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08SN0243~~tF~EI,p ~~:, ~~ti --~ ca~~a~, v ~,.e;,, ~~ ; ~ ~~ 1, r.:~iry f ;~I f 1! ~~` S~/~ .:..R~s~.... STAFF' S REQUEST ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATION 08SN0243 J~~ZnnQ rnr September 24, 2008 BS John D. and Kimberly W. Hughes, Jr. Matoaca Magisterial District Northwest quadrant of Beach and Spring Run Roads RE VEST: Conditional Use to permit Community Business (C-3) uses and commercial outdoor recreation plus Conditional Use Planned Development to permit exceptions to Ordinance requirements. PROPOSED LAND USE: Commercial uses are planned. PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION RECOMMEND DENIAL. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Recommend denial for the following reasons: A. The proposed land use may be appropriate as a neighborhood convenience center to serve the surrounding area and to allow for the adaptive reuse and preservation of these historic properties provided development standards insure compatibility of these commercial uses with existing and future area development. The proposal fails to provide adequate setbacks and buffers. B. The proposal fails to address transportation concerns relative to proffer clarity and enforcement; right-of way dedication; road improvements; and access controls. (NOTE: CONDITIONS MAY BE IMPOSED OR THE PROPERTY OWNERS MAY PROFFER CONDITIONS. THE CONDITIONS NOTED WITH "STAFF/CPC" WERE Providing a FIRST CHOICE community through excellence in public service AGREED UPON BY BOTH STAFF AND THE COMMISSION. CONDITIONS WITH ONLY A "STAFF" ARE RECOMMENDED SOLELY BY STAFF. CONDITIONS WITH ONLY A "CPC" ARE ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS RECOMMENDED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION.) PROFFERED CONDITIONS The owners and developers in this rezoning request, John D Hughes, Jr. and Kimberly W Hughes (the "Developers") pursuant to § 15.2-2298 of the Code of Virginia (1950 as amended) and the Zoning Ordinance of Chesterfield County, Virginia (the "County") for itself and its successors and assigns, hereby proffers that the development of the real property (the "Property") under consideration in this rezoning request shall be developed in accordance with the following conditions if, and only if, the request submitted herewith is granted with only those conditions agreed to by the Developers. In the event this request is denied or approved with conditions not agreed to by the Developers, the proffers shall immediately be null and void and of no further force or effect. 1. Textual Statement. The Textual Statement dated July 25, 2008 shall be considered the Master Plan. (P) 2. Access. a. Direct vehicular access from the Property to Spring Run Road shall be limited to one (1) entrance/exit in a location approved by the Transportation Department. b. As shown on Exhibit "A" titled "Transportation Plan" prepared by Townes Site Engineering, P.C., dated May 23, 2008, direct vehicular access from the Property to Beach Road shall be limited to two (2) entrances/exits. The easternmost entrance/exit shall be located at the existing driveway that serves Building "B". This entrance shall only serve the existing Building "B". The westernmost entrance/exit shall be located at the existing driveway that serves Building "A". (T) 3. Road Improvements. Prior to the issuance of any certificate of occupancy, the following roadway improvements shall be completed, as determined by the Transportation Department: a. Construction of a right turn lane at the Spring Run Road entrance/exit at the time that warrants show it is needed. b. Dedication to Chesterfield County, free and unrestricted, of any additional right- of way (or easements) required for the improvements identified above. (T) 4. Timberin . Except for timbering approved by the Virginia Department of Forestry for removing dead or diseased trees, there shall be no timbering on the Property until 2 08SN0243-SEP24-BOS-RPT a land disturbance permit has been obtained from the Environmental Engineering Department and the approved devices installed. (EE) 5. Dem. The maximum density on the Property shall be as listed below or equivalent traffic generation as determined by the Transportation Department: a. 18,000 SF of Recreational Community Center (Banquet Hall).; b. 5,000 SF Church.; c. 1,350 SF of Single Tenant Office, d. B,000 SF OF SHOPPING CENTER; AND, e. 5,000 SF of High Turnover (Sit-Down) Restaurant. (T) 6. Permitted uses: The following uses shall be permitted: a. Except for automobile self service stations, which shall not be permitted, uses permitted by right or with restrictions in the Neighborhood Business (C-2) District. b. Commercial outdoor recreational use limited to tractor, farm equipment and automobile shows/exhibits. c. Special events business to permit events such as weddings, receptions, birthday parties, luncheons and similar social gatherings. GENERAL INFORMATION T nratinn~ Northwest quadrant of Beach and Spring Run Roads. Tax IDs 745-654-8256 and 746-654- 1071. Existing Zoning: A Size: 8.5 acres Existing Land Use: Single family residential 3 08SN0243-SEP24-BOS-RPT Adjacent Zoning and Land Use: North, East & West - A; Single family residential, public/semi-public (VDOT storage yard and Pocahontas State Park) or vacant South - C-3 & A; Commercial, agricultural or vacant T 1TTT ,TTTF.~ Public Water System: The public water system is not available to serve the request site. There is an existing sixteen (16) inch water line extending along a portion of Spring Run Road that terminates at Qualla Road, approximately 2.25 miles north of this site. A sixteen (16) inch water line extends along a portion of River Road and terminates at Ivey Mill Road, approximately 4.89 miles south of this site. This site is within the boundaries of the Southern and Western Area Plan, and therefore use of the public water system is required unless the Planning Commission waives the mandatory use during site plan review. The Planning Commission may impose conditions to mitigate the impact of any exception that it grants. Public Wastewater System: The public wastewater system is not available to serve the request site. This site is within the area designated by the Southern and Western Area Plan of anticipated R-88 zoning where the use of private septic systems is permitted. Health Department: The Health Department must approve any new well or septic system, or expanded usage of any existing well or septic system to serve the proposed development. ENVIRONMENTAL Drainage and Erosion: A portion of the property drains to the south and then via tributaries to the Appomattox River. The remaining land drains to the northwest and via tributaries to Swift Creek. There are currently no known on- or off site drainage or erosion problems and none are anticipated after development. Some of the property is wooded and, as such, should not be timbered without obtaining a land disturbance permit from the Department of Environmental Engineering and the appropriate devices installed (Proffered Condition 4). This will ensure that adequate erosion control measures are in place prior to any land disturbance. 4 08SN0243-SEP24-BOS-RPT PUBLIC FACILITIES Fire Service: The Winterpock Fire Station, Company Number 19, currently provides fire protection and emergency medical service (EMS). This request will have a minimal impact on Fire and EMS. Transportation: The property is 8.5 acres located at the northwest corner of the intersection of Spring Run Road and Beach Road. The applicant is requesting a conditional use to permit Community Business (C-3) uses in an Agricultural (A) district and a conditional use to allow commercial outdoor recreation. The Transportation Department does not support this request. This request does not adequately address traffic impacts to the existing transportation network. Several of the proffered conditions are not clear and/or will be difficult to enforce. With this request, the applicant has attempted to proffer a maximum density that includes such uses as recreation community center (banquet hall), church, office, shopping center, high turnover restaurant or equivalent traffic generation as determined by the Transportation Department (Proffered Condition 5). Based on the proffered density, the request could generate approximately 2,500 average daily trips (ADT). This traffic would be initially distributed along Spring Run Road and Beach Road, which had 2008 traffic counts of 2,669 ADT and 6,758 ADT, respectively. Based on the volume of traffic they carry during peak hours, Spring Run Road is functioning at an acceptable level (Level of Service D) and Beach Road is at capacity (Level of Service E). The Thoroughfare Plan identifies both Spring Run Road and Beach Road as major arterials with recommended right-of way widths of ninety (90) feet. The section of Spring Run Road adjacent to the property has a substandard horizontal curve. Typically, along roads with substandard curves, the Transportation Department suggest right-of way dedication be provided based on a revised centerline alignment to better accommodate future road improvements with a lesser impact on what is developed on the property. When asked, the applicant was unwilling to dedicate any right-of way along Beach Road or Spring Run Road. The applicant should dedicate right-of way according to the Thoroughfare Plan. Access to major arterials, such as Spring Run Road and Beach Road, should be controlled. Currently, the property has two residential structures, each with direct access to Beach Road. The property fronts the section of Beach Road between Bundle Road and Spring Run Road. There is approximately 400 feet of separation along Beach Road between the Bundle Road and Spring Run Road intersections. The property has approximately 650 feet of frontage on Spring Run Road. Due to the limited frontage that the property has along both roadways, direct vehicular access to the property should be limited to one (1) access on Spring Run Road located at the northern property line and no 5 08SN0243-SEP24-BOS-RPT direct access to Beach Road. The applicant has proffered direct vehicular access to one (1) access along Spring Run Road and two (2) accesses along Beach Road (Proffered Condition 2). The Beach Road accesses will be located in the operational area of two existing intersections along Beach Road. The westernmost access will have an undesirable off set of approximately ninety (90) feet from the Beach Road/Bundle Road intersection. The easternmost access will have an undesirable spacing of approximately 140 feet from the Beach Road/Spring Run Road intersection. With the increased traffic generated by this proposed development along with their inadequate access spacing along Beach Road, staff does not support any access to Beach Road. The traffic impact of this development must be addressed. To address the traffic impact of this request, staff has determined left and right turn lanes, widening/improving of Spring Run Road, and shoulder improvements along Beach Road are needed. When asked, the applicant was unwilling to provide customary road improvements except to provide a right turn lane along Spring Run Road into the proposed entrance/exit "at the time that warrants show it is needed" (Proffered Condition 3). This condition is unclear and will be difficult to enforce. The condition requires the road improvements prior to any certificate of occupancy; however, the right turn lane will be constructed at the time that warrants show it is needed. Also, the condition does not define the standard that will apply for determining the warrants. When asked, the applicant was unwilling to delete "at the time that warrants show it is needed" for the Spring Run Road right turn lane (Proffered Condition 3a). The Transportation Department cannot support this request because it does not provide road improvements to mitigate the traffic impacts on the existing transportation network. VDOT's "Chapter 527" regulations, dealing with development Traffic Impact Analysis requirements, have been enacted. In October 2009, VDOT is anticipated to enact access management regulations that would affect proposed access locations along arterial and collector roadways, such as Spring Run Road and Beach Road. Staff has been meeting with VDOT to attempt to understand the impact of the regulations. At this time, it is uncertain what impact VDOT's regulations will have on the development process or upon zonings approved by the county. The applicant has indicated that this request does not warrant a Chapter 527 Traffic Impact Analysis. VDOT has indicated that they need additional information from the applicant to evaluate this request. At this time, the applicant has not provided additional information to VDOT. Without a commitment to dedicate right-of way in accordance with the Thoroughfare Plan, provide road improvements to mitigate the traffic impacts, and preclude vehicular access to Beach Road, the Transportation Department cannot support this request. T .ANTI T 1CF. Comprehensive Plan: Lies within the boundaries of the Southern and Western Area Plan which suggests the property is appropriate for residential use of 1-5 acre lots; suited to R-88 zoning. The 6 08SN0243-SEP24-BOS-RPT Plan identifies specific nodes which should serve as regional, community and neighborhood commercial areas and also suggests that limited retail and personal service centers, which are not specifically identified on the land use map, should be provided within residential areas to serve the immediately surrounding neighborhoods. The Plan suggests that where these convenience centers are provided they should be on one (1) corner of two (2) collector streets or where a collector intersects with an arterial road and suggests that consideration be given to appropriate transitions between uses, building scale, architecture and site development to insure compatibility of these commercial uses with existing and future residential development. Further, one (1) goal of the Plan is to preserve unique features of the area by encouraging the preservation of vegetation, roadside forest canopies and important historic sites as an integral part of future development. Area Development Trends: The majority of the surrounding area is zoned Agricultural (A) and is occupied by agricultural use, single family residential use on acreage parcels or is vacant, except that public/semi-public use (VDOT facility and Pocahontas State Park) is located on adjacent property to the east and property to the southwest is zoned Community Business (C-3) and is occupied by commercial use. It is anticipated that residential use will continue on property north and west of the request property as suggested by the Plan and that property to the south will remain agricultural or forested since it is within the Rural Conservation Area of the Plan. Zonin H.~v/Historical Significance: On January 23, 2008, the Board of Supervisors, upon a favorable recommendation from the Planning Commission and Historic Preservation Committee, approved Historic Landmark Designation (Cases 08HP0153 and 08HP0154) for both of the request properties. These properties make up probably the last intact rural railroad stop still remaining in the county. The Perdue-Mitchell House, erected around 1890, and the George Perdue House, erected around 1893, make up the "Village of Beach," once a rural railroad village containing a post office, railroad depot, general store in addition to these two (2) dwellings. Site Design: The property is proposed for development of commercial uses to serve the surrounding residential area in addition to providing a location for special events such as receptions, parties and similar gatherings and automobile or farm equipment exhibitions. Except for reduced setbacks and landscaping discussed below, the development is proposed to conform to the Ordinance requirements for Neighborhood Commercial (C-2) uses in an Emerging Growth District area (Textual Statement). Emerging Growth District standards address architectural treatment, setbacks, parking, signs, buffers and screening. The 7 08SN0243-SEP24-BOS-RPT purpose of the Emerging Growth District Standards is to promote high quality, well- designed projects and in this case, will assist in mitigating the impact of the proposed commercial uses on existing and anticipated area residential development. As previously noted, the properties have received Historic Landmark designation and, therefore, a certificate of appropriateness from the Preservation Committee for any construction, alternation a remodeling that would affect the exterior architectural appearance or properties must be obtained. Use Limitations: Proffered Condition 6 limits permitted uses to those uses permitted by right or with restrictions in the Neighborhood Business (C-2) District, commercial outdoor recreational use limited to tractor, farm equipment and automobile shows/exhibits and a special events business to accommodate weddings, receptions, birthday parties, and similar social gatherings. Setbacks and Landscaping Requirements: Reduced setbacks for buildings, parking and drives are proposed as outlined in the Textual Statement. Normally, the Ordinance would require a fifty (50) foot setback from Beach and Spring Run Roads. A twenty (20) foot setback is proposed from Beach Road for Buildings A and B as shown on the "Transportation Plan" and any additions to these structures and atwenty-five (25) foot setback is proposed for any other development from Beach and Spring Run Roads. while staff supports a reduced setback from Beach Road to eliminate the non-conforming status for existing Buildings A and B, a fifty (50) foot setback should be required for any additions to these buildings and for all other development in order to maintain the integrity of the intersection of Beach and Spring Run Roads and to promote continuity of development along these maj or corridors. Similarly, reduced setbacks are proposed from internal property boundaries. The Ordinance would require a thirty (30) foot setback from the western (or side) property boundary and a forty (40) foot setback from the northern (or rear) property boundary. with this request, a twenty (20) foot side setback is proposed and athirty-five (35) foot rear setback is proposed. Staff does not support a reduction in the rear and side setbacks. The Ordinance does not permit a reduction in setbacks for commercial uses when they are adjacent to properties zoned agriculturally or residentially. The reduced setback does not provide an appropriate separation between proposed uses and adjacent properties and therefore increases the impact these uses may have on anticipated residential development. Perimeter Landscaping G within required setbacks is proposed (Textual Statement, Item 2). Perimeter Landscaping G requires at least one (1) large deciduous tree for each fifty (50) lineal feet, continuous evergreen hedge forms along the entire length of parking areas, and low shrubs and ground cover. This landscaping will achieve the preservation of the historic character, as well as minimize the impact of the uses on area properties. 8 08SN0243-SEP24-BOS-RPT Ruffer~~ The Emerging Growth District Standards of the Ordinance would require the provision of a seventy-five (75) foot buffer along the northern property boundary. This buffer will be required to comply with certain landscaping requirements of the Ordinance and could only be reduced by the Planning Commission during site plan review. The applicants have indicated their intent to seek a waiver to this buffer requirement during site plan review. The Ordinance would not require a buffer to the west. Staff recommends the provision of a seventy-five (75) foot buffer along the western property boundary in compliance with Ordinance requirements for such buffers. These buffers would provide a necessary transition and separation between the proposed development and future area development. CONCLUSION The proposal fails to guarantee the development will maintain appropriate transitions consisting of buffers and adequate setbacks along roads. Without provision of these design standards, staff cannot support this application. If these standards are assured, the proposed land use would allow for the adaptive reuse and preservation of the historic "Village of Beach" and serve the convenience of the surrounding area. Without clarifying proffers and a commitment to dedicate right-of way in accordance with the Thoroughfare Plan, provide road improvements to mitigate the traffic impacts, and preclude vehicular access to Beach Road, the Transportation Department cannot support this request. Given these considerations, staff recommends denial of this request. CASE HISTORY Planning Commission Meeting (6/17/08): At the request of the applicant, the Commission deferred this case to their August 19, 2008 public hearing. Staff (6/18/08): The applicant was advised in writing that any significant, new or revised information should be submitted no later that June 23, 2008 for consideration at the Commission's August 19, 2008 public hearing. 9 08SN0243-SEP24-BOS-RPT Also, the applicant was advised that a $130.00 deferral fee must be paid prior to the Commission's public hearing. Applicant (7/21/08 and 7/29/08): Revised proffered conditions, Textual Statement and exhibit were submitted. Applicant (8/11/08): The deferral fee was paid. Planning Commission Meeting (8/19/08): The applicant did not accept the recommendation. There was support present indicating approval would preserve the historic property. Mr. Bass stated he supported preserving the historic property, commending the applicants on work to date. He expressed concern with the impact commercial development would have on area roads and properties without adequate setbacks, right of way dedications, access controls and appropriate road improvements such as turn lanes. Messrs. Gulley and Waller also supported the preservation efforts, but expressed concern that design and transportation issues had not been addressed. On motion of Mr. Bass, seconded by Mr. Hassen, the Commission recommended denial of the request. AYES: Messrs. Gulley, Bass, Brown, Hassen, and Waller. The Board of Supervisors, on Wednesday, September 24, 2008, beginning at 6:30 p.m., will take under consideration this request. 10 08SN0243-SEP24-BOS-RPT TEXTUAL STATEMENT July 25, 2008 Except as provided below, development shall conform to the Zoning Ordinance requirements for Neighborhood Business (C-2) uses in Emerging Growth Areas: 1. Setbacks. a. Setbacks alongmajor arterials. All buildings, drives and parking areas shall have a minimum twenty-five (25) foot setback from the proposed rights of way of Beach and Spring Run Roads, except that Buildings A and B identified on Exhibit A titled "Transportation Plan" prepared by Townes Site Engineering, P.C., dated May 23, 2008, and any additions to Buildings A and B shall have a minimum twenty (20) foot setback from the proposed right of way of Beach Road. b. Side ard. The side yard setbacks for buildings, drives and parking areas shall be a minimum of twenty (20) feet. c. Rear ard. The rear yard setback for buildings, drives and parking areas shall be a minimum ofthirty-five (35) feet. 2, Perimeter Landscaping. 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