Category Archives: Growth
Wegmans, Cracker Barrel and a Target on 5th Street?
Wegmans, Cracker Barrel, a Target … and maybe even a new connector road, bike paths and hiking trails on 5th Street?
We had the rumors at the Nest Report a few days ago and Charlottesville Tomorrow reports this morning that the “Fifth and Avon Center is Moving Forward.“
Keeping Charlottesville Sustainable
ASAP – Advocates for a Sustainable Population has a new ad (see? I watch local news) promoting their petition at KeepCvilleSustainable.org.
In part:
In signing this petition, you support keeping sustainability a planning priority for our quality of life, environment, and future.
Sign the petition. Speak up for sustainability and help maintain our quality of life.
My question: what does this mean? I’d like a petition to have links to their goals; this sentence – “A vocal minority has successfully pushed the Board of Supervisors to withdraw support for key environmental programs that help promote clean air and regional cooperation” – cries out for supporting links to stories that demonstrate what they are advocating. Continue reading
Albemarle County Debating Growth Area Expansion – How Should the County Grow?
Make no mistake, this is a big deal. Charlottesville Tomorrow reports:
The Albemarle Planning Commission began the review of the county comprehensive plan Tuesday with a work session on whether to expand the growth area to accommodate new development.
The county adopted a comprehensive plan in 1980 that designated 5 percent of its land to be used for dense residential and commercial use. Development is discouraged in the rest of the county in order to preserve environmental resources.
…
The county is estimating that it will have an additional 34,000 residents by 2030. Staff estimated there would need to be between 1,770 and 7,438 new units to accommodate that population growth. However, they also concluded there are just over 8,000 units that have been approved by the county but not yet built.
“There is sufficient residential capacity to accommodate population growth through 2030 within current development area boundaries,” said Andy Sorrell, a planner in the county’s community development department.
Is there? Per Charlottesville Tomorrow’s reporting, there are 12 currently proposed expansions of the Albemarle County growth area. Will this be sufficient?
We talked about Somerset Farm in June of this year – an additional 1900 homes! – what if Wendell Wood doesn’t get his rezoning (which geographically makes a lot of sense) and he builds by-right? Is that what the planners (and more importantly, the community) want?
This struck me, as the area just past Barracks Road has been largely protected from the sprawling growth other areas of Albemarle have experienced:
Next door is a 14.7-acre property near the Montvue neighborhood which developer Charles Hurt wants to include in the development area. Hurt is also applying to add a 156.8-acre parcel further up Barracks Road that, if approved, could see an additional 312 to 628 housing units.
That seems like a reasonable place to expand, although it would personally make me sad to see beautiful landscapes ruined.
Redfields Expansion Denied. Real Estate Agents need Education
Charlottesville Tomorrow reports: Proposal to expand Redfields recommended for denial
Three thoughts:
Don’t Mind Me, I’m New in Town – A Look at City and County Lines
Or … a big giant “d’oh” … with an “I’m sorry” to the Albemarle County Architectural Review Board.
Remember in July when I mused about the ARB process and Stonefield (formerly Albemarle Place):
So, what exactly is the character? I looked at the existing “entrance corridor”:
Seminole Square mall – Cheeseburger in Paradise, the Express Car Wash, Chili’s, strip with Sprint and the UPS Store on the east side of 29, Burger King, and lots of parking lots. Stonefield is replacing the old Blockbuster and 7-11, and lots of trees and natural landscape. Continue south on 29 and you’re met with KFC and Best Buy.
If the ARB truly wanted to be consistent, the Shops at Stonefield would have to emulate trees.
Turns out …
Cheeseburger in Paradise, the Express Car Wash, Chili’s the strip with Sprint and the UPS Store on the east side of 29, Burger King and lots of parking lots … are in the City of Charlottesville, not the County of Albemarle.
I’ve been living in Charlottesville/Albemarle for only 23 years (I’m 35 now) … so I’m still learning my way around.
So … my apologies to the Albemarle Architectural Review Board. Continue reading
But … I Didn’t Know that Field Was Going to Change!
The Rivanna Supervisors campaign and election are big. (and I can’t vote in it as it’s not my district)
I don’t see how “blaming others” is a position I’d want to run on in Albemarle County : (bolding mine)
Because, you see, one of the things I learned right away about Albemarle County is while in many ways the leadership of the County had gotten ahead of the curve in planning for the future, the plan wasn’t always clearly understood and pressures between growth and development, traffic, infrastructure requirements and quality of life have been at play. I learned the hard way that a major development, North Pointe, was planned for the large parcel of land across the street from me, which was a surprise and not disclosed by the real estate agents. I learned that much of the conflict between residents and developers grew from a lack of understanding of the comprehensive plan for the County and future landuse. I also learned that sometimes the process wasn’t as transparent as it should be and that financial pressures made for strange bedfellows between developers and the County.
- If You Don’t Own it, It’s Going to Change
- This is why I tell my clients that everything can change
Real estate agents are an easy target … but really?
Shopper’s World Continues to Decline
Good news: some banks are lending again.
No word yet on any traffic improvements to alleviate what presumably will be a few more turns in and out of the new shopping center.
Not so good news: Shoppers World continues to decline and traffic is likely to get more congested on 29 North. Continue reading
What, Pray Tell, IS the Character of the Area Surrounding the Shops at Stonefield?
What, Pray Tell, is the Character of the Area Surrounding the Shops at Stonefield?
Just curious.
Albemarle’s Architectural Review Board is in a bit of an unenviable position, but let’s be serious.
The Shops at Stonefield are going to be big, likely going to be ugly, will probably look like almost any other big box development in the US, and will represent a huge step towards homogeneity in Charlottesville/Albemarle.
The ARB guidelines state (PDF):
Compatibility with the character of the Entrance Corridor:
5. It is also an important objective of the Guidelines to establish a pattern of compatible architectural characteristics throughout the Entrance Corridor in order to achieve unity and coherence. Building designs should demonstrate sensitivity to other nearby structures within the Entrance Corridor. Where a designated corridor is substantially developed, these Guidelines require striking a careful balance between harmonizing new development with the existing character of the corridor and achieving compatibility with the significant historic sites in the area.
Maybe they’re operating under guidelines different than the ones I was able to find.
So, what exactly is the character? I looked at the existing “entrance corridor”:
Seminole Square mall – Cheeseburger in Paradise, the Express Car Wash, Chili’s, strip with Sprint and the UPS Store, on the east side of 29, Burger King, and lots of parking lots. Stonefield is replacing the old Blockbuster and 7-11, and lots of trees and natural landscape. If the ARB truly wanted to be consistent, the Shops at Stonefield would have to emulate trees.
Note that a labeled look from above shows the existing character of the 29 corridor. Continue reading
