Albemarle PC recommends special use permits for restaurant, solar array

This week, the Albemarle Planning Commission recommended two land use applications move forward to the Board of Supervisors. That’s a role that the Charlottesville Planning Commission used to play more frequently but will do so fewer times now that the city’s new zoning ordinance makes most decisions by-right.

But on Tuesday night, the Commissioners recommended a special use permit for a restaurant to operate on a commercially-zoned property that doesn’t have access to public water and sewer. An operation called The Gray is currently open at 3015 Louisa Road as a beer, wine, and gift shop. 

“I have a little wine and retail shop and I was hoping to add some limited food service,” said owner Noelle Gray. “Nothing crazy. Meat and cheese boards, basically something that I can do more extended tastings.”

Gray said she wants to spotlight the work of local producers at the shop, but needs a more permissive license from the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage and Control Authority than the gourmet permit she currently holds. 

The Planning Commission voted unanimously to support the recommendation with one condition that the restaurant itself can not exceed 2,100 square feet. 

There’s a second location on Elliewood Avenue in the Corner district of Charlottesville near the University of Virginia. 

The second public hearing was for a special use permit for a 1.5 acre solar facility to support operations at Crown Orchard in southern Albemarle County. 

“The definition of a solar facility defines it as one that’s over a half acre,” Rebecca Ragsdale is a planning manager for Albemarle County. “Even though it’s not going to be utility scale and is solely supporting the orchard, a special use permit is still required.” 

Andrew Jenner is with Paradise Energy that will build the 490 kilowatt solar array for Crown Orchard.  

“It’s to offset the usage of 60 meters at Crown Orchard Company,” Jenner said. “Once it’s built, it sits there. No noise, dust, problems, traffic.” 

Jenner showed examples of other solar arrays built in other locations in Campbell County and Nelson County. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended the project. 

“I think it’s a great example of where solar is appropriate in the rural area because it’s supporting our agricultural uses being even more sustainable,” said Commissioner Karen Firehock. 

Here are some other recent applications most of which will be handled by county staff. 

• Gropen, a signage manufacturer located at 1766 Scottsville Road, seeks an amendment of their existing site plan to add a new 10,000 square foot building to store heavy equipment. (SDP202400030) (SDP202400030 (2))
• The University of Virginia Community Credit Union has filed a site plan amendment to demolish an existing 42,000 square foot building at 1201 5th Street and replace it with a new 41,000 square foot building. I recently wrote a story on this for C-Ville Weekly. (SDP202400035) (SDP202400035 (2))
• Albemarle County has filed a site development plan for its yet-to-be-named new elementary school for the southern feeder pattern. The structure would be 71,664 square feet and built on a 15.56 acre property owned by Albemarle County adjacent to the fire station at Mill Creek. The application states the facility would use 5,700 gallons of water a day. (SDP202400039) (SDP202400039 (2)) 
• There is a zoning clearance for a new restaurant use at the Crossroads Shopping Center but no name is listed for the business. (CLE202400077)