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HomeMy WebLinkAboutARB201400030 Review Comments Initial Site Plan 2014-04-15ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD STAFF REPORT Project #/Name ARB- 2014 -30: Acme Stove Review Type Initial Site Plan and Preliminary Architectural Review Parcel Identification 045131050A00900 Location On Seminole Lane, east of Rt. 29, approximately 400' north of Hilton Heights Road Zoned Highway Commercial (HC), Entrance Corridor (EC) Owner /Applicant IWE LLC /Collins Engineering (Scott Collins) Magisterial District Rio Proposal To construct an 8,000 sf commercial building with associated site improvements. Context The subject parcel is located amidst commercial development on Rt. 29 North. It is situated between the Floors R Us building (which predates the establishment of the EC) and the Wilco Hess gas station/convenience store (which was reviewed and approved by the ARB). The proposed building would be located 10' north of the convenience store. A wooded slope is at the back of the site, with residential properties up and beyond. Seminole Lane and Seminole Trail (Rt. 29) are to the west. There is no landscaping in the grass strip between Seminole Lane and Rt. 29. Brown Auto is across Rt. 29 to the west. Visibility The development will be readily visible from the Rt. 29 Entrance Corridor. Visibility of the south elevation of the building (right side) will be limited by the proximity of the convenience store. ARB Meeting Date April 21, 2014 Staff Contact Margaret Maliszewski PROJECT HISTORY On August 14, 2002 the ARB reviewed a proposal (ARB- 2002 -65) to expand the vehicle display at Dan's Automart on this parcel, and recommended no objection with conditions. Comments were also provided on the preliminary site design. The project did not move forward. ANALYSIS Gray highlight = means the guideline can't be reviewed at initial site plan stage, but recommendations can be provided for final Yellow highlight = means the guideline can only be reviewed for location/configuration at the initial plan stage Regular text = means the guideline can be reviewed at initial plan stage, can be made a condition of initial plan approval, and can be the basis for denial REF GUIDELINE ISSUE RECOMMENDATION Structure design 1 The goal of the regulation of the design of development The proposed building is L- shaped. The Revise the wall material to within the designated Entrance Corridors is to insure that wings of the L have walls of painted brick. unpainted brick that is new development within the corridors reflects the A stone -faced tower rises from the coordinated with nearby traditional architecture of the area. Therefore, it is the northwest corner of the western wing and buildings. Indicate the purpose of ARB review and of these Guidelines, that is taller than the rest of the building. The trellis material and color on proposed development within the designated Entrance tower has openings at its base on three the drawings. Provide Corridors reflect elements of design characteristic of the sides. As a focus of the design, it would be material and color samples gm icant historical landmarks, buildings, and structures expected to mark the building entrance, but for review. of the Charlottesville and Albemarle area, and to promote it does not. Without this function, the orderly and attractive development within these corridors. tower appears to be primarily a place to Revise the architectural Applicants should note that replication of historic structures is install signage. design to coordinate the neither required nor desired. A trellis runs along the inside of the L, and tower and the entrance. 2 Visitors to the significant historical sites in the Charlottesville and Albemarle area experience these sites extends beyond the building to the north. Provide details to clarify as ensembles of buildings, land, and vegetation. In order Metal canopies are provided over the the appearance of the trellis to accomplish the integration of buildings, land, and windows and doors, including the main and canopies. vegetation characteristic of these sites, the Guidelines entrance to the building, on the north require attention to four primary factors: compatibility elevation of the western wing. The tower Show the tower and trellis with significant historic sites in the area; the character of and trellis do not appear on the site plan. on the site plan. the Entrance Corridor; site development and layout; and landscaping. Material samples and color information have not yet been provided. The proposed 9 Building forms and features, including roofs, windowA doors, materials, colors and textures should be compatible building scale, basic material selections with the forms and features of the significant historic (brick and stone), and the general building _ buildings in the area, exemplified by (but not limited to) form appear to be compatible with the the buildings described in Appendix A [of the design historic architecture of the area. However, guidelines]. The standard of compatibility can be met unpainted brick is more consistent with the through scale, materials, and forms which may be majority of brick buildings in the County embodied in architecture which is contemporary as well as and painted brick can be a maintenance traditional. The replication of important historic sites in concern. Unpainted brick would provide Albemarle County is not the objective of these guidelines. for a more consistent appearance. 3 New structures and substantial additions to existing Brick relates to the adjacent convenience Provide a street elevation structures should respect the traditions of the architecture store and several other buildings in the showing the form, size and of historically significant buildings in the Charlottesville immediate area. The stone proposed for the scale of the proposed and Albemarle area. Photographs of historic buildings in tower relates to the stone used in the building with the adjacent the area, as well as drawings of architectural features, Brown Auto building across the street. buildings. which provide important examples of this tradition are contained in Appendix A. The size of the proposed building is within the range of nearby buildings. The building 4 The examples contained in Appendix A should be used as a guide for building design: the standard of compatibility would be located only 10' from the with the area's historic structures is not intended to convenience store, so coordination is impose a rigid design solution for new development. important. Providing a street elevation Replication of the design of the important historic sites id showing the proposed building together the area is neither intended nor desired. The Guideline's with the adjacent buildings would clarify standard of compatibility can be met through building the relationship. 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. 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. 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. 14 Arcades, colonnades, or other architectural connecting devices should be used to unify groups of buildings within a development. 13 Any appearance of "blankness" resulting from building The brick walls that face the EC have no Revise the building to design should be relieved using design detail or windows, doors or architectural detailing. include architectural vegetation, or both. The blank elevation of the northern wing is fronted by the trellis that runs along the L. detailing to relieve the blankness of the walls 36 Landscaping of buildings and other structures: a. Trees or other vegetation should be planted along the A sign is shown at the top of the EC- facing facing the EC. front of long buildings as necessary to soften the wall of the western wing. The area appearance of exterior walls. The spacing, size, and type between this wall and the front property of such trees or vegetation should be determined by the line ranges in depth from 32' to 50'. The length, height, and blankness of such walls. area is occupied by a rain garden with four b. Shrubs should be used to integrate the site, buildings, trees and ten shrubs. The character of this and other structures; dumpsters, accessory buildings and landscaping does not appear to be structures; "drive thru" windows; service areas; and signs. sufficient to mitigate a completely blank Shrubs should measure at least 24 inches in height. wall facing the EC. 15 Trademark buildings and related features should be The building does not appear to be a None. modified to meet the requirements of the Guidelines. trademark design. 16 Window glass in the Entrance Corridors should not be Details on window glass have not been Provide window glass highly tinted or highly reflective. Window glass in the provided. information on the plan Entrance Corridors should meet the following criteria: showing that visible light Visible light transmittance (VLT) shall not drop below transmittance (VLT) shall 40 %. Visible light reflectance (VLR) shall not exceed not drop below 40% and 30 %. Specifications on the proposed window glass should visible light reflectance be submitted with the application for final review. (VLR) shall not exceed 30 %. Accessory structures and equipment 17 Accessory structures and equipment should be integrated A dumpster with a screening fence is Provide a dumpster detail in into the overall plan of development and shall, to tffl proposed in the northeast corner of the the plan. extent possible, be compatible with the building designs parking lot. In this location, the dumpster sed on the site. is expected to have minimal impact on the EC, but a detail of the fence is needed on Indicate the height of the mechanical equipment 18 The following should be located to eliminate visibility from the Entrance Corridor street. If, after appropriate siting, the plan. proposed behind the these features will still have a negative visual impact on the building, and adjust the Entrance Corridor street, screening should be provided to Mechanical equipment is proposed to be planting height of the eliminate visibility. a. Loading areas, b. Service areas, c. located on a concrete pad behind the screening shrubs to match Refuse areas, d. Storage areas, building at the northern end of the northern the equipment height. e. Mechanical equipment, £ Above - ground utilities, and wing. Screening shrubs are proposed on g. Chain link fence, barbed wire, razor wire, and similar the north side of the pad to further limit Show the locations and security fencing devices. visibility. The shrubs are proposed at 18" — heights of the rooftop 19 Screening devices should be compatible with the design 30" high at planting. Minimum shrub equipment on the plans and the buildings and surrounding natural vegetation arld.Uliki height should match the equipment height elevations. Include a consist o£ a. Walls, b. Plantings, and c. Fencing. to ensure visibility is eliminated. Rooftop section showing that the equipment is also proposed. Locations and equipment will not be heights are needed on the plans and visible from the EC. elevations to show that the parapets will fully screen the equipment from view. 21 The following note should be added to the site plan and the The note appears on the cover sheet of the Add the standard architectural plan: "Visibility of all mechanical equipment site plan. It is also needed on the mechanical equipment note from the Entrance Corridor shall be eliminated." architectural drawings. to the architectural drawings. Lighting The plan shows wall - mounted lights, but a Provide a complete lighting lighting plan has not been submitted for plan for review. review. Landscaping 7 The requirements of the Guidelines regarding landscaping The site of the proposed development Provide an additional EC are intended to reflect the landscaping characteristic of fronts on Seminole Lane, which runs tree at 3%2" caliper. many of the area's significant historic sites which is parallel to the Route 29 Entrance Corridor characterized by large shade trees and lawns. Landscaping in front of the site, from the Real Estate 3 Provide interspersed should promote visual order within the Entrance Corridor offices at the south to the Riverside Center ornamental trees, and help to integrate buildings into the existing Shopping Center at the north. The grass distributed along the environment of the corridor. strip between Seminole Lane and Rt. 29 includes no trees or shrubs. Consequently, frontage of the property. 8 Continuity within the Entrance Corridor should be obtained by planting different types of plant materials that 31/2" caliper trees, 35' on center, are share similar characteristics. Such common elements appropriate for the frontage of this allow for more flexibility in the design of structures property. 3'/2" caliper Willow Oaks are because common landscape features will help to proposed. At 35' on center, 6 or 7 trees harmonize the appearance of development as seen from would be appropriate for the 230' frontage. the street upon which the Corridor is centered. However, two entrance /exits to the site are proposed, and the front of the site is 32 Landscaping along the frontage of Entrance Corridor streets should include the following: occupied primarily by stormwater a. Large shade trees should be planted parallel to the facilities, utilities and easements. This Entrance Corridor Street. Such trees should be at least 31/2 limits planting area such that only 5 inches caliper (measured 6 inches above the ground) and frontage trees are provided and should be of a plant species common to the area. Such landscaping is relegated to "leftover" trees should be located at least every 35 feet on center. space. b. Flowering ornamental trees of a species common to the area should be interspersed among the trees required by the Two Yoshino cherry trees are proposed in preceding paragraph. The ornamental trees need not locations flanking the southern stormwater alternate one for one with the large shade trees. They may be facility. These are ornamental trees, but the planted among the large shade trees in a less regular spacing quantity and distribution is not sufficient to pattern. meet the intent of the "interspersed" c. In situations where appropriate, a three or four board requirement. 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. 33 Landscaping along interior roads: There are no roads proposed at the interior None. a. Large trees should be planted parallel to all interior of the site. roads. Such trees should be at least 2%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. 34 Landscaping along interior pedestrian ways: A sidewalk is provided from Seminole None. a. Medium trees should be planted parallel to all interior Lane to the building, and along the L of the pedestrian ways. Such trees should be at least 2%2 inches building. Three trees are provided at the caliper (measured six inches above the ground) and shoull north end of the sidewalk. be of a species common to the area. Such trees should be located at least every 25 feet on center. 35 Landscaping of parking areas: The northern perimeter of the parking lot is Add another 2'/2" caliper a. Large trees should align the perimeter of parking areas, short one tree. An overhead electric line tree to the northern located 40 feet on center. Trees should be planted in the limits planting area at the west end. perimeter of the parking lot. interior of parking areas at the rate of one tree for every 10 parking spaces provided and should be evenly distributed The applicant's parking calculations Provide a consistent row of throughout the interior of the parking area. indicate that 20 parking spaces are required shrubs along the northern b. Trees required by the preceding paragraph should and 24 are proposed. 3 interior parking lot perimeter of the parking lot. measure 2'/2 inches caliper (measured six inches above the trees (serviceberry) are provided, which ground); should be evenly spaced; and should be of a meets the requirement. Revise the shrub height to species common to the area. Such trees should be planted 24" minimum at planting. in planters or medians sufficiently large to maintain the Shrubs are not provided consistently along health of the tree and shall be protected by curbing. the parking lot perimeters. Shrubs are c. Shrubs should be provided as necessary to minimize the proposed at 18 " -30" high. parking area's impact on Entrance Corridor streets. Shrubs should measure 24 inches in height. 37 Plant species: a. Plant species required should be as The proposed species are acceptable for None. approved by the Staff based upon but not limited to the this location. Generic Landscape Plan Recommended Species List and Native Plants for Virginia Landscapes (Appendix D). 38 Plant health: The following note should be added to the The note appears on the landscape plan. None. landscape plan: "All site plantings of trees and shrubs shat 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." Development paftern 6 Site development should be sensitive to the existing The travelways appear organized, but Revise the plan to provide natural landscape and should contribute to the creation of providing two entrances /exits limits more utility -free space for an organized development plan. This may be planting area on the EC side of the planting along the Seminole accomplished, to the extent practical, by preserving the property. Lane frontage of the trees and rolling terrain typical of the area; planting new property. trees along streets and pedestrian ways and choosing The building is oriented parallel to the EC, species that reflect native forest elements; insuring that but the main entrance faces north and the Revise the plan to add trees any grading will blend into the surrounding topography walls facing the EC have no windows, and shrubs on the EC side thereby creating a continuous landscape; preserving, to the doors or architectural detailing. of the rain garden and extent practical, existing significant river and stream "depression ". valleys which may be located on the site and integrating Most of the wooded slope at the back of these features into the design of surrounding development; the site is to remain. No views are expected Revise the building to and limiting the building mass and height to a scale that to be negatively impacted by this include architectural does not overpower the natural settings of the site, or the development. detailing to relieve the Entrance Corridor. blankness of the walls facing the EC. 39 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 40 Site grading should maintain the basic relationship of the A retaining wall is proposed at the back of Indicate on the plan the site to surrounding conditions by limiting the use of the parking lot. It is proposed to be color and size of the block retaining walls and by shaping the terrain through the use of constructed of segmental block and would proposed for the retaining smooth, rounded land forms that blend with the existing reach a maximum height of 10'. A similar wall. Provide a retaining terrain. Steep cut or fill sections are generally unacceptable. wall was constructed at the Wilco -Hess wall detail. site. Located at the back of the site, the Proposed contours on the grading plan shall e rounded-7019 rounded-7019 a ten foot minimum radius where they meet the adjacent wall is not expected to have a significant Provide documentation that condition. Final grading should achieve a natural, rather than impact on the EC, if the color and scale of the work proposed off -site engineered, appearance. Retaining walls 6 feet in height and the block are appropriate. is approved by the property taller, when necessary, shall be terraced and planted to blen4 owner. with the landscape. A bio- swale, a rain garden and a "depression" are proposed on site. The Revise the plan to provide 20 Surface runoff structures and detention ponds should be designed to fit into the natural topography to avoid the need "depression" is located mostly in the more utility -free space for for screening. When visible from the Entrance Corridor Seminole Lane right -of -way, near the planting on the EC side of street, these features must be fully integrated into the center of the Seminole Lane frontage. The the rain garden and landscape. They should not have the appearance of rain garden at the southern end of the "depression ". engineered features. frontage has a grate inlet riser structure. Each facility partly abuts utilities and Revise the plan to fully 44 Natural drainage patterns (or to the extent required, new drainage patterns) should be incorporated into the finished easements, which limits space for integrate the rain garden site to the extent possible. landscaping. As currently shown, these and depression into the facilities do not appear to be fully landscape. integrated into the landscape. 41 No grading, trenching, or tunneling should occur within the Two relatively small areas of existing trees Provide a conservation drip line of any trees or other existing features designated are proposed to be removed for this checklist on the plan. Show for preservation in the final Certificate of Appropriateness. development. The small size of the area tree protection fencing on Adequate tree protection fencing should be shown on, and suggests that the tree removal will not have the plan. SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Staff recommends the following as the primary points of discussion: 1. The appearance of the Seminole Lane frontage planting. 2. The visibility and appearance of the bio- Swale, rain garden and depression. 3. The use of painted brick. 4. The EC- facing walls with no windows, doors or architectural detailing. 5. The tower and its relationship to the entrance. Staff recommends that the ARB forward the following recommendations to the Agent for the Site Review Committee: Regarding requirements to satisfy the design guidelines as per § 18- 30.6.4(2), (3) and (5): As per § 32.4.2.2(b)(3) and 30.6.4(c)(3) and EC Guidelines # 20 and 44, it is not clear that sufficient planting area is available along the Seminole Lane frontage to accommodate landscaping sufficient to eliminate the engineered appearance of the rain garden and depression and to integrate them fully into the landscape. Regarding recommendations on the plan as it relates to the guidelines: None. Regarding recommended conditions of initial plan approval: • A Certificate of Appropriateness is required prior to final site plan approval. • Provide sufficient utility free planting area along the Seminole Lane frontage to accommodate landscaping sufficient to eliminate the engineered appearance of the rain garden and depression and to integrate them fully into the landscape. Regarding conditions to be satisfied prior to issuance of a grading permit: o As per § 32.4.2.2(b)(3) and 30.6.4(c)(5), provide a conservation checklist and show tree protection fencing on the plan. coordinated throughout, the grading, landscaping and a negative impact on the EC. Individual erosion and sediment control plans. trees are not identified. 42 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. 43 Preservation areas should be protected from storage or movement of heavy equipment within this area. SIGNS: 7' tall x 8' wide signs are shown on the front and sides of the tower. The signs appear to be panels. Provide complete sign Panel signs are not a style recommended by the guidelines. The signs also include a graphic image of flames details for review. above a grate. Details on the sign design have not been provided yet for review; however, the applicant should note that internal illumination is generally considered to contribute to visual clutter and will be limited. Internal illumination will be evaluated on size, balance, complexity, and distance from the Entrance Corridor. Another sign of raised letters is proposed across the top of the EC-facing elevation of the southern wing of the building. SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Staff recommends the following as the primary points of discussion: 1. The appearance of the Seminole Lane frontage planting. 2. The visibility and appearance of the bio- Swale, rain garden and depression. 3. The use of painted brick. 4. The EC- facing walls with no windows, doors or architectural detailing. 5. The tower and its relationship to the entrance. Staff recommends that the ARB forward the following recommendations to the Agent for the Site Review Committee: Regarding requirements to satisfy the design guidelines as per § 18- 30.6.4(2), (3) and (5): As per § 32.4.2.2(b)(3) and 30.6.4(c)(3) and EC Guidelines # 20 and 44, it is not clear that sufficient planting area is available along the Seminole Lane frontage to accommodate landscaping sufficient to eliminate the engineered appearance of the rain garden and depression and to integrate them fully into the landscape. Regarding recommendations on the plan as it relates to the guidelines: None. Regarding recommended conditions of initial plan approval: • A Certificate of Appropriateness is required prior to final site plan approval. • Provide sufficient utility free planting area along the Seminole Lane frontage to accommodate landscaping sufficient to eliminate the engineered appearance of the rain garden and depression and to integrate them fully into the landscape. Regarding conditions to be satisfied prior to issuance of a grading permit: o As per § 32.4.2.2(b)(3) and 30.6.4(c)(5), provide a conservation checklist and show tree protection fencing on the plan. Staff offers the following comments on the preliminary site and architectural design: 1. Revise the wall material to unpainted brick that is coordinated with nearby buildings. Indicate the trellis material and color on the drawings. Provide material and color samples for review. 2. Show the tower and trellis on the site plan. 3. Revise the architectural design to coordinate the tower and the entrance. 4. Provide details to clarify the appearance of the trellis and canopies. 5. Provide a street elevation showing the form, size and scale of the proposed building with the adjacent buildings. 6. Revise the building to include architectural detailing to relieve the blankness of the walls facing the EC. 7. Provide window glass information on the plan showing that visible light transmittance (VLT) shall not drop below 40% and visible light reflectance (VLR) shall not exceed 30 %. 8. Indicate the height of the mechanical equipment proposed behind the building, and adjust the planting height of the screening shrubs to match the equipment height. 9. Provide a dumpster detail in the plan. 10. Add the standard equipment note to the architectural drawings. "Visibility of all mechanical equipment from the Entrance Corridor shall be eliminated." 11. Provide a complete lighting plan for review. 12. Provide an additional EC tree, at 3'/2" caliper. 13. Provide interspersed ornamental trees distributed along the frontage of the property. 14. Add another 2'/2" caliper tree to the northern perimeter of the parking lot. 15. Provide a consistent row of shrubs along the northern perimeter of the parking lot. 16. Revise the shrub height to 24" minimum at planting. 17. Revise the plan to provide more utility -free space for planting along the Seminole Lane frontage of the property. 18. Revise the plan to add trees and shrubs on the EC side of the rain garden and "depression ". 19. Indicate on the plan the color and size of the block proposed for the retaining wall. Provide a retaining wall detail. 20. Provide documentation that the work proposed off -site is approved by the property owner. 21. Revise the plan to fully integrate the rain garden and depression into the landscape. 22. Provide a conservation checklist on the plan. Show tree protection fencing on the plan. 23. Provide complete sign details for review. TABLE A This report is based on the followine submittal items: Sheet # Drawing Name Drawing Date Sheet # Drawing Name Drawing Date 1 Site Plan Cover Sheet 3 -10 -14 7 Notes & Details 3 -10 -14 2 Existing Conditions 3 -10 -14 8 Site Cross Sections 3 -10 -14 3 Site Plan 3 -10 -14 ARB.01 Architectural Cover Sheet 3 -2 -14 4 Landscaping Plan 3 -10 -14 ARB.02 Context Photos 3 -24 -14 5 Utility & Grading Plan 3 -10 -14 ARB.03 Elevations 3 -24 -14 6 Stormwater Management Plan 3 -10 -14 ARB.04 Elevations 3 -24 -14 10