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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSDP201000050 Review Comments 2010-08-25I i1Tllll COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE Department of Community Development 401 McIntire Road, Room 227 Charlottesville, Virginia 22902 -4596 Phone (434) 296 -5832 August 25, 2010 Mr. Michael R. Matthews, Jr. Matthews Development Company One Boar's Head Pointe #131 Charlottesville, Virginia 22903 Fax (4341972-4126 RE: ZMA 2001 -015 Martha Jefferson Hospital at Peter Jefferson Place Approval of Application for Variation from Application Plan Dear Mr. Matthews, The application form (dated August 9, 2010 and attached) you submitted requesting variation to the above referenced application plan to "(d)elete the low stone wall proposed along State Farm Boulevard" has been reviewed. You have noted that "the stone wall lacks context and precedent for this location on the campus" and have proposed to substitute the wall with appropriate landscaping for this "area between the rural, cultural campus of the Kluge -Ruhe Museum to the north and the State Farm Insurance campus to the south." As originally proposed and noted in the Neighborhood Model analysis section of the staff report for the Board of Supervisors' public hearing on ZMA 2001 -015, this wall was your choice to help urbanize that section of State Farm Boulevard in lieu of orienting buildings to the street. Section 8.5.5.3 (a.2) allows the Director of Planning to grant a variation from an approved application plan for changes to the arrangement of buildings and uses shown on the plan, provided that the major elements shown on the plan and their relationships remain the same. The following are the five criteria used to determine that this variation request is acceptable and the response to each: 1) The variation is consistent with the goals and objectives of the comprehensive plan. The Pantops Master Plan notes that "(t)he Peter Jefferson Place development plan is suburban in character. Over time, it should become more urban in character by infilling undeveloped spaces that are not serving as amenities." It further states that "(i)nfill should preserve the environmental features of the site and landscape" and "(r)etain the focal point for the Neighborhood as the public park component of the Martha Jefferson Hospital site." While the stone wall's intent was to "urbanize" this section of State Farm ZMA 2001 -15 Martha Jefferson Hospital - Variation Request August 25, 2010 Boulevard in lieu of buildings, the area between the wall and the hospital complex is now part of the public park. The amended site plan provides landscaped open space, a pond (detention basin) and public accessibility (see attached site plan section), and is not a likely future infill site. Therefore, this area will serve its public park purpose and be more inviting for public use without the stone wall. 2) The variation does not increase the approved development density or intensity of development. No increase in density or intensity is proposed with the variation request. 3) The variation does not adversely affect the timing and phasing of development of any other development in the zoning district. Timing and phasing is not affected by the variation request. 4) The variation does not require a special use permit. No special use permit is required. 5) The variation is in general accord with the purpose and intent of the approved rezoning application. It is in accord with the purpose and intent of the approved rezoning application and variations to the approved application plan dated November 2, 2006. This request satisfies the variation provisions of Section 8.5.5.3 (a.2) and, as such, the requested variation to "(d)elete the low shone wall proposed along State Boulevard" is approved. All other provisions of the proffers, approved application plan and variations to the approved application plan must be met. Sincerely, ` ayne ilimbe Director of Plannii Attachments ZMA 2001 -15 Martha Jefferson Hospital- Variation Request August 25, 2010