April 30, 2024: BAR provides feedback on potential downtown Charlottesville hotel where apartments had been planned

Plus: Charlottesville's mid-week Farmers Market changing locations this year to Pen Park

There are six months until Halloween, and I suspect there are many people who are already scheming how they will transform themselves into someone new for a day in which wearing masks and disguises is encouraged. But today is April 30, the last day of the fourth month, and it’s a good day as any of this installment of Charlottesville Community Engagement. I’m Sean Tubbs, and I’ll probably dress up as a reporter.

In today’s installment:

• Half of Charlottesville’s Board of Architectural Review weigh in on a proposal for a hotel at 218 West Market Street in Downtown

• Charlottesville is once again accepting applications for people to be on boards and commissions

• The window to apply for a unique conservation internship with the Shenandoah National Park closes at midnight tonight 

• Albemarle County is offering $60,000 in grants for agricultural producers who need assistance

• Charlottesville’s mid-week Farmers Market has a new location this year 

First shout-out: Camp Albemarle

Today’s first subscriber-supported public service announcement goes out to Camp Albemarle, which has for over sixty years been a “wholesome rural, rustic and restful site for youth activities, church groups, civic events and occasional private programs.”

Located on 14 acres on the banks of the Moorman’s River near Free Union, Camp Albemarle continues as a legacy of being a Civilian Conservation Corps project that sought to promote the importance of rural activities. Are you looking to escape and reconnect with nature? Consider holding an event where the natural beauty of the grounds will provide a venue to suit your needs. Visit their website to view the gallery and learn more! 

City’s BAR weighs in on potential conversation of apartment building to hotel

The city’s Board of Architectural Review has taken a look at preliminary plans for a new hotel to be built in a downtown location space where City Council previously approved a special use permit for residential apartments. 

“We’re changing our use from residential that worked well with you to go through a [special use permit] process for that, but instead we’re going to switch over to hotel use which we’re excited about,” said Jeffrey Levien of Heirloom Development. 

Levien spent many nights at city meetings to get a special use permit for 218 West Market street to make way for a nine-story apartment building. On April 16, he appeared in CitySpace to ask the Charlottesville Board of Architectural Review for their thoughts on the project going through a substantial pivot.

“What we really want to understand today is whether the floor layouts with those rooms would work,” Levien said. “We are working with a brand so there are certain requirements you follow, certain layouts you follow.”

The preliminary discussion covered the “massing” of the proposed 160-room hotel (Credit: NBJ Architecture)

Levien is the principal behind Heirloom Development which built a luxury apartment building on West Main Street while keeping two buildings including one that houses the Blue Moon Diner. New architects have been brought in for the new work. 

“We are working with a site that has two street frontages at different heights,” said Cassidy Droski with NBJ Architecture in Richmond.

Vehicular drop-off would be on Market Street via a one-lane aisle whereas the retail entrance would be on Old Preston Avenue. A connecting feature between both openings would be a staircase. There will also be a patio and a rooftop bar. As for height, Droski said it would be comparable to the nearby Code Building. 

Levien said is hoping to return to the BAR in June with a formal application. 

When a formal application is submitted, the plans would be reviewed under the new Development Code. Planning Commissioner and BAR member Carl Schwarz pointed out there are new requirement for streetscapes that did not appear to be met in the preliminary plan. 

“I believe you have to meet those because your property is more than a hundred feet long,” Schwarz said. “And what I think I’ve pulled out from the code is that if you can’t meet the streetscape requirements because there is not enough room, your setback actually gets moved back so that you then can put in the street trees that are required.” 

Other than that, Schwarz said he thought the plans are heading in the right direction.

BAR Member Breck Gastinger said the preliminary application lacked information about how the site would interact with surrounding buildings. 

“I find it even a little bit hard to review the massing because the existing context other than a couple of little thumb-nails 3D’s are now shown,” Gastinger said. 

Gastinger said the site is awkwardly shaped but he hoped that could lead to interesting architecture. 

“It is an important location,” Gastinger said. “It is one of the most prominent locations actually from some of the approaches to the city.” 

BAR Member Cheri Lewis said one favorable factor is the presence of a similar project next door.

“I think you benefit from being right across from the Omni,” Lewis said. “If we’re looking at the surrounding environment, at least that helps my consideration. It will always be a larger building than at least this one.” 

Only four of the eight members of the BAR were present at the meeting so it is possible this will go back before them in May for another preliminary discussion. 

The firm STR analyzes hotel occupancy rates, figures often used by developers to determine if there is a market need for new rooms (Credit: STR)

Second shout-out: RCA launches Forest Health and Resilience Project

In today’s second Patreon-fueled shout-out: The Rivanna Conservation Alliance and community partners have launched a new collaborative effort called the Rivanna River Forest Health and Resilience Project. 

Have you ever noticed a tree or an entire forest smothered in vines and wondered what is going on? It’s likely you’re looking at invasive species that have taken over due a lack of natural predators. With funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the Rivanna River Forest Health and Resilience Project will manage high-risk invasive plants and plant new native trees in high-priority locations in three riverfront parks. The initiative will also work to motivate and support action on these issues by the wider Rivanna River watershed community

To learn more about the initiative and find out how you can volunteer, visit the RCA’s website. 

Charlottesville seeking applicants for boards and commissions

There are dozens of unfilled slots on appointed bodies in Charlottesville and the city is taking applications through May 8. 

“Serving on a Board or Commission is an excellent way to make a personal contribution to Charlottesville’s growth and can be a rewarding experience for everyone!” reads an enthusiastic press release

Charlottesville is not taking applications for the vacant Planning Commission position at this time. Karim Habbab resigned in March.

Applications are being taken through May 8 with appointments to be made by Charlottesville City Council on May 20.  There’s a link for each. 

• Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail Authority - one vacancy

• Board of Architectural Review - one vacancy for an owner of a business or commercial property in a design control district

• CDBG Task Force - five vacancies, with three vacancies for low-income neighborhoods

• Charlottesville Affordable Housing Fund Committee (CAHF) - two affordable housing beneficiaries 

• Charlottesville-Albemarle Convention & Visitors Bureau Board (CACVB) - an arts representative (this deadline is August 7, 2024)

• Community Policy and Management Team - parent representative 

• Historic Resources Committee - three vacancies

• Housing Advisory Committee - four vacancies including two affordable housing beneficiaries 

• Jefferson Area Board for Aging Advisory Council - two vacancies 

• Local Board of Building Code Appeals - four vacancies (deadline to apply is May 20, 2024

• Minority Business Commission - three vacancies

• Piedmont Family YMCA Board of Directors - one city representative

• Piedmont Virginia Community College Board - two city representatives

• Police Civilian Oversight Board - one vacancy, closes today

• Retirement Commission - two vacancies, clo

• Sister Cities Commission - two vacancies 

• Social Services Advisory Board - four vacancies

• Towing Advisory Board - two towing representatives, one citizen representative

• Vendor Appeals Board - three vacancies

• Youth Council - 15 vacancies

Internship program seeks applicants to connect youth with jobs in nature

In a community known for its natural beauty and a tourism industry that’s ready to capitalize, there are many different career paths for those with skills in conservation and resource management. To broaden the diversity of the workforce, a coalition of groups including the Community Attention Youth Internship Program has launched a way for some to get the chance to gain valuable experience. 

“This summer, individuals aged 16-18 in Charlottesville can become Trailblazers to engage with the outdoors while learning conservation and trail maintenance skills and actively contributing to their community,” reads a press release from the Shenandoah National Park Trust. 

The Trailblazers partnership includes the Rivanna Trail Foundation, Appalachian Conservation Corps, the Charlottesville Area Mountain Bike Club, and then Shenandoah National Park Trust. Those selected for the paid internship will spend five weeks on the Rivanna Trail before a three-day experience working in the Shenandoah National Park. 

“This program is critical because it creates a first step for youth to both develop themselves and give back to the community.” the release quotes Zach Foster, the ACC Corps Director. “With a $15 per hour wage, free training and equipment, and easy transportation, this program opens a door toward new opportunities for their future educational and work pathways."

The application window closes on May 1 for the program which runs from June 24 through August 4. There’s more information on the Shenandoah National Park’s website.

Albemarle seeking applications for agribusiness grants

The number of farms in Albemarle County has been steadily declining for decades, but the county’s economic development office has a few programs in place to try to help some businesses survive.

One of them is the Agribusiness Resiliency Grant Program which is intended for direct-market producers. 

“The pandemic caused major disruptions to this system and the second round of the Agribusiness Resiliency Grant program supports agribusinesses who are experiencing longer-term impacts,” reads an announcement for the program. “These impacts include higher operating costs and challenges to accessing capital, which result in fewer resources to grow and reinvest.”

There is a total of $60,000 that will be distributed between three to eight businesses. Eligible businesses include those selling products to restaurants, wineries, cideries, caterers and other retailers. Applicants must be based in the county and must accept a site visit from the economic development office. 

The funding can be used for new capital investments or for eligible expenses incurred since July 1, 2022. Up to a fifth of the award can be used for marketing. For more information, take a look at the county’s website.

To learn more about the declining number of farms, take a look at this story from mid-February from the Agricultural Census. In Albemarle, there were 866 farms in 2022, down from 913 in 2017.  

Charlottesville’s mid-week Farmers Market to be held in Pen Park this year

In addition to the City Market held each Saturday in Downtown Charlottesville, the Parks and Recreation Department also holds an event every Wednesday. The season kicks off tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. but there’s a temporary change of venue. 

“This year, the market will be held at Pen Park by the Meadow Creek Golf Course while Meade Park completes its turf restoration,” said Justin McKenzie, the manager of the City Market.

Market stalls are open to producers only and include farmers, food vendors, and artisans. Attendees are encouraged to sample some of the amenities at Pen Park, including the batting cage, a gold driving range, the tennis courts, and the playground. 

Customers who have Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits can have the value of their purchases doubled thanks to Virginia Fresh Match.

Reading material:

• Charlottesville community learn challenges of reentering society after incarceration, Maggie Glass, 29NBC, April 18, 2024

• More Signs of the Times, Scottsville gets a new entrance corridor aesthetic as Tiger opens, Nancy Gill, James Exchange, April 29, 2024

• Albemarle School Board approves fiscal year 2024-25 budget, CBS19, April 29, 2024

• Lake Monticello residents to ask SCC to keep water rates the same, CBS19, April 29, 2024

• These Creatures Moved and Grooved on Grounds, Alice Berry, UVA Today, April 29, 2024

• Gilbane completes University of Virginia’s School of Data Science building, World Construction Network, Press Release, April 29, 2024

• Virginia Governor Joins UVA Leadership To Open New Data Science Building, Mike Mather, UVA Today, April 29, 2024

• MLK III to focus on youth participation in politics as professor of practice, Ford McCracken, Cavalier Daily, April 29, 2024

• Youngkin says no encampments on Virginia campuses; supports ‘peaceful’ protests, Nathaniel Cline, Virginia Mercury, April 29, 2024

• The shadow of Trump looms large in viciously fought GOP primary battle in Virginia’s 5th District, Markus Schmidt, Cardinal News, April 30, 2024

#671 raises a glass and tomorrow there will be more of us 

Someone today likened the work I do to triathlon, but I’ve not run more than a mile for almost a year. I’d swim but my gym keeps changing, and I’m too awkward to be on a bike. 

But, Town Crier Productions seems to work best when there is a steady flow of content on its way to the hundreds of listeners. I opted to not produce something Monday because I was working on a story for C-Ville Weekly that will come out tomorrow and because I’d posted seven days in a row.

I am cognizant that I am one person, but I’m one person with decades of experience and one young enough still to be hungry to get information out there. I’m grateful for the steady stream of subscribers, paid and unpaid, who read or skim through the material.

I am also aware that this one is also not a podcast. I am hopeful to get back to the old normal but I’m still working out where to put the studio. 

If you want to support the work and have done so yet, here’s an enticement! The internet provider, Ting, will match your initial subscription amount! They’ve been doing that for three years now helping keep me in working shape, but definitely far short of a triathlon. 

Ting can help you with your high speed Internet needs. If service is available in your area and you sign up for service, enter the promo code COMMUNITY and you will get:

• Free installation

• A second month for free

• A $75 gift card to the Downtown Mall