CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE

DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT SERVICES

MEMO


To: Fry’s Spring Neighbors

From: Brian Haluska, AICP, Neighborhood Planner

Date: 3/4/08

RE: Neighborhood Issues/Development Update



Fry’s Spring


  1. Fontaine Research Park Rezoning – The University of Virginia Real Estate Foundation has submitted an application to the County Board of Supervisors to rezone the Fontaine Research Park to allow an approximate doubling of the density of the Research Park. This action is consistent with discussions that occurred during the preparation of the Area B Study. The concept plan submitted with the rezoning does not show the proposed Fontaine/Sunset Connector going all the way through University property. However, Mr. Sandridge has written the Mayor and indicated that the University is committed to building the connector from Fontaine to their property line that adjoins the Granger Property. At this point they only show the road as necessary to service the development, but he is committed to build an additional road to extend to the property line when the project moves forward. They have not proffered to assist with the bridge over the railroad or Moore’s Creek at this time. At the PACC Tech meeting on 1/30, the proposed intersection with Interstate 64 was rejected.


  1. Center/Hill Development – A rezoning request for a Planned Unit Development for the Center/Hill property has been submitted to the Planning Commission and was preliminarily discussed on September 11th. No action was taken at this meeting, but instead issues and concerns were raised. The development now shows 12 single family homes – two fronting on Hill Street and 10 fronting on an extension of Center Street. This plan is currently scheduled for public hearing by the Planning Commission and the City Council at the April 8th Planning Commission meeting. The applicant previously met with two Planning Commissioners to discuss the proffers being submitted on the project, and met again with two Planning Commissioners prior to the public hearing to review the revised plan of development.


  1. Old Lynchburg Road – The meeting held on September 19th to again meet the team and begin discussing the needs and concerns about Old Lynchburg Road was well attended. This was the first opportunity for adjacent property owners and neighborhood residents to talk about specific issues with the design team. Two concepts have been developed for the area and they are currently under City review. The City is holding another citizen informational meeting on Tuesday, March 4, 2008 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Cherry Avenue Christian Church to present the two concepts for additional input.


  1. JPA Bridge – There was a rescoping meeting held last month with all of the VDOT design team and City staff and a subsequent meeting with the neighborhood. At this meeting, details were emphasized to VDOT to achieve the neighborhood concerns. VDOT is currently working on the redesign. The guardrail repair on the existing bridge has been completed.


  1. Huntley PUD – Jim Tolbert met with the Beyers about the application for amendment to the Huntley Planned Unit Development, along with two members of the Planning Commission. At this meeting, staff was advised by the Beyers that they no longer desire to pursue a rezoning, but instead intend to develop according to the already approved plan on this section of the site. Because they already have an approved site plan, that is their prerogative. We have emphasized to the developer that he needs to quickly submit his reforestation plan so that it can be approved and trees planted during this planting season. We have also suggested to them that the undersized street trees can be replaced without waiting on approval of the reforestation plan. The owners go to the Planning Commission on November 13th to ask approval to plant fifty 2-inch caliper trees rather than the forty 4-inch caliper trees previously agreed to. The Planning Commission approved a substitution of 60 2-inch caliper trees for the 40 4-inch caliper trees. The applicant has indicated to staff that the trees have since been planted. Staff is expecting an amended planting plan from the applicant to show where the 60 trees have been planted. No change, although the applicant has been sent a reminder by City staff in the past week.


  1. Old Lynchburg Road Apartment Complex – The County of Albemarle has received an application for development of a 24 acre parcel of land on the City/County line. The application calls for 308 dwelling units with parking, and swimming pool and other recreational facilities. Based on the County staff report for the discussion on January 15th, the applicant and county staff disagree on several issues, including whether the scheme proposed is by-right. The discussion at the work session indicated that the County would only be supportive of the units built on non-critical slope areas, which would reduce the number of units to around 100. The County also raised questions on the location of the entrance to the property. At this time, the only proposal to have been submitted was requesting preliminary comments. No formal application has been submitted to the County.


  1. Zoning Changes: I will be presented information regarding the proposed zoning changes at the neighborhood meeting on December 12th. Staff is waiting on a statement from the association regarding which possible zoning changes they support before moving the item forward. No change.


  1. Traffic Calming:

    • Cherry/Cleveland/Willard – Final pavement marking were put in last week at the intersection. This project is complete.

    • Cherry/Highland – The construction crew is awaiting appropriate weather to complete the final asphalt patching.

    • Highland Avenue Speed Hump – The balloting period for this project has recently ended, and the additional speed hump was approved. Staff cannot speculate on a possible installation date at this time.


  1. Avon Center: This is a 43 acre commercial development in the County of Albemarle, just south of the Ridge Street neighborhood. The development would connect Fifth Street Extended to Avon Street. City staff has met with the developers to talk over the concerns the City has regarding the project, specifically regarding the traffic impact on 5th Street. This development would have an outlet to 5th street Extended via Bent Creek Road. City staff has reviewed the traffic dispersal pattern for the project and agrees with the conclusion that the peak hour traffic figures on Harris Road will not be impact by Avon Center.


  1. 110 Raymond Avenue: The Zoning Administrator for the City has revoked the Certificate of Occupancy for 110 Raymond Avenue pending an inspection of the interior of the structure, as well as the owner’s completion of the off-street parking surface. The Certificate of Occupancy has been reinstated on the property after the owner received a letter form the Zoning Administrator clearly stating that the property must be owner occupied to rent the accessory unit.