Welcome to only the second-ever Sunday edition of Charlottesville Community Engagement, a newsletter and podcast that seeks a regular schedule but has yet to place the booster rockets in place to achieve the correct orbit. Today’s edition is intended to begin a week of catching-up with segments mostly from the month of May. I’m Sean Tubbs, ready to go.
On today’s program:
Charlottesville police announce follow up charges and indictments in recent shootings but are investigating two more from Saturday
In land use, city officials have denied a final site plan submission for a project in Fry’s Spring
The third of three modules for the city’s new zoning code is available for review
Candidates for City Council face questions from Charlottesville United for Public Education
Today’s 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 we approach summer, Plant Northern Piedmont Natives wants you to know they’ve printed over 9,280 copies of their guide Piedmont Native Plants: A Guide for Landscapes and Gardens.
In this guide, Piedmont native plants are defined as plants that evolved before the influences of European settlements began to shape and change the landscape. Plants included in the guide were selected from the Digital Atlas of the Virginia Flora and occur naturally within the region.
You can download your copy today for free! Contact the Thomas Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District if you want to purchase printed copies to help them get to 10,000!
Charlottesville Police investigate two Saturday shootings
The Charlottesville Police Departments continues to investigate two shots fired incidents on Saturday in the city including one on Prospect Avenue that left one person injured. That took place in the 700 block of that roadway through Fifeville sometime around 10:40 p.m.
“Upon arrival, officers located a 16-year-old male suffering from a gunshot wound to his stomach,” reads a release sent out this afternoon. “He was immediately transported to UVA Medical Center where he is currently listed in stable condition.”
A second shooting was reported on social media about three hours later at 3rd Street NE and East Jefferson Street. No injuries or property damage were reported.
Check out the Charlottesville Daily Progress for more on these two incidents.
This past week saw follow-up on three previous shootings from last fall.
On May 23, a grand jury indicted Marcel Darell Washington of North Carolina on three counts related to the murder of 31-year-old Davonn Wilson last October 23. The indictments are one count of second degree murder and two counts of malicious wounding.
“The indictments stem from two other victims who were injured by gunfire during the shooting which occurred on the Downtown Mall,” reads the press release for this incident.
In other grand jury action, Tadashi Demetrius Keyes of Charlottesville has been indicted on one count of first degree murder in the January 28 slaying of city resident Eldridge Smith. That has been upgraded from the original charge of second degree murder. Keyes has also been indicted on one count of the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
Both Wilson and Keyes are in custody at Albemarle Charlottesville Regional Jail.
Earlier in the week, Charlottesville Police also brought forth new charges in the March 4 killing of Justice Kilel in the Sunshine Mini Mart on Cherry Avenue. Twenty-year-old Nasir Floyd Mcghee of Albemarle County is the second person to be charged with second degree murder, joining a 17-year-old juvenile. Mcghee has been in custody for a malicious wounding charge in the same incident. Learn more in that press release.
Charlottesville denies preliminary site plan for Azalea project
The Charlottesville department responsible for approving land use applications has denied a final site plan for a new development in the Fry’s Spring neighborhood.
“City Staff have made a good faith effort to identify all deficiencies within this submission,” writes Matt Alfele, a planner with the Department of Neighborhood Development Services. “However, in the event that there remains any other deficiency which, if left uncorrected, would violate local, state or federal law, regulations, or mandatory engineering and safety requirements.”
That’s roughly the same language used for such denial letters issued by NDS. Similar ones have been issued in recent months for Belmont Condominiums and the proposed 245-unit development in the floodplain off of East High Street. (read the letter)
In this case, the Azalea Springs development is a 45-lot single-family neighborhood that will be built between Monte Vista Avenue and Azealea Drive on property that had been platted out decades ago for an unbuilt development.
Council approved a critical slopes waiver for the project in January. (read my story)
These denial letters are routine and list specific items that must be remedied. Some can be quite technical such as a note from NDS that three of the 45 lots don’t conform with setback regulations.
Another in the May 22 letter is a request for proof that there’s an easement for pedestrian and bicycle access.
Many of the issues and questions in this letter come from Hugh Blake, an engineer in the Department of Public Works. In all, he has three dozen comments. .
“A report investigating wetland locations could not be located,” Blake writes in item #25. “The water associated with the stream is an indicator of suitable conditions for wetland plant species to persist. Where can this report be found?”
There’s a comment from the fire department that the road design is not sufficient for their access.
“The current minimum diameter requirement for cul-de-sacs is 70 feet,” writes Assistant Fire Marshal Stephen Walton. “Our current fire department apparatus cannot complete a full 360-degree turnaround in a 60-foot cul-de-sac without performing several maneuvers, which is unacceptable.”
The denial letter states clearly that another submission will be reviewed.
Charlottesville releases final module for draft zoning code
Any one who may have been reserving judgment on Charlottesville’s new zoning code now has a more complete picture of the rules for how the city would become more a place with more residential density.
Consultants with Rhodeside & Harwell and staff at the City of Charlottesville have released the third of three modules of the draft zoning code. This is all part of the Cville Plans Together initiative which has already seen results in City Council’s adoption of an Affordable Housing Plan as well as an updated Comprehensive Plan.
Module 1 covered the basic parameters for new zoning districts and Module 2 provided more details such as landscaping and parking requirements.
Charlottesville releases first set of draft zoning rules including new map, February 4, 2023
Details of second module of Charlottesville’s new zoning code unveiled at work session, April 11, 2023
There are two articles in module 3 according to Christy Dodson of the firm Code Studio.
“The first is Article 5 and this is subdivision and development plan standards,” Dodson said. “In Article 6, this is where we’re talking about administration and this covers the authority, the different review boards and the different processes and which of those review bodies has authority over those review processes.”
Dodson said Article 6 is perhaps the most technical because it lays out who gets to decide for every possible scenario.
Want a Comprehensive Plan amendment including a change to the Future Land Use Map? City Council will have the final decision after a public hearing after the Planning Commission gives its recommendation.
Want to review public facilities that may be part of a new development or project? The Planning Commission gets to decide without a public hearing but an applicant could appeal a decision to City Council.
Almost all properties across the city will receive a new zoning district but a landowner could still ask for a change. That process would look similar to today, but the new zoning will grant more residential density.
Most projects would then be by-right which would mean the Zoning Administrator has final decision with an appeal to the Planning Commission that would still have to be approved if all the technical details were met.
The top zoning official in the city would also give approvals on tree removal permits, permits to build in the floodplain, sign permits, and temporary use permits. Any appeal would go to the Board of Zoning Appeals.
Critical slopes waivers would still go to the Planning Commission and the City Council but a public hearing would not be required.
Today’s segment is just a brief summary I hope to dig into later, but if you can’t wait, here are the detailed materials for module 3:
A consolidated draft with changes made from public comment as well as a new zoning map is currently scheduled to be ready by the final week of July. Changes will include updates on the sections related to lighting standards to reduce light pollution and to move standards for blocks, access, and streets from module 2 to module 3.
“Later this year the city expects to start hearings with the Planning Commission and the City Council and move to adoption,” said Jennifer Koch of the firm Rhodeside & Harwell.
But before then there are several milestones.
First, city staff and the consultants will hold an open house at CitySpace on June 14 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Public comment on module 3 will be taken through June 18. (Leave your comment)
Second shout-out: JMRL’s Summer Reading Challenge
In today’s second subscriber-supported public service announcement, the Jefferson Madison Regional Library wants you and your family to read as much as you can this summer, and for encouragement and incentives, they’re holding another Summer Reading Challenge. Registration is open now on the Beanstack app for the summer long event which runs June 1 through August 31. Collect prizes for the best summer activity - reading!
The theme this year is “All Together Now” and there will be various kick-off parties at JMRL branches over the next few years. The one at the Central Library will be on Saturday June 10 from 10 a.m. to noon. There will be music, food, and fun! The Friends of the Library will pop up a mini-book sale and a Books on Bikes parade! Visit jmrl.org to learn more about the Summer Reading Challenge.
Charlottesville group asks education questions of Council candidates
Primary elections in Virginia are 23 days away and many have already cast their ballot on who should be three Democratic nominees for City Council. June 20 is also the last day for prospective candidates for elected school board.
In Charlottesville there is so far only one candidate that has filed paperwork with the Virginia Department of Elections and that’s Amanda Burns. Another candidate who has announced is Chris Meyer, who ran in 2019.
There have been many forums for the five Democratic candidates for City Council but the group Charlottesville United for Public Education opted to send specific questions. (read the survey)
"The candidates' thoughtful responses to our questions underscore the importance of public education for our local leaders and the community," said Sandra Aviles Poe, Community Organizer for Charlottesville United for Public Education. "Even with their varying approaches and solutions to challenges like mental health, school safety and transportation, we find it very promising that across the board the candidates recognize the challenges and opportunities and consider our schools a top priority."
In the survey, candidates are asked to evaluate how well Charlottesville City Schools are doing, how an early education center at Walker Upper Elementary will be funded, and the role schools play in addressing public safety concerns. There’s also a question about transportation which I’ll include here courtesy of Charlottesville United for Public Education.
“Please describe the role that you see City Council taking to ensure the resources needed to implement solutions for the current transportation challenges?”
Lloyd Snook: “CCS and CAT have the same problem of getting bus drivers. I would like to see us use smaller buses that don't require [Commercial Drivers Licenses] to operate. It would probably also be easier then to have electric vehicles for school buses.”
Dashad Cooper: “There are many different strategies that City Council could pursue to ensure that all students have a safe way to and from school. By working collaboratively with [Charlottesville City Schools], transportation providers, and community organizations, we can develop effective solutions that meet the unique needs of our community.”
Bob Fenwick: “I would make adequate pay and training for bus drivers a priority.”
Michael Payne: “City Council's biggest role is providing adequate funding. I think our collaboration on the Safe Routes to School initiative has been a success given the difficult situation we were in, along with City Council approving increased salaries and the right to unionize for school bus drivers and utilizing CAT drivers for some school bus routes. But even with that, the situation is not sustainable or workable for too many families -- we have to be clear that pupil transportation remains a crisis for Charlottesvile… Finally, it's far less immediate for solving the pupil transportation crisis, but the City has a clear opportunity to use federal money to transition school bus fleet to electric schools buses; the City needs to take the lead in providing a cleaner, environmentally friendly method of school bus transportation. (response edited for length - full version on CUPE page)
Natalie Oschrin: Safe streets are a significant part of my platform. This requires investment and collaboration from the City and state transportation department to build sidewalks and roads that are safe AND pleasant, so using them as a biker or walker is an attractive option, especially for kids and families. Becoming less car-centric is a big cultural shift, a long-term goal that hopefully we can achieve in the short term. Expanded walk-to-school zones, public awareness campaigns, better signage, and protected paths for walkers and bikers are all needed and worthy. Council recently approved speed cameras near Buford to help walkers and crossing guards, however if the car is already speeding, the ticket is reaction more than prevention. (response edited for length - full version on CUPE page)
I’ll have more from the City Council races in future editions of the newsletter.
Reading material:
Albemarle County schools announces changes to bus [service], Charlottesville Daily Progress, May 27, 2023
Albemarle police provide details of Wednesday police chase, Charlottesville Daily Progress, May 27, 2023
Judge removes plaintiff from Lee Statue lawsuit, Eleanor Jenkins, Cavalier Daily, May 27, 2023
Charlottesville police investigating pair of Saturday night shootings, Charlottesville Daily Progress, May 28, 2023
Concluding notes for #538
Today the Charlottesville Daily Progress announced they are going to three editions a week. This happens at the same time I am making structural changes behind the scenes to ramp up to seven days a week. This is something I believe is made possible due to the number of people who are paying me to provide information as often as I can. I’m hoping to grow and I need more subscribers to make that happen.
This is the point of Town Crier Productions, a company I formed three years ago to try to get ready for the day when our local daily stopped being there as a dispensable community resource. I believe that between my work and that of my colleagues, we can keep the information flowing.
Ting will match your initial Substack subscription. Next time I’ll tell you some of what comes along with that.
And if you sign up for Ting at this link and enter the promo code COMMUNITY, you’ll get:
Free installation
A second month for free
A $75 gift card to the Downtown Mall
Thanks to Wraki for incidental music in the podcast, which you can’t hear unless you listen to it. Check out the work on BandCamp!
May 28, 2023: Grand jury makes indictments in two recent Charlottesville shootings