Charlottesville is continuing to work under the development code adopted by City Council in December 2023 despite an open legal question over whether it is valid. Charlottesville Circuit Court Judge Claude Worrell has reconsidered his granting of default judgement eliminating one legal obstacle.
One next step will be trial will be scheduled on the merits of a case that boils down to whether Charlottesville officials sufficiently coordinated with the Virginia Department of Transportation on a plan to increase the number of homes that can be built. In the meantime, dozens of projects continue to make their way through the new Development Code.
On Tuesday at 5 p.m., the Charlottesville Planning Commission will hold a special meeting to consider a special exception under the new code for 1114 East High Street. (meeting packet)
The property is zoned Corridor Mixed Use 5 (CX-5) and the property owner wants to build within space where the rules call for a setback.
“The proposed structure is a 35’x90’ (3150 sf) studio workshop space with 2210 square feet for shop space, 37 square feet of bathroom, and 770 square feet of storage area,” reads the staff report. “The workshop will be used for carpentry as a part of Element Construction.”
Under the new code, the Planning Commission makes a recommendation on special exceptions and Council has the final say unless there is an appeal. There is no public hearing.
The owner also wants an exception from “transition screening requirements” and to be excused from landscaping requirements.
What does staff say?
“Based on the constraints of the parcel, orientation of the proposed development, and the economic benefit of the project, staff recommends that the Planning Commission recommend approval of the Special Exception to the Transition Screening Requirements,” reads their recommendation.
Staff also want trees to be built elsewhere to make up for two that would not otherwise be planted.
The Planning Commission will also discuss potential legislation they would like to see carried by local legislators.
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