Week Ahead for January 6, 2020
The long break from government meetings is now over, and it’s time for 2020 to get underway. New eras begin for elected government in Albemarle, Charlottesville, and several other localities in our area. Those who ran for office are now set to be the decision-makers on land use, environmental and transportation issues in our region. There will also be newcomers on appointed boards and commissions, but this week is the first glimpse into what those who have been elected will operate now that their votes count.
Monday, January 6, 2020
Three newcomers join City Council tonight at 6:30 p.m, joining Heather Hill and Nikuyah Walker for the next chapter in city government. The first vote for Sena Magill, Michael Payne and Lloyd Snook will be to vote for Mayor and Vice Mayor in what’s known as the “organizational meeting.” Then they’ll get right into business with a vote on the consent agenda. More on that in a moment. There are a lot of regular business items for the new Council to jump right into.
After the public comment period, Council takes up a series of resolutions on matters for which the public hearings have already been held. The first is a special use permit allowing for a drive-through at a soon-to-be former Burger King in Barracks Road Shopping Center. The Planning Commission recommended approval at their meeting in December 10, an event that qualified as Council’s public hearing on the matter. (staff report)
Next, the new Council will vote on whether the proposed Fontaine Avenue Streetscape is in compliance with the city’s Comprehensive Plan. That’s a necessary step before the $11.7 million project Smart Scale project can go to final design. The scope extends from Jefferson Park Avenue to the Albemarle county line. The project will include pedestrian and bike improvements as well as upgrades to intersections along the way. Construction would not begin until winter 2021. (staff report)
The new Council will also vote on a special use permit (SUP) and critical slopes waiver for the second phase of public housing redevelopment at the South First Street site. The SUP is required for private outdoor recreational facilities to be built and for reduced setbacks. Phase 2 will include 113 multifamily units, a community center, and office space for the Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority (CRHA). Council will also take a vote that gives more time for planning for the 80-unit Crossings II project proposed for CRHA property on Levy Avenue. (SUP staff report) (slopes waiver staff report) (Crossings II staff report)
The Council consent agenda features several items of note:
- First reading of honorary naming of a portion of 6 ½ Street as Winneba Way (report)
- Letter of support in favor of federal Eviction Crisis Act before the U.S. Senate (report)
- Update from the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority and Rivanna Solid Waste Authority (report)
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The Louisa County Board of Supervisors (BOS) welcomes Eric Purcell back to the dais as the representative from the Louisa District. Purcell last served on the Louisa Board from 2004 to 2008. The population has increased over that time from a 2010 Census of 33,153 to a Weldon Cooper Center estimate of 36,021 in 2018. The BOS will select a new chair and vice chair in their organization meeting before getting down to business. The meeting begins at 5:00 p.m. in the county administration building’s public meeting room. (full agenda packet)
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The Albemarle Architectural Review Board meets for its first meeting of the year at 1:00 p.m. and begins with the election of a new chair and vice chair. Items on the agenda today include the new Beaver Creek Medical Office Building proposed for 2246 Ivy Road. Two existing buildings would be removed to make way for the project. (link to project documents). The ARB will also take a look at the initial site plan for the four-story Overlook Hotel proposed on Pantops. (link to project documents) The meeting takes place in Room 241 of the Albemarle office building on McIntire Road.
Tuesday, January 7, 2020
The Albemarle Planning Commission does not meet until Tuesday, January 14. When they do, there will be at least two new members. New Albemarle Supervisors Bea LaPisto-Kirtley and Donna Price will each appoint a new Commissioner to represent the Rivanna and Scottsville Districts respectively The entire Board as a whole will vote for the at-large member. Tim Keller has served in the position for a number of years. Stay tuned to the Board meeting on Wednesday!
Turnover isn’t expected on the Charlottesville Planning Commission, despite a new Council. The only Commissioner whose term is expected to conclude this year is Lisa Green, who was appointed in October 2010 to fill an unexpired term. They’ll also next meet on January 14.
The Charlottesville Tree Commission will meet today beginning at 5:00 p.m. and will welcome new member Tim Padalino. Items include a presentation from the Charlottesville Climate Collaborative, an update on the Capital Improvement Program, and a guidebook from Timmons on sidewalk studies. The role of the Tree Commission in the site plan review process will also be discussed. This meeting will be held in the Parks and Recreation offices in the Market Street Parking garage. (agenda)
Wednesday, January 8, 2020
The Albemarle Board of Supervisors meeting begins at 1:00 p.m. with their annual organizational meeting. Ned Gallaway (Rio) has been chair for the past year. Whose turn will it be next? Will there be any changes to meeting dates or general procedures? Those are the questions that will be answered in the first portion of the meeting. (agenda)
The meeting is a relatively light one, though regular business begins with a discussion of a special exception request to the county’s homestay ordinance. One Crozet family seeks to increase the number of guest rooms in their property from two to four, and also seek the ability to operate a guest room in an accessory structure on the site. This is the first special exception request since the Homestay Ordinance was updated last year. (item materials)
That will be followed by transportation updates from county staff and Virginia Department of Transportation engineers. This will give the two new Supervisors their first crack at asking questions about mobility in our area. It will also be interesting to see which Albemarle supervisors will be assigned to transportation groups such as the Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Policy Board. Supervisors assignments to Boards and Commissions come up following a discussion of the first year of the Office of Equity and Inclusion.
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There will be a lot of activity Crozet this year with continued work on the master plan update as well as continued residential development. The Crozet Community Advisory Committee gets right to work at the Crozet Library at 7:00 p.m. with an update on the plan and the county’s growth management report. (agenda)
Thursday, January 9, 2020
The Charlottesvile PLACE Design Task Force will turn eight in 2020. PLACE was formed to “guide the community in making decisions about place making, livability, and community engagement.” The group was created by former Councilor Kathy Galvin as a way to improve urban design in the city, particularly where investments will be made in public infrastructure. At its meeting at noon in the Neighborhood Development Services conference room, PLACE will discuss its upcoming presentation to the new City Council. (agenda)
There were many changes in city government in 2019, including the sudden retirement of former Parks and Recreation Director Brian Daly in September. Todd Brown was named as interim director soon after coming to the city from a long career at the Fairfax County Parks Authority. There is currently no agenda for the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting that begins at 5:30 p.m. in the parks department’s office in the Market Street Parking Garage. (previous agendas)
Friday, January 10, 2020
The Charlottesville Historic Preservation Committee meets at 11:00 a.m. in the NDS Conference Room in City Hall. There is currently no agenda posted but check this page to see if it’s been posted yet.
Thanks for reading the first installment of this newsletter for 2020. If you’re enjoying reading it, please consider a contribution to the Piedmont Environmental Council. Donate or become a member today!
