Search Results for: apf
Redistricting Albemarle’s Schools, APFs and Proffers – Take 2
Redistricting, by its very nature tears families and communities apart. And that sucks. But it is what it is.
There’s quite a conversation happening in Albemarle County right now as many school districts are undergoing redistricting discussions – evaluating current, past and projected enrollment numbers. I’ve been writing about the proposed redistricting a lot in part because schools matter. Better schools = better housing prices. (and better educated kids, too, presumably)
As I’ve told my clients for years:
1 – The only way to be assured that your kid is going to go to that school is if that school is private.
2 – Always. Always. Always. Check your school district – yourself – before you buy a home.
Albemarle is going to grow. There will be more people here. In Albemarle: 115k in 2020, 134k in 2030, 155k in 2040. (see: Weldon Cooper Center) Schools will need to grow. (so will roads, bike lanes, taxes).
We need to accept and deal with the growth, no matter our internal struggles with the ramifications of growth.
Now (really, 10 years ago) is the time to plan for such things.
- Adequate Public Facilities legislation. Virginia is a Dillon Rule state, so the localities can’t do anything without the General Assembly’s blessing. Learn who your legislators are. Find out who funds them. Get organized. Understand that getting such legislation is likely going to take longer to enact than your kids are going to be in elementary (and probably middle, maybe high) school.
- Proffers. Each new family costs money. Each student (new or old) costs money. I’m somewhat making this number up, but if a student costs $10k to educate at a public school (really, why no vouchers to allow choice?), and the home brings in between $1500 per year for a $200k home to $4500 for a $600k home … these homes are not paying for themselves. The bulk of school funding comes from property taxes.
- Special Tax District. I know other areas of the country have school taxes (and fire taxes, etc) – would you consider paying a school tax if you could be assured that the money would be spent wisely and only for schools (not increased bureaucracy or unnecessary administrators)?
- Limit population : Now that you’re here, would you want a cap on how many people are permitted to live in Albemarle County? (see: ASAP)
- Make no mistake; there are social and economic demographic idiosyncrasies in each of these schools that distinguish each school.
Neighborhoods may be split; the biggest target is Old Trail, but other neighborhoods are likely to face splits … does it have to be this way?
Albemarle County Schools’ Populations Are Growing. Unexpectedly. ?!
Is anyone other than the politicians surprised?
The question is – would you support an Adequate Public Facility ordinance?
Aaron Richardson at the Daily Progress reports:
Some Albemarle County schools could exceed their capacity sooner than expected, thanks to rapid growth.
Supervisor Ken Boyd curiously chooses the word “adequately” when referring to funding*
“We’re committed to providing adequate educational opportunities in this county, but we’re going to have to look at what other capital improvement projects we have going on,” Boyd said. “We’d have to take a more holistic view than, ‘Gee, have we got $46 million more to spend on education?’”
“Curious” because either:
1 – He thinks the County should offer merely “adequate” education rather than “world class”.*
2 – He’s laying the groundwork for a conversation about adequate public facilities (which tend to be opposed by Realtors) , the long-debated ordinance that would essentially prevent new homes’ construction before adequate infrastructure/fire & rescue/school/etc was in place.
Better schools increase house prices.
At some point, the politicians and the people need to understand that our population is growing, and they need to plan accordingly.
What is an adequate public facilities ordinance? I found the following definition in 2005:
An Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO) is a law adopted by the local government that allows it to defer the approval of developments based upon a finding by the governing body that public facilities would not be not adequate to support the proposed development at build out.
What are the components of an effective APF ordinance?
• Identifies the types of public facilities to be considered.
• Limits the period of time during which the deferral on development imposed by an APFO can be in force.
• Requires the locality to have in place a capital facilities plan to remedy the infrastructure inadequacy that has been the basis for the development deferral.
Somerset Farm – It’s What’s Next
Somerset Farm – Neighborhood centers, pedestrian-oriented, close to downtown Charlottesville …
From the Comprehensive Plan Report:
Neighborhoods centers would be developed as focal points for congregating. These central districts could include commercial or civic spaces that provide services, employment opportunities and gathering places for residents, reminiscent of European and pre suburban American villages
Slightly Less Development at Cherry/Ridge Intersection
From the Daily Progress : Charlottesville’s City Council rejected a proposal Tuesday that would have modified the development plan for the William Taylor Plaza mixed-used project at the corner of Cherry Avenue and Ridge Street. The council voted 3-2 to reject changes proposed by the developer that would have expanded the project’s overall size and modified an affordable housing agreement included in the original plan. … The rezoning application filed by Southern Development would have increased the number of residences from 50 to 80 units and expanded the project’s size by 10,000 square feet, bringing its total to 110,000 square feet.
…While I appreciate the sentiment, this statement shows a disconnect from reality: “I think affordable housing should come from the heart, and not for the need for low-income tax credits,” saidCouncilor Holly Edwards. Continue reading
Friday Chart – Contracts in January
I’ll let you know in 18 months. Looking at all residential properties in the Charlottesville MSA put under contract in the first 27 days of the year over the past ten years …
…Or maybe it’s just an interesting Friday Chart . 99 single family homes + 25 attached homes + 17 condos = 141 properties put under contract in the first 27 days of January.
…Housing sales are at an all-time low (nationally) … make sure to educate yourself about the Charlottesville area market as well. … You need to align yourself with an advisor who has your best interests in mind, one who takes a realistic approach, one who is not afraid to tell you to rent, one who analyzed the market consistently.
Continue reading
Charlottesville MSA Electon Results
* 
Virginia’s 5th District is huge, and this election is not fully representative of all of the Charlottesville MSA, but it’s a “good enough” snapshot. (at least for these purposes). Sure, the results are unofficial, but thanks to Virginia’s State Board of Elections, we can see tonight’s election results. … You couldn’t even muster 50% turnout. 
Albemarle County – More Balanced than Charlottesville City 
Greene County – More Republican than Charlottesville City or Albemarle County. 
Fluvanna County 
Nelson County – the best percentage turnout! 
* I made a long, insightful comment on Facebook months ago, and, because of the Facebook way, can’t find the comment for the life of me. Continue reading
Where to Vote in Central Virginia – 2010 Edition
Where to Vote in Charlottesville and Albemarle
If you’re wondering where to vote in Charlottesville or Albemarle (or anywhere in Virginia, really:
This is Charlottesville Tomorrow’s Voter Guide for Charlottesville and Albemarle elections… Continue reading…
