Um, who exactly would be determining this?Any such overlay zone may be established upon any area in the county where it is determined that the visual impacts of buildings and structures within such area may have a significant adverse impact upon the county’s scenic resources or on tourism. (Bolding mine)This seems that an arbitrary panel of citizens(?) could decide that any new development could be shut down using this extraordinarily vague language.Don’t just take my word for it, read the whole thing at Richmond Sunlight. I like Sen. Deeds, but this bill seems dangerous.
Browsing Category Politics
Albemarle County tax assessments rise (2007 edition)
Albemarle County Assessments from 2007.
Transportation and land use
Take note that there are an awful lot of components that will affect home- and land-owners.Last night, ASAP hosted a forum to discuss TDRs (Transfer of Development Rights). Before your biases get you all bound up, take the time (2 hours!)… It is far better to listen to all sides of the debate first, then come to conclusions, as all sides have their own agendas and interests. Filter these agendas for the truth and, thanks to Cville Tomorrow, go straight to the horse’s mouth.Interesting comparison between Loudoun’s and Albemarle’s proffers.
Eminent Domain unabated
These are the search results for same.Now, read this article in the Wall Street Journal referencing Washington State’s interpretation of eminent domain.The city of Burien, Wash., recently decided that a piece of property owned by the seven Strobel sisters that had long housed a popular diner-style restaurant was not upscale enough for the city’s ambitious “Town Square” development, which will feature condos, shops, restaurants and offices. Rather than condemn the property for a private developer and risk a lawsuit, Burien came up with a plan–it would put a road through the property, and the city manager told his staff to “make damn sure” it did. When a subsequent survey revealed that the road would not affect the building itself, but only sideswipe a small corner of the property, the staff developed yet another site plan that put the road directly through the building. A trial court concluded that the city’s actions might be “oppressive” and “an abuse of power”–but allowed the condemnation anyway.Until government’s power to take for profit is removed, all property owners are potentially at risk.
Transparency in politics takes a giant leap forward
The number of bills that are going to be introduced in the upcoming General Assembly Session that will impact the buying and selling of real estate in the Charlottesville area, other localities and statewide is phenomenal…. all of these will have an impact on the real estate market, both existing and new construction. Wouldn’t you rather be aware before you read the news that the State can come and take your property via eminent domain?I know that I have become more and more a politics geek in the past couple of years …… I had the privilege of playing around with the site for the past couple of weeks, and I have only two things to say – Wow, and Thank you, Waldo!
Gov. Kaine’s Transportation package
Provisions would ensure that roads are well built and, where appropriate, properly integrated with adjacent development before the state accepts the responsibility to maintain them.Note the changes to this bill introduced by Del…. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, any local ordinance, or any provision of Title 15.2 (§ 15.2-100 et seq.), on and after January 1, 2008, no street or road or any portion thereof in any county shall be taken into the state secondary highway system for maintenance purposes unless it is within an area under the control of a homeowners association. However, nothing in this subsection shall be construed as requiring or permitting the levying of any fee, charge, or assessment, however denominated, by any homeowners association on any member of the association for the purpose of maintaining, repairing, constructing, or reconstructing any street or road or portion thereof. The county in which they are located shall be responsible for streets and roads not taken into the state secondary highway system.Pay attention, folks – 6 days until the General Assembly reconvenes!
Transportation in Virginia
If you live in or use the roads of Virginia and you’re not paying attention to the potential remedies, or lack thereof, you need to be.To get you started:RepublitarianBacon’s Rebellion (and here)Raising KaineCharlottesville Tomorrow (and here)What would our area look like if the localities had to pay for subdivision roads?… Those who are our elected representatives need to do what they have volunteered to do – represent the best interests of their constituents. That 2007 is an election year and many will be pandering for re-elections is a shame.Why not light rail or some other form of transit?… Otherwise, we will look back twenty or thirty years from now and curse our predecessors (and ourselves) for our irresponsibility and lack of vision.