Posts tagged Growth

Don’t Mind Me, I’m New in Town – A Look at City and County Lines

in Albemarle Charlottesville Growth on

Or … a big giant “d’oh” … with an “I’m sorry” to the Albemarle County Architectural Review Board.

Remember in July when I mused about the ARB process and Stonefield (formerly Albemarle Place):

So, what exactly is the character? I looked at the existing “entrance corridor”:

Seminole Square mall – Cheeseburger in Paradise, the Express Car Wash, Chili’s, strip with Sprint and the UPS Store on the east side of 29, Burger King, and lots of parking lots. Stonefield is replacing the old Blockbuster and 7-11, and lots of trees and natural landscape. Continue south on 29 and you’re met with KFC and Best Buy.

If the ARB truly wanted to be consistent, the Shops at Stonefield would have to emulate trees.

Turns out …

Cheeseburger in Paradise, the Express Car Wash, Chili’s the strip with Sprint and the UPS Store on the east side of 29, Burger King and lots of parking lots … are in the City of Charlottesville, not the County of Albemarle.

I’ve been living in Charlottesville/Albemarle for only 23 years (I’m 35 now) … so I’m still learning my way around.

So … my apologies to the Albemarle Architectural Review Board.

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Shopper’s World Continues to Decline

in Charlottesville Growth on

Good news: some banks are lending again.

Rivanna Plaza, in front of Kegler’s on 29 North, will take advantage of the 50,000 cars passing every day, bringing a Dunkin Donuts, a day care chain, Ragazzi’s and more.

No word yet on any traffic improvements to alleviate what presumably will be a few more turns in and out of the new shopping center.

Not so good news: Shoppers World continues to decline and traffic is likely to get more congested on 29 North.

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What, Pray Tell, IS the Character of the Area Surrounding the Shops at Stonefield?

in Albemarle Charlottesville Growth on

What, Pray Tell, is the Character of the Area Surrounding the Shops at Stonefield?

Just curious.

Albemarle’s Architectural Review Board is in a bit of an unenviable position, but let’s be serious.

The Shops at Stonefield are going to be big, likely going to be ugly, will probably look like almost any other big box development in the US, and will represent a huge step towards homogeneity in Charlottesville/Albemarle.

The ARB guidelines state (PDF):

Compatibility with the character of the Entrance Corridor:

5. It is also an important objective of the Guidelines to establish a pattern of compatible architectural characteristics throughout the Entrance Corridor in order to achieve unity and coherence. Building designs should demonstrate sensitivity to other nearby structures within the Entrance Corridor. Where a designated corridor is substantially developed, these Guidelines require striking a careful balance between harmonizing new development with the existing character of the corridor and achieving compatibility with the significant historic sites in the area.

Maybe they’re operating under guidelines different than the ones I was able to find.

So, what exactly is the character? I looked at the existing “entrance corridor”:

Seminole Square mall – Cheeseburger in Paradise, the Express Car Wash, Chili’s, strip with Sprint and the UPS Store, on the east side of 29, Burger King, and lots of parking lots. Stonefield is replacing the old Blockbuster and 7-11, and lots of trees and natural landscape. If the ARB truly wanted to be consistent, the Shops at Stonefield would have to emulate trees.

Note that a labeled look from above shows the existing character of the 29 corridor.

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Somerset Farm – It’s What’s Next

in Albemarle Charlottesville Growth on

Somerset Farm – Neighborhood centers, pedestrian-oriented, close to downtown Charlottesville …

From the Comprehensive Plan Report:

Neighborhoods centers would be developed as focal points for congregating. These central districts could include commercial or civic spaces that provide services, employment opportunities and gathering places for residents, reminiscent of European and pre suburban American villages

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Greene County Townhome Inventory to increase by 500+

in Greene Growth on

When Greene County gets its 500+ townhomes, it will increase the number of attached housing in that county by many orders of magnitude. Townhomes in Northern Albemarle – Hollymead, Forest Lakes, Abington Place, Riverwood will be impacted by the entrance – and prospective entrance – of these homes to the real estate market.

For context, a quick look at the Charlottesville Area MLS shows that:

Over the past 21 years (in the MLS which is “accurate enough” for these purposes:

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Willoughby Neighborhood is Growing

in Albemarle Charlottesville Growth Neighborhoods on

The following was sent in by a reader (and I’m grateful): “Don’t know if you’re repping any homes in Willoughby or any of your buyers are looking there, but there are some plans in the city and county that they may wish to consider. … All 100 units will enter and exit on Harris Road in Willoughby, as the property is constrained by Moore’s Creek and I doubt the County would give permission to build an automobile crossing into the Avon Center development, should it ever be built. … * Part I of the city plan looks to be about half the units and beds — 25 units/100 beds or so. — From Albemarle’s “County View” : (bolding mine) ZMA 201100003, Willoughby Apartments Planner: Claudette Grant PROPOSAL: Rezone 5.671 acres from Planned Unit Development (PUD) zoning district which allows residential (3 – 34 units per acre), mixed with commercial and industrial uses to PUD zoning district to add residential density to plan.

…I contacted an attorney who graciously bent his ear for 20+ minutes about the very possible encroachment or developing on Willoughby Common Property in the City without legal right of way and he said to hire a surveyor and have him/her survey the area, mark it and record it, then we will have an expert determine if this is true.

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