Albemarle County’s Building Report tracks the location of these permits in the rural areas vs. the designated growth areas [see chart]….  The 202 rural area permits issued in 2007 represents the smallest total for the rural area in the past eleven years.  Brian Wheeler has put this data into context useful for those interested in how the growth affects the Albemarle County School system.  He also notes that:I have been tracking this data for the past four years and this past quarter had the fewest number of building permits (54) issued for single family detached homes in any quarter.As I said in November:Two notable conclusions can be drawn:1) The plan to drive development into the growth areas seems to be working (27% of permits issued were in the White Hall district in Western Albemarle)2) Fewer building permits means that the market’s focus may turn to existing housing inventory – which is a very good thing.

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