HomeMy WebLinkAboutSDP201700063 Review Comments Initial Site Plan 2017-12-20Phone 434-296-5832
County of Albemarle
Department of Community Development
401 McIntire Road,
Charlottesville, VA, 22902
Memorandum
To: Rob Umberger (rmberger@wwassociates.net)
From: Paty Saternye, Senior Planner
Division: Planning
Date: December 20, 2017
Subiect: SDP 201700063 The Center at Belvedere — Initial Site Plan
Fax 434-972-4126
The County of Albemarle Planning Division will recommend approval of the plan referenced above once the
following comments have been satisfactorily addressed (The following comments are those that have been
identified at this time. Additional comments or conditions may be added or eliminated based on further review.):
[Each comment is preceded by the applicable reference, which is to the Subdivision/Zoning Ordinances unless
otherwise specified.]
Comments to be addressed prior to the Initial Site Plan approval:
1. Pay the required notices fee of $215.
Comments to be addressed with the Final Site Plan submission:
2. A site plan meeting all the requirements of section 32.6 of Chapter 18 of the Code.
3. A site plan meeting all the requirements of ZMA 2004-7, its Application Plan and its Code of Development
(C.O.D).
4. A site plan meeting all the requirements of variations to ZMA 2004-7, it's Application Plan and its Code of
Development (C.O.D), including Variations #49, #50 & #51. Address the following:
• Variation #49 requires that Table 10 of the C.O.D. be updated prior to Final Site Plan approval.
• Variation #50 requires that an update to the description of Block 1 in the C.O.D. be provided prior to the
Final Site Plan approval.
• Variation #50 requires that a "Pergola and Garden" feature along Belvedere Boulevard, as shown in the
variation exhibit, be provided. The initial site plan does not meet this requirement and therefore the
layout must be updated before final site plan submittal in order to address this. The final site plan will
not be approved until this requirement is met.
• Variation #51 has many requirements that must be addressed before final site plan approval.
Reference the variation approval for all requirements that must be addressed. Included in this list are:
o Revision of the road plans and approval of them by the County Engineer and VDOT.
o Work with the County Engineer to provide additional traffic calming measure along Belvedere
Blvd. to their satisfaction.
o Revision of the Water Protection Ordinance plan and approval by Engineering.
o VDOT acceptance of Belvedere Boulevard.
o An update to Table 8 of the C.O.D. showing all changes be provided.
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[32.5.1(c), 32.5.2(a) & 32.6.1(e)(1)] Address the following:
• Provide the boundary information for all potions of the boundary including all required curve data where
appropriate. Boundary information along right of way should be provided and legible.
• Revise the setback information to specify "front build -to from street" for the front. Only the side and rear
are "setbacks". Also, include a note that specifies the content of and references Variation #49 which
allows a modification to that build -to distance when existing easements block the building from meeting
the required build to distance.
• The initial site plan does not meet the build to distance requirement specified above. Revise the plan so
that the building does meet this requirement or request a variation to change the build -to distance. Note
the following:
o Any portion of the building can meet this requirement. It does not have to be a full side of the
building.
o Check if an easement already exists around the transformer, or should be added around the
transformer. If it exists, or should exist and is added, then the build -to distance could be
measured from the easement.
o If a utility company requires a distance from a structure or easement that is in excess of the 2'
specified in the variation provide documentation to that affect from the utility company and their
specified distance may be allowed.
o Building overhang may be able to be considered. Provided exhibits and discuss with planning
and zoning reviewers.
• Provide all of the required "Abutting Parcel Information" including the names of owners, zoning district,
tax map and parcel numbers and present uses. Because of the improvements in the right of way this
should include the parcels on the far side of Belvedere Blvd. The information is provided but the owner
information has changed in the last year and must be updated appropriately.
• Provide information on all variations that directly impact this parcel. This is primarily Variations #49, #50
and #51 that were requested specifically for this parcel. Notes with allowed changes should be
provided in the appropriate areas of the notes, data, and/or plan sheets.
• Provide spot elevations.
6. [32.5.2(b)] Address the following:
• Revise the "Building Height" to specify the proposed building height for each of the two buildings,
and not just the maximum height, and specify the number of stories of each building.
• The parking spaces provided are more than 120% of the required parking (4.12.4(a) & 4.12.2(c)).
Therefore, the parking must either be reduced to 120% or less, a parking study submitted and
approved justifying a different parking calculation, or a waiver must be requested and approved.
Please note the comments on the requirements of Variation #50 are not yet being met. The area
utilized for the parking that is above the allowed amount of parking, within the subject parcel and
adjacent to the road, could be utilized to meet the requirements for Variation #50.
7. [32.5.2(b), 32.5.2(e), 32.5.2(p), 32.6.2(j) & 32.7.9] Provide a full landscape plan that provides all required
landscaping, calculations and meets the requirements for 32.7.9, the ZMA Code of Development, and the
variations approved that impact this parcel. Also, address the following:
• Provide the calculation and the "landscaping required" to meet the minimums for the 5% of the
paved parking and vehicular area, the number of plantings based on number of parking spaces,
and the parking lot landscaping specifically outlined in the C.O.D. and zoning ordinance.
• On the landscape plan identify if any existing trees that will be utilized to meet any requirements of
this site plan. If so, provide a landscape table for existing trees so that they can be reviewed for
meeting requirements of the Code, ZMA and/or C.O.D.
• If any existing trees will be utilize to meet landscaping requirements then provide a conservation
checklist, conservation details, and tree protection fencing to ensure that the existing trees that are
to remain are preserved.
• If any existing trees will be utilize to meet landscaping requirements then provide all items required
on the conservation check list including the limits of clearing and grading and any grade changes
requiring tree wells or walls, trenching or tunneling proposed beyond the limits of clearing and
grading
• Provide landscape screening for all features with negative impacts including parking, dumpster,
loading areas, and storage areas.
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Provide all required calculations for require landscaping to meet the zoning ordinance, the ZMA,
the C.O.D, and the variation requirement. Note that Variation #50 has landscaping requirements
"in addition" to those specified in the other documents. Plantings for other requirements will not be
counted towards meeting the variations requirements.
Note that the limited/partial landscaping shown on sheet L100 does not appear to be sufficient to
meet the minimum requirements. This has not been fully reviewed since it is not meant to be
complete. However, at this stage, two things to note are 1) the lack of parking landscaping
adjacent/near to the proposed Phase 2 building and 2) landscaping to meet any of the
requirements for Variation #50. All landscaping shown so far appear to be for street trees and
parking lot trees. Landscaping for Variation #50 is "in addition" to all other required landscaping.
Ensure that the landscape plan is phased and that each phase can independently meet all
landscaping requirements.
8. [32.5.2(c)] Since a phase line is not being provided, and may be hard to delimitate, some other form of
documentation or graphic representation must be provided to clarify the changes that are being
implemented with Phase 2. This may be able to be handed by hatching the area not being modified or a list
of times changes.
9. [32.5.2(d) & 30.7.5] The managed and preserved slopes have been shown on the site plan. However, the
design standards for the steep slopes overlay district have not been applied. Address the following:
• Walls above 6' in height are not allowed in the steep slope overlay areas. If additional height is required
it must be met with multiple stepped walls that are the prescribed minimum distance apart and have the
required landscaping.
• There is some question on how the steep slopes overlay has been added to the site plan and whether it
is slightly shifted from east to west. Where the steep slopes areas impact the proposed walls on the
east and west sides of the property is in question.
• Check and clarify the locations of the steep slopes overlay graphics with the final site plan submittal and
show the steep slopes areas on at least one of the plan sheets that shows all (Phase 1 and 2) walls.
• Provide the maximum wall heights in the Phase 1 and 2. None are shown in Phase 2, and in that phase
one of the walls that impacts the steep slopes areas is being extended farther than in phase 1.
10. [32.5.2(i), (n), 32.6.2(f), & (k)] Address the following:
• Although it is specified in the road section the road right of way to be dedicated is not shown on the plan
views. Show it in the plan views of the site plan.
• The boundary line adjustment for the road right of way will have to be approved prior to the final site
plan approval because it is a requirement of Variation #51.
• Provide the Belvedere Blvd. road width information both in the existing conditions and the other plan
sheets.
• Dimension the centerline radii and corner radii of the proposed section of Belvedere Blvd. and the drive
aisles.
• Provide appropriate bike lane markings.
• The proposed access easement must be extended to reach Belvedere Blvd.
• Provide dumpster containers dimension. Ensure that the dumpster pad meets or exceeds the minimum
requirements.
• Show the location of any outdoor lighting on all plan sheets and provide information on lighting under
the entrance canopy. Submit a photometric plan.
• Show the location of any service and loading areas. Two loading spaces are to be provided. If the
"Covered drop off' is to be used as loading ensure its width, depth, and height is sufficient to meet the
requirements and that it is show as hatched loading areas.
• If there is to be any new sign for the proposed use(s), on the final site plan depict and label the sign
location. (Depicting the sign on the final site plan is not approval of the sign location or type).
• Show all proposed signage on the site plan
• Note that there does not appear to be sufficient space for handicapped signage in a few locations,
without blocking walkways. Address this issue.
• Provide directional arrows for the drive aisles.
• Provide a detail for any screening fencing/enclosure for the dumpster.
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• Show the deed book and page number for the existing easements. The information does not appear to
be provided for the power and water easements.
• Provide a clear, and safe, delineation for the pedestrian connection the parking lot access ways, for
each parking lot sidewalk, to the main entrance.
• Provide appropriate crosswalk markings for each proposed crosswalk, both within the site and along the
Blvd.
• Specify the specific height of each of the two proposed buildings.
• Specify the size of the footprint for each building on the plan sheets.
• The width of the sidewalk on the far side of the Blvd. is not shown consistently. The plan view shows 6'
and the section shows 5'. Ensure that they are consistent and at least meet the minimums specified in
Variation #51.
• Provide the full landscape plan including all required information, details, calculations and schedules.
11. [32.5.20) & (k)] Address the following:
• If the proposed storm drain is draining from the road through the site provide the appropriate drainage
easements.
• Ensure the directional flow arrows for all storm drains are shown.
• There is an existing stormdrain from the road, through the parcel, and leading to the stormwater pond.
It does not appear to have an easement. Address this issue.
• Provide required water and sewer facility information.
12. [32.5.2(1)] Ensure the location of any existing or proposed utilities and utility easements, including cable, on
all of the plan sheets including the landscaping plan. Ensure that the label for the power easement is
located where it is obvious what line its leader is point to.
13. [32.5.2(o)] Address the following in reference to open space.
• Show in the site plan the required amenities associated with Block 1 and that are to be between Block 1
& Block 2 that are specified in the Code of Development (COD) on described on pages 10 and in listed
in the table on page 15.
• Add a note that references the open space requirements and notes that the open space requirements and
amenities for block 1 are primarily provided outside of the subject parcel. The one exception to this is
likely a pedestrian connection between Block 2 and 1 that is specified in the "Block 2 Open Space 6.2
acres" on page 10. A linkage to this pedestrian connection is likely required within this parcel.
14. [Comment] Provide a copy of all off -site easements, or letters of intent to grant them from off -site property
owners. It appears that there are improvements proposed on the far side of Belvedere Blvd that may impact
an adjoining parcel.
15. [Comment] Required proposed easements, and deeds, must be approved and recorded prior to final site
plan approval.
16. [Comment] Provide clear labels and information on any proposed connections between the two buildings.
17. [Comment] Required improvements be built or bonded prior to final site plan approval.
18. [Comment] See the attached comments from the majority of the other SRC reviewers. ACSA comments
will be forwarded to you once they have been received.
Please contact Paty Saternye in the Planning Division by using psaternye(d)-albemarle.org or 434-296-5832 ext.
3250 for further information.
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