One exit
Working group will look at necessity of two exits in multifamily buildings
By Sean Tubbs
AAs a Seniors Real Estate Specialist, I’m here to help take the worry out of selling your home so you can focus on your future goals.
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ny structure erected in Virginia must conform to building codes created around a century ago to ensure safe construction methods are followed and that people inside can get out if there’s a fire. Such provisions spread across the country after the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in March 1911 in New York City that led to the deaths of 146 workers who were blocked from leaving the burning building.
Virginia updates its code every three years, and several advocates of reducing the cost to construct housing have been lobbying for deregulation of some aspects, such as mandates that multifamily buildings have two staircases and at least two ways out.
Last week, Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed legislation directing state officials to convene a group to study the possibility of allowing only one exit for apartment buildings up to six stories.
“This puts the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development in the best possible position to make positive changes in the building code to improve safety and affordability and allow the kinds of high-quality ‘missing middle’ designs common in other countries and Seattle and New York City,” says Charlottesville Planning Commission member Lyle Solla-Yates.
Both Solla-Yates and Planning Commissioner Rory Stolzenberg participated in a DHCD workgroup in the spring of 2022 to suggest reform. Neither is an architect or civil engineer.
In June of that year, Solla-Yates put forward a proposal to allow up to 20 units in a five-story building. He claimed the cost
of requiring an additional staircase added $380,000 to the cost of a building. The idea had the support of a fellow workgroup member who works for the Home Builders Association of Virginia.
However, the minutes of the meeting indicate that several people from the state building codes office were not in favor, due to safety concerns and feeling that the issue should be discussed nationally first.
The proposal was listed officially as “nonconsensus,” and the idea did not move forward in the code update that took effect in January of this year.
Solla-Yates is glad the discussion will move forward with the passage of the bill.
“No consensus, no change, unless there is clear direction from the legislative body,” he says.
Virginia did not adopt a building code until the early 1970s, which means there are examples of single-staircase buildings in Charlottesville, such as the Altamont Circle apartments in the North Downtown neighborhood. Those were built in 1929, according to city property records, and there are over 20 units.
The stakeholder group is required to deliver their report to the General Assembly by the end of the year.
At least one stakeholder is prepared to make sure the deregulation doesn’t occur.
“The Virginia Fire Prevention Association has grave concern of the consequences of considering a six-story dormitory, apartment, hotel, motel, etc. [with] a single means of egress,” says organization president Gerry Maiatico. “This should not even be considered, let alone sent to a committee for discussion.”
“No consensus, no change, unless there is clear direction from the legislative body.”
16 April 10 –16, 2024 c-ville.com facebook.com/cville.weekly REAL ESTATE WEEKLY
The Altamont Circle apartments, which were built in 1929, have only a single staircase.
LYLE SOLLA-YATES, CHARLOTTESVILLE PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBER
ALBEMARLE COUNTY
EDGEMONT
Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, 15 miles south of Charlottesville, is this rare 572-acre historic estate whose design is reputed to be the only remaining private residence attributed to Thomas Jefferson. $15,000,000 Court Nexsen, 646.660.0700 www.HistoricEdgemont.com
SWANNONOA COUNTRY CLUB
Stunning golf course atop the Blue Ridge Mtns. in Afton, Va. 20 minutes west of Charlottesville, UVA and at the gateway to the Shenandoah Valley via I-64 or Rt 250. Explore the many alternative uses for the 236 acres with sweeping views in all directions.
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NEWLISTING NEWPRICE NEWPRICE
FARMINGTON
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MILL HOUSE
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JAMES RIVER ROAD
Enjoy expansive pastoral views with the mountains in the background from this spacious 3-BR residence with wrap around porch on 5.44 acres. The tranquil atmosphere lends itself to full time living or a weekend retreat. Great high speed Internet. MLS#651338 $539,000 C. Dammann, 434.981.1250
HIGHER GROUND
27 acre estate, mountaintop retreat with 11,400 sf., 8-BR, 6.5-BA residence with many outside terraces, decks and unsurpassed panoramic mountain views! 10 miles to famed Omni Homestead Resort, 2 miles to the airport. www.highergroundva.org Jim Faulconer, 434.981.0076 or Will Faulconer, 434.987.9455
MEADOW FARM
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$2,985,000 Charlotte Dammann, 433.981.1250
FREE UNION PARCEL
42 acre tract on Wesley Chapel Road with the right to be divided into two 21 acre parcels. Big views with clearing towards the Blue Ridge. Stream frontage on Burruss Branch. Old logging road recently cleared for easy access. MLS#647055 $799,000 Tim Michel, 434.960.1124
KESWICK ESTATE
Discover Keswick Estate, a gated community near Keswick Hall, offering a 2.10± acre building site harmonizing country life and resort living in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Create your dream home close to golf, dining, tennis, and more. MLS#650785 $515,000 Court Nexsen, 646.660.0700
17 April 1016, 2024 c-ville.com facebook.com/cville.weekly WWW.MCLEANFAULCONER.COM 503 Faulconer Drive| Charlottesville | VA 22903 | office: 434.295.1131 | email: homes@mcleanfaulconer.com
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1869 Rhett Ct | Charlottesville
Beautiful one owner home in desirable and convenient Mosby Mountain! Custom build by Gaffney Homes, this property is on a cozy CUL-DE-SAC with lovely rear privacy. Fabulous floor plan offers roomy main level living with 2 story ceilings. Close to UVA.
$945,000 | montaguemillercom/650361
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1404 Meadowbrook Rd | Charlottesville
This beautifully remodeled Mid-century Ranch home is a must see in the CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE. Located close to UVA, within a 5-minute walk to BODO’S, Meadow Creek Gardens Trail & RTF Trail. 4 bedrooms, 3 baths.
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Gaffney Saadut Team | 434.760.2160
0 Cresent Farm Ln | Shipman
$480,000 | CarterMontague.com/639070
Carter Montague | 434.962.3419
$345,000 | CarterMontague.com/646225
Carter Montague | 434.962.3419
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21 April 1016, 2024 c-ville.com facebook.com/cville.weekly MONTAGUEMILLER.COM | 434.973.5393 | CHARLOTTESVILLE | MADISON | ORANGE | AMHERST/NELSON Proudly serving Central Virginia’s real estate needs for 76 years! Your Place. Our Purpose. 269 Blue Springs Ln | Charlottesville
| montaguemillercom/651058 Trish Owens | 434.825.5393 Don’t miss this city charmer with 3 bedrooms & 2½ baths. Primary bedroom has large full bath. Hardwood floors throughout. New paint. Kitchen has maple cabinets. Large deck and easy maintenance yard. Off street parking. $260,000 | montaguemiller.com/650117 Doug Burke | 434.996.6791 1005 Albemarle Ave | Waynesboro Real estate education for Salesperson Licensing, Continuing Education & Post License Education
montaguemiller.com/646888
Saadut Team
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$2,100,000
$995,000 |
Gaffney
|
Heards Mountain
15 acre lot with gorgeous views, surrounded by mountains in southern Albemarle, 15 minutes south of Charlottesville. Rolling pasture, driveway already in place, soil testing done. Subject to County approval, division process underway. MONTAGUEMILLER.COM/REAL-ESTATE-ACADEMY Questions? Call Pat Sury 434.760.2999 Montague
2
Rd | Covesville
192 acre timber/recreation tract in central Nelson County, very close to Shipman and 10 mins to Lovingston/ Rt 29.Very private but not remote, property consists of 4 tax parcels & spans southeastern slopes of Naked Mountain.
