As of August 30, 2023 is now two thirds of the way until the end. Perhaps one way of thinking about that is that we have now heard both sides of a long-playing record designed to play at 33 revolutions per minute. It is at this point where the metaphor perhaps falls apart, but I’m still curious to know: What are you going to listen to in the next 166,656 minutes or so? This is Charlottesville Community Engagement.
On today’s program:
Amazon Web Services announces they will invest $11 billion in two data center campuses by the year 2040
Charlottesville City Council and the Planning Commission learn that allowances for AirBnB and other forms of short-term rentals will not be eliminated as part of the zoning reform
Charlottesville seeks input on steps to keep improving on the city’s accessibility
The Albemarle Economic Development Authority signs grant paperwork for biotech startup Agrospheres
The Free Enterprise Forum releases a periodic report on local government spending
Charlottesville City Council is briefed on ranked choice voting
First shout-out: Plant Northern Piedmont Natives
Since the beginning of this newsletter, one Patreon supporter has dedicated their shout-out to an organization that seeks to draw awareness of the importance of native species to the ecosystem. As summer comes to an end and fall begins, Now is the time to visit Plant Northern Piedmont Natives to learn what you can about what species are specific to your region!
Plant Northern Piedmont Natives is one of ten regional campaigns for ten different ecosystems across Virginia, including Eastern Shore. Take a look at the full map below for the campaign for native species where you are in the Commonwealth. You can also download a free copy of their handbook: Piedmont Native Plants: A Guide for Landscapes and Gardens.
In this guide, Piedmont native plants are defined as those that evolved before the influence of European settlements shaped and changed the landscape. Plants included in the guide were selected from the Digital Atlas of the Virginia Flora and occur naturally within the region.
Amazon to invest $11 billion in Louisa County
Louisa County has announced that Amazon Web Services will invest $11 billion to build two data center campuses within two Technology Overlay Districts.
“The campuses will position AWS as one of the largest private-sector employers in Louisa and will create hundreds of new jobs,” reads a press release sent out this afternoon.
The county’s website describes the technology overlay districts as areas within Louisa’s growth area that are close to road networks and electric transmission lines. They’re also areas where residential and retail development are not being encouraged.
Supervisors approved the technology overlay districts in April, according to the Central Virginian. The vote to add the districts to the county’s Land Development Regulations was 6 to 1.
Earlier this year, Governor Glenn Youngkin announced Amazon Web Services would invest $35 billion in Virginia by 2040. That now includes this investment in Louisa.
“We’re proud to partner with AWS to expand their operations in a world with a growing demand for cloud computing infrastructure,” said Louisa County Board Chairman Duane Adams.
Amazon Web Services is looking at two specific sites according to Louisa County Community Engagement Manager Cindy King.
“AWS is evaluating two sites,” King said in an email. “What would become the Lake Anna Technology Campus (LATC) near the North Anna Power Station; and the North Creek Technology Campus (NCTC) near the Northeast Creek Reservoir.”
King said construction activity could begin as soon as 2024. The Board of Supervisors will enter into a performance agreement with Amazon Web Services. That agreement could also see the rebate of tax revenues with details to be worked out in the future.
Homestay provisions will not be eliminated as part of zoning code update
As Charlottesville plans for public hearings on a new zoning code, a proposed prohibition on short-term rentals of “homestays” has been pulled from consideration.
“We’ve gotten substantial comment back and in conversations with various of my colleagues and others in the community, we believe that this is a larger issue than we might have anticipated and one that we would recommend we kick out of this process and take up after the zoning ordinance is adopted,” said James Freas, the city’s director of Neighborhood Development Services.
A consolidated draft of the Development Code released earlier this month had removed “Homestay” from a list of accessory uses that would be allowed under the new zoning. That had not been included in previous drafts released earlier this year.
Freas said this is one example of how the city’s zoning code should be considered a living document that will be updated over time. He made his comments at a briefing given to the Planning Commission and the City Council on Tuesday.
“The intent here is for the Planning Commission to conduct a public hearing on Thursday, September 14,” Freas said. “That hearing will be in Council Chambers so note the change in venue and it will begin at 4 p.m.”
Notice has been mailed to property owners in the city about the public hearing. Those who wish to speak will be limited to two minutes.
Freas said it will be up to the Planning Commission to determine if they would like to vote on a recommendation or if that will be done at a later time. Dates have been reserved for September 19 in Council Chambers and September 26 at City Space.
Once the Commission is done with their work, Freas said Council will hold their own work sessions on a range of topics. If any changes are to be made, a new draft will be produced for Council before their vote. The plan is for Council to hold their own public hearing.
Once adopted, the zoning won’t take effect until a specific date after the day a vote is taken. Some projects currently in the process may have the opportunity to proceed under the old rules, but where that line will be drawn is not yet known.
Freas also addressed another item that is not in the draft zoning code. The Comprehensive Plan’s Future Land Use map designated “Sensitive Community Areas” which depicted places where residents are subject to displacement pressure.
“We have not moved forward with an overlay or zoning specific to Sensitive Community Areas,” Freas said. “I would note that a number of the recommendations that are in the Sensitive Community Area recommendation page… have been incorporated into the general zoning ordinance.”
Freas said this includes allowing for more units to be built across the city and changes to allow smaller lot sizes in some residential zoning areas. He said there was a sense that restricting development in those area would limit wealth-building opportunities.
“If the displacement is a result of rising taxes, there are other ways of addressing that issue as well,” Freas said.
City Councilor Michael Payne said he did not support the lack of a specific overlay.
“I would expect that this will definitely be one of the topics we need to have a work session about,” Payne said. “I know it was pretty integral into the original plan and strategy and the connection to the [Affordable Housing Plan] and I know just in the past week or two, this has been of particular interest to the 10th and Page Neighborhood Association as well as the Fifeville Neighborhood Association.”
Freas pointed out that the Comprehensive Plan clearly states that specific non-zoning interventions may need to be made for each community.
A question from me: Who should do that work? The city government? Non-profits? Individual homeowners? This particular part of the conversation is not over.
Charlottesville seeks input on update of accessibility plan
The city of Charlottesville is in the early stages of updating a plan that seeks to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The federal legislation became effective in 1990 and requires localities to make sure public facilities can be accessed by anyone.
In Charlottesville, that means the update of a Transition Plan with work underway. The last version was adopted by Council on June 3, 2013.
“While we are continuously working on improving accessibility, an updated Transition Plan will help us benchmark where we are now and develop a roadmap for where we can be in the future,” said Paul Rudacille, the city’s ADA coordinator.
As part of the work, crews have completed a self assessment of 165 miles of sidewalk owned by the city to identify potential barriers. This fall, the city’s parks and other facilities will be reviewed as will services.
Nothing happens in this community without a survey. There’s a longform version that takes up to ten minutes to fill out. There’s also a shorter one.
The city has hired the firm Precision Infrastructure Management to oversee production of the new plan.
There will also be a town hall meeting on September 20.
Albemarle EDA signs agreement for Agrospheres funding
The Board of Directors for the Albemarle Economic Development Authority has ratified a performance agreement with a local company that seeks to expand its sale and manufacture of a new generation of pesticide delivery systems.
Agrospheres has set up operations at 1180 Seminole Trail and recently was awarded $200,000 from the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Development Opportunity Fund. There’s also a $36,000 from the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.
“They’ve committed to $25 million of capital investment and creating 53 new jobs for research and development and a test of a manufacturing area,” said J.T. Newberry, Albemarle’s interim director for economic development.
AgroSpheres got its start as a laboratory venture at the University of Virginia. The company will be seeking to hire people with experience in biotech fermentation, plant molecular biologists, and other types of scientists.
Payam Pourtaheri, founder and CEO of AgroSpheres, told the EDA’s Board on August 22 that 14 of those jobs have been created so far.
“The facility isn’t up and running yet so a lot more jobs will be created,” Pourtaheri said. “We’ve recently received organic approval for our technology that helps basically to provide a controlled release of biological pesticides.”
Pourtaheri said the technology is free of microplastics unlike other delivery systems.
“Really excited about that and that’s what we’re going to be manufacturing here in Albemarle County,” Pourtaheri said.
Approval from the United States Environmental Protection Agency is needed before the product can become commercially available. Pourtaheri said he’s hopeful the green light will be given within a year.
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!
Free Enterprise Forum releases local spending report
A nonprofit group that tracks activities of local governments throughout the region has released the annual report of spending activity.
“The Free Enterprise Forum Local Government Spending Index (LGSI) is modeled after the statistical methodology used to calculate the Consumer Price Index,” reads the introduction of the fifth Choices and Decisions report.
Data comes from the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Auditor of Public Accounts, an office that produces a Comparative Report on Local Government Revenue and Expenditures. The Free Enterprise Forum whittles down the localities to Albemarle, Charlottesville, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa and Nelson.
Some interesting highlights:
Charlottesville had the highest per capita spending in the region at $5,385 in FY22
Albemarle’s per capita spending in FY22 was $3,643.90
Nelson County’s per capita spending in FY22 was $3,392.21
Louisa County’s per capita spending was $3,356.56
Greene County’s level of spending per person is $3,212.20
Fluvanna County’s per capita spending in the period was $2,836.63. That’s the lowest amount.
What else is in the report? Take a look on the Free Enterprise Forum’s website.
Council briefed on ranked choice voting
Should Charlottesville switch to an alternative form of voting that proponents say could increase participation? The earliest the city could make a transition to what is known as “ranked choice voting” is in 2025, but the five-member City Council got a briefing at its meeting on August 21.
“Instant runoff voting, or ranked choice voting, is a voting system where a voter can rank their ballots sequentially in order of preference rather than just give a single or limited number of candidates for their choice of winner,” said Taylor Yowell, the city’s registrar.
Proponents of this method of voting argue that it can help expand the number of candidates who seek office. (view Yowell’s presentation)
The votes are counted in order and individuals who receive enough votes to pass the threshold qualify for the ballot. If there are more slots remaining, the candidate who received the fewest votes is dropped from the second round.
“The process will continue until a winner has earned over the election threshold,” Yowell said.
That threshold depends on how many seats are available.
This method was authorized by the General Assembly in 2020 as one of the electoral reforms introduced when Democrats held both Houses in Richmond.
“In the session of the legislature in 2020, a bill was passed to allow ranked choice option for City Council and Board of Supervisors elections throughout the state,” said Jim Nix, one of three members of the Charlottesville Electoral Board and the only Democrat.
In August 2011, Nix presided over the Charlottesville Democratic Party’s use of a “firehouse primary” to select its three candidates for City Council that year from seven candidates.
“I counted the votes for it,” said Charlottesville Mayor Lloyd Snook.
“That was fun,” Nix said. “I was there, too,”
The contest resulted in the the nomination of Satyendra Huja to a second term as well as the first nominations for both Kathy Galvin and Dede Smith. Galvin and Huja got a plurality of votes in the first round, but Smith didn’t secure enough votes until the fifth round when she edged out Paul Beyer by 29 votes. (view the results on cvillepedia)
Nix said the legislation that passed in 2020 has a sunset date of 2031. He said Arlington used ranked-choice to select two members of its County Board in a primary race this past spring.
“It appears to have been successful,” Nix said. “The process worked as intended. The results were published quickly. Actually, too quickly, but we don’t need to go into that. The outcome was clear and unchallenged and public satisfaction was high based on the results of some online surveys that were done.”
However, Nix said criticisms have emerged about the tabulation method that had been used and a decision has been made in Arlington County to not proceed with ranked choice in the general election. He said one issue is that the voting software used only allowed voters three choices for the two seats. Charlottesville’s software would allow voters to rank six.
The first time Charlottesville could use ranked choice voting would be in the June 2025 primary when the seats held by Juandiego Wade and Brian Pinkston would be up. That’s less than 22 months away!
Yowell said only the City Council races could be conducted with ranked choice voting, and not School Board races. She said there would be a cost associated with educating the public about how the new process works, should Council decide to proceed. Yowell said the city should also update to a new version of its Hart software at a cost of around $4,000.
For more details, view the video of the meeting on the city’s streaming service.
A factor to consider and a question to you.
This year, five candidates sought three Democratic nominations for three seats on Council. Only three candidates are on the ballot. Only five people submitted paperwork to be on the School Board ballot for four seats. Only four qualified. If any locality pursues ranked choice, what steps might be taken to encourage more people to actually run?
Reading material:
Charlottesville City Council approves new employee pay policy, Allison Metcalf, Cavalier Daily, August 29, 2023
Charlottesville leaders, residents split over zoning rewrite, Jason Armesto, Charlottesville Daily Progress (paywall), August 29, 2023
#571 shall go gently into that good night
There are six segments in this installment, two more than anticipated when I began writing everything out this morning. In the three years of this newsletter, it’s become an afternoon newsletter that harkens back to my childhood when my family got a freshly printed paper around 5 p.m. every day.
There’s been a ridiculous amount of change in my 50 years. I think one thing that remains the same is a need for as many people as possible to know what’s happening. This work is about establishing a common set of facts which is why I make as many links to other periodicals as possible.
For now it’s just me doing the work with the aim toward eventually getting one out by 5 p.m. every single day. It’s a good goal and one that motivates me.
Paid subscriptions motivate me and keep me fed. If you’ve done so yet, do consider a paid subscription through Substack. If you do, Ting will match your initial subscription!
Ting’s support for Charlottesville Community Engagement is not an afterthought. The internet company wants to support community knowledge and they will match the initial subscription for every new Substack subscription.
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A $75 gift card to the Downtown Mall
August 30, 2023: Amazon to invest $11 billion in Louisa for data center; Homestays get a reprieve for now from elimination in Charlottesville zoning