18SN0629
CASE NUMBER: 18SN0629
APPLICANTS: Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors
CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, VIRGINIA
MIDLOTHIAN DISTRICT
AND RECOMMENDATION
Board of Supervisors Hearing:
OCTOBER 24, 2018
Board of Supervisors Time Remaining:
365 DAYS
STUART CONNOCK (804-751-4484)
Planning Department Case Manager:
6.9 Acres 13801 and 13807 Westfield Road
JANE PETERSON (804-748-1045)
LIFELONG LEARNING INSTITUTE
REQUEST
Amendment of zoning approval (Case 10SN0266) to permit exterior alterations and additions to an
existing structure; conditional use to permit a private school use; and conditional use planned
development to permit exceptions to ordinance requirements, all in a Residential (R-7) District.
Specifically, expansion of an existing private school (Lifelong Learning Institute) is proposed.
Notes:
A. Conditions may be imposed.
B.Conditions, an exhibit and existing zoning conditions are located in Attachments 1 through 3
SUMMARY
The Lifelong Learning Institute has operated a member-supported non-profit private school for age
fifty and better adults at 13801 Westfield Road since 2004. A conditional use for this facility was
approved in 2010 with a condition that precludes additions and exterior alterations to the existing
structure. To accommodate a growing membership, the school is proposing an addition to the
existing building as well as an expansion of a parking area onto an adjacent parcel (13807 Westfield
Road) that was not part of the original conditional use. A conditional use planned development is
requested to permit exceptions to setbacks to accommodate this parking expansion.
RECOMMENDATION
APPROVAL
PLANNING
COMMISSION
APPROVAL
School has operated on request property since 2004 without adverse
STAFF
impact on area properties
As conditioned, residential character of area will be maintained
Providing a FIRST CHOICE community through excellence in public service
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Comprehensive Plan (Midlothian Area Community Plan)
Classification: VILLAGE RESIDENTIAL AREA
The designation recognizes this area as an established neighborhood with an internalized focus and
suggests this area should remain residential in character.
Surrounding Land Uses and Development
Westfield Road
Church
Office
Single Family
Residential
Post Office
(13809 Westfield Rd)
727-709-9536
Tax ID
Sycamore Square Drive
Office
Sycamore
Square
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PLANNING
Staff Contact: Jane Peterson (804-748-1045) petersonj@chesterfield.gov
Zoning History
Case Number Request
10PD0231 Substantial Accord determination for a public neighborhood park. Conditions
Approved address setbacks for active outdoor recreational areas, landscaping, lighting and
(6/2010) development standards.
Conditional Use to permit a private school (Lifelong Learning Institute) in a
10SN0266
Residential (R-7) District, operating within the Watkins Annex building (formerly
Approved
Watkins Elementary School). Conditional Use limited to LLI, with no exterior
(9/2010)
additions or alterations to the building for this use.
Proposal
A member-supported private school, Lifelong Learning Institute in Chesterfield (LLI) for senior
adults has operated from the former public school building since 2004. This private school
continues to provide educational opportunities for older adults. The Zoning Ordinance permits
private schools in a Residential (R-7) District subject to conditional use approval. Expansion of
the parking and building to accommodate this private school use are proposed, necessitating
zoning approval as described herein.
Parking
Currently, the LLI facility is served by one parking lot located to the east of the building
which is shared with a public neighborhood park on this same property. To facilitate a
growing membership, an additional parking area is proposed on an adjacent parcel
located west of the building, and separately accessed from Westfield Road as identified in
the exhibit (Attachment 1). Given that this new parking area will serve LLI, conditional use
approval is required on this adjacent parcel as an extension of the private school use. As
noted in the exhibit, expansion of the eastern parking lot is also proposed.
Building
Conditions of Case 10SN0266 limit operation of the private school to the existing building.
This condition was recommended to maintain the residential character of the area. While
the school continues to maximize the use of space within this building, an amendment is
requested to permit expansion of the facility to accommodate increased student
participation. Such expansion would be limited to 10,000 square feet and located to the
rear of the building as identified in the exhibit (Attachment 1), thereby maintaining the
existing presence and scale along Westfield Road.
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Development Standards
The property is located within the Midlothian Special Design District. Development for a non-
residential (school) use is required to conform to specific standards of the Zoning Ordinance for
properties within the Midlothian Village Fringe which address parking/driveway setbacks and
treatment, landscaping, architectural treatment, lighting and signage. The purpose of these
standards is to maintain and reinforce the character, identity and pedestrian scale within these
areas.
For the proposed parking area, the Ordinance requires a minimum setback of fifty (50) feet
from Westfield Road and thirty (30) feet from the western property line. Exceptions are
requested to reduce each of these setbacks to fifteen (15) feet. Within the Westfield Road
setback, the ordinance would require landscaping consistent with The Village of Midlothian
Technical Manual. While the ordinance requires landscaping within the side (western) setback
, conditions would increase this landscaping to be consistent with
requirements for buffers less than fifty feet in width.
The following chart provides an overview of development standards and conditions designed to
mitigate impacts on area residential development and maintain the Village streetscape:
General Overview
Requirements Details
Private school use
Operation
Limited to LLI
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Location of parking and drives, sidewalk, building addition
and buffer
Master Plan
Site Layout Plan
/ƚƓķźƷźƚƓ Ћ
Use of western parcel (Tax ID 727-709-9536) limited to
parking and supporting facilities
Separate access for this additional parking area to
Westfield Road
Parking, Buffer,
15-foot setback and buffer along western boundary
Landscaping & Sidewalk
15-foot setback along Westfield Road with provision of
landscaping consistent with Village manual
Landscaping within parking area
Sidewalk along Westfield Road
/ƚƓķźƷźƚƓƭ ЌͲ Ѝ ε ЏͲ ε hƩķźƓğƓĭĻ
Addition limited to 10,000 square feet and located to rear
of existing building
Building
Materials consistent with those used on existing building
/ƚƓķźƷźƚƓ Ў ε hƩķźƓğƓĭĻ
Freestanding lighting not to exceed height of twenty (20) feet.
Lighting
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COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Staff Contact: Steve Adams (804-751-4461) adamsst@chesterfield.gov
The /ƚƒƦƩĻŷĻƓƭźǝĻ tƌğƓ, which includes the ŷƚƩƚǒŭŷŅğƩĻ tƌğƓ, identifies county-wide
transportation needs that are expected to mitigate traffic impacts of future growth. The
anticipated traffic impact of the proposal has been evaluated, and it is anticipated to be
minimal.
VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Staff Contact: Jonathan Phillippe (804-674-2560) jonathan.phillippe@vdot.virginia.gov
To date, no comments have been received.
FIRE AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
Staff Contact: Anthony Batten (804-717-6167) battena@chesterfield.gov
Nearby Fire and Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Facilities
Fire Station The Midlothian Fire Station, Company Number 5
EMS Facility The Forest View Volunteer Rescue Squad
When the property is developed, the number of hydrants, quantity of water needed for fire
protection, and access requirements will be evaluated during the plans review process.
UTILITIES
Staff Contact: Jamie Bland (804-751-4439) blandj@chesterfield.gov
The are detailed in the chart below:
Water and Wastewater Systems
Currently Size of Existing Line Connection Required by County Code?
Serviced?
Water Yes 8 Yes
Wastewater Yes 8 Yes
Additional Information:
This property is located within the mandatory water and wastewater connection area. Connection
to the public water and wastewater systems will be required by county code.
The existing structure is connected to public water and wastewater.
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ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
Staff Contact: Rebeccah Ward (804-748-1028) wardr@chesterfield.gov
Geography
The subject properties generally drain from northwest to southeast. There is an existing storm
sewer system on the County of Chesterfield property which drains under Sycamore Square
Drive, through the Midlothian Post Office property, and under Westfield Road. The storm
sewer system discharges to an unnamed tributary to Falling Creek. Both properties are located
within the Falling Creek Watershed.
Environmental Features
Wetlands shall not be impacted without approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and/or
the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.
Stormwater Management
The development and/or redevelopment of the subject properties is subject to the Part IIB
technical criteria of the Virginia Stormwater Management Program Regulations for water quality
and water quantity.
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CASE HISTORY
Applicant Submittals
9/27/2017 Application initiated by Board of Supervisors
Community Meetings
8/23/2018 Issues Discussed:
Planned use for parking area during non-school hours (same as eastern
parking area; anticipate shared use with community)
Potential for increase in noise/lighting (school maintaining daytime
hours; lighting for new parking area; no proposed changes to Parks
hours/lighting)
Current traffic/speed on Westfield Road (consider identifying as a school
zone; better enforcement)
Widening of Westfield Road (no plans to widen)
Relationship to Village Plan (school programing/involvement serves as
community asset)
Environmental protections (must meet stormwater management
regulations)
Impact on neighborhood property values
Growth rate of school attendance (approximately 12% each year since
2012; current year projection approximately 1,300)
Planning Commission
12/19/2017 Action DEFERRED TO MARCH 20, 2018 S OWN
MOTION WITH THE APPLICANTS CONSENT.
3/20/2018 Action DEFERRED TO SEPTEMBER 18, 2018 S OWN
MOTION WITH THE APPLICANTS CONSENT.
9/18/2018 Citizen Comments:
Support expressed for school use; LLI integral to community
Parking directly adjacent to school would be safer for students.
Concern with speed and increased traffic along Westfield Road as a cut
through
Use of parking by neighboring county park on Sundays
s Comments:
A county park is located behind the school. While organized leagues are not
scheduled on Sundays before 2 p.m., parking use by unorganized groups before
2 p.m. cannot be precluded.
Commission Discussion:
Mr. Jones noted support for the request, but acknowledged speed is a factor on
Westfield Road. He is discussing traffic calming measures, such as 3-way stops,
with CDOT and VDOT, and county policing for speed.
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Recommendation APPROVAL WITH CONDITIONS IN ATTACHMENT 1
Motion: Jones Second: Freye
AYES: Sloan, Jackson, Freye, Jones and Stariha
The Board of Supervisors on Wednesday, October 24, 2018, beginning at 6:00 p.m., will
consider this request.
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ATTACHMENT 1
CONDITIONS
Note: Both the Planning Commission and Staff recommend imposition of the following
conditions.
1.Operation. This conditional use shall be granted to Lifelong Learning Institute in
Chesterfield County, exclusively, and shall not be transferable nor run with the land. (P)
2.Master Plan. The plan dated August 29, 2018, prepared by Timmons Group, and titled
Watkins Annex, shall be considered the Master Plan relative to the proposed locations
of parking and drives, sidewalk along Westfield Road, the building addition and the
western buffer, all as further described in these conditions. (P)
3.Parking. Use of Tax ID 727-709-9536 shall be limited to parking, drives and supporting
facilities. Parking shall meet Ordinance setback requirements except as follows:
a.Minimum of fifteen (15) feet from the ultimate right of way of Westfield Road
b.Minimum of fifteen (15) feet from the western property line adjacent to Tax ID
727-709-8444. (P)
4.Sidewalk. A sidewalk shall be provided on Westfield Road along the frontage of Tax ID
727-709-9536. The exact location and treatment shall be approved at the time of plans
review. (P)
5.Building. The addition to the existing building shall be limited to a maximum of 10,000
gross square feet and located as generally depicted on the Master Plan. The facades of
this addition shall incorporate architectural materials consistent with those used in the
existing structure. Unless required by building code, no further additions or alterations
shall be permitted to accommodate this use. (P)
6.Buffer. A fifteen (15) foot buffer, inclusive of parking setbacks, shall be provided along
western property boundary adjacent to Tax ID 727-709-9536 (13809 Westfield Road) for
a depth of 170 feet from Westfield Road, as depicted on the Master Plan. Such buffer
shall comply with Ordinance requirements for buffers less than fifty (50) feet. (P)
(Staff Note: These conditions supersede those approved with Case 10SN0266.)
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ATTACHMENT 2
EXHIBIT
(August 29, 2018)
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ATTACHMENT 3
APPROVED CONDITIONS CASE 10SN0266
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