Even though Charlottesville has been under a new zoning code for over a year, there are still several projects that are being reviewed under the former code.
When Charlottesville City Council approved the new Development Code in December 2023, any developments that were submitted before August 31 of that year would be subject to the old rules. Notable projects considered to be “vested” include the Verve Charlottesville and 2119 Ivy Road, two large apartment buildings that needed Council’s approval. (read the story about the approval)
Several other projects have not yet been approved and do not have an unlimited amount of time. In order to be eligible under the older rules, a project cannot be dormant and the property owner must show signs that efforts are being made to get all the necessary approvals.
One of the projects is at 601 Harris Road on a 4.83 acre parcel that would be accessed via the entrance to the Willoughby neighborhood. That development straddles Albemarle and Charlottesville and there is no other way to get in or out by road.
An entity associated with Woodard Properties known as Moores Creek LLC would like to develop the property as Willoughby Place, an apartment complex with 84 two-bedroom apartments in two buildings. Under the old zoning, this would be a by-right development which means Council would have no role in its approval.
On April 18, staff in the city’s Department of Neighborhood Development approved a preliminary site plan for the project which means the project can stay alive without having to come in with a new submission under the new rules. The clock is still ticking.
“A final site plan must be submitted to the City for review by April 21, 2026, or the preliminary site plan approval will expire,” wrote city planner Ben Koby.
The old zoning code had little to no affordability requirements, but the Development Code requires one in ten units to be reserved for households or individuals making less than 60 percent of the area median income.
This development was mentioned last year in an August story I wrote for C-Ville Weekly. I’ll have a longer follow-up in next week’s edition.
Before you go: This story originally went out in the April 24, 2025 edition of the Charlottesville Community Engagement newsletter. I neglected to post it until May 16, 2026.
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