Week Ahead for September 1, 2025: Developer City Council to overturn denial of request to demolish historic house; Riverbend to ask Albemarle Board of Supervisors for more homes at Brookhill
Plus: Council will also be asked to enact an ordinance making it a crime to camp and store personal items on public property
The traditional end of summer is over and we can all get back to work. Except, this has been a busy summer in public policy. In one week in June, former University of Virginia President Jim Ryan resigned suddenly and Charlottesville’s development code was temporarily voided.
Albemarle County Supervisors updated their economic development strategic plan which puts a continued focus on the intelligence sector as well as life sciences. The county got $9.72 million from the Commonwealth of Virginia to prepare the Rivanna Futures sites. The draft Comprehensive plan is out as well.
Of course, a lot of other things happened and I wish I could have covered more. Most of what I have written can be viewed over on Information Charlottesville. I’ll continue to work to become more efficient so I can bring you more stories about this community. Most of my stories come directly from meetings and here’s some of what might be turned into narrative this week.
Charlottesville City Council will consider the appeal of a developer who wants to tear down a house constructed in the 1840’s and will also take up a proposed ban on camping and personal item storage on public property.
Louisa County Supervisors will consider a new way of eliminating the invasive hydrilla plant in Lake Anna
Albemarle Supervisors will go over an updated analysis of how land in the development area is being utilized, a key theme in the AC44 update of the county’s Comprehensive Plan
There are no meetings in Greene County or Nelson County this week.
Thanks to the Piedmont Environmental Council for their continued support of this weekly look at what’s coming up at government meetings.
Monday, September 1, 2025
This is Labor Day, a federal holiday since 1894. I’ve been an independent for the past five years so I’ve not had a formal day off. On this day I have to choices.
I can plan to get the next set of stories and I am grateful I will be able to do so. There’s also an event I can cover.
The other choice is to spend the day working on the business. After five years, there’s a lot of things I still really don’t have down. I tend to put everything toward the reporting and let a lot of important details go unattended.
What kind of a day will it be? I won’t know until I’m living it.
Tuesday, September 2, 2025
Developer appealing demolition denial to Charlottesville City Council; Elected officials to take up anti-camping ordinance
The Charlottesville City Council will meet at 4 p.m in Council Chambers at City Hall for a work session followed by a regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. (meeting overview)
The work session will feature presentations from the Sister Cities Commission, the Blue Ridge Juvenile Detention Council, and the Historic Resources Committee.
“The Charlottesville Sister Cities Commission was officially established in June 2006 by a resolution approved by the Council,” reads the staff report. “The Commission’s mission is to promote understanding and foster relationships between citizens and organizations in the Charlottesville area and its sister cities through cultural, economic, educational, and humanitarian activities.”
The Blue Ridge Juvenile Detention Center began operations in July of 2022 for people between the age of 10 and 17.
“Residents are provided access to their Academic Program, which is staffed by Albemarle County Schools and is a State-Operated program. Residents also have access to physical education, in-house programming such as gardening or beekeeping, connection with community services for education and other programming, and religious services if desired (not mandatory),” reads the staff report.
Learn more in the presentation.
Next up is the Historic Resources Committee and the work plan for the coming year and a look back at what it is accomplished since being formed in 1998.
“Since its creation, the HRC has, on behalf of the City, completed or sponsored numerous projects that present and celebrate the City's history, while also acknowledging and interpreting its controversial past,” reads the staff report.
Council comes back at 6:30 p.m. and one of the first actions after a closed session (if there is one) will be to adopt the consent agenda. Some items of note:
There is a second reading of the appropriation of $10,032 to cover a funding gap for the purchase of two electric school buses. The city had expected received $420,000 from the U.S. Environmental Protection but only received $409,968. (staff report)
There is a second reading of an appropriation of $440,885 from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Services for various programs to assist those who do not have a home. (staff report)
There is the first of two readings for the appropriation of $42,480 from the Anne and Gene Worrell Foundation for the Community Attention Youth Internship Program to allow people from surrounding communities to participate. (staff report)
There is the first of two readings for the appropriation of a $452,704 grant from the Virginia Juvenile Community Crime Control program. (staff report)
There is the first of two readings for the appropriation of $10,000 from the Virginia State Police’s Help Eliminate Auto Theft initiative for the BERLA system. The acronym is not explained but this is a system that allows detectives to download information from a stolen vehicle’s computer system to gather more evidence. (staff report)
After community matters and the report from City Manager Sam Sanders, Council will take up an email from a developer who wants to demolish 1301 Wertland Street. The Board of Architectural Review denied this request on May 20 at a hearing in which the developer did not attend or send a representative.
“In appealing the BAR’s action, the Appellant claims the BAR failed to consider that demolition would allow development of high-density housing on the site,” reads the staff report.
However, no submission has yet been made. The appeal was made in a June 2, 2025 letter and staff responded on July 30.
Three stories I wrote along the way:
BAR will consider request to demolish one of Charlottesville’s oldest houses, Sean Tubbs, C-Ville Weekly, May 14, 2025
Charlottesville Board of Architectural Review denies request to demolish 1301 Wertland Street, Information Charlottesville, May 23, 2025
Owner of 1301 Wertland files demolition appeal to Council, Information Charlottesville, June 8, 2025
Next up is a consideration of Charlottesville to become a Bee City.
“By becoming a pollinator-friendly community, the City of Charlottesville will continue to work to support local and regional economies through healthier ecosystems, increased crop yields, and increased demand for pollinator-friendly plant materials from local growers,” reads the staff report.
The final item is an ordinance to ban overnight camping on city property as well as a ban on storing items on public property.
For more information on this story, check out my story on C-Ville Weekly’s website but also be sure to read the source materials.
Resources:
The ordinance to prohibit “unpermitted camping on city property”
White House Executive Order titled Ending Crime and Disorder on America’s Streets
Louisa Supervisors to consider treatment options to kill hydrilla plant in Laka Anna
The seven members of the Louisa County Board of Supervisors will meet at 5 p.m. in the Louisa County Meeting Room. They meet in closed session and there’s no indication of what exception they’ll invoke under Virginia’s Freedom of Information Act. (meeting overview)
Some items on the consent agenda jump out at me.
There is a resolution to move forward with a plan to replace fleet vehicles per the Capital Improvement Program. (learn more)
There is a resolution to pass through $400 in donations for the Louisa County Fire Training Center. (learn more)
There is a resolution for a pass through appropriation for the Louisa County Animal Shelter in the amount of $69.35. (learn more)
There is a resolution for a pass through appropriation for the Louisa County Airport from both federal and state sources for the Southside Taxiway Construction capital project. The nearly $300,000 contribution requires a local match of $17,600. (learn more)
There are five presentations, one of which will come up under new business and action items.
The first is from the Central Virginia Partnership for Economic Development. This group’s website for Louisa County is now out of date now that Louisa County has sold the Shannon Hill Regional Business Park to a data center company. Read that story here.
The second is on the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Here’s the entry for Louisa County.
The third is on the county’s legislative priorities for the 2026 General Assembly and a review of what happened in 2025. Here’s a link to Louisa’s 2025 legislative priorities and here’s a link to the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Committee’s legislative priorities.
The fourth is an update on management of hydrilla at Lake Anna.
The fifth is a presentation from the revenue committee.
The first action item is the authorization of a budget transfer related to the Louisa County airport. The materials puzzle me and it feels like something missing from the agenda that explains. Here’s the one piece of information available.
The second action item is related to the treatment of hydrilla at Lake Anna. The county has used a product called Diquat in the past that has a cost of $18,375 for 50 acres.
“Diquat is rapidly deactivated upon contact with soil and does not readily leach, but it can persist in soil for extended periods,” read the presentation. “In water, it dissipates relatively quickly.”
However the treatment only lasts for about one to two years.
There’s another option called ProcellaCOR which costs more at $40,000 for 50 acres. However, this will keep the water plants away for up to four years.
“The active ingredient, florpyrauxifen-benzyl, targets a hormone mechanism unique to certain plants, disrupting their growth and leading to their death,” reads the presentation. “Classified as a Reduced Risk herbicide by the EPA, indicating a lower potential for harm to humans and the environment.”
There will also be a public hearing on an amendment to the county ordinance to allow for a lifetime license for dogs. Take a look at the ordinance here.
Albemarle design panel to take up high school solar panels
The Albemarle Architectural Review Board will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 241 of the county’s office building at 401 McIntire Road. This is a change from the usual venue. (meeting info) (agenda)
There are four items on the agenda with the first being a new review of the Carter Machinery Building at 721 Rio Road West next to the Northside Library. The existing building is being partially demolished and renovated. (item packet)
The next two are for solar installations at Albemarle High School and the High School Center 2, both in the Lambs Lane Campus.
“The array will achieve a 200kw power production, contributing to a LEED Silver, and possibly LEED Gold certification from the United States Green Building Council,” reads the narrative for the one at High School Center 2.
Albemarle County Public Schools have hired Madison Energy of McLean, Virginia, to design the project and get it permitted.
“This project is part of a broader ACPS initiative to reduce energy costs and advance sustainability goals through the adoption of clean energy technologies,” wrote Senior Project Development Noah Carter in an August 11 letter to the ARB.
The fourth item is a solar array to be installed above Virginia Asphalt Services at 1536 Avon Street Extended.
In other meetings:
The three member Albemarle Electoral Board will meet at 2 p.m. in Room B of the 5th Street County Office Building. The agenda is not posted on the calendar. (meeting info)
The Albemarle County Board of Zoning Appeals will meet at 2 p.m. in Lane Auditorium. The agenda is not available at publication time. (meeting info)
Fluvanna County is updating its Comprehensive Plan and there are three committees overseeing the work. One is the economic development advisory group and they meet at 4:30 p.m.
The Charlottesville Tree Commission will meet at 5 p.m. in the Parks and Recreation Office at 501 East Main Street. Topics on the agenda include a plan to update the urban forest management plan, an update on efforts to fight invasive species, and tree planting. The second hour of the meeting will be a meeting with Neighborhood Development Services Director Kellie Brown. (agenda)
The Albemarle Broadband Authority will meet at 5 p.m. in Room 241 of the county’s office building at 401 McIntire Road. (meeting info)
The Fluvanna County registrar will hold an information meeting at 7 p.m. in the Fluvanna County Public Library at 214 Commons Boulevard. This will cover “election types, voting options, and the safeguards that keep our elections secure.” (learn more)
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Albemarle Supervisors to review new build-out analysis, hold public hearing on more homes at Brookhill
The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to meet three times in September with the first on September 3 beginning at 1 p.m. This will take place in Lane Auditorium in the county’s office building at 401 McIntire Road. (meeting info)
The meeting begins with a proclamation recognizing September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.
“Albemarle County has played an important role in suicide prevention with the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office hiring a new prosecutor for emergency substantial risk orders, University of Virginia law students working with state lawmakers on legislation to protect at-risk schoolchildren and Albemarle County Public Schools launching the HELPme app and Lightspeed Alert,” reads a portion of the proclamation.
“There are many local organizations, including Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, Students Demand Action, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Region Ten and the National Alliance on Mental Illness, dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope through research, education, policies, advocacy, and resources for those who have lost someone to suicide, who struggle with suicidal ideation, or have otherwise been affected by suicide,” the proclamation continues.
There will be a quarterly report from the Albemarle County School Board. This is not included in advance.
There will also be an update from Shenandoah National Park. This is also not available in advance.
The next presentation is on a key component of the county’s Comprehensive Plan update. In 2022, Supervisors were shown an analysis of how the county is utilizing space in the development areas.
“The 2022 Buildout Analysis cited that only 58 percent of the maximum number of dwelling units recommended by the 2015 Comprehensive Plan were ultimately approved for residential rezoning applications from 2016 to 2021,” reads the staff report.
In April, the county hired the firm Line and Grade to provide an update to that analysis using the same methodology but updating the data. The new analysis drops that figure to 56 percent.
“Based on projected population increase over the next 20 years, there is expected demand for 11,500 to 13,500 new housing units,” reads the 2025 memo. “This level of demand requires approximately 675 net new dwelling units per year at the high end of the forecast.”
After that the Board will go into closed session to discuss appointments to boards and commissions.
In the evening section, there are three public hearings.
The first is for $12,539,307 in budget appropriations for FY2026. There are no surprises in this amount. One item is $50,000 that will go to the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission for Albemarle’s share of a grant to help further the early days of the Charlottesville Albemarle Regional Transit Authority.
Another is $10.2 million toward the Rivanna Futures project to help with site development. Half a million comes from Albemarle’s Economic Development Fund and $9.7 million comes from the Virginia Business Ready Sites Program (VBRSP) Site Development Grant program. Learn more about that award in this story.
Another $50,000 is pass-through funds from the Virginia Brownfields Restoration and Economic Redevelopment Assistance Fund (VBAF) grant program to the group of Friends of Esmont. This will help site remediation for the former Purvis Store.
The second public hearing is on the potential condemnation of land at 2224 Commonwealth Drive for a sidewalk project.
“Assisted by consultants experienced in right-of-way acquisitions, the County has successfully acquired or reached agreements on almost all rights-of-way needed for the project,” reads the staff report. “However, extended negotiations with the owner of Parcel 061W0-03-00-01600, SEMF Charleston, LLC, appear to have reached an impasse.”
Negotiations can continue even after Supervisors give the okay to begin the taking process.
The third public hearing is on a rezoning request for the Brookhill development north of Polo Grounds Road. I can tell the story so far in headlines but here’s a link to the meeting materials if you want to look at those.
Riverbend Development seeks permission to build more homes at Brookhill, October 31, 2024
Albemarle Planning Commission recommends approval of 300 more residential units at Brookhill, July 11, 2025
Some items from the consent agenda are worth noting.
Minutes of Albemarle County Supervisor meetings appear to be getting approved more quickly. Supervisors will approve minutes from October 2, October 16, November 20, December 4 (Joint Work Session), December 4 (Regular Meeting), and December 6, 2024. These are not available for review in advance.
There is an update of the mutual aid agreement for law enforcement and emergency response. The current one has been in place since August 16, 1995. (learn more)
Supervisors will also vote to give permission to county staff to apply for subdivisions, rezoning, special use permits, and special exceptions for the Rivanna Futures project. (learn more)
There is an amendment to an agreement between the Virginia Department of Transportation and Albemarle County related to the following projects: Berkmar Drive Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements; Commonwealth and Dominion Drive Sidewalks; and the NIFI - The Square project. (learn more)
Fluvanna Supervisors to get update on two-year plan, Fork Union streetscape
The Fluvanna County Board of Supervisors will meet at 5 p.m. at 72 Main Street in Palmyra. (agenda packet)
There are five presentations to begin the meeting.
The first is an update on the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission’s legislative agenda for 2025. (learn more)
There will be a quarterly report from the Virginia Department of Transportation. (learn more)
There will be a review of the Palymra streetscape project. There’s no advance information in the packet.
There will be an update on the fire training building. There’s no advance information in the packet.
There will be an update on the Board of Supervisors’ two year plan. (learn more)
Under action matters there are two items.
The first is a resolution to apply to the Virginia Department of Transportation’s Transportation Alternatives program for the Fork Union streetscape.
“The project, as envisioned, would entail crosswalks and [Americans with Disabilities Act] access at two points on U.S. 15: near Pettit-Foster Lane, and near the entrance to the Fork Union Pharmacy and Sal’s Italian Restaurant; and sidewalk improvements to accommodate the ADA access,” reads the staff report.
The cost estimate is $513,523 and Fluvanna will pay about a fifth of the amount.
The second is for a deed of a gift from the BHL Group of about an acre of land that will be used as the site for a sewer lift station for the Zion Crossroads water and sewer system. (learn more)
There are no public hearings.
In other meetings:
The three member Albemarle Electoral Board will meet at 9 a.m. in Room B of the 5th Street County Office Building. The agenda is not posted on the calendar. (meeting info)
Thursday, September 4, 2025
There are no meetings that have long agendas so let’s just stick to the bullets.
From Commonwealth Calendar: “The Quality Subcommittee of the Health System Board of the University of Virginia will meet on Thursday, September 4, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) in Conference Room B of the UVA Health Education Resource Center which is located at 1240 Lee Street, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903.”
The Charlottesville Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee will meet at 5 p.m. in the Neighborhood Development Services Conference Room in City Hall. There’s no agenda posted at publication time.
The Albemarle Natural Heritage Committee will meet at 5:45 p.m. in Room 235 of the county’s office building at 401 McIntire Road. The main item on the agenda is a review of the draft Albemarle County Comprehensive Plan. (meeting info)