CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA
                 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA



 Agenda Date:         February 6, 2023

 Action Required:     Consideration of an application for a Critical Slope Waiver

 Presenter:           Dannan OConnell, Planner

 Staff Contacts:      Dannan OConnell, Planner

 Title:               Considering a Critical Slope Waiver request for 345 US 250 Bypass (250
                      Bypass Fire Station) (1 reading)


Background
Scott Hendrix, City Senior Project Manager is requesting a waiver from Section 34-1120(b) of the
City Code (Critical Slope Ordinance) to allow for a development of a new City fire station and
supporting infrastructure. The applicant is proposing to construct a new 8,000 square foot station to
the south of an existing stub road, eventually replacing the existing City Fire Station #1. Through this
process the applicant is proposing to disturb critical slopes (as defined in section 34-1120(b)). In
order to keep the existing fire station in operation until its replacement is completed, the new building
will be located to the south, encroaching into nearby critical slopes. Existing critical slopes areas
located on this Property include 4.24 acres or 2.9 percent of the site. 0.08 acres of critical slopes will
be disturbed.

Discussion
The Planning Commission held a hybrid virtual and in-person joint Public Hearing with City Council
on January 10, 2023 on this matter. The Planning Commission and City Council had the following
comments or concerns:

     • Questions regarding the chosen location of the new station
     • Noting that the existing critical slopes are man-made along existing roads

The applicants clarified that the new station is designed to minimize land disturbance, and the old
station must be kept in operation to provide services until the new facility is complete. The
Commission was very supportive of the new fire station, and recommended approval of the waiver
with no recommended conditions.

Staff note: A recording of the meeting can be found at the following link. Discussion starts at the
34:00 mark.
Link to Recording of Public Hearing

Staff note: The full application for this project can be found at the following link. Materials start on
page 69.
Link to Staff Report and Application Materials

Alignment with City Council's Vision and Strategic Plan
If City Council approves the Special Use Permit request, the project could contribute to Goal 3: A
Beautiful and Sustainable Natural and Built Environment, Item 3.2: Provide reliable and high quality
infrastructure.

Community Engagement
Under the City’s Zoning Code, a Critical Slope Waiver Application does not require a Public Hearing
or community engagement meeting. However, the applicant did hold a community meeting for a
Special Use Permit for the Subject Property on August 24, 2022. Several members of the public were
in attendance at the meeting.

Staff has received no emails or phone calls expressing concerns with the development.

On January 10, 2023 the Planning Commission and City Council held a joint Public Hearing. The
Public Hearing was a hybrid meeting with the public able to join online and in person. During the
Public Hearing three members of the public participated. No comments or concerns were related to
the critical slope waiver request.

Budgetary Impact
This has no impact on the General Fund.

Recommendation
The Planning Commission voted 7-0 to recommend the application be approved.

Alternatives
City Council may deny or indefinitely defer the requested Critical Slope Waiver:

(1) Denial: “I move to deny the Critical Slope Waiver requested with application P22-0091”
(2) Deferral: “I move to defer Council action on Critical Slope Waiver P22-0091”

Attachments
1.   Resolution_Fire Station Critical slope waiver (002) (002)