Albemarle to hold listening session on Route 29 Form-Based Code

The Albemarle Board of Supervisors adopted the Rio/29 Small Area Plan in December 2018 to help imagine a more urban character for what developed in the mid-to-late 20th century as suburban sprawl. Nearly three years later, Supervisors adopted a “form-based code” in an overlay district to try to encourage developers to take advantage of streamlined rules to build what county planners desired. 

“At the time of adoption, it was anticipated that the first reviews of site development plans completed under the new code would reveal that revisions would be needed to the text of the code,” reads a website for an initiative in 2024 to make those changes. 

Albemarle has hired the firms EPR PC and Dover Kohl and Partners to make the adjustments based on feedback from developers. One source for that feedback is a listening session to be held on Thursday in Lane Auditorium at 5:30 p.m. 

“This update does not seek to rewrite the code completely or take out foundational elements,” the website continues. “Instead, the purpose is to refine the code to improve clarity, eliminate ambiguity, respond to changing trends/limitations in development, and ensure compatibility with the requirements of partner departments and agencies.”

Since then, many of the developments in the scope of the small area plan have been automotive in nature or continued development trends of the 20th century. For instance, the former Goodwill building has been developed as a body repair shop. A retailer of heavy equipment is moving into the building next to the Northside library. Home Depot purchased a portion of Fashion Square Mall and is building a new store there. 

Before you go: The time to write and research of this article is covered by paid subscribers to Charlottesville Community Engagement. In fact, this particular installment is from the May 28, 2024 Week Ahead edition of the newsletter.