Comments on: Biscuit Run Development in CharlAlbemarle – DOA?

By: Sara

Sara — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 20:50:43 +0000

Do let us know if you hear anything about the Fifth Street/ Avon Center.

By: Dirt Worshipper

Dirt Worshipper — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 20:39:00 +0000

Another element to this is the tourism revenue that could result. If developed correctly, a State Park could connect into our existing locations like Monticello, and help bring more jobs to the area.

As for the growth areas and regulations, I think Neil makes some good points. Let’s reverse that though. Neil how would you go about encouraging developers to build mixed-use walkable communities? It seems to me thought that the whole concept of the growth areas was flawed to begin with. We should have prioritized redevelopment instead of subsidizing sprawl up 29 north. After all, you could take a shopping center like Seminole Square and make it a walkable community quite easily. All you need to do is remove the parking lots, drop in a parking garage, and then build apartments in the resulting additional space. That’s so much more efficient than trying to make a walkable community out of a suburb way up 29.

By: Neil Williamson

Neil Williamson — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 15:34:29 +0000

Or perhaps, with such barriers to development in the development areas, more homes may be built in Albemarle’s designated rural areas where it is more expensive to deliver county services?

Or perhaps, perhaps such development will move to outlying counties forcing workers to burn more fossil fuels and clog regional artieries?

Ever try biking in from the Lake?

By: Jim Duncan

Jim Duncan — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 15:26:39 +0000

I don’t think it couldn’t be built because of the barriers were so high, but it couldn’t be built because the Charlottesville area real estate market is where it is right now and will be so for the foreseeable future.

Having high standards is good – particularly the transit components that were put in place for Biscuit Run.

I think such demands will impact housing positively and negatively.

Positively because a better quality (hopefully) of development and housing will be offered.

Positively because fewer new units will be coming on the market, so we will be able to burn through existing housing stock.

Negatively because costs to developers and buyers will be higher.

Change has to start somewhere …

By: Neil Williamson

Neil Williamson — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 14:53:42 +0000

This project set new precedents regarding proffers and accomodations to County Government. If a project once called “a poster child for how development can make it through our process” David Slutzky in Will Goldsmith’s C-ville article, can’t be built because the barriers it voluntarily accepted are too high, should such barriers continue to be forced on other applicants?

How will such demands impact housing in our community?