HomeMy WebLinkAboutSP201600023 Review Comments Special Use Permit 2017-06-19COMMONWEALTH of VIRGINIA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
1601 Orange Road
Culpeper. Yrginra 22701
Charles A. Kilpatrick, P.E.
Commissioner
June 19, 2017
County of Albemarle
Department of Community Development
401 McIntire Road
Charlottesville, VA 22902
Attn: Megan Yaniglos
Re: SP2016-023 & 024 Arden Place II
Review 2
Dear Ms. Yaniglos,
We have reviewed the Special Use Permit submission, received December 22, 2016, as
submitted by Collins Engineering, and offer the following comments.
1. Currently Albemarle County is in the middle of planning study for the Rio Area. This
site is in the area identified by the planning study and the proposal may not conform to
the recommendation of the study if it moves forward before the study recommendations
are developed.
2. The analysis shows that in the Existing and Future No -Build conditions many of the turn
lanes need additional storage lengths that are not related to the proposed development.
The TIA also recommends that these deficiencies should not be corrected until after the
Rio Area Planning Study is completed. Currently there are no projects planned,
scheduled or funded to improve this corridor, and any additional impacts would need to
be addressed by the development.
3. The study states that the connection of Putt Putt Lane with Rio Road is the only
intersection that is not signalized on the corridor. This is not true as there are several
other locations where unsignalized street connections to Rio Road occur in the vicinity to
this location. A primary example of this is the unsignalized Rio E. Ct/Glenwood Station
Ln. connections to Rio Road just east of the Putt Putt Ln. connection.
4. The study states that the connection of Putt Putt Ln and Rio Road does not meet spacing
standards for a signal, and that an exception to the standards would be needed. The study
did provide a Warrants analysis that shows a signal would meet many of the warrants in
the future with the proposed development. The developer however has not proposed any
other alternatives to this option for consideration. In addition the Volume to Capacity
ratio for the future build scenarios (0.68 in the AM and 0.57 in the PM) is well below the
capacity. This analysis is based on the proposed distribution, which may change if
drivers have to wait or sit in long queues. Furthermore, a new signal at this location
would further degrade the flow of traffic on Rio Road and decrease the safety at the
connection.
WE KEEP VIRGINIA MOVING
Ms. Megan Yaniglos
June 19, 2017
Page Two
5. During the review VDOT staff identified several scenarios that may change the site plan
and improve traffic flow on Rio Road as well as conductivity across and parallel to Rio
Road. It is recommended that other alternatives to additional signals on Rio Road be
considered. As stated above and in the TIA report this location does not meet spacing
standards and until other non -signalized scenarios have been evaluated a new signal will
not be considered or approved for this location. Additionally VDOT recommends
evaluating whether any nearby signals fail to meet current warrants and could be
removed, thus affecting the analysis.
6. During the scoping meeting there was discussion on the need to build the connection
through to Albemarle Square as part of the phase one development. The study states that
this connection is not part of the Phase 1 development plan. This connection should be
considered as an access to the commercial area for this development and the other
developments on Putt Putt Ln. This would reduce the impact at the Putt Putt Ln./Rio
Road connection.
A VDOT Land Use Permit will be required prior to any work within the right of way. The
owner/developer must contact the Charlottesville Residency land Use Section at (434) 422-9399
for information pertaining to this process.
If you have further questions, please contact me at (434) 422-9782.
Sincerely,
Ne� . 4m,"
Adam J, ore, P.E.
Area Land Use Engineer
Charlottesville Residency
WE KEEP VIRGINIA MOVING