August 27, 2024: Albemarle Supervisors have approved a rezoning for 69-acre Granger property for up to 203 units
Plus: Two stories about motor vehicle safety
Summer is over for anyone who has gone back to school or begun at a new one for the first time. The angle of the sun each day hints more and more at a lack of prominence. Yet there are still three more weeks until the season actually concludes and only four more days until the front man from Green Day goes to sleep for a month.
Sometimes the only way to begin writing an edition of Charlottesville Community Engagement is just begin. I’m Sean Tubbs, and this is how the August 27, 2024 edition begins.
In today’s installment:
The Virginia State Crime Commission explains why motor vehicle crashes were decreased from 2017 to 2022 but fatalities increased
Speed cameras at Albemarle’s Lambs Lane Campus on Hydraulic Road will go live next Tuesday
The Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce will spend this fall looking for a new CEO
Albemarle Supervisors have approved up to 203 units on 69 acres in the county’s southwest urban area
First shout-out: Plant Virginia Natives
As I said just above, we’ve got less than a month left of astronomical summer and soon it will be time for me to think about what I might like to plant in the new section of yard that I reclaimed this year after years of it being covered with invasives!
As I think ahead to the fall, the winter, and the spring, I’m thinking about one resource that may help me develop a landscape more suitable to this area. I’m talking about Plant Virginia Natives!
Plant Virginia Natives is part of a partnership with ten regional campaigns for ten different ecosystems across Virginia, from the Northern Piedmont to the Eastern Shore. Take a look at the full map below for the campaign for native species where you are in the Commonwealth. For the Charlottesville area, download a free copy of the handbook: Piedmont Native Plants: A Guide for Landscapes and Gardens.
Traffic fatalities in Virginia up while total number of crashes has slightly decreased
The number of motor vehicle crashes in Virginia are lower so far this decade compared to the previous one, but the number of people killed each year has increased over the same period.
That is one of the takeaways from an annual report from the Virginia State Crime Commission released last week. The civilian agency is responsible for reviewing public safety policies and outcomes.
“This increase in fatalities has been observed across the United States and cannot be attributed to one particular factor, but may be affected by a combination of factors, including the impacts of COVID-19 pandemic and an escalation in risky driving behaviors, such as speeding, impaired driving, and not wearing a seat belt,” reads the executive summary of the report. (download the document)
In 2017, there were 716 fatalities where either a driver or a passenger was killed and 114 pedestrian fatalities. The numbers rose to 823 people killed who were the vehicles and 171 people who were on foot. The total number of crashes has decreased slightly from 127,375 in 2017 to 122,434 in 2022.
Other reasons in the report include other factors such as heavier vehicles, roadways maximized for vehicular throughput, increased road uses, and speed limits set too high. There’s also a claim that motor vehicles laws are not being enforced.
“A variety of criminal justice measures could be adopted in Virginia to promote roadway safety, including enacting a primary seat belt law, expanding the use of photo speed monitoring devices, using technology to aid in the detection of drugged driving, creating a penalty for criminally negligent maiming, and completely prohibiting the use of earphones while driving,” the executive summary continues.
Virginia allows people operating a vehicle to wear an earphone in one ear, but prohibits all people on wheels from wearing them in both ears. The number of charges brought up against violators was 1,311 in 2017 and that figure dropped to 235 in 2022.
The report also summarizes data from the Virginia Department of Transportation presented at the November 2023 Crime Commission meeting that provided statistics related to why pedestrians are killed. Most happen either at night and between an intersection. More than fourth-fifths occur in urban areas.
There is also data in the report from all the six localities represented on the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission. That agency is spearheading a project called Move Safely Blue Ridge that is funded through the federal Safe Streets for All program. The following are totals and include all types of deaths.
Albemarle County: There were 12 people killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2017, increasing to 18 in 2022 for a total of 89.
Charlottesville: A total of 13 people were killed from 2017 to 2022 with 2020 being the deadliest year with six fatalities.
Fluvanna County: There were six fatalities in 2017 and none in 2022 for a total of 19 over the period.
Greene County: The number of fatalities in any given year did not surpass three for a total of 13.
Louisa County: With a total of 56, Louisa is the second most dangerous of the six localities with 7 in 2017 and 12 in 2022.
Nelson County: An average of six people were killed in the period from 4 in 2017 to 5 in 2022.
After a series of Move Safely Blue Ridge meetings this summer, staff at the TJPDC have been working to identify areas of high rates of injuries and will hold site visits.
“During the site visits, data will be gathered and reviewed in collaboration with each jurisdiction to identify the safety priorities,” said Gorjan Gjorgjievski, a regional planner with the TJPDC. “Once these priorities are established, we will engage the public for feedback during our Round II Public Engagement, which is expected to occur by late October.”
Speed-camera enforcement to begin in October for Hydraulic Road school zones
In one week from today, students will return to school in Albemarle County after the Labor Day holiday. Anyone driving past the Lambs Lane campus on Hydraulic Road will have their speed monitored by newly authorized cameras.
“The goals of automated traffic enforcement are to encourage a change in driver behavior and to increase driver awareness of the impacts of speed-related crashes in school and work zones,” reads an information release sent out Monday. “Driving too fast for conditions is one of the most prevalent factors contributing to traffic crashes.”
Violations will not be enforced until October 21 but warnings will be issued beginning September 3 to those who are exceeding the speed limit by ten miles an hour. When citations begin, they will be $100 per violation but will not incur a point penalty.
The General Assembly passed a law in 2020 that allowed localities to install the cameras in school zones and in work zones. The final version of HB1442 passed the Senate 22 to 18 and the House of Delegates 48 to 44.
Albemarle Supervisors held a public hearing on August 3, 2023 on the local ordinance
According to CBS19 News, Greene County began using the cameras in school zones this past February and they followed up with the story in March.
In December, the Nelson County Board of Supervisors denied a resolution to allow cameras in school zoned on a 3-2 vote. I would link to a newspaper’s account, but it is behind a paywall so instead, here’s a link to the minutes from the meeting.
County Administrator Candace McGarry said in an email to Charlottesville Community Engagement there has been no further discussion about installing the cameras after that decision.
Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce seeking new leader
An organization that promotes business and industry in the Charlottesville area has been without a permanent leader since the previous chief executive officer resigned last December.
The Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce has now launched a search campaign to replace Natalie Masri and a committee began work yesterday.
“Our Board is enthusiastic and dedicated to the important process of selecting a CEO whose qualities and expertise align with the needs and aspirations of our entire community,” reads an August 20 press release quoting Board Chair Sasha Tripp, the owner of Story House Real Estate.
Tripp stepped into the Board Chair position after Rebecca Ivins stepped down to serve as the interim CEO. Andrea Copeland is the chief operating officer.
The goal is recruit candidates this fall with the hope of having interviews in November and December. For more on the search, visit the Chamber’s website.
The Chamber is also selling their downtown headquarters and plan to relocate. I had a story on that in the August 7, 2024 C-Ville Weekly if you want to go read it.
Second shout-out: Camp Albemarle
Today’s second 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!
Supervisors approve rezoning for Granger property in Albemarle’s southwest urban ring
The Albemarle Board of Supervisors has approved a rezoning for a 69 acre site that represents one of the largest undeveloped tracts of land within the county’s urban area. They did so after a public hearing on August 7, 2024 for a request from Riverbend Development on behalf of Greenwood Homes.
“The property is located just to the southwest of the City of Charlottesville on the northern side of Interstate-64,” said Kevin McCollum, a senior planner with the county. “It’s just to the south of the [University of Virginia] Fontaine Research Park. The property is bounded by Sunset Avenue Extended, Interstate 64, a railroad track, and two creeks.” (presentation from staff)
That means it would be very expensive to build a roadway to connect to the park, so vehicles will enter the site on Sunset Avenue Extended, an area covered by Albemarle’s Southern and Western Urban Neighborhoods Master Plan. (view the plan)
That plan was adopted in June 2015 when Supervisors last adopted an overall master plan. One of the transportation components was a connector road between Fontaine Avenue and Sunset Avenue Extended. There is currently a section of Stribling Avenue that goes underneath the railroad that loops east back to Jefferson Park Avenue Extended in Charlottesville through the Fry’s Spring neighborhood.
This road will be considered an emergency access roadway, but will also be used as a multi-use pathway for bikes and pedestrians to travel between the new community and points to the north.
“While the application does not propose a Sunset-Fontaine Connector road as described in the master plan, these multiuse trails along the property frontage and throughout the site provide significant and safe connections for pedestrians and cyclists through the site into the surrounding areas,” McCollum said.
There would be no fixed-route existing transit service to the location with the nearest stop at least half a mile away on Fifth Street Extended. A representative from Greenwood Homes, Chris Schooley, acknowledged that there’s no transit routes that will directly touch the property, but the development will come with pathways where people can walk to nearby stops.
That comprehensive plan designated the land as Neighborhood Density Residential.
“Neighborhood Density Residential calls for single-family detached, single-family attached, and townhouse units at a density of three to six dwelling units per acre,” McCollum said.
Riverbend and Greenwood filed an application to take advantage of that recommended density by building a maximum of 203 units with a mix of of housing types. They’re setting aside 15 percent of units as affordable under the county’s previous policies.
This is not the first proposal that’s been submitted for the land.
“This is a tricky site,” said Chris Schooley, vice president of land development for Greenwood Homes. “It’s bordered on three sides by water. We have an interstate. We have a railroad. We have a significant stream that cuts right through the property. We’re very pleased at this point for the iterative process that we’ve gone through and the solution that we’re presenting today to the Board that it represents where the market is today, where the goals and direction from the county and the Board have evolved over the years.”
Schooley said Greenwood Homes has been building in Albemarle County since 2021 and many of the home types at this development will be similar to those at Brookhill, Belvedere, Galaxie Farm, Archer North, and Glenbrook. That includes the townhomes.
“We’ve spent a significant amount of time refining what we call our two over one product,” Schooley said. “It’s a three to four bedroom townhouse which has what we call an English basement below it which is a two bedroom apartment. This is our mechanism for addressing affordable housing.”
However, that means there are no garages for all of the units which require additional surface parking.
The only speaker during the public hearing was from the Piedmont Environmental Council who commended the project the trails it would build.
The only significant pushback from the Board of Supervisors came from Jack Jouett representative Diantha McKeel who wanted a plan to accommodate transit on site.
“Many of the developments that we have been approving have identified a place for transit,” McKeel said. “We have public roads and you said there’s no transit that goes to this community. Well, there’s no transit to this community because there’s no people there. But if you put people there, we will have transit eventually.”
Schooley said they could provide the infrastructure if requested but pointed out that Sunset Avenue Extended is a fairly tight road. On the other hand, he said transit service to that location would have many potential riders in neighboring communities that are already built.
Supervisors approved the rezoning unanimously. McKeel supported the project but wanted to be kept in the loop regarding transit accommodation in the future.
Reading material for #723 with a special shout-out:
Yesterday was the final time I appeared on WINA with Courteney Stuart to talk about these issues. I’ve done a really poor job of linking them here, but I wanted to list this one here so you can take a listen. I appeared on roughly 130 shows with her and will miss doing so as she ventures onward to a new opportunity.
Maybe I’ll add a paragraph to all of these to encourage you to read the work of other journalists? Maybe I’ll find another radio show to go on? Maybe I’ll do my own? Who knows?
Area schools make progress in statewide assessments, CBS19, August 22, 2024
Foxfield property sold to nonprofit, CBS19, August 23, 2024
Fifeville explores grocery store potential, Gabby Womack, August 24, 2024
Daily Progress appeals after court bars release of UVa shooting report, Hawes Spencer, Charlottesville Daily Progress (paywall), August 25, 2024
What will ranked-choice voting look like in Charlottesville? Jason Armesto, Charlottesville Daily Progress (paywall), August 25, 2024
Court summons back five localities for new hearing in 5th District GOP primary recount, Markus Schmidt, Virginia Mercury, August 26, 2024
Left turn lanes eliminated at Hydraulic Road, US 29 north of Charlottesville, Charlottesville Daily Progress (paywall), August 26, 2024
City, County, CASPCA at impasse over funding, Felicity Taylor, CBS19, August 26, 2024
This year’s presidential primaries cost localities about $4 million more than the state will cover, Ben Swenson, Cardinal News, August 27, 2024
Apartment starts increase monthly, but fall YOY, Leslie Shaver, Multi-Family Dive, August 27, 2024
Is #723 a prime number?
No, and I acknowledge this bit comes from Phil Plait’s Bad Astronomy which often asks similar questions of its own numbering taxonomy. Careful examination of my naming system would likely yield holes and ultimately none of that really matters.
What matters is that this is another edition out with four stories, two of which I’ve been trying to get to for a while. As a one-person operation, I can’t get to everything quickly. And sometimes I just have to publish what I have. That was the case with yesterday’s podcast edition.
Over the next several editions, I’m going to give the heads up that it is likely I will take time off next week to focus on a conference I am going to in Chicago. After four years of doing this work as what LION Publishers would call a “solopreneur” I am hoping to learn from others who produce journalism like mine. Until I leave I am hoping to get caught up on as much as I can.
There will be soul searching and perhaps a little introspection about what this enterprise has been and what it hopes to be.
I do know the “I” in LION stands for Independent, and it is a core mission that I do this work in a way that a funder or a Board member can not tell me to stop doing something. That sort of happened before in my life and I don’t want it to happen again.
So the more independent paid subscriptions I get the better, but I also have to consider things like putting together a rate sheet! In the eleven years I spent at Charlottesville, I never got to work on the business aspect.
You know the sales pitch by now. If you subscribe through Substack, Ting will match your initial subscription. This is an incredibly generous sponsorship, and if you sign up for service and you are within Ting’s service area, enter the promo code COMMUNITY you’re going to get:
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A $75 gift card to the Downtown Mall
