ARB forwards Arbor Oaks townhome site plan with conditions on planting, layout and sidewalk

The Albemarle County Architecture Review Board on Dec. 16 forwarded the Arbor Oaks Townhomes initial site plan to the county site review committee, asking the applicant to document landscape conflicts, consider layout changes to increase planting area along the Hydraulic Road entrance corridor, and explore allowing the existing sidewalk to remain to preserve mature oak trees.

The board’s action followed a staff recommendation not to approve the initial site plan at this time because proposed frontage planting does not meet the entrance corridor guidelines. Staff said the plan locates townhouses close to Hydraulic Road so most elevations would face the corridor, and that an existing overhead line and a proposed ten‑foot electrical easement limit planting area required for large shade trees.

"Staff will not recommend approval of the initial site plan at this time," the staff presentation concluded, noting conflicts with the frontage planting area and recommending the layout be revised to provide clear planting area free of utility and easement conflicts. Keturah Rowell, representing the applicant, said the team will submit architectural elevations and a planting plan to address the issues. "We will submit architectural plans to show the front facades and the sides as they…