News on proposed Renaissance Ridge
Jay Roberts, Executive Director
Wintergreen Property Owners Association
If you are not familiar with this proposed project within the Wintergreen master plan, see our earlier posts about this property HERE.
See the developers’ website here.
Typical of projects such as this, the proposed Renaissance Ridge development on the northeast side of Stoney Creek just off Route 151 has evolved quite a bit from what was initially presented. There are now new and more detailed design and engineering plans available.
The size of the project being discussed has been scaled back. The developer is saying they now plan to limit the development to 136 total units. Also, the designs of the homes are closer to what might be called “traditional.”
There are other lower profile, but still important, new details as well, such as road layout, common areas, storm runoff, etc.
As for their target market, it was interesting to note a new posting on Renaissance Ridge’s website with the headline, “A Growing Need for Senior-Friendly and Cost-Conscious Housing for an Older Demographic.” Some 20-25 percent of the units are “designed to support our local workforce,” says Stu Armstrong, the project’s manager. (See his comments at the end of this report.)
Still, much of this project remains in the planning stages.
WPOA has been and will continue to work with the developer, regulatory agencies and concerned owners to try and better understand this proposed development. The information in our report here is subject to change. Many are concepts or plans to present to the various parties involved that can be described as "for discussion purposes.” Final plans should become available as part of the permitting process, which has not been completed.
So, while much here is still a concept, the developers of Renaissance Ridge agreed to let WPOA share these ideas and design concepts they are currently considering:
This is the most recent “community concept” of Renaissance Ridge. There is no road connection to Stoney Creek. Wintergreen owners living in Renaissance Ridge could only access Stoney Creek by car using the existing entrances along Route 151. A pedestrian bridge across Allen’s Creek to Stoney Creek has been proposed. This map is color-coded to the building options presented below. Go HERE to download a full map.
Below are some of the current building options being considered for Renaissance Ridge:
The Willow - (Teal, in the upper center of the map)
Renaissance Ridge says: Single Floor Living – Universal Design. No step entry. (Similar to the Rosewood Homes in Stoney Creek).
The Birch - (Green, in the lower center of the map)
Renaissance Ridge says: for buyers who do not want a home as large as the Willow – Single Floor Living – Universal Design – no step entry.
The Bayberry Villas - (Gray, on the top of the map)
Renaissance Ridge says: Single Floor living with a loft, Universal design on the first floor – no step entry.
Poplar Townhomes - (Red, left and lower part of the map)
Renaissance Ridge says: typically attractive for market-entry buyers. The covered rooftop terraces are really popular and would “be in high demand” at Wintergreen.
The Chestnut (also in consideration)
Renaissance Ridge says: a popular design in the Charlottesville area, also with no step entry potentially but we would refine this for the different cottage types not yet final.
The “Cottage” style homes on the right and upper right are still being designed.
While many of the permits required for this project have yet to be approved, the Virginia Department of Transportation has provided the developers with requirements and recommendations based on the entrance design submitted by the developer. See the VDOT letter HERE. These requirements and recommendations are based on a new traffic study conducted along Route 151.
Their initial construction (Phase 1) is expected to include approximately 94 units. Phase 2, if completed, would include a maximum of 42 additional units. Going above the 136 total units will require extensive changes to the entrance and exit along with modifications to Route 151.
The developer is saying they have no plans to increase the size of the current design, limiting the development to 136 total units.
Renaissance Ridge’s Stu Armstrong provided WPOA with these additional details:
As the Renaissance Ridge Project Manager, I'm excited to inform the greater community that we've made great strides in the recent months regarding our vision and principle-centered approach in planning this new part of the Stoney Creek Village neighborhood.
We will accomplish three particular objectives:
One - A variety of housing types and sizes to give buyers the options that reflect their particular needs, expectations and price ranges for retirees, families, and individuals. There will be 136 total units in all phases with at least 80% incorporating single-floor living and 20-25% designed to support our local workforce. We will be updating our website in the coming weeks with unit elevations and specifications from our exclusive well-seasoned "Green" home builder with hopes of breaking ground Summer/Fall 2022:
Two - Open greenspace that will include a "Pedestrian-friendly" network of trails and social spaces to recreate, exercise and congregate for special occasions with the potential for a new community park amenity. There is only one vehicular access point off Rt. 151 to ensure no additional traffic through the main entrance of Stoney Creek Village.
Three - Enhance and protect the biodiversity of the area in harmony with sustainable living by building 100% of the units with state of the art energy efficiency along with storm water bio-filtration technologies beyond what is required by current state building codes.