Will be finally get our HDTV? Or extended cable internet access? With the pending sale of bankrupt Adelphia, will the Central Virginia region finally see much-needed cable expansion beyond the City limits and the immediate urban ring? If we do, at least maybe Doc will be happy about something.My clients now list high-speed internet access among their needs: water, electricity, a roof and internet access. Adelphia’s languishing behind the advancement of competitors (not locally, they’re a monopoly) has harmed the expansion of internet access. I would argue also that , the housing market to a certain degree has been impacted as has peoples’ ability to telecommute, thus having an impact on sprawl. The other side of this, of course, is that currently people are forced to live close-in because of this limitation, thus artificially contracting sprawl (to a very minor degree).Who will we get?… -OR-What if our region developed a wireless cloud?A 2002 quote:”We feel like this cloud will be just one more service we can offer to high tech industries that may want to relocate to Athens,” said Turner.If this is successful, couldn’t we do the same?Just a thought.
Browsing Category Growth
Crozet’s growth pattern
Will the County listen to the people who signed a petition asking for a population cap?I am dying to see Old Trail’s promised affordable housing:“We do embrace affordability,†Beights said. He said affordable housing fitting the county’s current definition could start in the $180,000 price range and move up well over $200,000Will Crozet have 12,000 or 24,000 residents?This will prove an interesting exercise in integrity, politics, whether the elected officials listen to their constituents and whether much can be done to prevent growth.
Regional roundup
With every one of these localities moving forward with their own growth and comprehensive plans, doesn’t it make sense to have some sort of regional cohesion between the plans and planners? What impact does TJPDC have?Albemarle assesses residents’ opinions – was anybody surprised by the answers?“We noticed a decrease in satisfaction rates [for transportation] between 2002 and 2004,†Allshouse said. “We saw data line up that showed us transportation is becoming a more important issue, so the goals for [the 2007-10] strategic plan, which should be adopted in July, include expanding regional transit opportunities and accelerating transportation projects.â€Louisa’s Comp Plan moves forwardWithout the infrastructure, Tingler said, planning will not be effective. “If the county is concerned about bringing growth into designated areas,†said Tingler, “along with that goes modification to bring resources into those areas, water, sewer…. Fluvanna’s Comp Plan surveyNo details have been released regarding the results, but public concerns about “growth and taxes†are a leading theme, according to a planner who has seen a number of the responsesMadison County jacks up building permit fees “Last year was a tremendous year; it was so busy,†Grayson said…. CvilleTomorrow changes tack slightlyWatching how they balance this will be interesting. CvilleTomorrow is one of the most valuable information assets our region has. I personally hope that they use their influence for information dissemination rather than advocates for or against particular developments.
Fake cities to replace real cities?
The WSJ had a fascinating story yesterday about the rise of mini-cities as a means by which to combat sprawl.Even though these faux downtowns contain tinges of suburbia, they’re taking advantage of a growing backlash against the sprawl that rings Dallas and other U.S. cities. The reaction began in the 1980s with the rise of New Urbanism, a movement of architects and planners calling for a return to traditional towns where people work, shop, live and play.They are describing, in many ways, Albemarle Place. More on Albemarle Place’s development here.Might Albemarle Place’s “New Main Street” supplant Charlottesville’s Main Street? Doubtful, but … they are nothing if not ambitious.It’s the New Urbanism — a high-energy environment mixing private elegance with a wealth of entertainment and shopping options. Simply step outside your door onto pedestrian-friendly Main Street. You’ll find all that makes this community special: mountain views, a vibrant night life, specialty boutiques as well as convenient shopping within a single town center.Mighty bold. With rising construction costs, rising interest rates and a general market cooling, how will these designs pan out?
What happens after the Baby Boomers?
There is an awful lot of discussion about the impending retirement of the Baby Boomer generation and the impact that they are and will continue to have on the real estate market. I noted it here a little while ago. The CharlAlbemarle area has very little housing that is suitable (mostly single-level living, Universal Design, (and here)conveniently located near efficient public transport) for the 55+ crowd. One of the only single-family developments (condos excluded) designed for retiring baby boomers is at least 20 minutes north of the City – with no public transportation at all…. While the houses may not suit today’s lifestyles – open floorplans and kitchens, master suites, at least 2300 finished square feet – they have that other major criterion – Location. What will the landscape look like in thirty or forty years when these now new developments (I am reluctant to call some of these new incarnations “neighborhoods” just yet) start to experience their own turnover?… The current trend for Gens X and Y is toward smaller, smarter spaces rather than large, sprawling McMansions plopped into a field somewhere. This seems to me to be two incompatible trends poised to collide at some point.A Rismedia story noted:Three out of five (baby boomers) say their idea of the perfect location to retire is in a rural area or small town, with only 12 percent saying an urban or city setting, and nearly half would consider living in an age-restricted community; 38 percent want to be close to family.If money were no object, access to quality health care is important to more Boomers than being on a golf course (38 percent vs. 4 percent). Ideally, they would like to live in a rural area with access to quality health care.
Part of Hollymead Town Center property to be sold
One million dollars. Per acre. Wow. What does this sale mean for the future of this development? David Hendrick has the scoop and CvilleTomorrow pointed me to the story.
What will 29 look like in 5 years?
CvilleTomorrow has an excellent summary of the recent North Pointe hearing, highlighted (in my opinion) by Supervisor Ken Boyd’s question;“I have [a question] for staff and the applicant. On the one side you feel like you have met the neighborhood principles, and staff says you haven’t met the neighborhood principles…. Sean Tubbs with CvillePodcast continues his superlative efforts to inform the public with this interview with Senior Planner senior planner Judith Wiegand and Harrison Rue of the Thomas Jefferson Planning District. Podcast is here.More can be found at the Places 29 website. I missed the hearing last night, but look forward to the accompanying analyses by the local media and bloggers…. Everybody is impacted by 29 – the email I received from a potential buyer searching for a weekend home is telling – Driving back on Sunday, we ran into hellacious traffic starting in Culpepper (sic) that continued until we exited the beltway. Our feeling is that the benefits that you reap from having a place in the country are vitiated by the tortuous drive back to D.C. We’re now thinking about a place farther away for longer stays…. I will contact you in the event that our plans change.