Week Ahead for June 10, 2024: Albemarle and Charlottesville’s EDAs to meet; Greene PC wants more information from Greene Supervisors on proposed tech district
Plus: Other meetings are also happening
This one is abbreviated because I have a hard cut-off time today and I want to send out what I have. I’m going to be at a wedding, and weddings are tense events at which joy and fun is mandated. I worked dozens of weddings over the years but this it the first I’ve attended since 2004.
The Albemarle Economic Development Authority will join the Charlottesville Economic Development Authority on Tuesday for a joint discussion of the regional economic development strategy. This will not be televised and I am hoping to have someone there to record it.
The Greene County Planning Commission wants to hear directly from the Board of Supervisors about what they want when considering a technology district. That’ll happen on Tuesday.
Nelson County Supervisors will discuss the next phase of the Comprehensive Plan update which will involve rewriting the zoning code to achieve items such as increased residential density in “appropriate” areas
Louisa’s Planning Commission has six public hearings including a renewal of a conditional use permit that allows for storage of spent nuclear fuel related to Lake Anna
Fluvanna has meetings but none of them have agendas at publication time.
Thanks to the Piedmont Environmental Council for their sponsorship of this particular version of the newsletter. Visit their website to learn more.
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Monday, June 10, 2024
There are only two meetings today.
The Places-29 Hydraulic Community Advisory Committee will meet at 5:30 p.m. in the Greer Elementary School in the Media Center. On the agenda is a presentation from the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority and summer safety tips from Albemarle County Fire Rescue Chief Dan Eggleston. (meeting info)
The Fluvanna Economic Development Authority meeting for this month has been canceled, but the Economic Development and Tourism Advisory Council may be meeting. There’s no agenda, but click here if you want more info.
Tuesday, June 11, 2024
Berkley Group to present recommendations for how to turn Nelson’s new Comprehensive Plan into the county’s new zoning code
The five member Board of Supervisors in Nelson County will meet at 2 p.m. in the General District Courtroom in Lovingston. (agenda packet)
One item on the consent agenda is a budget amendment for the current fiscal year because of higher-than-budgeted spending that comes from the Children’s Services Act.
“The CSA is the result of a 1993 Virginia law that provided for the pooling of eight specific funding streams used to purchase services for high-risk youth,” reads a June 3, 2024 letter from Allison McGarry, Nelson County’s CSA administrator.
The budgeted amount for FY24 was $2 million, but expenses are expected to finish out at $2,226,358. Most of that funding comes from the Commonwealth of Virginia, but a local match is required. Because of the additional spending, the formula requires Nelson to make an additional match of $83,479.10, or 31.32 percent higher than anticipated.
“The increase in expenditures is a result of the increase in number of children in foster care, their increasing level of needs, the increase in valid [Child Protective Services] complaints resulting in foster care prevention services, the increase in children placed in private day schools through [Individual Education Plans], the increase in parental requested placements and overall. the increase in pricing of services,” McGarry explained.
One item on the consent agenda is a petition for a writ of special election for the position of Treasurer. Angela F. Hicks is resigning effective August 1 but her term doesn’t expire until the end of 2027. This resolution asks the Nelson County Circuit Court to allow the position to be filled in the general election on November 5.
There will be a presentation from the Virginia Department of Transportation followed by an application for funds through VDOT’s Smart Scale process. Nelson will submit two projects that came out of a study of Route 151. The text comes straight from the resolution. (See also: Route 151 alternatives in Nelson County available for review, November 29, 2023)
Route 151 at Tanbark Road Intersection Improvements: This project will construct a Roundabout at the intersection of Route 151 and Tanbark Drive, and expand gas station curb to restrict driveway opening nearest to proposed Roundabout on Route 151. Relocate the existing parking lot entrance on Northbound 840, south of the intersection. Regrade Tanbark Road embankment to improve visibility to Route 151, geometric improvements in the form of curve radius modification and realignment to Route 151 south of the Tanbark intersection. (Cost estimate: $9,258,000)
Rockfish School Lane & Route 151 Turn Lanes: This project will install dedicated right turn lanes in the southbound and eastbound legs of the Rockfish School Lane and Rockfish Valley Highway intersection. (Cost estimate: $1,374,223)
If you’re interested in why transportation projects are expensive, take a look at the detailed cost estimates for both projects.
A main highlight of the meeting is a follow-up on the recently adopted Comprehensive Plan. This includes a review of a summary of a “diagnostic report” completed by the Berkley Group that takes major themes of the new plan and recommends changes to the zoning and subdivision ordinance. Some of the highlights:
Combine the two zoning and subdivision ordinance into one document
Create a mechanism for alternate residential uses and increased density in “appropriate areas”
Update language to become compliant with state code
Update the list of definitions to make additions, changes, and subtractions
Convert some special use permits to by-right uses
Create overlay districts in key areas such as along Route 151 “to regulate access management and density of development”
These would all go through a public process and Berkley suggests this kick off in July for a 18-month process that will be completed by the spring of 2026. Their requested fee is just over $156,000.
This time around there will be no evening session.
Greene Supervisors to meet with Planning Commission to discuss flex/tech zoning
The Greene County Board of Supervisors usually meets beginning at 5:30 p.m. with a closed session, but this time around they’ll begin at 4 p.m. for a joint session with the Planning Commission. The appointed body wants to hear from elected officials about three recent directives.
There is a recent resolution of intent to begin review of a proposed Technology / Flex Research and Development District in the zoning ordinance
There will be a discussion of how Greene County should prepare for potential data centers
There will be a discussion of whether Greene should alter rules on the generation of energy from large solar fields
“The Planning Commission can not function properly on these topics or in general without a clear understanding of the priorities of the Board of Supervisors as adopted in the Greene County Comprehensive Plan,” reads the memo for this discussion.
Then there will be a closed session. The open session begins at 6:30 p.m.
There are two public hearings. The first is on the proposed Secondary Six-Year Plan for FY25 through FY30 as well as the construction budget for FY25.
The second is on changes to the county’s tax ordinance to become compliant with Virginia code.
One item on the consent agenda is the hiring on the firm Sands Anderson to serve in the capacity of County Attorney. This is a technical issue given that the person who serves in that capacity, Kelley Kemp, recently changed law firms.
“Sands Anderson has a stellar local government practice and acts as county and town attorney for localities throughout Virginia,” reads the staff memo. “Ms. Kemp loves working with Greene County and hopes that the County will continue the relationship as she moves to a new firm.”
There are action items. One comes after a discussion about the Route 670 Connector Road, which is one of Greene’s Smart Scale projects. County staff wants to administer the project itself.
“Local administration gives the County flexibility to add design improvements and adjust project timelines so that the final product fully reflects the County’s transportation and economic development goals,” reads the staff report from Planning and Zoning Director Jim Frydl.
The second action item is to approve the formation of a water and sewer committee made up of Greene citizens.
“Given the critical nature of the proposed projects, it is imperative that the committee members are knowledgeable in the subject area, and are willing and able to dedicate the time to work on the committee’s mission, which we estimate will average 5 hours a week,” reads the staff report. “The meetings will be open to the public and meeting summaries will be provided.”
Under the proposed timeline, Supervisors will appoint members on June 25 and the first meeting will be held on June 27.
Albemarle and Charlottesville economic development authorities to hold joint meeting
Albemarle and Charlottesville are closely intertwined, but joint meetings of similar bodies have been rare in recent years. It’s been at least five years since the two Planning Commissions met and I vaguely remember a joint meeting of Supervisors and City Council sometime during the pandemic era.
I cannot recall a joint meeting of the Albemarle and Charlottesville Economic Development Authorities, but that’s set to take place at 4 p.m. in CitySpace. This meeting will not be televised or live-streamed, and I’m trying to arrange a recording as I think this is a fairly historic meeting.
Ten years ago, Albemarle didn’t have an economic development office. Now, economic development is a major drive of policy in the county with the primary exhibit being the $58 million purchase of 462 acres of land around Rivanna Station to build a major industrial park for the defense sector. Since being announced last May, the county has moved fast to rezone the land for this purpose with the Board of Supervisors having a public hearing on Wednesday, June 12.
Updated, June 11, 2024:
The city’s agenda does not acknowledge that Albemarle’s EDA will be in attendance. This newsletter is intended to provide that context on a great number of things. (Albemarle meeting info) (Charlottesville meeting info)
There are two items on the agenda.
The first is a presentation from the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission on the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy that was adopted in May. At that meeting, at least one city representative on the TJPDC Board expressed a lack of knowledge about the role the defense sector plays in the local economy. Again, this newsletter exists to provide that context as I did in May 2023 shortly before Albemarle announced their plans to invest $58 million to purchase 462 acres of land. (See also: Chamber official details defense sector’s $1.2 billion impact on community, May 10, 2023)
The second is a presentation on CvilleBioHub’s application for GO Virginia funding for something called Project VITAL: Region 9 Charlottesville Biotech Accelerator. Here are some articles I’ve written for background:
CvilleBioHub awarded $100,000 for CvilleBioLab, March 27, 2023
CvilleBioHub Director pitches sector to Albemarle EDA, July 16, 2023
Albemarle EDA to sign off on providing $300,000 match for CvilleBioHub, March 19, 2024
Two land use rezonings on agenda of Albemarle Planning Commission
Albemarle’s Planning Commission will meet at 6 p.m. in Lane Auditorium of the county’s office building at 401 McIntire Road. There are two public hearings. (meeting info) (agenda)
The first is for a rezoning of 1.32 acres at 1928 Scottsville Road from Residential-1 to Residential-10 for a new community with a maximum of eight townhouse units. The Comprehensive Plan calls for “Neighborhood Density Residential” at this location. (staff report)
“The lots will be fee-simple with individual owners,” reads the narrative submitted with the application. “The open space and other project related amenities will be controlled by a home owners association.”
The developers will build the portion of a shared-use path called for in a recent corridor plan.
The second is for a rezoning of three parcels off of Woodburn Road totaling 3.621 acres from Residential-6 to Residential-15. This would allow for a maximum of 54 units. Without a rezoning there could be 28 units.
“The multi-family units units are proposed as ‘stacked flats’ which are proposed to have an independent one-story unit on the first floor of the structure with a multi-story unit above,” reads the narrative.
However, staff recommends denial because of a lack of connectivity.
“There are no interconnections provided to adjacent properties,” reads the staff report. “This could be addressed by providing a second entrance to the property from Woodburn Road, or to adjacent properties.” (meeting info) (agenda)
Another light agenda at the Charlottesville Planning Commission
The new Development Code in Charlottesville reduced the workload of the Charlottesville Planning Commission as public hearings are (mostly) no longer needed for additional density or height. That’s now baked into the new zoning ordinance.
The only items on the Planning Commission’s meeting for June 11 are related to their role as the Entrance Corridor Review Board. They must still grant Certificates of Appropriateness for eligible projects and tonight that includes the VERVE at the intersection of JPA, Emmet Street, Stadium Road, and Montebello Circle. (agenda packet) (meeting info)
In other meetings:
The Fluvanna Parks and Recreation Board meets at 4:30 p.m. but there’s no agenda or location listed. Click here for more information
The Fluvanna Planning Commission is listed as meeting at 7 p.m. but there’s no agenda or location. They met last week with the Board of Supervisors so perhaps that was their meeting this month? Either way, click here for more information.
Wednesday, June 12, 2024
Albemarle Supervisors to hold public hearing on rezoning for defense research park
The Albemarle Board of Supervisors will meet at 1 p.m. in Lane Auditorium in the county’s office building at 401 McIntire Road. (meeting info) (agenda)
The wedding bells approach so I’m going to go into more detail on these in a newsletter that will go out on Tuesday.
There will be a presentation on the final draft of the second phase of the Broadway Blueprint (learn more)
There will be a presentation on Smart Scale applications for this year. (learn more)
There will be a review of how well 2024 legislative priorities went and an initial discussion of 2025 legislative priorities (learn more)
In the evening session beginning at 6 p.m.
There is a public hearing of Albemarle’s desire to charge electric vehicles at the stations on its property at 401 McIntire Road (learn more)
There is a public hearing on the Albemarle County initiated rezoning of property around Rivanna Station for a future intelligence and defense research park. (learn more)
There is a public hearing on a salary increase for members of the Board of Supervisors (learn more)
More details on Tuesday. The bus leaves in 20 minutes.
In other meetings:
The James River Water Authority will meet at 9 a.m. in the Fluvanna County Administration Building at 132 Main Street in Palmyra. (meeting info)
The Crozet Community Advisory Committee meets. There is an agenda, but I have to see if my dress shirt fits. (meeting info)
Thursday, June 13, 2024
Six public hearings before the Louisa Planning Commission
The Louisa County Planning Commission will begin their June meeting with a work session at 5 p.m. followed by a regular meeting at 7 p.m. They meet in the Louisa County Public Meeting Room. (work session agenda)
There are six items that will be discussed at the work session.
CUP2024-02 Virginia Electric and Power Company, Applicant/Owner; David Tomlinson, Agent – Conditional Use Permit Request related to extending the “continued operation of a spent nuclear fuel storage facility for an additional seven years. (learn more)
CUP2024-03; County of Louisa, Applicant; Chris Coon, Deputy County Administrator/Agent: Holly Grove Volunteer Fire Department, Owner – Substantial Accord - 15.2-2232 Review- Conformance with the Comprehensive Plan of a planned Public Facility (Civic Use) and a Conditional Use Permit Request for a 100 foot wireless communications facility. (learn more)
ORD2024-03 Proposed Amendments to Chapter 86 Land Development Regulations - Division 2, Article VII. Agricultural and Forestal Districts – Review Request for Parcel Withdrawal – Gold Mine Creek Agricultural and Forestal District (learn more)
ORD2024-04; Proposed Amendments to Chapter 86. Land Development Regulations - Technology Overlay District (TOD) – Section 86-333, Permitted uses – generally. And Section 86-334. Accessory uses. This will also remove a handful of properties from the overlay district. (learn more)
ORD2024-05 Proposed Amendments to Chapter 86 Land Development Regulations Division 2, Article VII. Agricultural and Forestal Districts – Removal of the Inez Agricultural and Forestal District (learn more)
ORD2024-06 - Proposed Amendments to Chapter 86. Land Development Regulations Appendix A. Schedule of Fees to increase them to capture the costs of increased activity in the Community Development Department. (learn more)
At 7 p.m. there will be public hearings for the six above items.
In other meetings:
The Albemarle County Conservation Easement Authority will meet at 4:45 p.m. in Room 241 of the county’s office building at 401 McIntire Road. (meeting info)
The Places29-North Community Advisory Committee will meet at 6 p.m. in Building 4 of the North Fork Discovery Park at 994 Research Park Boulevard. (meeting info)
The Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority will have a work session. The agenda isn’t posted and I’ll do that later on in the week. They meet at 6 p.m. (meeting info)
The Charlottesville Police Civilian Oversight Board meets at 6:30 p.m. in CitySpace. There’s no agenda at publication time. (meeting info)
Friday, June 14, 2024
Charlottesville’s Historic Resources Committee meets at 11 a.m. in the Neighborhood Development Services conference room in City Hall. The agenda is very similar to the last several with the same topics: Downtown Walking Tour Map, Engagement of Descendant Community: Slavery and Court Square, Identifying/interpreting local Civil Rights events, places, and people.
There is one piece of information that’s new. A historic marker to be added in Court Square is expected to be installed in August or September. (agenda)