Albemarle County ARB approves modular classroom for Community Christian Academy with planting condition

The Albemarle County Architectural Review Board approved a proposal to construct a modular classroom building and related site improvements at 114 Old Brook Road for Community Christian Academy on Feb. 3, 2025, conditioning the approval on adding shrubs along the Ryle Road property line where easements allow.

County staff told the board that the application had addressed all prior comments except landscaping along the Ryle Road property line. "Only one of those issues has not been fully addressed," said Margaret (staff), describing the outstanding item as the absence of shrubs to fill a row of trees previously added along the Ryle Road line.

Staff recommended approval with a condition requiring shrubs to be added where easements permit. The staff recommendation specified that required shrubs be 24 inches in height at planting. Kelsey Schlein, a planner with Schimpf Engineering representing the applicant, said the applicant "is agreeable to staff's recommendation to add additional shrubs along Ryle Road" and noted constraints caused by two RWSA water mains near the edge of the parking lot. Schlein said RWSA rules do not permit planting within 10 feet of those water mains, which limits where shrubs and trees can be placed.

Board members asked few questions and expressed support for the submittal and the staff recommendation. Tara (ARB member) moved to approve ARB 20 24-59, Community Christian Academy, with staff condition number 1 amended to include the phrase "where easements allow." Chair Henningsen seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously (Mr. Matsuno: aye; Chair Henningsen: aye; Mr. Vandewirth: aye).

Votes at a glance - Consent agenda (ARB 20 24-76, Granger development): approved (motion to approve consent agenda moved and seconded; Mr. Matsuno, Chair Henningsen, Mr. Vandewirth voted aye). - Approval of January minutes: approved (unanimous).

The ARB's condition requires that additional shrubs be planted to complete the row along the Ryle Road property line "where easements allow," acknowledging the applicant's evidence that RWSA water-main easements restrict plantings within 10 feet of the mains. The board did not require a specific species list beyond the planting-height specification included in the amended condition.

Other business included a brief discussion about the county comprehensive plan and landscape buffers along major corridors; staff said draft action steps will be provided to the board for review at an upcoming meeting but gave no date. The ARB adjourned at approximately 1:14 p.m.