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HomeMy WebLinkAboutARB201600053 Staff Report 2016-06-07ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD STAFF REPORT Project #/Name ARB -2016-53: Malloy Ford Outdoor Sales/Storage/Display Review Type Special Use Permit Parcel Identification 045000000068C1 Location 2070 Seminole Trail, across Rt. 29 from Carrsbrook Drive Zoned Highway Commercial (HC)/Entrance Corridor (EC) Owner/Applicant B Properties LC/Valerie Long (Williams Mullen) Magisterial District Rio Proposal To establish an auto dealership with outdoor sales/storage/display of automobiles. Context This parcel extends from Rt. 29 at the east to Berkmar Drive at the west, in a heavily developed commercial corridor. Vehicle display is located nearby at the Jim Price and Brown auto dealerships a short distance north on Rt. 29. The Carrsbrook neighborhood is located across Rt. 29 to the east. Visibility The main building on site is readily visible from the EC. The metal buildings located behind the main building are also visible from the EC, but they have less impact due to their position behind the main building and the distance from the road. Each of the proposed vehicle display/storage areas will be visible from the EC, with the display area at the front having the most visual impact on the EC. ARB Meeting Date June 6, 2016 Staff Contact Margaret Maliszewski fyIIBYA9:Z9a1oc"811K's ILI)31 The ARB has reviewed no previous proposals for this site. The primary building and some of the storage buildings predate the establishment of Rt. 29 as an Entrance Corridor. On April 1, 2016, staff asked the ARB if the proposed revisions to the building design were needed for the review of the Special Use Permit. The ARB determined that the building design was not needed for the review of the Special Permit because the existing building was being retained. The ARB's recommendation on the Special Use Permit will be made available to the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors for their consideration. PROPOSAL The applicant proposes to re -use the existing buildings at this site and to renovate them to accommodate an automobile dealership. The main building at the Rt. 29 end of the site would be remodeled to accommodate the automobile showroom with sales, service and parts departments. The metal structures behind the main building would be renovated to accommodate service bays, vehicle prep, and a body shop. The project includes the possible construction of a service drop-off structure at the south end of the main building. "Guest" spaces are proposed along the front of the main building and in a row just south of the service drop-off structure. Vehicle sales, storage and display areas are proposed at the EC end of the site, near the middle of the site south of the service bays building, and at the back (west) end of the site between the body shop and the existing stormwater facility. Employee parking is proposed between the body shop and the existing stormwater facility, just north of a vehicle storage area. Landscaping is proposed to be added to the site in the following locations: along the EC frontage, along the north perimeter and part of the south perimeter of the front paved area, and in a few locations interior to the paved area east and south of the main building. ANALYSIS REF GUIDELINE ISSUE RECOMMENDATION Purpose 1 The goal of the regulation of the design of development Most of the existing buildings at this site predate the See landscape within the designated Entrance Corridors is to insure establishment of Rt. 29 as an Entrance Corridor. The recommendations. that new development within the corridors reflects the design of the primary building on site (the existing traditional architecture of the area. Therefore, it is the Better Living showroom) does not have a strong purpose of ARB review and of these Guidelines, that connection to the historic architecture of the area. proposed development within the designated Entrance The building would be retained and remodeled for Corridors reflect elements of design characteristic of the use as the new automobile showroom. Details on significant historical landmarks, buildings, and that renovation have not yet been submitted for structures of the Charlottesville and Albemarle area, and review, but it is anticipated that that work will to promote orderly and attractive development within include the addition of some branding elements. As these corridors. Applicants should note that replication of such, the proposed design isn't likely to have a historic structures is neither required nor desired. strong traditional character. The building design, including the degree to which it reflects the 2 Visitors to the significant historical sites in the Charlottesville and Albemarle area experience these traditional architecture of the County, will be sites as ensembles of buildings, land, and vegetation. In reviewed with future site plan submittals. order to accomplish the integration of buildings, land, and vegetation characteristic of these sites, the The addition of landscaping meeting the EC Guidelines require attention to four primary factors: guidelines would help promote attractive compatibility with significant historic sites in the area•, development along the EC. the character of the Entrance Corridor; site development and layout; and landscaping. Structure design 3 New structures and substantial additions to existing The building addition and renovation aren't likely to None at this time. structures should respect the traditions of the have a close relationship to the historic architecture architecture of historically significant buildings in the of the county. The focus will be on compatibility Charlottesville and Albemarle area. Photographs of with the surroundings, but many of the buildings in historic buildings in the area, as well as drawings of the immediate vicinity also predate the architectural features, which provide important establishment of the EC, including the Better Living examples of this tradition are contained in Appendix A. furniture store, Schewel's Furniture store and Kegler's to the south, and the original Jim Price auto 4 The examples contained in Appendix A should be used as a guide for building design: the standard of dealership to the north. Nearby buildings that have compatibility with the area's historic structures is not undergone ARB review include: the Jim Price intended to impose a rigid design solution for new Hyundai renovation to the north, Rivanna Plaza to development. Replication of the design of the important the south, and Northtown Center (Gander Mountain) historic sites in the area is neither intended nor desired. to the southeast. Scale, material, form and the The Guideline's standard of compatibility can be met appropriateness of trademark elements will be through building scale, materials, and forms which may addressed with a future submittal. 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. 9 Building forms and features, including roofs, windows, Architectural plans for the building renovation were None at this time. doors, materials, colors and textures should be not submitted with the SP. Building form, scale, compatible with the forms and features of the significant materials and details will be addressed in a future historic buildings in the area, exemplified by (but not submittal. 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. 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. 10 Buildings should relate to their site and the surrounding The Jim Price and Brown's automobile dealerships None at this time. context of buildings. are located to the north on Rt. 29. These sites include outdoor sales/storage/display of vehicles. The display at Jim Price predates the establishment of the EC. The display at Brown's is broken up into various areas around the site and in structured parking. 13 Any appearance of "blankness" resulting from building The existing building has mostly blank walls with None at this time. design should be relieved using design detail or few windows or doors. The building renovation vegetation, or both. provides an opportunity to relieve some of the existing blankness. This issue will be addressed in a future submittal. 15 Trademark buildings and related features should be The proposed renovation of the building is likely to Note that standard modified to meet the requirements of the Guidelines. involve the addition of some trademark/branding trademark/branding elements. The extent to which these features meet elements may require the EC Guidelines will be addressed in a future modification to meet the submittal. EC Guidelines. 16 Window glass in the Entrance Corridors should not be The window glass note will be needed on the If windows are added to the highly tinted or highly reflective. Window glass in the architectural drawings if the building renovation building or included in the Entrance Corridors should meet the following criteria: involves the addition of windows. service drop-off addition, Visible light transmittance (VLT) shall not drop below include the standard 40%. Visible light reflectance (VLR) shall not exceed window glass note on the 30%. Specifications on the proposed window glass architectural drawings. should be submitted with the application for final review. Accessory structures and equipment 17 Accessory structures and equipment should be No new paved areas are proposed. Existing paved Vehicles shall not be integrated into the overall plan of development and areas would be used for the vehicle sales, storage elevated anywhere on site. shall, to the extent possible, be compatible with the and display areas. Three primary areas are proposed building designs used on the site. — one each at the front, middle and rear of the site. Each of the areas would be visible from the Clarify on the plan if the chain link fence located 18 The following should be located to eliminate visibility from the Entrance Corridor street. If, after appropriate Entrance Corridor. Visibility of the areas at the near the main building is to siting, these features will still have a negative visual middle and rear of the site are blocked by existing remain or to be removed. impact on the Entrance Corridor street, screening should buildings for southbound traffic until viewers reach be provided to eliminate visibility. a. Loading areas, b. the south end of the site, and for northbound traffic Clarify on the plan how the Service areas, c. Refuse areas, d. Storage areas, until viewers reach the Better Living furniture store. visibility of vehicles e. Mechanical equipment, f. Above -ground utilities, and The front display area is visible from approximately awaiting repair in the body g. Chain link fence, barbed wire, razor wire, and similar Lowe's to Wal-Mart along the Rt. 29 EC. shop will be eliminated security fencing devices. The ARB has not typically required that vehicle from public streets. Provide corresponding details for 19 Screening devices should be compatible with the design of the buildings and surrounding natural vegetation and display areas be completely screened from view, review. may consist of. a. Walls, b. Plantings, and c. Fencing. acknowledging the business need to have some visibility of vehicles for sale. However, the ARB Identify on the plan the has typically applied lighting and landscaping location of parking spaces requirements and layout limitations to ensure an for vehicles awaiting repair appropriate appearance for the EC. (Landscape and in the body shop. lighting are addressed below.) See recommendations 35, Over the years, the ARB has developed a standard 36 and 39. recommended condition of approval for vehicle display that requires that vehicles not be elevated anywhere on site. This means that vehicles cannot be displayed on ramps, turntables, or on other similar equipment or by other similar methods. This helps maintain an appropriate, organized and orderly appearance on site, and would be appropriate in this location. There is existing chain link fence on site. It runs from the Better Living furniture store to the Better Living building supply, at a location approximately 240' back from the EC. This fencing is visible from the EC. It appears that at least the northern portions of this fence would need to be removed to accommodate the new service drop-off building. Chain link fence also runs along the west property line and the west end of the south property line. These fences are not readily noticeable from Rt. 29 at this time. The removal of wooded area on site and on the adjacent parcel may increase visibility. The westernmost building on site is proposed to be renovated as a body shop. Vehicles awaiting repair in body shops in the Highway Commercial zoning district must not be visible from public streets or residential property. The current plan does not designate the location of parking spaces for vehicles awaiting repair, or the method by which the vehicles will be screened to eliminate visibility. 20 Surface runoff structures and detention ponds should be There is an existing stormwater facility on site, None at this time. designed to fit into the natural topography to avoid the approximately 600' from the EC right-of-way. No need for screening. When visible from the Entrance changes to the facility are proposed at this time. Corridor street, these features must be fully integrated into the landscape. They should not have the appearance of engineered features. 21 The following note should be added to the site plan and Mechanical equipment issues can be addressed with Include on the site plan and the architectural plan: "Visibility of all mechanical a future site plan submittal. architectural drawings the equipment from the Entrance Corridor shall be standard mechanical eliminated." equipment note. Lighting 22 Light should be contained on the site and not spill over Three existing pole lights are located along the EC If existing light onto adjacent properties or streets; frontage. These poles and fixtures predate the EC and lighting ordinance requirements. They appear to poles/fixtures will be retained, the lighting plan 23 Light should be shielded, recessed or flush -mounted to eliminate glare. All fixtures with lamps emitting 3000 be taller than the 20' guidelines limit on height and provided with the site plan lumens or more must be full cutoff fixtures. the fixtures are tilted, so they are not full cutoff fixtures. Information on intensity of illumination shall distinguish between proposed lighting and 24 Light levels exceeding 30 footcandles are not appropriate for display lots in the Entrance Corridors. and spillover is not available at this time, but will be existing lighting that is to Lower light levels will apply to most other uses in the needed with future site plan submittals. In addition remain unmodified in terms Entrance Corridors. to maintaining these non -conforming lights, the applicant proposes to add new pole lights to the site. of fixture locations, type, style, and intensity of 25 Light should have the appearance of white light with a warm soft glow; however, a consistent appearance The locations and details on new lighting have not illumination. Combined throughout a site or development is required. been provided at this time, but the applicant has illumination levels will also Consequently, if existing lamps that emit non-white agreed to the standard 20' pole height limit for new need to be shown. light are to remain, new lamps may be required to match pole lights. them. Note that new light fixtures cannot be approved if Maximum height of pole lights (including bases and 26 Dark brown, dark bronze, or black are appropriate colors for free-standing pole mounted light fixtures in they increase nonconforming spillover. New fixtures fixtures), shall not exceed the Entrance Corridors. that increase the intensity of illumination beyond 30 fc in display areas and 20 fc in other areas would 20'. Maximum light levels shall not exceed 30 27 The height and scale of freestanding, pole -mounted light fixtures should be compatible with the height and scale not be appropriate for the EC. The photometric plan footcandles in the display of the buildings and the sites they are illuminating, and submitted with the site plan will need to distinguish lot and 20 footcandles in all with the use of the site. Typically, the height of between proposed lighting and existing lighting that other locations. freestanding pole -mounted light fixtures in the Entrance is intended to remain unmodified. The applicant has Corridors should not exceed 20 feet, including the base. agreed to the standard 30 fc limit for new lighting in Fixtures that exceed 20 feet in height will typically the display area. require additional screening to achieve an appropriate appearance from the Entrance Corridor. 28 In determining the appropriateness of lighting fixtures Replacing the nonconforming pole lights with poles Replace the nonconforming for the Entrance Corridors, the individual context of the and fixtures that meet ordinance and guideline pole lights with poles and site will be taken into consideration on a case by case requirements could offset some of the negative fixtures that meet all basis. impacts of some other site deficiencies, such as ordinance and guideline reduced planting areas. requirements. 29 The following note should be included on the lighting The lighting note will be needed on the site plan. Include the standard plan: "Each outdoor luminaire equipped with a lamp lighting note on future site that emits 3,000 or more initial lumens shall be a full plan submittals. cutoff luminaire and shall be arranged or shielded to reflect light away from adjoining residential districts and away from adjacent roads. The spillover of lighting from luminaires onto public roads and property in residential or rural areas zoning districts shall not exceed one half footcandle." Landscaping 7 The requirements of the Guidelines regarding Little planting area exists at this site, and a lawn See landscape landscaping are intended to reflect the landscaping with shade trees isn't generally appropriate in a recommendations, below. characteristic of many of the area's significant historic commercial area of this type. Planting new trees and sites which is characterized by large shade trees and shrubs is extremely important at the perimeter and lawns. Landscaping should promote visual order within interior of this site to offset the impacts of the stored the Entrance Corridor and help to integrate buildings and displayed vehicles. Landscaping along the EC into the existing environment of the corridor. and in the parking lot will help promote visual order along 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 Site plans from the 1980s show a row of evergreen For the frontage planting streets should include the following: trees along the EC frontage, but there is currently no area, provide a sketch a. Large shade trees should be planted parallel to the existing landscaping on site. The concept plan plan(s) showing: the Entrance Corridor Street. Such trees should be at least proposes seven 31/2" caliper shade trees along the existing condition, the 3'/2 inches caliper (measured 6 inches above the ground) EC frontage, spaced approximately 35' on center. layout of the previously and should be of a plant species common to the area. (One of these is shown in a tree island close to the approved site plan, and the Such trees should be located at least every 35 feet on frontage.) Ornamental trees are interspersed. proposed layout, with all center. utilities and easements, to b. Flowering ornamental trees of a species common to the There are existing utilities along the EC frontage. clarify available planting area should be interspersed among the trees required by The plan shows a drainage easement and overhead area and areas of added the preceding paragraph. The ornamental trees need not utilities. The trees are shown outside the power planting area (if any). alternate one for one with the large shade trees. They may easement at 20'-25' from the overhead line, but the be planted among the large shade trees in a less regular power company recommends that only small trees Increase planting area along spacing pattern. be planted when they are 20'-35' from the line. The the frontage, as necessary, c. In situations where appropriate, a three or four board EC guidelines call for large shade trees. The ACSA to accommodate the fence or low stone wall, typical of the area, should align has indicated that a waterline and its associated required trees outside of all the frontage of the Entrance Corridor street. easement also run through the frontage. This line easements. d. An area of sufficient width to accommodate the and easement need to be shown on the plan to foregoing plantings and fencing should be reserved clarify impacts, but it is likely that it severely limits parallel to the Entrance Corridor street, and exclusive of planting in the landscape area that is shown. road right-of-way and utility easements. Planting area may need to be increased to accommodate the required frontage planting. Notes on the plan indicate that pervious area on site has been increased by 3632 sf. Some of this can be attributed to new planting islands, but it isn't entirely clear from the concept plan how the planting area along the frontage corresponds to the existing site condition or to the layout of the previously approved site plan. 33 Landscaping along interior roads: An access easement runs along the south side of the None at this time. a. Large trees should be planted parallel to all interior property. There is no planting area existing or to be roads. Such trees should be at least 2%2 inches caliper added there. (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: Medium shade trees are proposed to be added along None at this time. a. Medium trees should be planted parallel to all interior the front of the building where there is an existing pedestrian ways. Such trees should be at least 21/2 inches sidewalk. A sidewalk is proposed along a new row caliper (measured six inches above the ground) and of parking spaces for "guests" adjoining the new should be of a species common to the area. Such trees drop-off building. Two trees are proposed in that should be located at least every 25 feet on center. location. Development pattern 6 Site development should be sensitive to the existing Some wooded area remains at the back (west) end Provide shrubs in a natural landscape and should contribute to the creation of the site that won't be disturbed with this proposal, continuous row along the of an organized development plan. This may be but the vast majority of the site has already been north, east and south sides accomplished, to the extent practical, by preserving the cleared and graded. of the front display area. trees and rolling terrain typical of the area; planting new trees along streets and pedestrian ways and choosing The layout and organization of the automobile species that reflect native forest elements; insuring that dealership is largely driven by the existing site and any grading will blend into the surrounding topography building layout. The existing buildings on site will thereby creating a continuous landscape; preserving, to be re -used for the auto dealership. The main the extent practical, existing significant river and stream building is oriented parallel to the EC and its front valleys which may be located on the site and integrating entrance faces the EC street. A building addition to these features into the design of surrounding accommodate service drop-off is proposed for the development; and limiting the building mass and height south side of the building. It is shown set back from to a scale that does not overpower the natural settings of the face of the main building, but oriented with it. the site, or the Entrance Corridor. This addition would help screen the vehicle storage area that is proposed at the middle of the site. 35 Landscaping of parking areas: 10 a. Large trees should align the perimeter of parking areas, located 40 feet on center. Trees should be planted The existing condition provides a paved area in the interior of parking areas at the rate of one tree for between the building and the EC street. The concept every 10 parking spaces provided and should be evenly plan divides this area into a row of guest parking distributed throughout the interior of the parking area. along the building with a travelway, and vehicle b. Trees required by the preceding paragraph should display area measuring approximately 205' x 67' for measure 2'/z inches caliper (measured six inches above 13,735 sf of display. Depending on the parking the ground); should be evenly spaced; and should be of layout and the size of parked vehicles, the display a species common to the area. Such trees should be area might hold approximately 65-80 cars, requiring planted in planters or medians sufficiently large to additional interior parking lot trees. The vehicle maintain the health of the tree and shall be protected by storage area at the middle of the site might hold curbing. approximately 150 cars. The vehicle storage area at c. Shrubs should be provided as necessary to minimize the back of the site might hold approximately 30 the parking area's impact on Entrance Corridor streets. vehicles. (These estimates are based on cars parked Shrubs should measure 24 inches in height. close together in stacked rows, as is often done at auto dealerships.) 39 The relationship of buildings and other structures to the Vehicles for display shall Entrance Corridor street and to other development be parked in conventional, within the corridor should be as follows: The nature of stored and displayed cars is somewhat striped parking spaces. a. An organized pattern of roads, service lanes, bike different than customer and employee cars parked in Revise the plan to show paths, and pedestrian walks should guide the layout of a parking lot. The customer and employee cars striped parking spaces for the site. come and go. The stored and displayed vehicles the display cars in the front b. In general, buildings fronting the Entrance Corridor remain parked and they are often parked closer display lot. street should be parallel to the street. Building groupings together. To limit the visual impacts of this type of should be arranged to parallel the Entrance Corridor parking, the ARB has typically required that display Evenly distribute large trees street. spaces be striped like standard parking spaces. This at the interior of the display c. Provisions should be made for connections to adjacent allows a distribution and orientation of parked cars lot at a rate of 1 tree for pedestrian and vehicular circulation systems. that is more like standard parking lots and it helps every 10 spaces. d. Open spaces should be tied into surrounding areas to ensure a consistent appearance over time. provide continuity within the Entrance Corridor. Extend the planting area on e. If significant natural features exist on the site Trees are proposed at 40' on center along the the south side of the display (including creek valleys, steep slopes, significant trees northern perimeter of the parking and display area at area the full length of the or rock outcroppings), to the extent practical, then such the front of the site. The southern perimeter of the display lot. Provide a natural features should be reflected in the site layout. If front display area has perimeter trees at 40' on continuous row of shrubs, the provisions of Section 32.5.6.n of the Albemarle center, but the planting island is not continuous. A 30"-36" tall at planting, on County Zoning Ordinance apply, then improvements continuous planting area would allow for a the north, east and south required by that section should be located so as to consistent row of shrubs and additional ornamental sides of the display lot. maximize the use of existing features in screening such trees on the south side. Two interior trees are shown Provide ornamental trees on improvements from Entrance Corridor streets. in the front paved area; only one of these is located the south side of the display 10 11 f. The placement of structures on the site should respect in the display area. (A tree in a second island near lot. existing views and vistas on and around the site. the frontage is placed to look like a frontage tree.) Some 24" shrubs are proposed around the perimeter Provide new planting 36 Landscaping of buildings and other structures: a. Trees or other vegetation should be planted along the of the parking lot, but not in a continuous row. beds/islands with large front of long buildings as necessary to soften the Taller shrubs in a continuous row would provide shade trees spaced 40' on appearance of exterior walls. The spacing, size, and type more screening. center at the east and south of such trees or vegetation should be determined by the perimeters of the middle length, height, and blankness of such walls. Providing the standard interior parking lot trees in storage area. b. Shrubs should be used to integrate the site, buildings, the display area is appropriate because it breaks up and other structures; dumpsters, accessory buildings and the "sea of parking" effect. An even distribution of structures; "drive thru" windows; service areas; and trees throughout the parking area is typically the signs. Shrubs should measure at least 24 inches in goal, but auto dealerships tend to dislike trees in the height. display lots because they take up display space and can be messy. There is no proposed landscaping associated with the vehicle storage area located at the middle of the site. The vehicle storage area at the west end of the site is located at the base of a slope. At the top of the slope is a chain link fence. The slope has no trees. Striping the spaces in the storage lots at the middle and back of the site may have less impact (than striping the front display lot) due to the distance from the street. Vehicles in these lots will be seen from the street, but the arrangement of the vehicles will be less distinguishable. Landscape screening in new planting beds at the east and south perimeters of the middle storage area would provide a visual break to the open paved area beyond the main building and establish a more appropriate appearance for the EC. 37 Plant species: a. Plant species required should be as Medium shade trees are shown along the front of the None. approved by the Staff based upon but not limited to the building. The north elevation would benefit from the Generic Landscape Plan Recommended Species List and addition of trees along its length, but there is little Native Plants or Virginia Landscapes (Appendix D). on-site planting area available there. 38 Plant health: The following note should be added to the This item will be addressed with a future site plan Include the standard plant landscape plan: "All site plantings of trees and shrubs submittal. health note on future site 11 12 shall be allowed to reach, and be maintained at, mature plan submittals. height; the topping of trees is prohibited. Shrubs and trees shall be pruned minimally and only to support the overall health of the plant." Site Gradin 40 Site grading should maintain the basic relationship of the The site is already graded. No new grading is None. site to surrounding conditions by limiting the use of anticipated. retaining walls and by shaping the terrain through the use of smooth, rounded land forms that blend with the existing terrain. Steep cut or fill sections are generally unacceptable. Proposed contours on the grading plan shall be rounded with 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 Wooded area remains at the west end of the site. No None. the drip line of any trees or other existing features construction is proposed in this area. designated for preservation in the final Certificate of Appropriateness. 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. 44 Natural drainage patterns (or to the extent required, new An existing stormwater facility exists on site. No None. drainage patterns) should be incorporated into the changes are proposed. finished site to the extent possible. SIGNS There is an existing nonconforming pole -mounted sign at this site. It consists of an internally Consider replacing the illuminated cabinet measuring approximately 8' x 12'6" (100 sf) on a tapered pole, with the top of nonconforming the sign at 29' or 30' above the ground. The pole -mounted sign predates the establishment of the EC. freestanding sign with a This type of sign is generally no longer approved in the ECs. If the sign is to be retained, any new sign that meets structural change requires that the sign area and sign height be reduced by 25%. (These reductions ordinance and guideline would apply each time the structure of the sign changes until the area and height meet ordinance requirements. 12 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Staff recommends the following as the primary points of discussion: 1. Vehicle display area: interior landscaping, striping of spaces, limit on elevated vehicles 2. Frontage planting: available planting area, coordination with utilities 3. Vehicle storage areas: screening, landscaping, parking method 4. Visibility of vehicles awaiting repair in the body shop 5. Lighting: existing non -conforming lights, new lights, 20' pole height, 30 fc limit Staff recommends the ARB forward the following recommendation to the Planning Commission: It is not clear at this time that an appropriate appearance for the EC can be achieved with the proposed concept plan due to the utility and planting conflicts along the EC frontage, the limited planting proposed, and the lack of information on the vehicles awaiting repair in the body shop. Consequently, the ARB cannot support the request for the special use permit at this time. Should the ARB choose to recommend approval of the request for the outdoor sales/storage/display, staff recommends the following conditions of approval. (Note that Special Use Permit for the body shop will have to return to the ARB for review.) 1. Vehicles shall be displayed or stored only in areas indicated for display or storage on the plan entitled "Conceptual Special Use Application Plan for Malloy Ford" dated April 18, 2016 (the Concept Plan). 2. Vehicles for display shall be parked in conventional, striped parking spaces. 3. Vehicles shall not be elevated anywhere on site. 4. Final site plan approval is subject to ARB approval of the lighting plan (submitted with the site plan). Maximum height of pole lights (including bases and fixtures), shall not exceed 20'. Maximum light levels shall not exceed 30 footcandles in the display lot and 20 footcandles in all other locations. Nonconforming pole lights shall be removed from the site. 5. Final site plan approval is subject to ARB approval of the landscape plan (submitted with the site plan). Landscaping shown on the plan may be required to be in excess of the minimum requirements of the ARB guidelines and/or the Zoning Ordinance to mitigate visual impacts of the proposed use, and shall include, but not be limited to, the following: a. Planting area along the Entrance Corridor frontage shall be increased, as necessary, to accommodate planting outside of easements. b. Large shade trees shall be evenly distributed at the interior of the display lot at a rate of 1 tree for every 10 spaces. c. Shrubs shall be provided in a continuous row along the north, east and south sides of the front display area. d. The planting area on the south side of the display area shall be extended the full length of the display area. The extended planting area shall be planted with ornamental trees and a continuous row of shrubs. 13 requirements.) Replacing the nonconforming sign with a new sign that meets ordinance and guideline requirements might offset some of the negative impacts of some other site deficiencies, such as reduced planting areas. A freestanding monument style sign is recommended, but it would need to be incorporated into the landscaping along the frontage and be coordinated with the utilities. SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Staff recommends the following as the primary points of discussion: 1. Vehicle display area: interior landscaping, striping of spaces, limit on elevated vehicles 2. Frontage planting: available planting area, coordination with utilities 3. Vehicle storage areas: screening, landscaping, parking method 4. Visibility of vehicles awaiting repair in the body shop 5. Lighting: existing non -conforming lights, new lights, 20' pole height, 30 fc limit Staff recommends the ARB forward the following recommendation to the Planning Commission: It is not clear at this time that an appropriate appearance for the EC can be achieved with the proposed concept plan due to the utility and planting conflicts along the EC frontage, the limited planting proposed, and the lack of information on the vehicles awaiting repair in the body shop. Consequently, the ARB cannot support the request for the special use permit at this time. Should the ARB choose to recommend approval of the request for the outdoor sales/storage/display, staff recommends the following conditions of approval. (Note that Special Use Permit for the body shop will have to return to the ARB for review.) 1. Vehicles shall be displayed or stored only in areas indicated for display or storage on the plan entitled "Conceptual Special Use Application Plan for Malloy Ford" dated April 18, 2016 (the Concept Plan). 2. Vehicles for display shall be parked in conventional, striped parking spaces. 3. Vehicles shall not be elevated anywhere on site. 4. Final site plan approval is subject to ARB approval of the lighting plan (submitted with the site plan). Maximum height of pole lights (including bases and fixtures), shall not exceed 20'. Maximum light levels shall not exceed 30 footcandles in the display lot and 20 footcandles in all other locations. Nonconforming pole lights shall be removed from the site. 5. Final site plan approval is subject to ARB approval of the landscape plan (submitted with the site plan). Landscaping shown on the plan may be required to be in excess of the minimum requirements of the ARB guidelines and/or the Zoning Ordinance to mitigate visual impacts of the proposed use, and shall include, but not be limited to, the following: a. Planting area along the Entrance Corridor frontage shall be increased, as necessary, to accommodate planting outside of easements. b. Large shade trees shall be evenly distributed at the interior of the display lot at a rate of 1 tree for every 10 spaces. c. Shrubs shall be provided in a continuous row along the north, east and south sides of the front display area. d. The planting area on the south side of the display area shall be extended the full length of the display area. The extended planting area shall be planted with ornamental trees and a continuous row of shrubs. 13 e. Shrubs provided at the perimeter of the display area shall be a minimum of 30"-36" high at planting. f. Large shade trees spaced 40' on center shall be provided in new planting beds or islands along the east and south perimeters of the middle vehicle storage area. Should the applicant choose to request deferral, the following revisions to the concept plan are suggested prior to resubmittal for ARB review: 1. Revise the plan to show striped parking spaces for the display cars in the front display lot. 2. Address landscaping items 5a -f, above. 3. For the frontage planting area, provide a sketch plan(s) showing: the existing condition, the layout of the previously approved site plan (if different from the existing condition), and the proposed layout, with all utilities and easements, to clarify available planting area and areas of added planting area (if any). 4. Identify on the plan the location of parking spaces for vehicles awaiting repair in the body shop. 5. Clarify on the plan how the visibility of vehicles awaiting repair in the body shop will be eliminated from public streets. Provide corresponding details for review. 6. Clarify on the plan if the chain link fence located near the main building is to remain or to be removed. 7. Provide an estimate of the number of cars to be parked in the storage areas. 8. Label the vehicle storage areas as Vehicle Storage Area #1 and Vehicle Storage Area #2. 9. Replace the nonconforming pole lights with poles and fixtures that meet all ordinance and guideline requirements. 10. Consider replacing the nonconforming freestanding sign with a new sign that meets ordinance and guideline requirements. Comments for future site plan submittal: 1. Note that standard trademark/branding elements may require modification to meet the EC Guidelines. 2. If windows are added to the building or included in the service drop-off addition, include the standard window glass note on the architectural drawings. 3. Include the standard plant health note on future site plan submittals. 4. Include the standard lighting note on future site plan submittals. 5. Include the standard mechanical equipment note on future site plan and architectural submittals. 6. If existing light fixtures will be retained, the lighting plan provided with the site plan shall distinguish between proposed lighting and existing lighting that is to remain unmodified in terms of fixture locations, type, style, and intensity of illumination. Combined illumination levels will also need to be shown. 7. Clarify on the plan if the chain link fence located near the main building is to remain or to be removed. TABLE A This report is based on the following submittal items: Sheet # Drawing Name Drawing Date/Revision Date - Conceptual Special Use Application Plan — overall site Aril 18, 2016 - Conceptual Special Use Application Plan — front portion of site April 18, 2016 - Regional Context Map April 18, 2016 14