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HomeMy WebLinkAboutARB201400148 Staff Report Initial Site Plan 2015-03-10ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD STAFF REPORT Project #/Name ARB- 2014 -148: Virginia Asphalt Services, Inc. Initial Plan and Special Use Permit Review Type Advisory review for a Special Use Permit, review of an Initial Site Development Plan Parcel Identification 07700000000800 Location 1536 Avon Street Extended, on the west side of Avon Street, approximately 700' south of Avon Ct. Zoned Light Industry (LI) /Entrance Corridor (EC) Owner /Applicant Virginia Asphalt Services Inc./Mark Keller and Alan Franklin Magisterial District Scottsville Proposal To establish a contractor's office /storage yard with a new building and an equipment storage area. Context The subject parcel is situated in an area that is developed primarily with industrial uses. Edgecomb Auto is located to the north. The City of Charlottesville CTS operations center is located across Avon Street to the east. Other industrial uses nearby include the Charlottesville self storage facility, Coyne & Delaney, the Avon Street business center, Avon Motors and Afton Scientific. Further south on Avon are the Snow's contractors' storage offices and yards. Visibility The elevation of the EC street adjacent to the subject parcel ranges from approximately 430' at the north to 438' at the south. The site drops approximately 10' along the Avon Street frontage to a graded area that is visible from the street. The proposed contractor's office building would be located in this area with a finished floor elevation of 422.67'. The back (western) portion of the site is preserved slopes and stream buffer dropping down to Moores Creek. The site has a wooded backdrop, with most of the trees standing on the other side of the creek in the Willoughby development. Visibility from the northbound lane of Avon Street is somewhat more limited than the view from the southbound lane. There are no sidewalks along this portion of Avon Street. ARB Meeting Date March 16, 2015 Staff Contact Margaret Maliszewski 19 ►Z131 D[" 811 K's to] :T1 Section 18.30.6.3.a.2.b of Albemarle County's zoning ordinance states that outdoor storage, display and/or sales, any portion of which is visible from the EC street, requires a special use permit. The applicant is unable to position the proposed building to eliminate visibility of the equipment to be stored, and the topography of the site makes the use of a fence for screening impractical. The Entrance Corridor design guidelines specifically address the treatment of storage areas in guidelines #18 and #19. (See below.) DATE APPLICATION RESULT 10/20/2014 ARB- 2014 -124 ARB advisory review of the original proposal for outdoor storage of equipment and preliminary architectural review. See Attachment A for action letter. Violations An E &S violation for clearing and grading has been abated for this property. A zoning violation for storing vehicles without an approved Special Use Permit has been fled. The applicant is working toward resolution of that violation with the submittal of the Special Use Permit application. 12/1/2014 SP- 2014 -19 Special Use Permit application received. Application deferred for re-design. Revisions submitted and revised plan is under review. 12/1/2014 SDP - 2014 -73 Initial Site Development Plan application received. Application deferred for re- design. Revisions submitted and revised plan is under review. CHANGES TO THE PLAN SINCE THE LAST REVIEW The building has increased in size from 40' x 40' to 45' x 50'. The building location has shifted to the south and is now approximately 60' from the southern property line. It was previously located approximately 120' from the southern property line. There is no longer any paved area on the south side of the building. The biofilter on the south side of the building has been eliminated. In the revised proposal, the area is occupied by an engineered septic system. Stormwater is handled by discharge to the floodplain. The outdoor equipment storage area has been shifted from the south side of the building to the entire gravel paved area of the site, which is located primarily to the north and east of the building. The size of the storage area has increased significantly. In the current plan it measures approximately 140' x 80' (11,200 sf). The storage areas of the previous proposal measured 36' x 48' and 8' x 43' (2,072 sf total). 11 parking spaces are now proposed in a perpendicular row along the EC side of the property. Previously 4 parallel spaces were located in this area. Two additional parking spaces are proposed at the northeast corner of the building. A timber guardrail is proposed along the northwestern perimeter of the paved area. Landscaping has been adjusted to the new site layout. The finished floor elevation of the building has risen from 421.5' to 422.67'. 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 10/20/2014 COMMENTS ISSUE RECOMMENDATION 1 The goal of the regulation of the design of development 1.Provide to -scale elevation Architectural designs have not been submitted with this Provide to -scale elevation within the designated Entrance Corridors is to insure that drawings for review. Identify application. Photos of the style of building intended to be drawings for review. new development within the corridors reflects the proposed materials /colors on constructed were submitted with the October 2014 review. Identify proposed traditional architecture of the area. Therefore, it is the the drawings. Provide That building had a rural character and the ARB questioned materials /colors on the purpose of ARB review and of these Guidelines, that material /color samples for whether an alternate style more in keeping with the drawings. Provide proposed development within the designated Entrance review. industrial nature of the corridor would be more appropriate. material /color samples for Corridors reflect e emi�desiracteristic review. Consider [ ignificant historical landmarks, buildings, and structures See #10, below, for additional information. compatibility with the of the Charlottesville and Albemarle area, and to promote existing context of the orderly and attractive development within these corridors. Avon Street corridor in the Applicants should note that replication of historic structures building design. Is neither required nor desired. 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. 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 [of the design guidelines]. 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. I I The overall design of buildings should have human scale. - The building footprint is not excessively large, but the Scale should be integral to the building and site design. presence of human scale in the architectural design cannot be determined without the submittal of architectural elevations for review. 13 Any appearance of "blankness" resulting from building 2.Any appearance of blankness The western side of the building will not be visible from Any appearance of design should be relieved using design detail or resulting from building design the EC. A row of Leyland cypress is proposed along the blankness resulting from vegetation, or both. should be relieved using design southern elevation, suggesting that this side of the building building design should be detail or vegetation, or both. may be blank. The north, east and south elevations will be relieved using design detail visible from the EC, but the landscaping proposed along or vegetation, or both. the frontage will limit visibility. 14 Arcades, colonnades, or other architectural connecting - A single building is proposed for the site, so connecting None. devices should be used to unify groups of buildings within devices are not applicable. a development. 15 Trademark buildings and related features should be - The building is not expected to have a trademark design. None at this time. modified to meet the requirements of the Guidelines. 16 Window glass in the Entrance Corridors should not be 3.Confirm that proposed Architectural designs have not been submitted for review, Confirm that proposed highly tinted or highly reflective. Window glass in the window glass meets the EC but it is anticipated that window glass will not have a window glass meets the EC Entrance Corridors should meet the following criteriti specs, and include the specs on significant visual impact in this case. specs, and include the specs Visible light transmittance (VLT) shall not drop beloul the architectural drawings: on the architectural 40 %. Visible light reflectance (VLR) shall not exceed Window glass in the Entrance drawings: "Window glass 30 %. Specifications on the proposed window glass should Corridors should meet the shall meet these criteria: be submitted with the application for final review. following criteria: Visible light Visible light transmittance transmittance (VLT) shall not (VLT) shall not drop below drop below 40 %. Visible light 40 %. Visible light reflectance (VLR) shall not reflectance (VLR) shall not exceed 30 %. exceed 30 %." 5 It is also an important objective of the Guidelines to - Most of the buildings on Avon Street pre -date the Provide to -scale elevation establish a pattern of compatible architectural establishment of the Entrance Corridors. Most are single - drawings for review. characteristics throughout the Entrance Corridor in order story, utilitarian buildings in metal or brick. The exception Identify proposed to achieve unity and coherence. Building designs should is the city's CTS complex, which was reviewed and materials /colors on the demonstrate sensitivity to other nearby structures within approved by the ARB in 2009, and is located across Avon drawings. Provide the Entrance Corridor. Where a designated corridor is Street from the Virginia Asphalt site. The primary materials material /color samples for substantially developed, these Guidelines require striking of the CTS building are metal panels and mineral fiber review. Consider a careful balance between harmonizing new development cement panels. Direct, sustained views of the CTS building compatibility with the with the existing character of the corridor and achieving are not available from Avon Street. Existing sites on Avon existing context of the compatibility with the significant historic sites in the area. Street with approved storage areas include Snow's business park and Snow's contractors' storage yards, located toward Avon Street corridor in the building design. 10 Buildings should relate to their site and the surrounding context of buildings. the south end of the corridor. 12 Architecture proposed within the Entrance Corridor should use forms, shapes, scale, and materials to create a cohesive whole. Accessory structures and equipment 17 Accessory structures and equipment should be integrated 4.Provide a complete plant The site layout, including the proposed equipment storage Increase the height of the into the overall plan of development and shall, to the schedule on the plan. Indicate area, has been revised, but not exactly as recommended by Leyland cypress to 8' and extent possible, be compatible with the building designs evergreen screening tree height the ARB in the October 2014 review. The building has 10', depending on location, used on the sitej at 8' -10' at planting. Choose fast growing species for the increased in size from 40' x 40' to 45' x 50' and it has shifted to the south, approximately 60' from the southern for increased screening at the time of planting. 18 The following should be located to eliminate visibility from the Entrance Corridor street. If, after appropriate siting, evergreen screening trees. property line. Paving on the south side of the building has these features will still have a negative visual impact on the been eliminated. The equipment storage area has been Entrance Corridor street, screening should be provided to 6.Maintain all storage areas at shifted from the south side of the building to the north and eliminate visibility. least 3' behind the EC face of northeast of the building. The gravel storage area measures a. Loading areas, the building in the current site approximately 140' x 80'. Within the storage area are 11 b. Service areas, plan configuration. parking spaces in a perpendicular row along the EC side of c. Refuse areas, the property, and 2 parking spaces at the northeast corner of d. Storage areas, 7.Identify on the plan the size the building. e. Mechanical equipment, and extent of proposed HVAC f. Above - ground utilities, and equipment. The storage area will be visible from the EC street. Items to g. Chain link fence, barbed wire, razor wire, and similar be stored in this area include equipment used in the daily security fencing devices. 10.The applicant will investigate an alternative site operations of a residential asphalt paving business, including a dump truck, skid -steer (bobcat), asphalt roller, 19 Screening devices should be compatible with the desi—gn—N the buildings and surrounding natural vegetation and may plan arrangement that shifts the and a paver. The applicant has indicated that equipment consist of: building to the southwest. would have a maximum height of 12'. It would be taken off a. Walls, Equipment storage would be the property during regular business hours for use at job b. Plantings, and located at the southeast corner sites, and returned to the Avon Street site for overnight and c. Fencing. of the paved area. other off -hours storage. The previously proposed storage area for HVAC and small items has been eliminated from the plan. Fencing for screening of the equipment storage area is impractical in this case due to the topography of the site. Viewers on Avon Street will have a clear view down into the storage area, which is as much as 15' below the elevation of the street. A fence would have to be excessively tall to accomplish any effective screening. Landscaping is proposed for screening instead of fencing. The initial plan shows large shade trees, scarlet oak at 1.5- 1.75" caliper, along the frontage and close to the property line, with single or paired dogwoods, 6' -8'at planting, interspersed. Leyland cypress trees, 5' -6' at planting, are proposed between the oaks along the parking spaces, and in a staggered row below the oaks south of the 11 -space row. A row of cherry laurel, 24" at planting, is proposed along the east side of the gravel lot. (See #32 for additional information on proposed trees.) At 5' -6' when first planted, the Leyland cypress will not immediately screen the equipment from view. Taller trees, 8' and 10', would provide better screening. The landscape plan and site sections suggest that the storage area will be significantly buffered by plants, as viewed from the Avon Street EC. The view of the equipment will not be entirely eliminated. The single row of trees that runs along the 11 -space parking row, with a discontinuous row of evergreens, will allow views into the site. However, the proposed planting is expected to be sufficient to mitigate negative impacts, given its density and the amount of time the equipment is expected be away from the site. Of the proposed trees, only the Leyland cypress is evergreen. The Leyland cypress and scarlet oak trees are fast growing. The cherry laurel, an evergreen shrub, has a moderate to fast growth rate. The dogwood has a slow to moderate growth rate. The redbud and sugar maple are slow growers. 20 Surface runoff structures and detention ponds should be - The applicant proposes the discharge of runoff directly to None. designed to fit into the natural topography to avoid the need the floodplain. for screening. When visible from the Entrance Corridor street, these features must be fully integrated into the landscape. They should not have the appearance of engineered features. 44 Natural drainage patterns (or to the extent required, new drainage patterns) should be incorporated into the finished site to the extent possible. 21 The following note should be added to the site plan and the - The note does not appear on the plan. The secondary Add the standard architectural plan: "Visibility of all mechanical equjjjjW storage area that was previously proposed for HVAC and equipment note to the plan. from the Entrance Corridor shall be eliminated." small items has been eliminated from the plan. Lighting 8.If site and/or exterior building No lighting is proposed at this time. If site and/or exterior lights are proposed, submit a building lights are complete lighting plan for proposed, submit a review. If no site or exterior complete lighting plan for building lights are proposed, review. If no site or exterior indicate this on the plan. building lights are proposed, indicate this on the plan. Landscaping 7 The requirements of the Guidelines regarding landscaping 4.Provide a complete plant Because a fence is impractical for screening at this site, None are intended to reflect the landscaping characteristic of schedule on the plan. Indicate landscaping is key to establishing an appropriate many of the area's significant historic sites which is evergreen screening tree height appearance for the storage use along the corridor. characterized by large shade trees and lawns. Landscaping at 8' -10' at planting. Choose should promote visual order within the Entrance Corridor fast growing species for the Note that VDOT has indicated that trees along Avon Street and help to integrate buildings into the existing evergreen screening trees. should be held 5' back from the guard rail. 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. 32 Landscaping along the frontage of Entrance Corridor The initial plan shows large shade trees, scarlet oak at 1.5- Increase the size of the streets should include the following: 1.75" caliper, along the frontage and close to the property scarlet oaks to 3'/2" caliper a. Large shade trees should be planted parallel to the line, with single or paired dogwoods, 6' -8'at planting, minimum at planting. Entrance Corridor Street. Such trees should be at least 31/2 interspersed. The oaks do not meet the guidelines size inches caliper (measured 6 inches above the ground) and requirement. Without reducing the should be of a plant species common to the area. Such quantity of plants proposed, trees should be located at least every 35 feet on center. A re- located power pole is shown near the southeast corner adjust the power pole or b. Flowering ornamental trees of a species common to the of the paved area. It is likely that the scarlet oak proposed plant locations to eliminate area should be interspersed among the trees required by the east of the pole will grow into the overhead line. the conflict between the preceding paragraph. The ornamental trees need not scarlet oak and the alternate one for one with the large shade trees. They may be Leyland cypress trees, 5' -6' at planting, are proposed overhead line from the planted among the large shade trees in a less regular spacing between the oaks along the parking spaces, and in a relocated power pole. pattern. staggered row below the oaks south of the 11 -space row. A c. In situations where appropriate, a three or four board row of cherry laurel, 24" at planting, is proposed along the Increase the height of the fence or low stone wall, typical of the area, should align east side of the gravel lot. Leyland cypress to 8' and the frontage of the Entrance Corridor street. 10', depending on location, d. An area of sufficient width to accommodate the A plant schedule has been provided. for increased screening at foregoing plantings and fencing should be reserved the time of planting. parallel to the Entrance Corridor street, and exclusive of road right -of -way and utility easements. 33 Landscaping along interior roads: - Sugar maples are shown at 1.5 "- 1.75" caliper at 40' on Increase the size of the a. Large trees should be planted parallel to all interior center along the entrance drive. The size does not meet the sugar maples along the roads. Such trees should be at least 2%2 inches caliper guidelines size requirement. entrance drive to 2%2" (measured six inches above the ground) and should be of a caliper minimum at plant species common to the area. Such trees should be planting. located at least every 40 feet on center. 34 Landscaping along interior pedestrian ways: - There are no sidewalks or other pedestrian ways proposed None. a. Medium trees should be planted parallel to all interior on this site. pedestrian ways. Such trees should be at least 2'/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. 35 Landscaping of parking areas: 4.Provide a complete plant Eleven parking spaces are proposed in a row along the EC None. a. Large trees should align the perimeter of parking areas, schedule on the plan. frontage. The EC frontage trees, ornamental trees, and a located 40 feet on center. Trees should be planted in the row of screening shrubs is proposed between the parking interior of parking areas at the rate of one tree for every 10 and the property line. The shrubs are proposed at 24" high parking spaces provided and should be evenly distributed at planting. Leyland cypress are also interspersed, and a throughout the interior of the parking area. group of trees is proposed in an island at the northeast b. Trees required by the preceding paragraph should corner of the gravel lot. measure 2'/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. 36 Landscaping of buildings and other structures: - A row of cherry laurel, 24" at planting, and a row of 4 Reverse the position of the a. Trees or other vegetation should be planted along the Leyland cypress is proposed along the south side of the rows of Leyland cypress front of long buildings as necessary to soften the building. The taller trees are proposed outside the shrubs, and cherry laurel on the appearance of exterior walls. The spacing, size, and type so visibility of the shrubs, and access to them, will be south side of the building. of such trees or vegetation should be determined by the limited. Reversing the position of the plants on this side length, height, and blankness of such walls. would be appropriate. b. Shrubs should be used to integrate the site, buildings, and other structures; dumpsters, accessory buildings and A row of cherry laurel is also proposed along a portion of structures; "drive thru" windows; service areas; and signs. the east elevation. Shrubs should measure at least 24 inches in height. 37 Plant species: 4.Provide a complete plant The proposed plants appear in the various lists. None. a. Plant species required should be as approved by the schedule on the plan. Staff based upon but not limited to the Generic Landscap] Plan Recommended Species List and Native Plants for Virginia Landscapes (Appendix D). 38 Plant health: 9.Add the plant health note to The note is needed on the plan. Add the plant health note to The following note should be added to the landscape plan: the landscape plan: "All site the landscape plan. "All site plantings of trees and shrubs shall be allowed to plantings of trees and shrubs reach, and be maintained at, mature height; the topping of shall be allowed to reach, and trees is prohibited. Shrubs and trees shall be pruned be maintained at, mature height; minimally and only to support the overall health of the the topping of trees is plant." 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 entrance drive and parking area appear organized. See landscape comments. natural landscape and should contribute to the creation of Landscaping will be required to establish an appropriate an organized development plan. This may be appearance for the storage use along the EC. 10 accomplished, to the extent practical, by preserving the trees and rolling terrain typical of the area; planting new The building is oriented parallel to the EC. trees along streets and pedestrian ways and choosing species that reflect native forest elements; insuring that There is no sidewalk to connect with along this stretch of any grading will blend into the surrounding topography Avon Street. thereby creating a continuous landscape; preserving, to the extent practical, existing significant river and stream The proposal maintains the steep slope down to the creek at valleys which may be located on the site and integrating the back of the site. these features into the design of surrounding development; and limiting the building mass and height to a scale that No significant views are expected to be impacted by this does not overpower the natural settings of the site, or the proposal. Entrance Corridor. 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 - The site is at a lower elevation than the EC and the back None. site to surrounding conditions by limiting the use of part of the site is a steep slope down to the creek. The 10 TABLE A This report is based on the following submittal items: Sheet # retaining walls and by shaping the terrain through the use of Drawing Date /Revision Date proposed grading would maintain this basic relationship of Cover Sheet Revised 2 -17 -15 smooth, rounded land forms that blend with the existing Existing Conditions/Demolition Plan the site to its surroundings. 3 Initial Site Plan & Site Details terrain. Steep cut or fill sections are generally unacceptable. 4 Landscape /Screening Plan Revised 2 -17 -15 5 Proposed contours on the grading plan shall be rounded with Revised 2 -17 -15 6 Details & Site Sections Revised 2 -17 -15 a ten foot minimum radius where they meet the adjacent condition. Final grading should achieve a natural, rather than engineered, appearance. Retaining walls 6 feet in height and taller, when necessary, shall be terraced and planted to blend with the landscape. 41 No grading, trenching, or tunneling should occur within the - A 20' elm located northwest of the entrance drive is None. drip line of any trees or other existing features designated identified as to be preserved. Grading is no longer proposed for preservation in the final Certificate of Appropriateness. within its dripline. Adequate tree protection fencing should be shown on, and coordinated throughout, the grading, landscaping and erosion and sediment control plans. 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. TABLE A This report is based on the following submittal items: Sheet # Drawing Name Drawing Date /Revision Date 1 Cover Sheet Revised 2 -17 -15 2 Existing Conditions/Demolition Plan Revised 2 -17 -15 3 Initial Site Plan & Site Details Revised 2 -17 -15 4 Landscape /Screening Plan Revised 2 -17 -15 5 Site Details & Profiles Revised 2 -17 -15 6 Details & Site Sections Revised 2 -17 -15 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Staff recommends the following as the primary points of discussion: 1. New location and visibility of the proposed equipment storage area. 2. Degree of screening required for the equipment storage area. 3. Anticipated screening effect of the proposed landscaping. 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): 1. Increase the height of the Leyland cypress to 8' and 10', depending on location, for increased screening at planting. 2. Increase the size of the scarlet oaks to 31/2" caliper minimum at planting. 3. Increase the size of the sugar maples along the entrance drive to 21/2" caliper minimum at planting. Regarding recommendations on the plan as it relates to the guidelines: None. Regarding recommended conditions of initial plan approval: 1. A Certificate of Appropriateness is required prior to final site plan approval. 2. Provide to -scale elevation drawings for review. Identify proposed materials /colors on the drawings. Provide material /color samples for review. Consider compatibility with the existing context of the Avon Street corridor in the building design. Any appearance of blankness resulting from building design should be relieved using design detail or vegetation, or both. 3. Confirm that proposed window glass meets the EC specs, and include the specs on the architectural drawings: "Window glass shall meet these criteria: Visible light transmittance (VLT) shall not drop below 40 %. Visible light reflectance (VLR) shall not exceed 30 %." 4. Increase the height of the Leyland cypress to 8' and 10', depending on location, for increased screening at planting. 5. Add the standard equipment note to the plan: "Visibility of all mechanical equipment from the Entrance Corridor shall be eliminated." 6. If site and/or exterior building lights are proposed, submit a complete lighting plan for review. If no site or exterior building lights are proposed, indicate this on the plan. 7. Increase the size of the scarlet oaks to 31/2" caliper minimum at planting. 8. Without reducing the quantity of plants proposed, adjust the power pole or plant locations to eliminate the conflict between the scarlet oak and the overhead line from the relocated power pole. 9. Increase the size of the sugar maples along the entrance drive to 21/2' caliper minimum at planting. 10. Reverse the position of the rows of Leyland cypress and cherry laurel on the south side of the building. 11. Add the plant health note 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." Regarding conditions to be satisfied prior to issuance of a grading permit: None Regarding the request for the Special Use Permit, staff recommends that the following be forwarded to the Planning Commission: The ARB has no objection to the request for the Special Use Permit with the following conditions: 1. Equipment shall be stored only in areas indicated for storage on the site plan entitled: Virginia Asphalt Services Landscape /Screening plan, revised 2 -17- 2014(2015). 2. The site shall be landscaped in general accord with the plan entitled Virginia Asphalt Services Landscape /Screening plan, dated 2 -17 -2014 (2015), except that evergreen screening tree height shall be 8' - 10' minimum at planting, the scarlet oaks shall be 31/2" caliper minimum at planting, and the sugar maples along the entrance drive shall be 2%2" caliper minimum at planting. 3. Maximum height of equipment shall not exceed 12'. 4. Equipment shall not be elevated. 5. No new chain link, barbed wire, razor wire or other similar fencing or attachments shall be added to this site. 12 ATTACHMENT A Lrf2C;l1�ZA COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE Department of Community Development 401 McIntire Road, North Wing Charlottesville, Virginia 22902 -4596 Phone (434) 296 -5832 Fax (434) 972 -4126 October 29, 2014 Mark Keller Terra Concepts, PC 2046 Rock Quarry Road Louisa VA 23093 RE: ARB- 2014 -124: Virginia Asphalt Dear Mr. Keller: The Albemarle County Architectural Review Board, at its meeting on October 20, 2014, completed a preliminary review of the above -noted request. The Board took the following actions. Regarding the Special Use Permit, the Board by a vote of 4:0, forwarded the following recommendation to the Planning Commission: The ARB has no objection to the request for the Special Use Permit with the following conditions: 1. Equipment shall be stored only in areas indicated for storage on the site plan entitled: Virginia Asphalt Services Landscape /Screening plan, dated 8 -18 -2014, except that all storage areas shall be held at least 3' back from the EC face of the building in the current site plan configuration. 2. The site shall be landscaped in general accord with the plan entitled Virginia Asphalt Services Landscape /Screening plan, dated 8 -18 -2014, except that evergreen screening tree height shall be 8' -10' at planting. 3. Maximum height of equipment and small items to be stored shall not exceed 12'. 4. No new chain link, barbed wire, razor wire or other similar fencing or attachments shall be added to this site. Regarding the Preliminary Site Plan, the Board made the following comments and suggestions for the benefit of the applicant's next submittal. Provide to -scale elevation drawings for review. Identify proposed materials /colors on the drawings. Provide material /color samples for review. 13 2. Any appearance of blankness resulting from building design should be relieved using design detail or vegetation, or both. 3. Confirm that proposed window glass meets the EC specs, and include the specs on the architectural drawings: Window glass in the Entrance Corridors should meet the following criteria: Visible light transmittance (VLT) shall not drop below 40 %. Visible light reflectance (VLR) shall not exceed 30 %. 4. Provide a complete plant schedule on the plan. Indicate evergreen screening tree height at 8' -10' at planting. Choose fast growing species for the evergreen screening trees. 5. Indicate on the plan the 12' maximum height of equipment and small items to be stored. 6. Maintain all storage areas at least 3' behind the EC face of the building in the current site plan configuration. 7. Identify on the plan the size and extent of proposed HVAC equipment. 8. If site and /or exterior building lights are proposed, submit a complete lighting plan for review. If no site or exterior building lights are proposed, indicate this on the plan. 9. Add the plant health note 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." 10. The applicant will investigate an alternative site plan arrangement that shifts the building to the southwest. Equipment storage would be located at the southeast corner of the paved area. You may submit your application for continued ARB review at your earliest convenience. Application forms, checklists and schedules are available on -line at www.albemarle.org /ARB. Revised drawings addressing the comments listed above are required. Include updated ARB revision dates on each drawing. Please provide a memo including detailed responses indicating how each comment has been addressed. If changes other than those requested have been made, identify those changes in the memo also. Highlighting the changes in the drawing with "clouding" or by other means will facilitate review and approval. If you have any questions concerning any of the above, please feel free to call me. Sincerely, Margaret Maliszewski Principal Planner cc: Virginia Asphalt Services Inc 439 Burchs Creek Rd Crozet VA 22932 Alan Franklin 427 Cranberry Lane Crozet, VA 22932 14