One of the differences between Albemarle and Greene Counties

I almost titled this post, “ARB? We don’t need no stinkin’ ARB!” But thought better of it.

Albemarle County has an Architectural Review Board that micromanages minutiae.

Greene County does not (no longer available).

Both Wal-Mart and Lowe’s said they will begin building their new stores there in the spring and fall, respectively. They will serve as anchors for the Gateway Center, a new retail shopping center in Greene County.

Unlike other shopping centers, there isn’t an artist’s rendering available for the Gateway Center; the future of the site’s appearance depends on which businesses move in.
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“There will be space for smaller retail stores to lease, but the exact location and design have yet to be determined,” Hughes said.
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Officials know the layout of the site, said Steve Catalano, chairman of the Greene County Board of Supervisors. However, the county doesn’t have an architectural control committee.
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Catalano said the board did request that the site have “a tasteful appearance.” (bolding mine)

Greene County absolutely needs these stores. The closest “big-box” stores are in Culpeper, about 45 minutes north and Charlottesville, about 20-30 minutes south. The segmentation of our region continues, and I can’t determine yet whether this is a good or a bad development.

What this does mean for certain is that traveling Route 29 is going to become even more time-consuming and frustrating.

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