Browsing Category Green

Renovating an Historic Home? The Commonwealth of Virginia wants to Give you Money.

in Green on

Frankly, as an architect who has specialized in building rehabilitation, renovation, restoration, and repair for nigh on 22 years, I share a sentiment that pervades the historic preservation community, including the staff at the Commonwealth Department of Historic Resources: This is free money.

…The house must be a) listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register or b) a “contributing structure” to a Virginia Landmarks Register District or c) judged “register eligible.” … If Landmark District designation is officially pending, and your house is listed as contributing to that District, you may proceed with your rehabilitation project. … Oh, if, at any point during this process, you cannot resist the urge to paint your house lime green, or international orange, or white with red polka dots, there’s no rule or regulation or tax credit standard that will stop you from doing so.

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Charlottesville’s LEAP

in Albemarle Charlottesville Green on

Via press release: Charlottesville and Albemarle residents will have the chance to win $10,000 in energy efficiency improvements to their homes in a Home Energy Makeover Contest to be announced this Wednesday, July 7th. The contest is one of several upcoming opportunities for local homeowners to make their homes more safe and comfortable and save money on energy bills – including a major announcement about a suite of incentives and rebates to be made at the press conference. What : Launch of the Charlottesville Home Energy Makeover Contest and announcement of new energy efficiency incentives and rebates for the community. When : Wednesday, July 7th – 1:30 pm Where : Charlottesville Community Design Center, Downtown Mall Who : – Charlottesville Mayor Dave Norris and Cynthia Adams, Executive Director of the Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP) – Local contractors who will perform home retrofits as part of the contest – Local homeowners who have recently been involved in pilot energy efficiency assessments and retrofits Local Energy Alliance Program – Charlottesville (PDF)

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Local Food in Charlottesville and Albemarle

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The more I delve into and learn about the food system, local food, where our food comes from, the more convinced I become that real estate – my chosen path – is a huge component to the food system. … Albemarle loosens some key regulations : A pair of zoning amendments adopted Wednesday by the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors will make it easier for farms and wineries to sell their products. … Previously, Albemarle restricted the amount of people allowed to attend events held at wineries to no more than 150 people, and restricted such events to no more than 12 a year.   UVA Planning Students audit area food systems : For each of the past five years, students in Tanya Denckla Cobb and Timothy Beatley’s class have examined different aspects of how this community obtains its food.

… There are at least nine Farmers’ Markets in Charlottesville and Albemarle: Charlottesville City Market ( CharlottesvilleCityMarket.com ) Charlottesville Holiday Market Crozet Farmers Market Earlysville Farmers Market Farmers in the Park Forest Lakes Farmers Market Scottsville Farmers Market The Market at Pen Park Whole Foods Farmers Market

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Green – It’s about Saving Money

in General Real Estate Green on

While by no means a comprehensive list, some of the green homes in Charlottesville can be found in the following neighborhoods: – Belvedere – Old Trail – Westhall – Wickham Pond – Avon Park – Poplar Glen – Montgomery Ridge The Code of the Commonwealth of Virginia allows for :

…Energy-efficient buildings, not including the real estate or land on which they are located, are hereby declared to be a separate class of property and shall constitute a classification for local taxation separate from other classifications of real property. The governing body of any county, city, or town may, by ordinance, levy a tax on the value of such buildings at a different rate from that of tax levied on other real property.

…Energy-efficient building certification for purposes of this subsection shall be determined by any qualified architect, professional engineer, or licensed contractor who is not related to the taxpayer and who shall certify to the taxpayer that he or she has qualifications to provide the certification. — Part 1- Quick Update on the Charlottesville Real Estate Market Part 2 – Short sales and Foreclosures in Charlottesville Part 3 – Homebuyer tax credit in 2010 – Who’s Eligible?

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Recycle Those Christmas Trees in Charlottesville and Albemarle

in Albemarle Green Off-topic on

View Christmas Tree Recycling in Charlottesville-Albemarle in a larger map From the County of Albemarle : Trees will be recycled into free mulch for the public It’s almost that time of year again! As in the past, the Albemarle County Parks & Recreation Dept will host its annual Christmas Tree Recycling Program beginning December 26, 2009 through January 16, 2010. … Shortly after the City’s curbside pick up, the County and City Parks & Recreation crews will team up to chip the estimated 2600 trees at Darden Towe Park. … The sites are as follows : – Chris Greene Lake in Earlysville – Crozet Park – Darden Towe Park – Greenwood Community Center * – Rivanna Solid Waste Authority Recycling Center on McIntire Road (*note: Sunday hours are 12noon – 5pm) – Scottsville Community Center – Walnut Creek Park The recycling location on McIntire Road may be congested; please consider Darden Towe Park as an alternate location that is less congested and is suited better for large loads and contract haulers.

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