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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSDP201100011 Legacy Document 2011-12-08 (7)MEMORANDUM To: Joan McDowell, Principal Planner Albemarle County Department of Community Development 401 McIntire Road, North Wing Charlottesville, VA 22902 From: Todd Barnett 114 Todd Avenue Charlottesville, Virginia 22902 Subject: Blue Ridge Swim Club SUP 201000035 and 201000041 Critical Slopes Waiver Request This is to request a waiver of the Critical Slopes grading restrictions for the area of critical slopes shown as impacted by the Blue Ridge Swim Club on SUP 201000035 and SUP 201000041. The waiver request is for Tax Map 58 Parcel 75A, which is 13.206 acres. Approximately 10 % of the site consists of critical slopes, which are natural in origin. Approximately 82 lineal feet of septic discharge line is proposed to be installed in the critical slopes. Assuming that a walk- behind trenching machine, such as a "ditch witch" is used, which will cut a 6" wide trench to enable the septic line to be installed below grade, we are estimating that the entire slope disturbance would approximately 100 square feet (or less than 0.2% of the total critical slopes). In accordance with Section 4.2.5 of the Zoning Ordinance, this request requires a waiver by the Planning Commission rather than their agent because this property is located within the Rural Areas (RA) District. The reason for the waiver and the particular physical impacts are addressed as follows: Reason for waiver: The Blue Ridge Swim Club has been in existence as a membership based swimming facility and /or a children's summer camp facility for over 90 years. The swim club is still in use and operates as a grandfathered use within a stream buffer in the RA District. The existing 3 -lane 100 -Yard swimming pool and 950 SF bath house are located on the bank of a stream at the base of a critical slope. Preliminary investigations have not determined the location of the existing drainfield that serves the bath house; but it is assumed that the drainfield is located in the stream buffer behind (north) the bath house. New primary and reserve drainfield locations have been established on site, above the critical slopes, and outside of the stream buffer. The applicant proposed to install a new drainfield for the bath house if access to the drainfield (across the critical slopes) is granted. Physical Impact Assessment: • The rapid and /or large -scale movement of soil and rock No significant movement of soil and rock is expected. The discharge line is 2" in diameter, which would require a very narrow trench for installation. • Excessive stormwater run -off The critical slopes are located within a heavily wooded area and, once the trench is covered, no impact is anticipated on stormwater run -off • Siltation of natural and man -made bodies of water By crossing the critical slopes instead of following the stream bank for another 500 feet and then traversing back another 350 feet above the critical slopes to access the drainfield, less siltation of the creek will be possible. • Loss of aesthetic resources By slicing and filling a 6" wide trench, there will be no impact on aesthetic resources. No change in existing elevations is proposed and no trees are proposed to be removed. • Septic effluent impact The purpose of this request is to mitigate an existing situation and remove an old septic discharge which is located within the stream buffer of the South Fork Rivanna Reservoir watershed. In summary, no significant negative impacts of installing the septic discharge line in this location are expected, and the strict application of the critical slopes provisions do not appear to serve public purposes, whereas granting the waiver would allow for reasonable mitigation of an existing negative condition on site. If you have any questions or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me. This request should accompany the Site Plan submittal, dated 10.21.2011, which will show the location and section of critical slopes affected.