SP202200032 Review Comments Special Use Permit 2023-03-27��°FALe County of Albemarle
I'llw p
m COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
February 17, 2023
Daniel Hyer, PE
Line+Grade
DHYER@LINE-GRADE.COM
Michael Drude, Head of School
The Miller School
MDR UDE@ M I LLERSCHOOL.ORG
RE: SP202200032 The Miller School -
Mr. Hyer and Mr. Drude,
Rebecca Ragsdale
Planning Manager
ragsdale@albemarle.org
Telephone: (434) 296-5832 ext. 3226
Staff has reviewed the initial submittal for this special use permit request. Comments are below, some of which
we believe should be addressed before the item is scheduled for the Planning Commission.
Planning Comments
Detailed comments on how your project conforms to the Comprehensive Plan will be provided to the Planning
Commission and Board of Supervisors as part of the staff report that will be prepared prior to public hearing.
Concept Plan
While the illustrative information is helpful, a Concept Plan will be needed that establishes the major elements
of the plan. The proposed plan does not reflect items required by ordinance and indicated on the preapplication
checklist as required. We will want to discuss how best to update the plan, recognizing some items will be
handled with a site plan.
1. Street network, including circulation within the project and connections to existing and proposed or
planned streets within and outside of the project;
2. Typical cross -sections to show proportions, scale and streetscape/cross-sections/circulation;
3. Building envelopes;
4. Parking envelopes;
5. Areas to be designated as conservation and/or preservation areas;
6. Conceptual stormwater detention facility locations;
7. Conceptual grading;
8. Potential locations of well and septic
Engineering
-Please show the critical slopes and Water Protection Ordinance Buffer on all applicable exhibits.
-Per County Code 18-33-4-E, please show conceptual typical street cross sections and conceptual SWIM
facilities.
-In appendix F, please label the caption with the proposed application plan numbers for the photos with land
disturbance (app F pages 18/19).
Historic Resources
1. Informal comments from VDHR rank the Miller School as one of the finest private school designs in Virginia.
2. The Miller School was voluntarily listed in the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of
Historic Places in 1973-74, and the school has voluntarily retained and maintained Old Main, Caton Hall and
the Headmaster's House, as well as many other buildings on campus that are 50 years old or older. Listing in
the registers is honorary. Listing provides no protection for the resources.
3. The applicant's proposal states that additions to existing buildings are not currently planned. Not
constructing additions on historic buildings can help maintain the integrity of the historic resource. However,
the applicant's proposal also states that final decisions regarding restoration, additions and maintenance of the
existing buildings lies with the school Trustees.
4. The proposed concept of harmonizing the size and orientation of new buildings with the linear arrangement
of the existing campus is appropriate. A Special Use Permit condition requiring this is recommended.
5. The proposed concept of constructing new buildings using materials that are compatible with the existing
buildings is generally appropriate. Note that "compatible" is a broad concept with a wide range of interpretation
6. An update to the National Register nomination would establish a more inclusive history for the school and
clarify which buildings are considered contributing/non-contributing that, in turn, could assist with school
planning and determinations regarding appropriate treatments of existing buildings.
Building Inspections
Fire/Rescue
Fire Rescue has no objection to SP application. It is important to note future growth and designs will need to
address water supply for firefighting operations and fire apparatus access to mitigate risks.
Transportation Planning/VDOT
See attached VDOT comments
Virginia Department of Health
Any comments will be forwarded once received.
I look forward to further discussing these review comments with you.
Sincerely,
Rebecca Ragsdale, Planning Manager
COMMONWEALTH of VIRGINIA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Stephrn C. BridL, CL 1401 rau Bnmd S""r (804) 7862701
C"mm""'mrr Rirhmoml. Virtmin 23219 Pox (804) 786-2940
January 6, 2023
County of Albemarle
Department of Community Development
401 McIntire Road
Charlottesville, VA 22902
Attn: Rebecca Ragsdale
Re: SP-2022-00032 — The Miller School
Review# 1
Dear Ms. Ragsdale:
The Department of Transportation, Charlottesville Residency Transportation and Land Use
Section has reviewed the above referenced special use permit as prepared by Line and Grade
dated 21 November 2022, and offers the following continents:
1. VDOT has no objects to the special use permit to allow the school to continue to
function.
2. The future plans for expansion will intensify the use the site is generating. Turn lane
warrant analysis should be completed to verify whether the full build out would require
turn lanes to be added to the site entrance.
A VDOT Land Use Permit will be required prior to any work within the right-of-way. The
owner/developer must contact the VDOT Charlottesville Residency Land Use Section at (434)
422-9399 for information pertaining to this process.
If you have further questions, please contact John Wilson at 434-422-9782.
Sincerely,
John C. Wilson, P.E.
Assistant Resident Engineer
Land Use