ARB asks for redesign and materials revisions for proposed Stonefield veterinary clinic; item to return

The Albemarle County Architecture Review Board on May 26 reviewed preliminary site plans for a proposed Veterinary Emergency Group clinic in Stonefield Town Center and directed the applicant to address staff comments in a revised submittal.

Margaret, presenting staff comments, said the primary concern is that the building’s entrance-corridor elevation currently reads like a “back of the building,” with a mostly blank elevation, random bay divisions and door/window placements, and a proposed gray block retaining wall that does not match nearby tan-and-brown masonry. Staff recommended redesigning the entrance-corridor elevation, revising retaining wall materials to be more consistent with existing masonry, integrating the rooftop equipment screen into the entrance-corridor elevation, and providing additional detail on proposed trimming of required evergreens.

Bob Pina of Design Develop said the site’s grading and retaining wall make the project costly and complex but presented a revised elevation intended to relate the rear elevation to the front. “Time is of the essence for the client as we negotiate the lease with the tenant,” Pina said. Juanita Lee (applicant team) confirmed the tenant had requested few or no windows on the rear elevation and that the design team would continue refining materials and landscaping.

Board members suggested options to mitigate the visual impact, including deeper and layered evergreen plantings, wrapping corner materials (fieldstone) at a visible intersection to save cost on full retaining-wall cladding, and showing guardrail/detailing where required. Members agreed the current rear elevation needs more articulation and recommended that the applicant consider layered landscaping or applied features to integrate the massing with adjacent buildings. The board also noted that trimming of the existing evergreens along the cinema required careful review because over-trimming could harm the mitigation those trees provide.

A motion to provide the applicant with the staff report comments and require the issues be addressed in the next submittal carried unanimously. The board did not approve the plans but indicated the item will return after the applicant submits revised materials addressing the staff recommendations.