HomeMy WebLinkAboutARB201600070 Staff Report 2016-07-11ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD STAFF REPORT
Project #/Name
ARB -2016-70: Springhill Towne Place Suites
Review Type
Advisory Review
Parcel Identification
061ZO030000200
Location
1301-1309 Seminole Trail, on the east side of Seminole Trail, approximately 400' north of Westfield Road.
Zoned
Commercial (C1)/Entrance Corridor (EC)
Owner/Applicant
SSQ LLC/Dominion Engineering and Design (Mike Myers)
Magisterial District
Rio
Proposal
To construct a 5 -story, 192 -unit hotel accommodating two hotel chains in one building, with a two-level parking deck and
associated site improvements. The proposal includes a special exception for a reduction in the 15' building stepback after
the third story. Special Use Permits are required for the hotel use and for the structured parking.
Context
This parcel is located in the heavily developed Rt. 29 North corridor and is currently occupied by the Flaming Wok
restaurant, Dodson Glass, and an unoccupied building. The Fairfield Inn and a Food Lion grocery store are immediately
to the north. A Penske truck rental business and small office buildings are to the south. A mixture of motels, small offices
and commercial buildings are across Rt. 29 to the west. Small offices are located to the east.
Visibility
Although the proposed hotel would be set back approximately 240' from the Rt. 29 right-of-way, the building will be
visible from the Entrance Corridor. At 5 stories tall and with a finished floor elevation approximately 20' above the parcel
to the north, the hotel will be visible above the surrounding buildings. Wooded area exists along the northern property
line, with some trees on the subject parcel and some on the parcel to the north. A significant amount of this wooded area
would be removed from the subject parcel to accommodate the proposed development. This will open up the view and
increase visibility. Some very tall trees that stand in this band of wooded area could limit some views of the hotel for
viewers traveling south on the EC. It isn't clear from the plan which parcel these trees stand on, but it is anticipated that
some of them will be removed with the development and some will remain on the adjacent parcel.
ARB Meeting Date
July 18, 2016
Staff Contact
Margaret Maliszewski
PROJECT/SITE HISTORY
The buildings at this site predate the establishment of Rt. 29 as an Entrance Corridor. The ARB has reviewed a number of sign applications for existing
buildings on this parcel. Pre -application conferences were held with staff on this hotel project. This is the first ARB review of this proposal.
ANALYSIS
REF
GUIDELINE
ISSUE
RECOMMENDATION
1
The goal of the regulation of the design of development within
The proposed architectural design exhibits no
Revise the architectural
the designated Entrance Corridors is to insure that new
clear reference and no apparent compatibility
design to increase
development within the corridors reflects the traditional
with significant historic resources in the County.
compatibility with the
architecture of the area. Therefore, it is the purpose of ARB
Redevelopment of the site presents an
significant historic
review and of these Guidelines, that proposed development
opportunity to bring landscaping into
resources in the County.
within the designated Entrance Corridors reflect elements of
conformity with Entrance Corridor guidelines,
design characteristic of the significant historical landmarks,
but the site layout does not provide sufficient
See landscape
buildings, and structures of the Charlottesville and Albemarle
planting area to meet the requirements of the
recommendations.
area, and to promote orderly and attractive development
guidelines.
within these corridors. Applicants should note that replication
of historic structures is neither required nor desired.
Buildings in the immediate area are a mix of
designs that predate the establishment of the
2
Visitors to the significant historical sites in the Charlottesville
and Albemarle area experience these sites as ensembles of
Entrance Corridors (motels and small office
buildings, land, and vegetation. In order to accomplish the
buildings) and development that has been
integration of buildings, land, and vegetation characteristic of
reviewed and approved by the ARB (including
these sites, the Guidelines require attention to four primary
buildings in the Branchlands development and
factors: compatibility with significant historic sites in the area;
the Waffle House).
the character of the Entrance Corridor; site development and
layout; and landscaping.
Compatibility with significant historic sites:
3
New structures and substantial additions to existing structures
The proposed building exhibits a contemporary
Revise the architectural
should respect the traditions of the architecture of historically
design that does not reflect the traditional
design to reflect the
significant buildings in the Charlottesville and Albemarle area.
architecture of the area.
traditional architecture of
Photographs of historic buildings in the area, as well as
the area.
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.
Structure design
9 Building forms and features, including roofs, windows, doors,
The applicant has described the proposed
Revise the forms and
materials, colors and textures should be compatible with the
building as having "contemporary massing and
features of the building
forms and features of the significant historic buildings in the
details with current colors and textures". The
design to establish
area, exemplified by (but not limited to) the buildings
hotel is composed of rectangular forms — or
compatibility with the
described in Appendix A [of the design guidelines]. The
blocks — of varying height and projection. They
significant historic
standard of compatibility can be met through scale, materials,
are grouped in an L -shape, with a central,
buildings in the area.
and forms which may be embodied in architecture which is
semicircular porte cochere. Most of the building
contemporary as well as traditional. The replication of
blocks have flat roofs, but the tallest ones have
Revise materials to better
important historic sites in Albemarle County is not the
single -sloping roofs, and most of those have
reflect the historic
objective of these guidelines.
deep overhangs. These roof forms are large,
architecture of the
conspicuous, and without reference to historic
County.
architecture of the area. One of the sloped -roof
forms appears to have a transparent or
Provide color samples for
translucent top. An internet search of Springhill
review.
and Towne Place Suites images indicates that
these roof forms are illuminated with colored
light. This type of illumination would be
inconsistent with previous ARB approvals. It
would make the building significantly more
noticeable at night and from greater distances. It
would not contribute to unity and coherence
along the corridor.
EIFS is the proposed wall facing material for
the hotel. This is an extensive use of EIFS,
unrelieved by other materials that are typical of
the County's historic architecture (such as brick
and stone). The building blocks are
distinguished one from another by color (blue,
brown, dark gray, white, off-white). The blocks
of color will be visually prominent on the EC.
5
It is also an important objective of the Guidelines to establish
The proposed building height, forms, materials
Revise the proposal to
a pattern of compatible architectural characteristics throughout
and colors are significantly different from those
increase compatibility
the Entrance Corridor in order to achieve unity and coherence.
of the nearby buildings and do not support unity
with the nearby
Building designs should demonstrate sensitivity to other
and coherence along the corridor.
architectural context.
nearby structures within the Entrance Corridor. Where a
designated corridor is substantially developed, these
The proposed design does not relate to the
Guidelines require striking a careful balance between
surrounding context of buildings. Although its
harmonizing new development with the existing character of
height is similar to that of the Fairfield Inn, the
the corridor and achieving compatibility with the significant
Fairfield Inn is set well below street level,
historic sites in the area.
which reduces its impact on the street and limits
its relationship to the proposed building.
10
Buildings should relate to their site and the surrounding
context of buildings.
11
The overall design of buildings should have human scale.
At its tallest, the hotel reaches almost 65'. The
Staff recommends that
Scale should be integral to the building and site design.
use of multiple building blocks and varying
the ARB express no
colors helps reduce the mass somewhat, as
objection to the special
viewed from the front, and the porte cochere
exception for the
helps reduce the scale for those entering the
stepback.
building.
In this zoning district, County code requires that
floors above 40 feet or the third story,
whichever is less, be stepped back a minimum
of 15 feet. The intent of this requirement is to
reduce building mass along the street for an
improved pedestrian experience. In this case,
the deep building setback together with the
building massing and L-shape design, tend to
reduce the impact a stepback would have.
12
Architecture proposed within the Entrance Corridor should use
The two hotel chains are coordinated with each
Revise the building
forms, shapes, scale, and materials to create a cohesive whole.
other into a design that looks like a single
design to simplify the
building, but the design does not establish a
forms and features while
cohesive whole along the corridor.
eliminating blankness and
13
Any appearance of "blankness" resulting from building design
There are expanses of wall area that have no
unifying the design.
should be relieved using design detail or vegetation, or both.
windows, but most of these areas are treated
with scoring in the EIFS wall surface. There are
14
Arcades, colonnades, or other architectural connecting devices
should be used to unify groups of buildings within a
no arcades or colonnades to unify the building.
development.
Instead, the rectangular building blocks and
colors are used throughout the design. The
multiple blocks used, however, result in a
complicated, "busy" appearance.
15
Trademark buildings and related features should be modified
The applicant's narrative states that the
Further modify the brand
to meet the requirements of the Guidelines.
proposed design is derived from brand standards
standard to reflect the
and styling. There are no apparent modifications
historic architecture of
made to reflect the historic architecture of the
Albemarle County.
county.
16
Window glass in the Entrance Corridors should not be highly
Given the size and height of the proposed
Include the standard
tinted or highly reflective. Window glass in the Entrance
building, the type of window glass used will be
window glass note on the
Corridors should meet the following criteria: Visible light
important.
drawings. Provide specs
transmittance (VLT) shall not drop below 4001o. Visible light
and a glass sample for
reflectance (VLR) shall not exceed 30%. Specifications on the
review.
proposed window glass should be submitted with the
applicationforfinal review.
Accessory structures and equipment
17
Accessory structures and equipment should be integrated into
Transformers are shown at the east end of the
Provide a mix of shrubs
the overall plan of development and shall, to the extent
parcel, behind the hotel building, so they won't
in an irregular pattern to
possible, be compatible with the building designs used on the
be visible from the EC.
screen the dumpster from
site.
A dumpster is shown along the southern
the EC street.
18
The following should be located to eliminate visibility from the
Entrance Corridor street. If, after appropriate siting, these
property line, partly on the hotel parcel and
Provide a dumpster
features will still have a negative visual impact on the Entrance
partly on the future development parcel. Shrubs
screen detail in the site
Corridor street, screening should be provided to eliminate
are shown around the dumpster. A location
plan.
visibility. a. Loading areas, b. Service areas, c. Refuse areas, d.
further back on the site would reduce visibility,
Storage areas,
but appropriate screening materials and a taller,
Shift the dumpster
e. Mechanical equipment, f. Above -ground utilities, and
denser shrub planting might be sufficient.
location to be entirely on
g. Chain link fence, barbed wire, razor wire, and similar
the hotel parcel after
security fencing devices.
Air conditioning units are located directly below
the windows.
subdivision.
19
Screening devices should be compatible with the design of the
buildings and surrounding natural vegetation and may consist
Clarify on the drawings
of: a. Walls, b. Plantings, and c. Fencing.
It is anticipated that the hotel will use elevators,
the location and
but the location and appearance of the elevator
appearance of the
penthouse isn't clear from the drawings.
elevator penthouse and
any associated
A two-level parking deck accommodating 100
equipment.
parking spaces is proposed at the back (east) of
the site. The elevation drawings suggest that the
If existing trees are
exterior walls of the deck have a lower level of
proposed to remain on
finish than the rest of the building. This may be
site after construction,
acceptable if the combination of location and
indicate their location,
on-site landscaping successfully screen the deck
size and species on the
from view. The lower elevation of the deck
plan.
(compared to the rest of the hotel) will help
minimize its impact, but it isn't clear from the
If the parking deck walls
drawings what the character and screening
have a reduced level of
ability of on-site landscaping to remain will be.
finish such that the deck
looks like a
secondary/service
structure, provide on-site
landscaping to mitigate
the view.
21
The following note should be added to the site plan and the
The mechanical equipment note will be needed
Add the standard
architectural plan: "Visibility of all mechanical equipment
on the drawings.
mechanical equipment
from the Entrance Corridor shall be eliminated."
note to both the
architectural and site plan
drawings.
Lighting
22
Light should be contained on the site and not spill over onto
Some light pole locations are shown on the plan,
None at this time.
adjacent properties or streets;
but lighting details have not yet been submitted
for review.
23
Light should be shielded, recessed or flush -mounted to
eliminate glare. All fixtures with lamps emitting 3000 lumens
or more must be full cutoff fixtures.
24
Light levels exceeding 30 footcandles are not appropriate for
display lots in the Entrance Corridors. Lower light levels will
apply to most other uses in the Entrance Corridors.
25
Light should have the appearance of white light with a warm
soft glow; however, a consistent appearance throughout a site
or development is required. Consequently, if existing lamps
that emit non-white light are to remain, new lamps may be
required to match them.
26
Dark brown, dark bronze, or black are appropriate colors for
free-standing pole mounted light fixtures in the Entrance
Corridors.
27
The height and scale of freestanding, pole -mounted light
fixtures should be compatible with the height and scale of the
buildings and the sites they are illuminating, and with the use
of the site. Typically, the height of freestanding pole -mounted
light fixtures in the Entrance Corridors should not exceed 20
feet, including the base. Fixtures that exceed 20 feet in height
will typically require additional screening to achieve an
appropriate appearance from the Entrance Corridor.
28
In determining the appropriateness of lighting fixtures for the
Some of the hotel's roof forms may be designed
Eliminate any
Entrance Corridors, the individual context of the site will be
to incorporate lights that would illuminate the
illumination of roof forms
taken into consideration on a case by case basis.
areas under the sloping roofs. Illumination of
or roof elements.
these areas would not be appropriate for the EC.
29
The following note should be included on the lighting plan:
The lighting note will be needed.
Add the standard lighting
"Each outdoor luminaire equipped with a lamp that emits
note to the plan.
3,000 or more initial lumens shall be a full 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 landscaping are
The addition of trees along the Rt. 29 frontage
If existing trees are
intended to reflect the landscaping characteristic of many of
and elsewhere on site will help improve the
proposed to remain on
the area's significant historic sites which is characterized by
appearance and integrate the development into
site after construction,
large shade trees and lawns. Landscaping should promote
the corridor.
indicate their location,
visual order within the Entrance Corridor and help to integrate
size and species on the
buildings into the existing environment of the corridor.
Much of the existing on-site wooded area would
plan.
be removed to accommodate the proposed
development. A tree -line -to -remain is shown
along the northern property line. For most of its
length, it is very close to the property line.
Consequently, in these areas, it likely represents
trees whose trunks are actually located on the
adjacent parcel. In this case, trees may need to
be added on the north side of the building to
offset the impacts of the development.
8
Continuity within the Entrance Corridor should be obtained by
Proposed plant species have not yet been
None at this time.
planting different types of plant materials that share similar
identified, but a note on the plan indicates that
characteristics. Such common elements allow for more
species will be taken from the Department of
flexibility in the design of structures because common
Conservation and Recreation's native plants list.
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 streets
New trees are shown along the EC frontage.
Add trees 2'/2" caliper at
should include the following:
They appear to be shade trees and ornamentals,
planting, 40' on center,
a. Large shade trees should be planted parallel to the Entrance
but a landscape schedule was not part of the
along the southern access
Corridor Street. Such trees should be at least 3'/2 inches caliper
conceptual submittal. The surface treatment of
drive.
(measured 6 inches above the ground) and should be of a plant
the future development parcel is not indicated
species common to the area. Such trees should be located at
on the plan.
Indicate on the plan the
least every 35 feet on center.
proposed surface
b. Flowering ornamental trees of a species common to the area
An existing water line and proposed easement
treatment for the future
should be interspersed among the trees required by the preceding
reduce planting area along the southern side of
development parcel.
paragraph. The ornamental trees need not alternate one for one
the future development parcel to 5' in depth. No
with the large shade trees. They may be planted among the large
new trees are shown in this area.
shade trees in a less regular spacing pattern.
c. In situations where appropriate, a three or four board fence
There are two entrances proposed into the site
or low stone wall, typical of the area, should align the frontage
from the EC. Trees are shown along the
of the Entrance Corridor street.
northern entrance drive but not along the
d. An area of sufficient width to accommodate the foregoing
southern one.
plantings and fencing should be reserved parallel to the
Entrance Corridor street, and exclusive of road right-of-way
and utility easements.
33
Landscaping along interior roads:
a. Large trees should be planted parallel to all interior roads.
Such trees should be at least 2%2 inches caliper (measured six
inches above the ground) and should be of a plant species
common to the area. Such trees should be located at least
every 40 feet on center.
34
Landscaping along interior pedestrian ways:
Sidewalks are provided along the Rt. 29
Provide medium shade
a. Medium trees should be planted parallel to all interior
frontage, along the northern access drive, and
trees parallel to interior
pedestrian ways. Such trees should be at least 21/2 inches
along the front and sides of the hotel. Trees are
pedestrian ways, 21/2"
caliper (measured six inches above the ground) and should be
located along some of these sidewalks, but not
caliper at planting, 25' on
of a species common to the area. Such trees should be located
all.
center.
at least every 25 feet on center.
35
Landscaping of parking areas:
Trees have not been provided along the south
Add large shade trees
a. Large trees should align the perimeter of parking areas,
side of the parking lot. A retaining wall is
along the southern
located 40 feet on center. Trees should be planted in the
shown along this area. Shrubs are shown at the
perimeter of the parking
interior of parking areas at the rate of one tree for every 10
top of the retaining wall, but no trees are
lot, 21/2" caliper at
parking spaces provided and should be evenly distributed
provided. There is approximately 5' of space
planting, 40' on center.
throughout the interior of the parking area.
from the curb at the parking spaces to the
Ensure that there is
b. Trees required by the preceding paragraph should measure
southern property line, so there is insufficient
sufficient planting space
2'/2 inches caliper (measured six inches above the ground);
space for trees to be planted.
available.
should be evenly spaced; and should be of a species common
to the area. Such trees should be planted in planters or
Interior parking lot trees are shown at the
Provide shrubs along the
medians sufficiently large to maintain the health of the tree
quantity required.
4 -space parking row.
and shall be protected by curbing.
c. Shrubs should be provided as necessary to minimize the
Shrubs are not provided along the 4 -space
parking area's impact on Entrance Corridor streets. Shrubs
parking row that faces the EC.
should measure 24 inches in height.
36
Landscaping of buildings and other structures:
Shrubs are shown in various locations on the
Revise the landscape plan
a. Trees or other vegetation should be planted along the front
hotel parcel, but they are not used to integrate
to use shrubs to integrate
of long buildings as necessary to soften the appearance of
the site.
the building and site.
exterior walls. The spacing, size, and type of such trees or
vegetation should be determined by the length, height, and
Trees are not provided along the building's
Provide trees along the
blankness of such walls.
walls. Landscaping on the north side would help
north side of the building
b. Shrubs should be used to integrate the site, buildings, and
moderate the mass of the building and the
to help moderate the
other structures; dumpsters, accessory buildings and
appearance of the parking structure, particularly
building mass and to
structures; "drive thru" windows; service areas; and signs.
if the tree -line -to -remain represents the canopy
integrate the building into
Shrubs should measure at least 24 inches in height.
of trees located off site.
the corridor.
37
Plant species:
A landscape schedule was not included in the
None at this time.
a. Plant species required should be as approved by the Staff
conceptual plan.
based upon but not limited to the Generic Landscape Plan
Recommended Species List and Native Plants for Virginia
Landscapes (Appendix D).
38
Plant health:
The standard plant health note will be needed on
Add the standard plant
The following note should be added to the landscape plan: "All
the plan.
health note to the plan.
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."
Development paftern
6
Site development should be sensitive to the existing natural
Most of the on-site wooded area would be
Increase planting area on
landscape and should contribute to the creation of an
removed to accommodate the proposed
the south side of the
organized development plan. This may be accomplished, to
development. A significant change in elevation
parcel.
the extent practical, by preserving the trees and rolling terrain
(up to 30') exists between the parcel in question
typical of the area; planting new trees along streets and
and the parcels immediately to the north, and
pedestrian ways and choosing species that reflect native forest
extensive retaining walls are proposed to
10
elements; insuring that any grading will blend into the
accommodate the project.
surrounding topography thereby creating a continuous
landscape; preserving, to the extent practical, existing
The layout of the site leaves a small area
significant river and stream valleys which may be located on
adjacent to the EC for future development. With
the site and integrating these features into the design of
no information available on the proposed use or
surrounding development; and limiting the building mass and
design, it is impossible to tell how, or if, the
height to a scale that does not overpower the natural settings
future development might relate to a building
of the site, or the Entrance Corridor.
such as the proposed hotel. Locating the hotel
closer to the street could provide for more
39
The relationship of buildings and other structures to the
Entrance Corridor street and to other development within the
reliable results, but would also increase the
corridor should be as follows:
impact of the tall building on the EC.
a. An organized pattern of roads, service lanes, bike paths, and
pedestrian walks should guide the layout of the site.
The proposed layout of the site appears
b. In general, buildings fronting the Entrance Corridor street
organized, but crowded on the parcel. Paved
should be parallel to the street. Building groupings should be
area extends almost to the southern property
arranged to parallel the Entrance Corridor street.
line, which does not leave sufficient planting
c. Provisions should be made for connections to adjacent
area.
pedestrian and vehicular circulation systems.
d. Open spaces should be tied into surrounding areas to
The west end of the hotel faces the EC street,
provide continuity within the Entrance Corridor.
but the building and its main entrance are
e. If significant natural features exist on the site (including
oriented to the southwest. A small, secondary
creek valleys, steep slopes, significant trees or rock
entrance is located on the western Springhill
outcroppings), to the extent practical, then such natural
elevation that faces the EC.
features should be reflected in the site layout. If the provisions
of Section 32.5.6.n of the Albemarle County Zoning
Sidewalks are provided into the site from Rt. 29
Ordinance apply, then improvements required by that section
and around the hotel.
should be located so as to maximize the use of existing
features in screening such improvements from Entrance
Most of the trees on site will be removed to
Corridor streets.
accommodate the proposed development.
f. The placement of structures on the site should respect
existing views and vistas on and around the site.
In this location, the hotel would have a
prominent position well above the parcel to the
north, replacing some of the trees in this area
with a tall building.
Site Gradin
40
Site grading should maintain the basic relationship of the site to
Because of the significant difference in grade, Identify on the plan the
surrounding conditions by limiting the use of retaining walls and
the subject parcel already has a disjointed material, manufacturer
by shaping the terrain through the use of smooth, rounded land
relationship to the adjoining parcel to the north. and color proposed for
10
11
forms that blend with the existing terrain. Steep cut or fill
That relationship will remain under the
the retaining walls.
sections are generally unacceptable. Proposed contours on the
proposed development.
grading plan shall be rounded with a ten foot minimum radius
Terrace and plant
where they meet the adjacent condition. Final grading should
A retaining wall is proposed along the northern
retaining walls 6' tall and
achieve a natural, rather than engineered, appearance. Retaining
property line from Rt. 29 to the building. A note
taller. Provide plants at
walls 6 feet in height and taller, when necessary, shall be
on the plan says that wall height does not
the base of the northern
terraced and planted to blend with the landscape.
exceed 6', but it appears to be somewhat taller.
retaining wall.
Given the proximity of the tree -line -to -remain
to the northern property line, it appears that off-
site wooded area would be relied upon to
mitigate the appearance of the wall.
Another retaining wall extends 325' along the
southern property line. The parking lot extends
to within 2' of the retaining wall on the south
side, which does not allow room for perimeter
parking lot trees.
Retaining wall materials and colors have not
been identified.
41
No grading, trenching, or tunneling should occur within the drip
Trees would be removed from the north end of
If existing trees are
line of any trees or other existing features designated for
the site to accommodate the proposed
proposed to remain on
preservation in the final Certificate of Appropriateness.
development. It is likely that grading will occur
site after construction,
Adequate tree protection fencing should be shown on, and
within the dripline of some trees to remain. It is
indicate their location,
coordinated throughout, the grading, landscaping and erosion
not clear from the plan what on-site trees, if any,
size and species on the
and sediment control plans.
will actually be retained with the proposal.
plan.
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.
20
Surface runoff structures and detention ponds should be
The existing site is nearly all impervious. A
None.
designed to fit into the natural topography to avoid the need for
stormwater detention facility is proposed along
screening. When visible from the Entrance Corridor street, these
the eastern property line. A drainage easement
features must be fully integrated into the landscape. They
exists just east of the parcel.
should not have the appearance of engineered features.
11
44
Natural drainage patterns (or to the extent required, new
drainage patterns) should be incorporated into the finished site
to the extent possible.
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends the following as the primary points of discussion:
1. Anticipated visibility of the development from the Rt. 29 EC
2. The architectural design of the hotel: compatibility with historic architecture of the County, compatibility with nearby context, scale, stepback
3. The location of the hotel on the site and the future development parcel
4. Retaining walls: length, height, visibility, planting
5. Landscaping, trees along the north and south sides of the property
6. The parking structure: visibility, materials, finish, screening
Staff offers the following comments on the proposal:
Regardingthe h�quest for the special exception for the stepback:
Staff recommends no objection to the request for the special exception for the stepback.
Regardingthe h�quests for special use permits for the hotel use and parking structure:
Staff cannot support the request for the special use permit for the hotel use because the proposed architectural design does not meet the Entrance
Corridor Design Guidelines and the site layout does not allow sufficient room for required landscaping. Staff supports the concept of structured
parking, but cannot support the specific request at this time because it is tied to the design of the hotel, which is not supported.
Regarding the conceptual dgsignn:
1. Revise the architectural design of the hotel to:
a. establish compatibility with the significant historic resources in the County,
b. reflect the traditional architecture of the area,
c. increase compatibility with the nearby architectural context,
d. exhibit human scale, and
e. simplify the forms and features while eliminating blankness and unifying the design.
2. Further modify the brand standard to reflect the historic architecture of Albemarle County.
3. Revise materials to better reflect the historic architecture of the County.
4. Provide color samples for review.
5. Provide a mix of shrubs in an irregular pattern to screen the dumpster from the EC street.
6. Provide a dumpster screen detail in the site plan. Shift the dumpster location to be entirely on the hotel parcel after subdivision.
7. Clarify on the drawings the location and appearance of the elevator penthouse and any associated equipment.
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8. If the parking deck walls have a reduced level of finish such that the deck looks like a secondary/service structure, provide on-site landscaping to
mitigate the view.
9. Eliminate any illumination of roof forms or roof elements.
10. Indicate on the plan the proposed surface treatment for the future development parcel.
11. If existing trees are proposed to remain on site after construction, indicate their location, size and species on the plan.
12. Add trees 2'/2" caliper at planting, 40' on center, along the southern access drive.
13. Provide medium shade trees parallel to interior pedestrian ways, 2%" caliper at planting, 25' on center.
14. Add large shade trees along the southern perimeter of the parking lot, 2'/Z" caliper at planting, 40' on center. Ensure that there is sufficient planting
space available.
15. Provide shrubs along the 4 -space parking row.
16. Revise the landscape plan to use shrubs to integrate the building and site.
17. Provide trees along the north side of the building to help moderate the building mass and to integrate the building into the corridor.
18. Increase planting area on the south side of the parcel.
19. Terrace and plant retaining walls 6' tall and taller. Provide plants at the base of the northern retaining wall.
20. Identify on the plan the material, manufacturer and color proposed for the retaining walls.
21. Add the standard plant health note to the 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."
22. Include the standard window glass note on the drawings: "Visible light transmittance (VLT) shall not drop below 40%. Visible light reflectance
(VLR) shall not exceed 30%." Provide specs and a glass sample for review.
23. Add the standard mechanical equipment note to both the architectural and site plan drawings: "Visibility of all mechanical equipment from the
Entrance Corridor shall be eliminated."
24. Add the standard lighting note to the plan: "Each outdoor luminaire equipped with a lamp that emits 3,000 or more initial lumens shall be a full
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."
TABLE A This report is based on the following submittal items:
Sheet #
Drawing Name
DrawingDate/Revision Date
PS01
Cover Sheet
6/2/2016
PSO2
Site Overview
6/2/2016
PSO3
Existing Conditions
6/2/2016
PSO4
Site Plan
6/2/2016
PSO5
Site Sections
6/2/2016
PSO6
Virginia Reduction Runoff Method
6/2/2016
APP
EC photos and key plan, Sight line perspectives, Color elevations
6/2/2016, -, -
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