Charlottesville’s zoning code may have been technically voided for nearly two months this summer, but some developers never stopped working on projects and submitting them for review by the city’s Department of Neighborhood Development Services.
On August 21, 2025, the firm Aspiring Developments LLC filed a major development plan for 1005 Cherry Avenue that depicts construction of six new units on three new sublots while keeping an existing structure that city records say dates back to 1900.
The 0.165 acre property is zoned Residential-B under the new development code so this is a by-right project that will only be reviewed by staff. There are no requirements for affordability as no bonus units are being requested.
The new development code does not require provision of off-street parking but this proposal would provide three garage spaces.
There have been 26 major development plans filed since the development code went into effect on February 19, 2024. Here’s a snapshot of where some of the residential projects stand.
- One of the first was a proposal to build six townhouses at 303 Alderman Road. That project has been withdrawn following three denials by staff.
- Another project at 2030 Barracks Road would see a 0.83 acre property subdivided into two lots with a 12-unit apartment building constructed on both for a total of 24. That’s possible on Residential-B land if half of the units meet affordability requirements. The Board of Zoning Appeals upheld an administrative modification at their meeting on May 22, 2025. Staff issued a preliminary approval on August 13.
- On September 2, 2025, staff issued a third denial of a major development plan for 12 units at 819 Hillcrest Road on property zoned Residential-A.
- Another major development at 1040 St. Clair Avenue has been withdrawn. A new site plan had been submitted dated July 17, 2025 after a June 26, 2025 denial letter.
- Another residential project still under review is at 1107 Myrtle Street. A proposal is to keep the existing structure and build three new units on three new sublots on property zoned Residential-A. A second denial letter was sent on July 29, 2025.
- A second denial letter was sent to the developers of 117 Harris Road on July 11, 2025. The proposal there is to build 14 units on property zoned Residential-B.
- A major development plan to build nine units at 902 Nassau Street was denied on April 29, 2025 and a new submission has not yet been made. This property is Residential-A and would have involved sublots.
- Another major development plan for nine units at 303 Palatine Avenue received a first denial letter on May 5, 2025 and a new submission has not yet been made. This property is also Residential-A.
- A project to build 16 units at 122 Apple Tree Lane on land zoned Residential Mixed Use 3 was issued a denial letter on May 16, 2025 and there has been no resubmission.
- A project to construct ten units at 528 Valley Road on land zoned Residential-B must be resubmitted. A denial letter was issued on July 11, 2025.
- A project to build five units in a new apartment building at 626 Cabell Road is listed as having received a first denial on August 7, 2025. The zoning is Residential Mixed Use 5. The site plan is not in the development portal
- A project to build six units at 501 Hedge Street is listed as having received a first denial on August 28, 2025. The comment letter is in the portal.
Before you go: The time to write and conduct research for this article is covered by paid subscribers to Charlottesville Community Engagement. In fact, this particular installment comes from the September 4, 2025 edition of the program. To ensure this research can be sustained, please consider becoming a paid subscriber or contributing monthly through Patreon.
Discover more from Information Charlottesville
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
