AGENDA DATE: 11/5/2025
TITLE:
Title
SE-2025-00033 - Rivanna Futures Building Height and SE-2025-00034 - Rivanna Futures Stepback
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Special exceptions to modify the height requirement of County Code §18-26.4 of the County Code, and to waive the minimum stepback requirements of County Code § 18-4.20.
ITEM TYPE: Regular Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Wall, Herrick, Tevendale, Svoboda, Kilroy, Fritz
PRESENTER (S): Bill Fritz
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: The Rivanna Futures property (Tax Map Parcels: 03300-00-00-001D0, 03300-00-00-01000, and 03300-00-00-00100) was acquired by the County to facilitate development consistent with national security and the economic development goals of the County. A pharmaceutical manufacturer has selected portions of the Rivanna Futures property for development which is consistent with the County’s economic development goals. The manufacturing requirements of the pharmaceutical industry necessitate a building height in excess of 65 feet and a waiver of the building stepback.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Quality of Life - Encourage a vibrant community with economic and recreational opportunities that serve all community members.
DISCUSSION: The Staff Report (Attachment A) provides a more detailed review of the request (Attachment A1): special exceptions to modify the requirement of County Code §18-26.4 to increase the building height to 140 feet, and waive the stepback requirement of County Code §§18-26.4 and 18.2-4.20 .
In Industrial Districts, the County Code limits the building height to 65 feet and requires that for each story that begins above 40 feet in height or for each story above the third story, whichever is less, the minimum stepback is 15 feet. The County Code allows for an increase in the building height and a waiver of the stepback requirements by special exception.
An aerial photo of the area is included as Attachment A2. A portion of initial site plan showing proposed factory building envelope is included as Attachment A3.
Granting the special exceptions for the building height and stepback will allow for building design requirements of modern industrial uses and facilitate development consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and the County’s economic development goals.
BUDGET IMPACT: None identified.
RECOMMENDATION:commendation
Staff recommends that the Board adopt the attached resolutions (Attachments A4 and A5) to approve the special exception requests for SE-2025-00033 to allow an increase in building height, and SE-2025-00034 to waive the requirement for stepbacks.
ATTACHMENTS:
A - SE-2025-33 and SE-2025-34 Staff Report
A1 - Applicant’s request and justification
A2 - Aerial photo of the area
A3 - Portion of initial site plan showing proposed building envelope
A4 - Resolution to approve the special exception request for SE-2025-00033 to allow an increase in building height
A5 - Resolution to approve the special exception request for SE-2025-00034 to waive the requirement for stepbacks