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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSDP201000062 Review Comments 2011-01-05M G�RGt?��A COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE Department of Community Development 401 McIntire Road, North Wing Charlottesville, Virginia 229024596 Phone (434) 296 -5832, Ext. 3250 Fax (434) 972 -4126 January 5, 2011 Mr. Michael E. Derdeyn, Esq. 530 East Main Street Charlottesville, VA 22902 RE: SP2010 -00043 Brown Collision Center 1' Review Comment Letter on special use permit submittal received November 24, 2010 Dear Mr. Derdeyn: Thank you for the recent submittal of a special use permit on behalf of your client, Brown Charlottesville Motors, Inc. This proposal is for a special use permit for an auto body shop in a HC- Highway Commercial District. No residential units are proposed. A zoning text amendment (ZTA) is now in process to allow auto body shops in the HC district, which are currently not allowed in this zoning district. Staff has reviewed your submittal for a special use permit and the following comments are indicated below for your information: COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Initial comments on how your proposal generally relates to the Comprehensive Plan are provided below. Comments on conformity with the Comprehensive Plan are provided to the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors as part of the staff report. This property is designated regional service in the Comprehensive Plan. Uses allowed within this designation include uses providing retail, wholesale, business, and /or employment services to Albemarle County and the region. Regional Service designated areas typically encompass arterial road accessibility, water and sewer availability, and compatibility with adjacent land uses. The use is fairly consistent with the Comprehensive Plan, as it was an automobile dealership from 1987- 2007, which included an auto body shop as an accessory use. In 2007 the site was used only as a body shop for automobile and truck repair and new car sales were no longer conducted on this site. Being located on U.S. Route 29 provides regional accessibility for clients. Neighborhood Model Pedestrian Orientation and Neighborhood Friendly Streets and Paths- Accommodates walkers, bikers, and public transportation so that mobility can be a reality for the elderly, the young, and those with limited access to automobiles. A sidewalk exists on Route 29 and public transportation is available on Route 29. Landscaping such as street trees is also provided. Transportation Networks and Interconnected Streets- Requires interconnected streets within developments and between developments so that pedestrians can walk easily to many destinations, traffic has alternative routes, and car trips are reduced in number and length. A connection to the adjacent Wilco Hess station to the north is recommended. Parks and Open Space- Makes open space integral to overall design so that residents and workers can walk to a public park, experience preserved natural areas, and enjoy public gathering spaces. This is not applicable to this site. Mixed Uses- Contains a mixture of residential and non - residential uses sv residents have convenient access to work, to services, and to entertainment. This site is a commercial use with no residential uses proposed. Affordability and Mixture of Housing types- Mixes housing types and markets so that a full range of housing choices is offered within the neighborhood. No residential uses are proposed. Site Planning that respects terrain- Adapts development to site terrain so that natural topography can be preserved. This site is primarily developed. Clear boundaries with the Rural Areas- Maintains a clear boundary between Development Areas and Rural Areas. This is not applicable. Buildings and Spaces of Human Scale- Keeps buildings and spaces at a human scale so that street views are attractive and pedestrian — friendly. The auto body use is in an existing building. An addition is proposed for the rear of the site, but it will not be very visible from the street. Relegated Parking- Moves off - street parking out of sight and encourages on- street parking. Existing parking remains. Parking is not relegated. Neighborhood Centers- Provides for neighborhoods to have a designated center to bring diverse and continuous activity to a neighborhood. This principle is met with nearby centers. 2