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ARB approves revised landscaping approach for 999 Bridal Road East (Rayo) with preference for naturalistic plantings
Summary
Albemarle County ARB reviewed revised plantings and cross sections for the Rayo development at 999 Bridal Road East, accepted staff findings on mitigation of blank walls, and adopted a staff‑recommended condition favoring alternate, more naturalistic plant arrangements for the entrance corridor frontage.
The Albemarle County Architectural Review Board reviewed revisions to ARB2024‑29999 (Rayo), a multi‑lot development at 999 Bridal Road East, and approved staff‑recommended changes to landscaping intended to mitigate blank walls and soften the entrance corridor frontage.
Staff said the applicant provided cross sections and revised planting plans to address three ARB conditions from the prior approval: (1) provide perspectives showing the development from entrance‑corridor vantage points to demonstrate mitigation of blank walls on Lot 15; (2) coordinate with the Rivanna Water & Sewer Authority (RWSA) on landscaping at the stormwater management facility; and (3) revise landscaping to show shrubs along the east elevations of lots 1–14 to soften exterior walls.
Staff reported the cross sections and revised landscape layout show clustered small and large deciduous trees, evergreen trees and shrubs in planting areas outside of easements, and concluded the revised plan "will sufficiently mitigate the appearance of blankness on the southern elevation" of Lot 15. Staff also said the applicant coordinated with RWSA and county engineering on the stormwater facility and added a row of 17 Arrowwood viburnum along the entrance corridor frontage.
Board members asked about the Arrowwood viburnum's mature size and whether planting height at installation would provide sufficient short‑term screening. Staff and the applicant said the applicant initially proposed planting at 1 foot with expected growth to about 7 feet in 10 years; staff recommended that the viburnum along the frontage be planted at 3 feet at installation to provide earlier screening.
Engineering and RWSA constraints mean the planting strip along the path sits near an RWSA easement and a water line; the applicant said planting is permitted with a 10‑foot setback from the pipe and that some maintenance and occasional trimming may be required as plants mature. The board discussed whether the proposed linear row of viburnum looked overly contrived and whether a more naturalistic arrangement or alternate plant species (including lower maintenance options or grasses) would be preferable in that constrained strip.
The ARB amended the staff recommendation to state a preference for an alternate planting (in lieu of Arrowwood viburnum) arranged more naturalistically with less long‑term maintenance and directed staff and the applicant to continue coordination with RWSA on permitted species and placement. A board member moved to approve the revised staff‑recommended condition; the roll call recorded aye votes from four board members (Vanderwerff, Meltzuno, Stoner, Hancock) and the motion passed.
Staff's remaining recommendation required the applicant to revise the landscape plan to show Arrowwood viburnum (or an approved alternative) planted at 3 feet at installation along the entrance corridor frontage if that species is used, and to coordinate plant selection and placement with RWSA and county engineering. The board also asked the applicant to consider more naturalistic planting arrangements and, where possible, meadow or pollinator‑friendly species outside of the easement to better integrate the stormwater feature with the entrance corridor.
