It will be interesting to see in Daily ProgressWINAMy favorite quote -“As far as Crozet is concerned [building Old Trail] is like dancing with an elephant,†resident Sandy Wilcox said. “It gets you a lot of attention, but if it steps on you, you’re dead.â€Old Trail could be a really, really good thing. However, without planning for the proper infrastructure needs – roads, rail, trails to the schools, etc. life in Crozet may get very difficult. Educate yourself about how to voice your opinion at Charlottesville Tomorrow’s site.
Browsing Category Growth
Old Trail hearing this evening.
Tonight is the night for Old Trail’s rezoning. Referencing the first quote from the developer, if they were “intending” to make the changes, they should make them prior to approval.Most of the items that the Planning Commission added were items we were going to do anyway, and they just wanted us to iron out the details,†said Justin Beights of Beights Development Corp.“I think we’ve done our best, I think it’s a good plan, and I hope it’s something that the county supports,†he said.Those who support the plan have pointed to its close following of the county’s neighborhood model and its potential to bring new customers to the businesses of downtown Crozet.But others have expressed concerns about strains on the school system, a lack of sufficient recreation space and Old Trail businesses that may take money away from downtown.David Wayland, president of Crozet Community Association, asked the 44 attendees at Thursday’s association meeting if anyone felt comfortable with the rezoning. No one raised a hand.Most of the frustration, though, has been directed at the county for not funding long-term improvements outlined in Crozet’s master plan, such as parking, better roads and sidewalks.We shall see…. The Board of Supervisor’s agenda for this evening.Sadly, money talks.
C-Ville’s interesting stories
C-Ville has a couple of interesting stories this week.
Snippets –
Rather than fight the Parkway on its merits, one resident seemingly chooses to fight with bureaucracy. We need this road. Badly
Local road expert Peter Kleeman has been writing letters to the Federal Highway Administration and the Virginia Department of Transportation, suggesting potential problems with the City’s plans to build the Parkway and the interchange. Kleeman says the City is not qualified to perform the environmental studies the project requires.
Rail to C’Ville?
Virginia Railway Express may be coming to C’Ville …Charlottesville Podcasting Network has another outstanding and decidedly pertinent story – Charlottesville Citizens for Better Rail Alternatives … held its first organizational meeting last week at the Downtown Visitors’ Center, and consisted of a public presentation by Meredith Richards, former city councilwoman and candidate for Congress…. C-Ville and the HooK have been all over this story for the past few months -The two points of view – Pro – The Washington commute on the proposed Virginia Railway Express would take two-and-a-half hours each way, so unless the invading hordes are willing to commute five hours each day for their jobs, the “bedroom community†scenario is not likely. But by providing reliable daily passenger train service to D.C., the VRE would take hundreds of cars off the road every day, easing our congested traffic on 29 and putting significantly less toxic emissions in the air per passenger than the same trip by car— (from a letter to the Editor in C-Ville)Con – As one who fled the wretched excesses of Northern Virginia (too many people, too many strip malls, too much traffic, too many townhouses) for the sanctity of Albemarle County, I am greatly frightened to see that there are those within our wonderful community who are working hard to destroy this place in the name of progress, or under the dubious umbrella of pollution emissions controls.
Redistricting in Albemarle
WINA notes last night’s decision here…. Most importantly, Brian Wheeler, clarifies a few items on his blog.Of note – At last night’s meeting we also learned the following about enrollment as of 9/6/05 :Total students = 12,433 (60 above projection for this year)
Agnor-Hurt is 37 students above projection
Brownsville is 19 students above projection
Crozet is 30 students above projection
Henley is 29 students above projectionIf you are wondering where the bulk of the growth is – look at the numbers above. Three of the four schools above the projected numbers are in the Western Albemarle District. A wise man said to me recently that if you cannot hit the school with a rock, don’t be assured that your kids will go there …
Another Big-box development?
Good story in this week’s C-Ville about another potential development on 29 North.The area Wood wants rezoned comprises 230 acres on the west side of Route 29N and south of the Hollymead Town Center (most of which was also developed by Wood). He wants the zoning changed from industrial service to mixed use, allowing development that Wood said would be similar to the Hollymead Town Center, including a big box “larger than 65,000 square feet.  He said an unnamed retailer would fund the extension of Berkmar Drive in that area, a road project the County also wants to see.This is progress at least, but it potentially conflicts with the current Places 29 Master Plan that is underway. Anybody with interest in the future of the 29 North Corridor should either attend the work sessions or at least read the discussions.Growth on the 29 North Corridor is doing many things.
Southern Pines development in Fluvanna
While it was clear that the Fluvanna County Planning Commission was unhappy with Barry Meade’s proposed Southern Pines development, some members felt they did not have the necessary legal grounds to reject it…. 630 (Mountain Laurel Road) in the Columbia district.Speakers cited concerns about a dwindling water supply, displaced wildlife, increased traffic, overcrowded schools, overburdened emergency services, and lack of infrastructure. Some castigated the commission for penning a set of zoning ordinances they viewed as “disastrous.â€And then the Developer’s attorney speaks – “We appreciate the citizen input,†said Boyd, but reiterated that Southern Pines is a by right development. “We are fully confident that we have addressed the ordinances’ requirements.â€She told the commissioners that Meade was trying to create a neighborhood that anyone would be happy to live in. While the homeowners association would not own the open space, the landowner would continue to grow and harvest trees and would grant homeowners an easement around the houses that could contain walking trails.By right is one thing; but should developers be held responsible for providing the necessary infrastructure that will enable their developments and the surrounding community, will be sustainable?