Earlier this year, Riverbend Development filed an application for a rezoning of undeveloped land just south of the University of Virginia’s Fontaine Research Park that is cut off from vehicular access by the Norfolk Southern railroad.
The company’s latest plans for the Granger property would see 200 units built on the southern portion of the 70-acre tract with access onto Sunset Avenue Extended. Previous discussion of this property has included talk of a roadway called the Sunset-Fontaine Connector.
“When constructed, the Sunset-Fontaine Connector should be a two-lane urban street with curb, gutter, sidewalks, street trees, and bicycle lanes,” reads a portion of Albemarle’s Southern and Western Neighborhoods Comprehensive Plan.
Albemarle staff sent out comments to Riverbend Development on October 27 and generally found the project to be favorable.
“The application is generally consistent with the Comprehensive Plan’s recommendations for the property, but could be strengthened with additional improvements shown along Sunset Avenue,” reads the comments. “These recommendations include sidewalks, street trees, and bicycle lanes along Sunset Avenue and connections through the Granger property to Stribling Avenue.”
That portion of Stribling Avenue is a two-lane gravel road that extends from the city neighborhood out to Fontaine Avenue.
The comments asked for more details to be provided.
A community meeting was held for the project last Thursday at the November meeting of the 5th and Avon Community Advisory Committee. Recordings are not available and I did not attend, but we learn from the materials that Riverbend is seeking more time to respond with revisions to the plan. They have until May 2024 to resubmit. (view the staff presentation)
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