42- 0'
Maximum length for a triple island canopy = 66'
(= 3' comfort zone front + 18' auto length + 3' comfort zone middle + 18' auto length + 3' comfort
zone back + 18' auto length + 3' comfort zone back)
LYE
WIDTH
Maximum width for single island canopies = 26'. (= 3' (open door overhang) + 6' (car width) +
2' (curb clearance) + 4' (island width) + 2' (curb clearance) + 6' (car width) + 3' (open door
overhang))
Albemarle County Architectural Review Board Design Guidelines —Draft Revisions 10/22/2010— page 17
HEIGHT (from ground to bottom of fascia)
Maximum acceptable height is 14'6".
FASCIA HEIGHT
Maximum fascia height is 36 ".
36"
FUEL DISPENSER SIZE
A typical size is 7'9" high (approximately half the minimum canopy height), 4'6" wide, 32"
deep.
ISLAND SIZE
A typical size is 12 -14' long, 4' wide, 9" tall.
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